I had a brain tumor

I don't suppose I can't ever express the amount of relief I feel at the moment. I've been told between 90 and 100% of the tumor is gone and I can still wiggle all my toes and fingers. Of course let's not get too optimistic just yet. There still could 10% lurking in there waiting to pounce, but I can't be happier with how it's all gone.

So, to recap the last few days:

WEDNESDAY
The big day. Not too nervous. Went down about 8.10am. The last person I remember speaking to, before they knocked me out, reminded me of the dad from Peppa Pig. His name was George. Woke up at about 2pm in the recovery room. Was relieved to find I wasn't paralysed. Was then moved to the joy that was critical care.

Now you would have hoped critical care was a quiet and serene place. It was not. The amount bleeping and whirring would've put R2D2 to shame. It was here I discovered there was a tube going into my head to get rid of all crap from my operation. One going my neck to put stuff in. Three in my hand to put more stuff in and monitor my blood pressure. An oxygen mask.    And a catheter. Not a pretty site. The first one to come out was the blood pressure one. This was an accident on my part, and ment I had to wear a blood pressure monitoring cuff all night. This kept inflating every hour on the hour. Did not get any sleep.

THURSDAY
More time in critical care. Then an MIR scan for lunch. The three inch tube was taken out my neck. A strange sensation. Then up to what's called 'step down,' a ward where neurology patients go to recover. And then I had the brain drain removed.

Now to say a nurse simply grabbed the tube and pulled wouldn't be too far from the truth. In fact that's actually what she did, but not before removing the stitch that was holding it in place. Another strange sensation. She then wrapped the rather attractive bandage around my head that I'm wearing as I write this. Had a better night's sleep.

FRIDAY
A much quieter day. Had the other two tubes removed from my hand and was off the oxygen. Still bed bound due to catheter, but I was happy man. Moved again back home to ward 43.

SATURDAY
Catheter out. Up and about, or 'mobilised' as they like to call it here. Updating blog.

So there you have it: a brief summary of a few days in the life of a brain tumor patient. Hopefully will be out Monday.

Come and see me, and of course bring cake.

J