Hello everyone,
I am most definitely not a human...but a cat with 9 lives! I have now had a total of 11 weeks in hospital and the last 2 were due to pelvic cancer.
I had a head on car crash years ago (1987) and the seat belt broke my collar bone but if I hadn't had the seat belt on I wouldn't be here...the other person was charged with dangerous driving and I vaguely remember getting some money but I have had a useless back ever since!
I had viral encephalitis in 2002. 6 weeks seriously ill in hospital and off work for 3 years... lots of long term effects and problems...
I had ileostomy surgery in November 2020, having had to cope with lymphocytic colitis for at least 15 years...I eventually had a colon that just didn't work...and I have had a stoma bag for 5 years!
On top of that... this year I have had pelvic cancer. For me and all my complications, unfortunately late diagnosis is the biggest problem.
To cut a long story short...it was 'assumed' my symptoms were being caused by my previous history of fibroids. After months of waiting for a hysteroscopy... phone calls and letters to my GP had no effect whatsoever...even though I was on the red list...I took myself into A&E (Causeway hospital Northern Ireland) and I'm very glad I did. Yes it was a long wait, but I was referred to gynecology and an ultrasound was carried out. It was clear that there was swelling and bleeding throughout the pelvic region and that it was absolutely nothing to do with fibroids. I was kept in for 3 nights and various tests were carried out. I could not have a hysteroscopy as there was too much swelling and risk of sepsis. Biopsies were taken and the waiting game started. 10 days later I was back in hospital to be told it was definitely Cancer, Type 1, possibly stage 3?....
To cut a long story short...after that point I cannot really complain. My case was referred to the Cancer unit in Belfast City Hospital. Because of my complicated background they 'had their work cut out'..!! I had a radical hysterectomy at the beginning of July 2025. It took a while before the radiotherapy started as there were a few complications. Ideally you need to be as well as possible before you put your whole body through it, both physically and mentally.
I have recently completed 6 weeks of radiotherapy...and could write another long paragraph about complications during that. Having to cope with a recurring virus infection at the bottom of my back...the same one that caused encephalitis all those years ago, a swollen stoma... chronic fatigue syndrome.. etc etc!!
The Cancer treatment centre at Belfast City Hospital is excellent. The top surgeon that I had is excellent and there has been cross communication between different trusts throughout.
So yes, I must really be a cat? I have had at least 5 near death experiences, so I can't possibly be a human!!?? 
