Another trip over to East Yorkshire today. I plan to see my brother Simon in hospital this morning and then on to Beverley to stay over night with my best friend Tony. We hope to go out for a country walk this afternoon and then we will have a meal out somewhere - maybe a curry. Tomorrow it's Hull City's last game of the season and we will be watching them play Nottingham Forest. They are entering the promotion play-offs and we avoided relegation. There's always next season to anticipate.
Simon had a stent fitted in his trachea to assist breathing earlier this week and this afternoon he is going to have another stent fitted in his oesophagus to assist eating. Over the telephone, I had a good chat with the senior nurse yesterday and she hopes that the second stent will allow him to eat solid foods once again. It has been two months since he last ate anything.
Until today I had no idea what one of these stents looks like or what it is made from. See top and bottom. Apparently they are used quite frequently to help struggling cancer patients - opening up vital tubes.
Oh, gruesome.
ReplyDeleteI guess so. Sorry.
DeleteI do hope the stents help. They sound too awful to think about. Ageing and illness can be terrible. Keep strong Mr. YP.
ReplyDeleteIf you knew this was coming in the end you would never smoke cigarettes.
DeleteI really hope the stent helps Simon to eat a greater variety of food.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the time with Tony. It will be balm for the soul, I'm sure
Tony has worked in healthcare all his life. He is a good sounding board regarding Simon.
DeleteLooks kinda scary, but I hope it helps!
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a common intrusion for some cancer patients. Like a stay of execution.
DeleteYou have so much going on right now. It must be terribly difficult.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am retired. I was also the one at the centre when dealing with my mother's death in 2007.
DeleteIt is amazing what can be done these days to help suffering patients. I hope your brother gets relief from these stents.
ReplyDeleteBoth have now been fitted and his tubes are helpfully widened. His food intake should be able to improve considerably and his breathing should not be obstructed.
DeleteI hope the stents do their job. I can't imagine what it would be like to have one of those in my throat.
ReplyDeleteNor me. The fitting of them sounds horrible.
DeleteI know of people who have had stents fitted when they've had heart trouble, but didn't realise they could be fitted to other parts of the body too. Logic tells me that of course they could be. It's marvellous that something so apparently simple in design can aid in so many ways. I hope that this helps Simon to regain some sense of normality in his life. He must be so exhausted by the past few months.
ReplyDeleteHope all goes well for the match tomorrow - have you got your rattle oiled and ready to go!
We equalised in the last minute of the match..."UP THE TIGERS!"
DeleteI never knew about these kind of stents either Carol.
They have invented all kinds of stuff to put in us and make us function.
ReplyDeleteI think I might some new batteries and a full service.
DeleteIt is amazing and wonderful what can be done nowadays when it comes to operations and other medical procedures. My eyes are a great example and constantly remind me of that fact.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, Simon will find breathing easier and soon be able to eat again! I can not imagine what he has been going through and wonder whether he thinks of some particular food he misses most.
Unlike your sister, Simon is a difficult sibling to have Meike. Asking him things is like walking on glass and this has been the case for years - long before the present health issue.
DeleteIt is not easy or pleasant being unwell.
ReplyDeleteSome people handle things better than others Andrew.
DeleteI wish him well xx
ReplyDeleteThanks John. He'll need that in his protracted end game.
DeleteI don't know what they feel like, having a stent in your esophagus or your trachea. I do wonder though. The stents show up on xrays when we're putting in central lines and take xrays.
ReplyDeleteThey look like they have a wire mesh inside.
DeleteMedical science always amazes me. I hope these tubes help Simon a lot and he gets much better soon.
ReplyDeleteHe could get a bit better. We will see. Before too long the cancer will surely kill him.
DeleteThat picture really shocked me. I hope the stent works.
ReplyDeleteSorry the image shocked you. I think it is good to know the truth Dave.
DeleteI'm sure you know but they are used for heart patients as well. I hope Simon gets some relief AND some solid food.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr Stanley.
DeleteI hope the stents give Simon the comfort of breathing easier and eating better. I'm sorry your family is going through all this. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYou have been through a lot with Gregg so I know you understand Jennifer.
DeleteI hope your trip to see Simon went well and the stents work wonders for him.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve. I think the best we can hope for is some welcome respite via the stents. Maybe several weeks.
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