More Health Issues

It's been a quiet start to the year in the muddling rooms.

I have been suffering from increasingly troublesome asthma which, whilst well managed, is not made easier by living in a damp climate.  Roll on Spring.  For now it's definitely not easy being wheezy as getting up the stairs can leave me out of breath at times and there's a persistent asthmatic cough too.

And then …..

Late last year I woke with what seemed to be an insect bit on my upper arm.  We left it to sort itself out.  It didn't.  Thinking it might have become infected it was offered some antiseptic gel.  It didn't change.  Just before Christmas I noticed it had grown slightly and was starting to itch so I presented it to the GP.  GP referred me to the local Community Hospital for "imaging".  In other words having pictures taken and sent off for analysis.

Two days later the regional hospital called and asked me to come in for a biopsy as they could not rule out cancer.  On Monday of this week I had a punch-biopsy taken which leaves a bit of a hole where tissue used to be.  It's therefore stitched for recovery.  And I await the determination of their Head of Dermatology as those in the procedure room also seemed to think it might be cancerous.  They, of course, won't commit to anything which might be interpreted as a diagnosis.

So I'm waiting.  Not unduly concerned but advised against heavy lifting and driving with the stitches in.  So I can neither load the tool-box into the car nor drive to the MRC.  But the itching has gone and the raised lump in the centre has been removed.  It might be my imagination but the surround might be slightly reduced in colour and swelling.  But the wait goes on.  With a possibility of being required for more surgery and / or ongoing treatment of some sort.

I've been there before and worn the shirt.  It's just the not knowing which troubles the mind, not the likely diagnosis and need for more treatment.  It won't get me.  But it's dented the modelling mojo for a time and I'm 20 miles away from most of my modelling work …..  

Sorry to hear this Rick, hope you don't have to wait too long for the diagnosis.


Ed
 

Chin up, Rick. I had the stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis 3 years ago. No point worrying about it because that's liable to make it worse. Get on with life as best you can and hope it comes to nowt.

peterm said

Chin up, Rick. I had the stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis 3 years ago. No point worrying about it because that's liable to make it worse. Get on with life as best you can and hope it comes to nowt.

From “Post #293,082”, 24th January 2026, 12:18 am

Hopefully it's not that serious but a week later and still no diagnosis.  I don't know whether to think of that as possibly good news or just the result of an over-stretched NHS system.  Last time this happened I was given the diagnosis there and then.  To be fair that was easier with a visible squamous cell cancer than one which may be at least partially internal.  It was very straightforward ….. "That is a cancer, sir".  And three days later I was in for the surgery followed by months of treatment and more of recovery.  I never returned to full-time work.  Not for medical reasons but because I was eased back in by my employer and found we could happily manage with me working a three-day week.  

It's just the not-knowing which is a bother.  And what will be required in terms of treatment.  Every day that passes might influence the outcome though it's unlikely to make that much difference in a short timeframe.  

My first partner - we were never married - was claimed by lung cancer at the youthful age of 28.  It's something I know a little about.  

Hi Rick,

I'm sorry to hear of this latest news and I can fully appreciate your concern and offer my genuine best wishes for a pleasent result when the results arrive.

Unfortunately, we are all getting older and are subject to more incidents of potential health concerns, but life hopefully continues on a more or less harmonious course with plenty of pleasentaies to make us smile.

We're all rooting for a good outcome and are thinking of you.

Best,

Bill 

Worrying times for you Rick.

I often wonder if the NHS has any idea of what these delays in diagnosis put people through - doubt it, otherwise, they'd surely get their act together and get the results more quickly.

It doesn't help you buyt here in France my experience has always been that you get the result before you leave - be it an X-Ray or a scan.  a biopsy would obviously take longer but I had one recently on an internal problem, was kept in hospital overnight then sent off home with a  'whilst we need to sort is before too long Sir, it's not cancerous'  They'd done the important bit by confirming it wasn't the big C.

Hopefully, all will turn out to be well with you Rick - heaven knows, you've had your fair share of medical problems so fingers crossed.  

Gwiwer said

peterm said

Chin up, Rick. I had the stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis 3 years ago. No point worrying about it because that's liable to make it worse. Get on with life as best you can and hope it comes to nowt.

