I have been putting off adding this post for a few weeks although as ever it has been on the to-do list for about six weeks.
On the 13th December I went into the A&E in Shrewsbury as I had swelling in my left leg and pain and numbness around my hip. When I got to see the doctor he could not determine the cause of the pain so he sent me for a CT scan.
This ruled out anything in the hip / groin but there was an “incidental” finding of a cyst in my pancreas. This obviously caused concern – I know from personal experience that pancreatic problems are often incurable.
I had another scan of my upper torso and later found out this was clear (thankfully) and that there were no other current markers for cancer.
I have subsequently been seen by a consultant in Shrewsbury who advised that my case had been passed to the local regional centre at University Hospital North Midlands in Stoke (Newcastle). I saw a consultant there early in the new year who suggested that although there was no current evidence of cancer at the time of the scan there were several “red flags” and a likely probability that my IPMN to give it it’s proper title could become cancerous in the future.
He gave a range of options which all carry risk including a Whipple procedure where part of the pancreas and duodenum are removed. He advised that because I am otherwise “young” and healthy this would be an option to ensure that the IPMN did not change. The operation however would be long (six to eight hours) with likely complications and I would be in hospital for two to three weeks before beginning a slow recovery. However, the operation would eliminate the possibility of cancer in future in that part of the pancreas.
I decided to go ahead with the surgery. I then had to have a bike stress test to check that I had the cardiovascular fitness to cope with a six to eight hour operation. This went OK although I ended up grinding the pedals rather than spinning a fast cadence – but that’s my style. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to record the test on Strava which I know means theoretically it did not happen!!
I also had to go to Stafford hospital – parking is easier than at Stoke for pre-assessment with an initial date for surgery of 2nd February. However with three days to go this was postponed with a new date of the 9th. This was again postponed with a few days to go when another case was bumped up the list. I then was offered and accepted the 14th February.
I had a bit of scare then two weekends before when I developed an infection on a loose front tooth. I was able to get an emergency appointment in Wolverhampton and some antibiotics which reduced the infection but did not get rid of the abscess. I then saw a dentist at my home practice who removed the tooth on the Monday before the operation and thankfully this resolved the problem.
Having trained for a range of events in the past, I realised how important it was to try and be as fit as possible so I continued to cycle in the garage every other day to maintain my fitness. My final ride on Fulgaz was the day before the operation and for old times sake I cycled virtually from Coxside in Plymouth, along West Hoe and out to Devil’s Point where many years ago my grandmother and her sister would sit on a bench and look at the sea. Back then through the Royal William Yard where Karen, Rob’s Silhouette sailing boat went wandering and onto the Hoe to finish at Smeaton’s Tower.
Sue’s sister Dawn and her husband Pete came up the day before and we travelled over to a rented house in Newcastle Under Lyme near the hospital. Surprisingly, I managed to get some sleep although I was up at 5:30 anxious whether I would get through the operation.
Would I keep plodding?
Thankfully yes and the story of my stay at the wonderful University Hospital of the North Midlands in Stoke will be my next post. But in the meantime thanks to all those who have supported me – especially Susan, Dawn and Pete, David, Auntie S, cousins Anne, Lynn and Nick but especially to Mr Laing and his team, the specialist nurses especially Sophie, Josh (dietician) all the staff in Surgical Special Care, the staff in ward 108 and all the kind, fun and friendly people that shared the. last month with me.
AJMB – March 16th 2024