My Nephrectomy

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My Nephrectomy

I have just received the following treatment from the UK heath care system.

All absolutely free.

Four consultations with my Doctor, Numerous blood tests for just about everything.

A investigation by flexible cystoscopy, an ultra sound scan.

And a CT scan which showed stage 1 cell renal carcinoma.

Four consultations with urology specialists.

Information was provided to me at each and every stage. Nurses were available on telephone at any time  to answer any questions I had.

A special pre op examination was provided.

The operation


 Surgery at Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton Somerset UK to remove my right kidney performed  laparoscopically. ( right radical nephrectomy) performed on Thursday September 8th.

The operation went well and the recovery was swift.

I could not have received better treatment even if I was a millionaire.

 Five days in the hospital with daily blood and urine tests, medication for pain relief. Fed and watered daily with good food.

The staff were all highly trained , diligent and cheerful at all times. I am grateful to them and am in awe at their highly competent performance.  Again my deep gratitude to them.

I am also proud of them in the job that they are doing, in the patience and care I witnessed to those in need in the same ward.

There were no complications. A nurse was available at all times at the press of a button.

Recovery


My recovery was swift after only seven days I am back to almost normality ( well nearly) doing most things about the house. Bread making, walking to the neighbours and on my feet most of the day. I was placed on the Enhanced Recovery Programme. I was determined to be active as possible to prevent any thrombosis and blood clots.

Date of writing 15th Sept 2011.  Follow up medication supplied free. My GP even phoned me direct to issue a prescription. Spent the day baking three batches of bread and PC work.

17th Sept: a very active day spent shopping and doing some work in the workshop, there a lot of orders to fulfil for signs. I do not feel really ill, some pain the first two days at home but this was easily treated with pain killers.

I had no real illness symptoms to the contrary I walking up to 20km a day before the operation and I felt very fit.

The only indication I had that something was wrong was the show of blood in my urine in May/June this year. The GP thought this may be a bladder problem but exhaustive tests and scans showed a swelling in the right kidney which was diagnosed as stage 1 renal carcinoma.  I now await the results analysis of the diseased kidney.

I don't understand why I have got this problem, I eat all the right food, take regular exercise, don't smoke, do not drink to excess and never park on double yellow lines.

I had to wear these blue elastic tight tights to prevent blood clots and thrombosis. I need a good pair of suspenders as the tights eventually fall down. My big chance to cross dress! So far no one has offered any to me.

I am wondering what the cost of my treatment would be in the USA?

18th October 2011

Now feeling very good and ready to take on the world. First job is to thank everyone who helped me thorough this. Especially Tim Brown ranger at the local nature reserve who called in every day with encouragement and assistance. Also to Vanessa, his wife who sent so many superb food parcels!

I am back to making signs for the charity shops and will be over at the reserve to check out the 83 bird boxes! That will be a long task. The squirrels are biting at the rope securing them so we are finding the boxes on the woodland floor.

 25th Oct. A letter arrived today giving me the all clear.

My check up 13th April 2012 (Friday) following my scan in March 2012 has given me the all clear.

Thank you all at Musgrove Park Hospital and all in the NHS.

 

All images Copyright © 2011 [Lewis Bates]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 05-May-2012.