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@Bullheart
Hello all,
Firstly, thank you all for the amazing emails and posts of support over the last few months regarding my cancer diagnosis, and treatment. Most will be aware of my interesting story (http://www.team-bullheart.uk), and I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for the good wishes. They have been very welcome, and I am humbled by the kindness demonstrated by you all.
Previously on Bullheart 24...
1) After five years, a re-diagnosis of AS rears its ugly head
2) Four and a half months of fairly brutal chemo at UCLH
3) Oncological team potentially refusing to treat me because they think cycling during chemo is a bad idea
4) Surgery planned for 21st September to remove my Lat Dorsi in full - surgeons state I will be disfigured and disabled.
As Meg will attest to, the RNOH has an extraordinary reputation for excellence in surgery, but the site leaves a lot to be desired on an aesthetic level, meaning that reading notes of support has distracted me from the fallen-in roof, or thousands of daddy long-legs...
The surgery went exactly as planned. There were clear margins, and Mr Skinner has suggested that he could see no evidence of tumour from the resection. He has also stated that he has never created such a large scar in his career, and that I will be able to concoct any story I like in order to explain it - chances are no-one would question it. Clearly this has me intrigued as to what I will eventually look like, but truth be told I don't really give a toss.
I am sore. It was a big old operation, and whilst I don't think I'll play rugby again my career as a concert pianist will remain an option into old age. There are another twelve patients here on the ward, and generally they are a miserable bunch of old bastards - given the amount of amputations and seriously badass surgery present, this is more that acceptable. There is a Glaswegian fella of about 90 who tried to kick of with a young female health care worker of Oriental heritage because of the rugby yesterday; this is despite the fact that Scotland won (!), and the man in the bed beside me with no teeth does and extraordinary line in in-situ defecation, which leaves a heady aroma most evenings...
On the plus side, I've met a determined leg amputee barrister who quite likes the thought of rowing around the UK in 2017 with me - watch this space.
But we're all good, and I'm expecting to be discharged either today or tomorrow.
Bon chance!
Bullheart