Monday 26 November 2012

Last post

Just waiting to be "processed" by the admittance service. In fact, I've just been called in by Annika to get the necessary papers, for the "warder" to be called, and for me to be taken to the room.

See you when I get back!


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Location:Hospital San Jaime

Tuesday 20 November 2012

All systems "Go"

I had a chat with the anaesthetist yesterday and all is set to have the operation to remove the left kidney and ureter next Monday morning, 26 November.

I have to be at the hospital at seven-fifteen in the morning (07:15!)—it's enough to make you ill.

Still, I should be first in the queue and therefore also be served first. Like being at the butcher's in so many ways! (300gr. of kidney, please…)

Actually, I used to quite like steak and kidney pie (though not so much the pudding). Well, I liked the steak bit; I used to leave any kidney I found on the plate. Faggots and peas, lovely.

Friday 9 November 2012

Through the Keyhole

All the results are now in from the procedure that was carried out at the beginning of last week. The cytology report of tests carried out on samples taken from the inside of the left kidney speak of abundant malignant neoplasia cells, with the one-word conclusion, "Carcinoma" (cancer).

Yesterday and today I spoke to the doctors invloved and the decision has been taken to remove the left kidney and ureter. This will be done through means of what is politely referred to as keyhole surgery, though the keyholes are still quite large, as can be seen in this video (not for the squeamish) of a similar operation, though on the right side.

If you like long words, the operation is called a nephroureterectomy, a word which would probably win any Scrabble match.

The date of the operation must still be fixed, depending on approval from the insurance company.