(Written: 20 August and not edited for updates)
The last few weeks have been very full on and quite stressful. Unrelated to any
of the other goings on I have just been to hospital for my uretic stent change.
It's relatively routine. In 2017 after complications with my cancer my right
kidney blocked. Unfortunately it wasn't straightforward and the exit to my
kidney had to have surgery and an internal stent inserted. Apparently it's
relatively routine. Unfortunately it has to be replaced every 3 or 4 months. So for the last 8 years I have been travelling down to Ayr Hospital for the surgery. It has been a long journey but I've always combined it with a stay with my pal, Anna, in Glasgow. The hospital is absolutely fantastic and a model of what every hospital should be like. As a consequence many of the staff on the ward I have attended for years have been there the whole time.
For various reasons I have had an unfortunate history of pre-sepsis and, on a few occasions, full blown sepsis. Occasionally after my procedure and usually after it had been delayed. As a result they never allow me to be discharged until they are sure that I'm okay. The medics seem to have found a solution, though, and I've not had any problems for a few years.
Last November it was decided that, given my age etc, it would be better if I was transferred to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness which is my 'local' hospital. for major things. Our local Stornoway Hospital is excellent but lacks some specialities. Raigmore is a hospital built in it's current form in 1970 with the tower block being opened in 1985. It is now far too small and appears to be understaffed and, probably, underfunded.
As it caters for the whole of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland patients who are on longer-term treatment are not looked after on wards within the hospital. There are accommodation blocks a few hundred yards away which provide bedrooms (without ensuite facilities) and nothing else. In winter and the rain it's a long trek over the car parks to the main hospital entrance and what passes for a cafeteria which closes at 6.30 pm. It's even longer when you are feeling absolute crap in the middle of treatment.
Anyway I had my stent changed and walked back to the accommodation block and at crack of dawn next morning went to the airport and was home well before lunch.
I'm still recovering from the shock.
Ayr hospital is good..but still with wards closed due to lack of funding and staff.
ReplyDeleteGwynneth, the head of the Ballochmyle Unit went from Raigmore. He was the surgeon who operated on me for cancer (and removed it) in 1997. I wasn't aware of the closures. Certainly I've known some of the nursing staff who have been there since I first went.
DeleteDoesn't sound like a pleasant experience at all, Graham, and I am glad you are home and hope your recovery is going smoothly. I'm so sorry you have to go through this so often but at least it is working. I was happy to see a post from you and hope you get your strength back now.
ReplyDeleteEllen, I think I possibly made too much of it. I'm sure that compared with many places it is very good indeed and the actual treatment I received (which is, after all what really matters), was absolutely first class.
DeleteIt sounds like you are having a rough time in general. I hope things improve for you xo
ReplyDeleteKylie, I'm conscious of the fact that many many people are much worse off that I am. I promise to be more positive in future.
DeleteYour hard times are as valid as any others, Graham.
DeleteThank you, Kylie.
DeleteThat's a long sentence of stents. If they're getting routine you've had too many. I hope you have a rapid recovery.
ReplyDeleteRed, I'm tild that my uretic stent should be replaced every 4 months so that it doesn't become part of my body with the consequence of likely infections (due to rejection?).
DeleteHello Graham. I'm pleased to hear that everything went OK. I have a total fear of all medical intervention, so I admire your resolve. The fact that you were 'walking' the morning after your operation is a good sign. Very best wished.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cro. I have no choice. I had most of a lung removed when I was 16 and have had bits and pieces removed and replaced ever since. I have great fun going through airport security with all the bits of metal inside my body.
DeleteCro, I have been having the same procedure for years. In the early days it was almost treated as a day case but I ended up every time with infections and, on one occasion, sepsis (involving a couple of weeks hospital stay - most of which I didn't recall when I eventually came around). So I was then kept in for 24/48 hours until I left Ayr. Now I'm back as a day case (I go from the operation to an overnight stay in the hospital patient bedroom accommodation in a separate building). I just hope that I manage to stay strong and infect free.
DeleteAgain, I wish you all the best, and especially infection free!
Delete'Wishes'.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness that is an ordeal for an older person. Hopefully you will heal quickly and without infection. Can't you insidt on going to the Ayr Hospital if it is more comfortable. Good health for the future.
ReplyDeleteDiane, the decision to stop going to Ayr was a mutual one because it's a two day journey by car between my home and Ayr. Even flying take a full day and involves taxis and trains as well. Now I'm in my 80s travelling in the middle of a Scottish winter is no longer fun.
