10th July 2023
Well, from not having much to write about over the past few months – the past couple of weeks or so have given me a fair bit of material for updates.
In my last post, I mentioned the possibility of joining a clinical trial in London. It took a couple of months from Dr Grant’s referral to the appointment being made for me on 22 June at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London. This is for a pre-screening consultation, so see if I fit the strict parameters for inclusion in a particular trial.
The Royal Marsden https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/about-royal-marsden/who-we-are is a specialist hospital dealing with solely with cancer treatment and cancer research. It’s in the top 5 cancer centres in the world.
Good enough for Wozzer to at least check it out. 😉
I was to see a Professor Kevin Harrington, who is in charge of this trial and also considered one of the top Head and Neck Cancer specialists in the country – if not worldwide. https://www.icr.ac.uk/our-research/researchers-and-teams/professor-kevin-harrington
And what should have been an easy day in London and find out all about the trial, became anything but.
I’d booked a train from Gloucester to London and then planned a cab ride to the hospital. I’d given myself an extra hour leeway, just in case of any delays – not knowing that I’d be the cause of the delay!
I parked my car in the station carpark and it’s just a simple 20 or so metre walk to the station hall. I felt a bit lightheaded and unsteady. As I got to the ticket barrier, bang – down I went.
Completely collapsed right there in the ticket hall.
And of course, I went down pretty heavily – back of head hit first on the stone floor. I was awake, but bleeding and with a very sore head.
Well, the station staff were amazingly good and quickly erected a privacy screen and covered me with some tin foil, while they called for paramedics and an ambulance.
One of the station staff – Naomi was just going off duty, but she wouldn’t leave me until the paramedics arrived.
Ps. I did ask for the photos to be taken for this blog! If I'd really thought it through while falling, I'd have asked someone to live-stream it 😉
The paramedics arrived, assessed me in the station – hooked me up to a saline IV drip, ECG and all the works – before taking me to hospital in Gloucester where more checks and a CT scan were done, finally letting me home late that night.
The medics concluded it was a combination of low blood pressure (down to 80/50), lower than normal oxygen in blood (around 92%) a bit of dehydration and general malaise because of my overall condition.
I reckon I just need to be a bit more liberal with the tonic water in my gin 😉
Anyway, now I know – I know. So, I’m better prepared when I go out and watch for the warning signs.
Finally, after three years, I've had to admit to myself, there might just be something up with me!
I'm placing on record huge thanks to the Great Western Railway staff – Naomi, Sarah and Daniel, who went beyond the normal call of duty to help me!
The appointment at The Royal Marsden was rearranged to the following week and that’ll be the subject of one of my next posts – due very soon...
Jeebus Woz. Glad you’re OK. Be mindful out there my friend. Hugs
Yeah, that was a first – well a first while sober!
Oh goodness, so sorry the hear that. It must have been a scarey experience. Hope you and your head are recovering. Take it easy x
Yeah, I’m fine now Marie. At least I know the warning signs now. xx
We’re all well familiar with the expression ‘Knock yourself out’, Mate, but it’s not supposed to be taken literally. Never a dull moment for your family….
Take it easy & yeah, G&T’s have always been my answer to dehydration so at least your on the right track. Here’s hoping some good comes as an outcome of your pending appointment… you’ve earned it.
Cheers mate – I’ll update y’all soon on developments
Jeezo mate – the things you’ll do to get something to write about……
Yep – and then some!
Love you what an experience hope you are ok and can still follow up the appointment xx
Thanks hon. I’ll write up about the appointment in the next few days xx
Never a boring day with you, Woz! 🙂 Hope you filled up on that tonic water! Love and hugs from Germany.
Oh, thanks ever so much Claudia. Would love to see you both again! – love and hugs from Gloucester xx
Not like you to fall down during the day Woz… We’ve got to admit we’re getting older and can’t take the drink like before. Take care. Speak soon xx
I know Kathy, this is the first time I’ve realised that 🙁 Call whenever xx
Hi Woz- just as well you fell on your head, rather than some important piece of your anatomy! Greetings from Richard and me in sunny Switzerland.
I know mate – at least with me head, there can’t be any long-lasting damage 😉
My goodness, I am so glad you had immediate help at the train station! Maybe you should consider taking along someone with you on your trip next week.
Wishing good news for you for entering the study.
Love,
Janie
Hey Janie – You got that right. I did have Rachel along for one and Samros for a subsequent trip.
Now I know what to watch for, so far – so good.
Oh dear Wozzer, take it easy. So pleased your were in good hands when this happened, such lovely souls. Rest up and hope pending appointment brings goodness 🤞x
(and yes maybe a bit more tonic water together with the gin hehe)
Hiya Genine, lovely to hear from you. Yes – I was lucky it happened locally – if it happened in London, they’d still all be stepping over me! xx
Bless you Warre… you’re never far from my thoughts. Take care my friend. Sending hugs. x
Cheers matey. In all our epic sessions, I don’t recall ever falling. Or did I? 😉
I’ve been there Wozz, but how bloody unfortunate, so glad it all ended well for you in the end though 👍
You’ve got to look after yourself matey.
Without taking a victim mentally, which I know isn’t you anyway. But just realising your system isn’t as strong as it used to be and planning and dealing with yourself according. Take care and next time don’t go to such lengths to dodge buying a train ticket – it’s just not worth it now is it …😂😂😂
You’re quite right mate! At least I know (some) of my limitations now, so am being much more careful.
And yes – it was worth the fare dodge if I’d have got through (£135) – takes one to know one, eh 😉
Look after yourself, Woz.
Hope the consultation at the Marsden hospital next week goes well.
Love from Sopheak, Alan, James and me.
Thanks John. I’ll write more about progress at the Marsden this week.
Hope you’re all okay in The ‘Reap
Jaysus Wozza! I’m glad you’re ok, but be careful will ‘ya! Rest and recover, and take it easy for a bit. Glad to hear you were in such good hands though. But of course you said “take photos for my blog…”. Look after yourself mate xx
Yeah – not so bad now Kels. I dod ask if they could help me yo and let me fall again, so it could be livestreamed. Paramedics wuldn’t play ball though 😉
Love to you both xx
Look after yourself Wol, love & hugs xx
Thanks hon – of course!
See you for burned sausages end of August 😉 xx
Oh lovely, you just take care of yourself. After my last 6 months I m just pleased I can walk…..ish. Big hugs and be good X xxx
Oh Annie – what’s been up? Why don’t we arrange a video call soon? xx