Royal Marsden - how every hospital should be
22 Aug 2012
I'm now starting my second night at the Royal Marsden hospital in South Kensington and this is how every NHS hospital should be. I feel welcome, safe, secure, well-looked after and am reassured I'm getting the best specialist cancer care I could be getting.
The good practice permeates from top to bottom, from the smiling welcome, the careful explanations, the time staff can give you to the design of the wards. I realise other hospitals do not have this level of funding or staffing. But they should. Whereas before I was anxious, double-checking staff and desperate to get out, in this hospital I'm calmer and ready to go with the flow, while still trying to do all I can to help myself.
The good news is that the CT scan shows no sign of a blood clot on the lung ( not unknown with carcinomas). The not so good news is that there are new pockets of fluid, which seem to be infected, and the underlying tumours have grown, possibly quite quickly. The left lung has not fully reinflated. So there's lots to do but the priority is getting on top of the infection. early signs suggest the new antibiotics are starting to do that.
I'm in a two bed bay with a former Turkish professional footballer so we've had some good soccer discussions and are keeping each other cheerful.
The nurses and care assistants, the catering staff and the cleaners all play their part with good humour and kindness. And the food isn't at all bad either. What a relief - i'd rather be home, of course, but I know I am better being here.
Once again, thanks for all your kind messages. They're a big support.
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Anne Kealy - 22 Aug 2012
Phew!
We are so pleased you are being so well cared for and are in such capable hands. I'm sure the fact you feel safe and secure will help on all levels, not least in keeping your new footballer chum on his toes! Also great to hear the NHS is doing it's stuff so well in this instance, lets hope they sort you out, and get you out again soon. Warmest wishes from both Tom and myself.
Susan and Colin - 22 Aug 2012
Keep Smiling
Good to hear you are in such good hands Mike. Thinking of you constantly and sure it must be reassuring that step by step they are getting on top of everything.
Bob Chaundy - 22 Aug 2012
Good Luck
I'm glad you're being well looked after, Mike, and the antibiotics kick in asap. I assume you'll soon be able to voice such profound phrases as "on me 'ead, son" and "the boy done good" in Turkish. All the best.
penny - 22 Aug 2012
hurray for the Royal Marsden
great Mike that the antibiotics seem to be already doing their stuff. My sister, who has Cystic Fibrosis occasionally is treated at hospitals other than her own, the Brompton and says just the same 'the Brompton is where everyone with CF has to be treated!' She too talks of reassurance of being in partnership with the best possible people. The environment and treatment will be first rate and you will go home soon, knowing that all is under control again. There is much publicity at the moment about sustained exercise, positive thinking and all that we try to do...even a new study from the States this week looking at survival rates in people practising yoga daily. Quite radical findings! Off down to the edge of the sea tomorrow to do my sun salutations and alternate nostril breathing!My recent tests show exemestane is keeping tumours under control but not making them disappear.. shucks, more biking and sticking even more strongly to that vegan diet.. Stay strong Mike and practice your Turkish for the next visit to Istanbul.... warmest wishes.. Penny
Emily Buchanan - 22 Aug 2012
Landed on your feet!
Wishing you well and thank goodness you are in the Marsden. The best place by all accounts. Sure your amazing underlying fitness will help your recovery there. Warmest wishes Emily
sukey - 22 Aug 2012
Drinks trolley
My friend was in the Royal Marsden last year and we had a chat with a nurse who remembered 20 years ago, when apparently an alcoholic drinks trolley (no charge!) would do the rounds before dinner. The theory being that a little sherry or a G&T would stimulate the appetite. Anyway yes, it's a fantastic hospital. You'll be getting the very best treatment. Lots of love xxx
Steve Taylor - 23 Aug 2012
Thinking of you
Keep your spirits up Mike, we are thinking of you, Chrissy and the family all the time. I'm sure you will soon have dug your second escape tunnel back home! Love from us and the girls.
Rebecca Hanson - 23 Aug 2012
:-) The coming of age of Ofspare
I'm so glad you're in better hands Mike.
Okay - here we go - Ofspare part 3.
They can shut down Teacher TV but they can't stop us watching what's going on.
http://mathseducationandallthat.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/the-coming-of-age-of-ofspare.html
I meant to get up to date with part 3 and I haven't quite got there... so we're going to need an interlude next.
chris lowe - 23 Aug 2012
Hi Mike. Great to hear you are in good hands - will be even happier to know you are out - so we can fix another lenghy luncheon with those fellow old BBC lags, Foster and Silverman. Meantime, could you ask your room mate if there are any young Turks who could help out at the Palace. It seems we are in dire need. My warmest wishes, Chris
julia thomas - 23 Aug 2012
wind and sea
Mike! I am off to North Devon tomorrow, so am going to shout prayers into the wind and the sea for you! I know you love Puttsborough. I shall probably stomp along Woolacombe or Morte Point. When you are next down, and betterer, we could meet up in a pub!
loads of love Julia
Edward Gamble - 23 Aug 2012
Turk in the next bed
Great to hear you are in good hands - NHS at its best.
Liz Lightfoot - 23 Aug 2012
Wish you were here
Hi Mike, A level and GCSE results have gone down for the first time in what seems like centuries and I thought of you and all those of us who had to pass on QCA assurances that there was absolutely no political or any other interference and that the media was denigrating the achievements of pupils and teachers by even questioning the year on year rises.
You are greatly missed in the education world.
Thinking of you. Liz
Lesley Killin - 23 Aug 2012
What a Relief!
That all sounds so much more positive Mike. I know there is no place like home but you are in the best place at the moment and the fact that you feel safe and reassured means a lot.
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