From “Post #293,082”, 24th January 2026, 10:18 am

Hopefully it's not that serious but a week later and still no diagnosis.  I don't know whether to think of that as possibly good news or just the result of an over-stretched NHS system.  Last time this happened I was given the diagnosis there and then.  To be fair that was easier with a visible squamous cell cancer than one which may be at least partially internal.  It was very straightforward ….. "That is a cancer, sir".  And three days later I was in for the surgery followed by months of treatment and more of recovery.  I never returned to full-time work.  Not for medical reasons but because I was eased back in by my employer and found we could happily manage with me working a three-day week.  

It's just the not-knowing which is a bother.  And what will be required in terms of treatment.  Every day that passes might influence the outcome though it's unlikely to make that much difference in a short timeframe.  

My first partner - we were never married - was claimed by lung cancer at the youthful age of 28.  It's something I know a little about.  

From “Post #293,093”, 27th January 2026, 9:46 am

28! That's so young. At least most of us have had a fair crack at life. Hopefully the diagnosis will come soon with good news.

Hi Rick,

Sorry to hear you troubles. Been there and done that a few times now. My late wife always lived life to the full - "It's not the years in your life, it's the life in your years". I stick to that. Never waste time worrying about what may or may not happen.

I get the results of a biopsy in around 3-5 days. Then again, my medical insurance policy is $16,000/ year. Not sure that has done anything for my quality of life. They usually have to contact me when the results are ready, For that money I'm not going to do their job.

Nigel

Three weeks on.  They did say "Up to four weeks" for the result.  I might call them tomorrow if there's nothing on the phone.  It won't be in the mail - we never see a postman on a Monday.  Often only on a Wednesday and Saturday.  

Looks like the hold-up is the pathologist. Prepping and reading the sample can be 30 minutes for a frozen section (cancer yes/no_, 2-3 days for a regular fixed and stained section (what is it with grade).

Do some modeling, it's therapeutic for you.

BCDR said

Do some modeling, it's therapeutic for you.

From “Post #293,170”, 9th February 2026, 4:48 pm

Not if the next job is wiring. 

Guess what my next job is. 

That's when you wish you had a dead-rail layout. And ask yourself why did I need a double slip or 2-way crossover or 3-way turnout.  Clockwork trains start to sound good. Or a model boat. And you look for any excuse to do something else. There is a good reason my layouts these days are end-to-end single track with a passing siding. Kato track starts to look good and minimal soldering. KISS I tell myself.

BCDR said

That's when you wish you had a dead-rail layout. And ask yourself why did I need a double slip or 2-way crossover or 3-way turnout.  Clockwork trains start to sound good. Or a model boat. And you look for any excuse to do something else. There is a good reason my layouts these days are end-to-end single track with a passing siding. Kato track starts to look good and minimal soldering. KISS I tell myself.

From “Post #293,181”, 12th February 2026, 5:41 pm

     

BCDR said

That's when you wish you had a dead-rail layout. And ask yourself why did I need a double slip or 2-way crossover or 3-way turnout.  Clockwork trains start to sound good. Or a model boat. And you look for any excuse to do something else. There is a good reason my layouts these days are end-to-end single track with a passing siding. Kato track starts to look good and minimal soldering. KISS I tell myself.

From “Post #293,181”, 12th February 2026, 5:41 pm

I mis-read that as "I KISS myself"     

Objection My Lord !!    Don't listen to Nigel - model boats are almost as big a disaster as model aeroplanes !  Don't ask me how I know ……………

You arrive at the boating lake with a beautiful radio controlled scale model - in my case, a 6ft long 1:100 scale model of a WW2 warship.  Your co-modellers offer the obligatory oooh's and ahhh's, sometimes even suggesting you ought not to get it wet.  Preening your feathers, you  head to the purpose built landing stage at the water's edge.

Your pride and joy rests perfectly in it's natural element, correctly ballasted to the waterline, and perfectly trimmed fore and aft.  All radio function test out and,  on demand, your two powerful geared motors, each costing over £50 gently move the vessel with ease and, whilst one cannot scale water, she looks magnificent as she heads out into the lake.

Right in the middle of the very large model boating lake, the darned boat springs a leak because some other cretin with a 500 horse power screaming skateboard type boat loses radio contact and rams your precious scale model which is loaded with a few hundred quids worth of delicate radio equipment in addition to the very expensive motors.

Right in the middle of the lake - not near the edge where you can attempt a recovery.  That would be far too fortunate.  It only happens when your previous 12 months modelling investment and half your life savings are in the most inaccessible (and deepest) place on the lake.

Take my tip - stick with trains !!!

 

Because trains do not normally run through lakes!  

Although the GWR main line across the Somerset Levels this winter has proven otherwise ………