hayfield Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 Nothing as serious as yours but I went in to have my arteries scanned, in the operating room the surgeon muttered something about a by pass operation, thirty mins later when back on the ward was told thankfully only stents were required, at a couple of pre op meetings they hummed and hared about keeping me in. Anyway I lasted OK till the surgery date all went OK and did not even qualify for a bed, just an arm chair for a few hours. I sometimes wonder how such young people know so much, still the consultants are a bit older and all are so skilled. Thankfully the hospital I was treated in was a specialist heart treatment hospital Good luck and don't forget to keep the golf bag trolley battery charged as it will be needed 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Evil Bus Driver Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 Really sorry toread all this Gordon. I really hope they can sort it out and you can get back to what you do best, whacking balls building awesome trackwork. Good luck and I really hope it turns out well for you. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Regularity Posted December 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 17, 2020 34 minutes ago, gordon s said: Trying to imagine the conversation...... “Have you done this before?” ”How many times?” ”How many are still alive?”.......... The very best surgeons do the most difficult cases, where mortality rates are highest. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Rowsley17D Posted December 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 17, 2020 40 minutes ago, gordon s said: Thanks for all your best wishes. They really are appreciated and it’s good to know you have the support of forum mates, many of which I have never met. I have a meeting with the cancer group tomorrow to discuss the options with my surgeon. I’m somewhat concerned that several websites talk about the possible complexity of surgery and to make sure you ‘choose’ someone who knows what they are doing........ Searched high and low but can’t find any ‘Amazon’ reviews or ‘‘eBay’ style feedback on surgeons.... Trying to imagine the conversation...... “Have you done this before?” ”How many times?” ”How many are still alive?”.......... Not really the way to build a relationship with the guy who is going to have half your internals in his care........ Heard this morning the PET scan has been cancelled. This may be good news if they have sufficient info or could be a policy decision based on cancellation of non essential scans with COVID. Another interesting question........ Hi Gordon, you may think you are jesting with these questions but in my experience the NHS is only too willing nowadays to give answers to such questions as they do have the facts as a result of all the inquiries into dodgy practice they've had over the years. The attitude of "doctor knows best" is fast disappearing. So you ask as many questions as you like. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold lezz01 Posted December 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 17, 2020 Best wishes Gordon. Having been in health for the last 22 years, both in hospital and community environments, I assure you that there are no idiots in an operating theater. If you are under the care of the John Radcliffe then you are in very very good hands indeed, many would say the best in the UK if not the world. Their reputation is well earned and deserved. I can say this with total conviction as I have personal experience of their care both of myself and other members of my family. Regards Lez.Z. 3 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrushVeteran Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 I can only echo what Lezz01 has made comment on about the JR. I am fortunate to live fairly close to the Hospitals, the Horton and Winey included and as always the NHS do a fantastic job and Gordon you will be in very safe hands. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KalKat Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 I wish you well Gordon - and all the best for a speedy recovery .......... you still have a railway to finish Wishes an' fishes - Emma 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Adrian Stevenson Posted December 17, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 17, 2020 Wishing you all the best for a quick recovery. Cheers, Ade. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 Wow Gordon, what a shock, really sorry to read this but wishing you all the best, and especially now over the Christmas period. All the very best, and here's to 2021 being somewhat better. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 Sorry to hear of your prognosis, Gordon. All the best for a full recovery ... Someone's gotta finish this railway and it might as well be you! 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welly Posted December 18, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 18, 2020 Forgive me if I'm teaching you to suck eggs but I suggest writing down any questions you want to ask before you see the surgical team. That way you won't forget them on the day. All the best! 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold fishytrains Posted December 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2020 All the best for the treatment. Mike 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenBoy Posted December 18, 2020 Share Posted December 18, 2020 Obviously all my best wishes for a speedy recovery. On a personal note, as I have crohns, I have taken the point you had your colon removed 50 years ago as a positive - for me personally as they seem intent on taking mine bit by bit, but also for you - you are a tough , who has managed an obviously full life despite some adversities being thrown at you. This gives me great hope, and confidence you will take this all in your stride and be back golfing and modeling very soon. All the best, and take care. Dave 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Tankerman Posted December 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2020 Gordon, We will probably never meet, but having been where you are now. I was told that I had a kidney tumour out of the blue some fifteen years ago and felt completely at a loss, until I met the surgeon who was to carry out the operation. Those that get to be top surgeons are some of the most skilled and caring people you will ever meet and you will be in the best hands that you could be. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted December 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2020 If all else fails Gordon and you can't find a suitable surgeon, as a retired plumber I'll do it for you, it's only pipework, what could possibly go wrong? Mike. 4 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Regularity Posted December 18, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 18, 2020 1 minute ago, Enterprisingwestern said: If all else fails Gordon and you can't find a suitable surgeon, as a retired plumber I'll do it for you, it's only pipework, what could possibly go wrong? Mike. As a plumber, retired or not, he will probably charged you more per hour! 2 1 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Bell Posted December 18, 2020 Share Posted December 18, 2020 Gordon, Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery, Cheers, David 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyB Posted December 18, 2020 Share Posted December 18, 2020 Hi Gordon. All the best and get well soon. Andy 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium polybear Posted December 18, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 18, 2020 On 17/12/2020 at 13:24, gordon s said: Thanks for all your best wishes. They really are appreciated and it’s good to know you have the support of forum mates, many of which I have never met. I have a meeting with the cancer group tomorrow to discuss the options with my surgeon. I’m somewhat concerned that several websites talk about the possible complexity of surgery and to make sure you ‘choose’ someone who knows what they are doing........ Searched high and low but can’t find any ‘Amazon’ reviews or ‘‘eBay’ style feedback on surgeons.... Trying to imagine the conversation...... “Have you done this before?” ”How many times?” ”How many are still alive?”.......... Not really the way to build a relationship with the guy who is going to have half your internals in his care........ Heard this morning the PET scan has been cancelled. This may be good news if they have sufficient info or could be a policy decision based on cancellation of non essential scans with COVID. Another interesting question........ Worth remembering the golden rules: Google is your friend; it can also be your enemy. There's a lot of information on the Web; there's also a lot of misinformation.... 10 hours ago, Regularity said: As a plumber, retired or not, he will probably charged you more per hour! And not bother to turn up... 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jukebox Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 Just caught up on your news Gordon - thinking of you and sending best wishes for a speedy recovery. Regards Scott 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted December 19, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 19, 2020 On 17/12/2020 at 13:24, gordon s said: Searched high and low but can’t find any ‘Amazon’ reviews or ‘‘eBay’ style feedback on surgeons.... Trying to imagine the conversation...... “Have you done this before?” ”How many times?” ”How many are still alive?”.......... Not really the way to build a relationship with the guy who is going to have half your internals in his care........ Whilst not good news to hear it does sound like you're upbeat about it, I've mentioned before on this thread that I give blood and do it so it hopefully makes a difference to someones life, Being O neg I'm a universal donor so there is always the possibility you'll get mine, so just pray for a surgeon that does a good job and doesn't need it. Re the above - I had a procedure to remove some pre-cancerous nasties a couple of years ago (All fine now) The conversation was interesting Surgeon - Any history of this in the family ? Me - Yes, My Mother had it and I've outlived her by 5 years Surgeon - Ok.....well rest assured I've done this before and very skilled at it. Me - Thats good, I was hoping it wasn't a party trick... 2 8 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gordon s Posted December 19, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 19, 2020 (edited) Many thanks again, for all your best wishes and PM’s. As forums can resemble bear pits for keyboard warriors, it’s heartwarming to see there are so many who care for others. Giving blood is something I have never been able to do for obvious reasons, so I am grateful to all who take the time to support those of us who may need help. Thanks Dave, much appreciated. Had my meeting with a wonderful surgeon yesterday who spent over an hour explaining every detail to me and showed me all the scan results, so I could see exactly what was going on. Jackie wasn’t allowed to come with me under COVID restrictions, so he happily did the whole review on a speaker phone to save me having to relay everything to her when I got home. I learned a lot, so whilst it is a three hour round trip to Oxford, it was worth getting out of bed in the dark to drive there. Many of you have asked to be updated, but I am aware this is primarily a model railway forum. Having said that though, my experience may be of help to others who may be facing similar issues, particularly as the years tick by. In simple terms I’m on a flow chart with lots of different routes that can be taken depending on the outcome of each stage. First step is the PET scan which hasn’t been cancelled. Probably an internal misunderstanding, so that will go ahead next week with any luck. If no ‘hot spots’ are seen, then surgery goes ahead. If there are some, then it’s chemo to eliminate them before surgery. Now the fascinating bit. The liver is in 8 sections and they want to leave just 2 & 3. They have a complex calculation to determine the volume your body needs and if 2 & 3 can provide that, surgery can go ahead without delay. If it can’t, then they will seal off the bits they are going to remove and redirect the blood flow into the remaining parts until it grows to the correct size and then they can continue with surgery as planned. Everyone was very supportive and I feel in good hands. Hopefully all will not be delayed and this can be done in January, but it may go out until March, if alternative routes are required. Apologies this is not about track building, electrics or the myriad of railway modelling issues, but ET has always meandered across various subjects over the years and I see this as a temporary diversion. The good news is a recovery period of around six months which should see me back in shorts and a polo shirt out in the sunshine again. Now I have a lot more facts to put my mind at rest, I may well try and get the overhead lighting completed or if nothing else just sit and enjoy trains running for a while. If you really want to know the exact details, here’s the info sheet they provided which gives the correct medical explanations. Still feeling OK, so life goes on...... https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/55947Pliver.pdf Edited December 19, 2020 by gordon s 33 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted December 19, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 19, 2020 26 minutes ago, gordon s said: Apologies this is not about track building, electrics or the myriad of railway modelling issues, but ET has always meandered across various subjects over the years and I see this as a temporary diversion. The good news is a recovery period of around six months which should see me back in shorts and a polo shirt out in the sunshine again. No need for apologies Gordon, RMWeb is historically famous for thread drift! Mike. 4 5 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post Oldddudders Posted December 19, 2020 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted December 19, 2020 I have felt the enormous warmth this place can generate (bereavement 2012) so understand the benefit you may be feeling. Yes, this thread is usually about the travails of a man with a modelling mission, but your determination to make ET into something special is now being mirrored in a positive attitude to forthcoming ordeals. Do not hesitate to pour out whatever you need to relate as weeks and months go by - if it helps you, then print it here. We are all willing for a good outcome, and supporting any dark days is part of that. In the unlikely event that some toe-rag declares that he doesn't like reading medical details on a model railway forum, I anticipate him getting a damn good kicking. 12 3 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted December 19, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 19, 2020 8 minutes ago, Oldddudders said: In the unlikely event that some toe-rag declares that he doesn't like reading medical details on a model railway forum, I anticipate him getting a damn good kicking. On the other hand, bear in mind that this is a public forum. Anything written here is available for the entire world to read, and will be indexed on Google and other search engines for 100 years. For example, try entering eastwood town liver in Google. Anyone posting medical details here might want to ensure that their real identity isn't discoverable anywhere on RMweb (or on other forums that they use with the same user name). So that rules me out. Best wishes Gordon. Martin. 2 1 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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