DeleteWhenever there is a long gap between posts from you I hope you have not had any serious health issues but were simply too busy to post.
ReplyDeleteThe hospital might be nearer to you but the previous one sounds much better in terms of facilities and care.
Thank you for your thoughts, Meike. I've been a bit 'occupied' one way and another recently and my mind hasn't been where it should have been. Hopefully all is now back to what passes for my 'normal'. I actually enjoyed my visits to Ayr hospital. I shall miss them.
DeleteDear Graham, it's good to see an update from you! I sincerely hope Raigmore take as good care of you as Glasgow did. Very best wishes ❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Eve. I appreciate your thoughts.
DeleteThe arrangements at Raigmore sound less than ideal. I hope you're feeling stronger and more settled and comfortable now.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice. I'm all fine and dandy again thank you.
DeleteCould you ask to go back to the previous arrangements for your stent, despite the additional travelling?
ReplyDeleteI think that would still be less stressful than your recent experience!
JayCee, I could ask to go back but Raigmore would have to agree (they are the designated hospital for where I live). Back in 1997 it wasn't a problem (I knew the people involved). Now the bureaucracy would mean that Ayr Health Board would charge Raigmore. In fact, I know that after a few visits everything will be fine. The staff in Raigmore are lovely but the hospital is overstretched.
DeleteSorry to hear that the hospital in Inverness does not match the hospital in Ayr. Anyway - you got through it all again. Well done Graham!
ReplyDeleteYP, this will, I hope be my last 'gripe' and everything will be hunky dory in future.
DeleteNot the best circumstance perhaps, but the outcome was positive, Graham. I too live in a country where universal medical care is available, and the system is under stress, probably inefficiently managed in some areas, and seems to be underfunded no matter how much money is thrown at it. But thank goodness for it. Even sometimes limping along, it beats the alternative, and I am very grateful for it. Stay well. Enjoy the fall. Best wishes - David
ReplyDeleteDavid, you've hit the nail fairly and squarely on the head. I'm sure that everything will be absolutely fine in future.
DeleteSounds like you felt safer at Ayr in spite of the long journey that involves. I can well imagine that familiar surroundings and staff makes a difference when it comes to how one feels about repeated treatments/surgeries. And the "accomodation" in Inverness does sound like it leaves much to be desired! Glad all went OK with the procedure as such, though! (Pity you can't get it done in Stornoway...) ♥
ReplyDeleteDawn, I was comfortable in myself in Ayr. It was pleasant walking down corridors with familiar faces. Going to a ward where I had known a few of the faces since they were junior staff (and are now senior nurses and beyond). Where people welcomed me by name after nearly 30 years. They were Good Times. I was very fortunate. Now after all these comments I'm moving on.
DeleteI don't doubt that, Graham. You've always shown remarkable resilience!
Deletewishing you ongoing good health outcomes regardless of where treatment is dispensed
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tigger's Mum. I'm sure the treatment will always be of the high standard that has kept me (and millions of others) alive and well.
DeleteReading your account makes my hair stand on end. No mean feat since my hair is fairly long and, on one side, I have "grown" a veritable bird's nest. Dreadlocks have nothing on me. We'd make a fine pair - you with your stent and me currently [can't believe it] not so much limping as terrified of setting a foot wrong. Not quite sure how to work that into something similar to the blind leading the lame but you'll get the drift.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, you certainly sound resilient,
U
Gosh, Ursula, being absent so much recently from Blogland I've obviously missed something. Hopefully I'll manage to catch up in the next wee while.
DeleteGosh Graham, walking from apartments to the hospital when you are sick is not good, I've read your updates on your health over the years, I think you've come a long way.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I've been very fortunate. I've had problems for many years and the medics have been brilliant in keeping it contained. Even in all the years I lived in New Zealand I only had real problems on two occasions. All my main surgery, scans and treatment occurred during the 6 months I was in Scotland each year.
DeleteSo good to see your post! I hope these new arrangements for your ongoing medical care work out perfectly. I am going to believe your long time friends in Ayr would not pass your care on to Raigmore Hospital if it weren't a good idea.
ReplyDeleteHope you are recovering, and will be fit and strong enough to enjoy your garden again soon.
Thank you Pauline. Yes I'm fit and well and back in the garden - despite some of the weather.
Delete