In my rush to pop in before my M25 trip I forgot to mention about the glass shelf !!
I wanted this lovely mirror for the bathroom that has lights above it with a socket for his electric razor and 3 thick glass shelves, it was very expensive (£450) but it was the final finishing touch to our newly refurbed bathroom.
All I did was take the hair brush off the shelf.....honest guv....I didnt even touch the bottom shelf....it just fell off!!!!! Being toughened glass it only chipped on the corner as it hit the little shiny peddle bin. Mouthwash, tooth brushes, toothpaste all spilled across the floor........loud bang that set the dogs off barking and Dave slept through it all.
So off I go, collect SIL on the way.....bloody woman, you give her a time and she still isnt ready so while Im waiting I set the Sat Nav up.....and we are off in my shiny electric handbrake hire car. Hospital appointment is at 9.15 so should make it in plenty of time. WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!
M25 down to one lane due to accident, we moved 2miles in 1hr 20mins. Had to ring hospital to let them know we would be late...."do you think you will be here by 11am"....I bloody hope so.
The Sat Nav.....it decided it didnt want to play anymore....I tried to tell SIL what to do with it (couldnt throw it out the window, I needed it)...but she touched something completely different and fucked it up....I grabbed it and durring my efforts to amend put the bloody thing on silent, all done in a hurry as the traffic started to move. A few miles later I said "Im sure thats the exit we need"......"no" says SIL "she aint telling you to turn off"......then that big light bulb came on....oh fuck. Pulled off at next available exit and found out I had put the damn thing on silent ha ha. We finally booked in at 10.45.
Hi..... mmm another lump....prod, poke, twist, bend, big prod..."ouch, that bloody hurts there"....right ok we will see you in 9 months, may need another op, see how it goes and if it gets much bigger or causes problems. ring us, bye. So 5mins with consultant and being told Im an interesting case, rather my foot is, and we are off home. Going home always seems much quicker, less stress I suppose.
Tried ringing Dave to let him know I was in the area....no answer, I presumed he had already left for his oncology appoinment. He rang back, we arranged to meet at car hire centre. Off we go to his appointment. Parking is a mare at Maidstone Hospital so he jumps out and I try and park. Walked into waiting area and its packed out. See some familiar faces and some newly diagnosed, you can tell by the look on their faces, disbelief, shock, trepidation, eyes darting around the room, hands fidgeting, trying to avoid eye contact with the ladies that are bald or wearing a head scarf......its strange that....you can see a bald man and not think twice about it, but when you see a bald lady....He had bought me a cup of tea bless him and told me they were running 20mins late. Hadnt even finished my tea when he was called in.
"Your seeing Mr Newman today Dave"...he is the man....top dog....."hows things Dave".. explained about the depression and the pain he is suffering in his neck and how worried he is that its back. "where is the pain, is it general or in one place.....ah, that is nerve damage Dave, as you can appreciate we had to cut a lot of nerves, what happens is the ends sometimes mend like a mushroom, I know you dont like taking pills but you need pain relief, pain will lower your mood and make you feel very unwell.....(thank you Mr Newman, I have been trying to explain that to him for over two years)....checked his neck and in his mouth, no signs of any infection or lumps ...YEAH. He has a new pain killer to take twice a day, consultant said it may take up to a week to work but take them. I can tell you with honesty he is taking them and last night he said the pain is easing...YEAH.
He also said that if he had realised how bad the op and after effects would have been, he would never had agreed to have it done..... so for all the shite and let downs we have felt, and hating seeing him in destress, and I know its selfish of me, but Im glad he didnt know before hand....cos I probably wouldnt have My David with me now.
We never asked enough questions in the begining...well I wanted to but he wouldnt let me......He still doesnt ask enough questions, but at least now he realises one of us has too, and he is happy for me to do just that.
It was a good day all round really.
Hugs to you all and good days xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007