"The battle with “the wee thing“"

Last Sept 18 I noticed a very small mole just below my right breast. Said to my wife of 37 years I thinks this “wee“ thing is getting itchy ? Being a male well as you all know I waited only a week maybe ten days here’s my story.

Walked into Wellwynd Surgery to the the Practice nurse , you don’t have to book, when you go to the busy busy busy desk, no problem sir you will need to wait 20mins ok thank you I will waits, whats 20 mins. 

Say the nurse was 20 - 30 mins who really cares,  that wee mole looks funny sir has it been annoying you for long? About 10 days. what’s it doing , it’s itchy and I think it’s got a wee dome head.  Ok sir, I need to take a picture, I need your permission. that’s ok take it but could you make me look 3 stone lighter and ripped!. Come on sir miracles cost extra! 

I need to send this to dermatologist to check they will be in touch hopefully soon.  Thanks for your time I hope this “wee thing “ is not a waste of time thanks 

Short time later I get a letter to visit dermatologist at Hairmyres, Dr Gupta. 

Turn up to appointment, met a lady Dr Gupta, who checked my “wee thing“. Well that looks odd, can I ask someone else. Speaks to another Dr Gupta I thought these guys own the place lol, any he says that’s odd they have a wee chat. 

Sir that “wee“ thing needs to be removed and tested can you come in Friday? This Friday no chance I visit a pal of mine in Aberdeen he has real problems he lost his leg because of Diabetes, I try and visit with other pal , we are booked Friday.  She asked a lady to check the diary, well there’s a thing can you visit Monklands Dermatologist Wednesday this week a space has come up? Ok I can do that 

Appointment Wed 

Monklands Dermatologist, meet a woman one looks like she can take a laugh, we have a wee joke. You're brave talking to a woman with a sharp scalpel in her hand lol 

Explains it needs cut out what was getting done everything I need to know. They cut it's done no real pain but a little pulling and that , “wee thing “ is away to be tested get results soon, thanks etc 

Get a letter out of context

Sir you have an appointment to Visit Dr Louise Plastic surgeon to discuss your “wee thing “?   Next letter to visit the Monklands to discuss your wee thing, called both, Monklands to discuss stitches,Wishaw to Discuss “Scar”

Went to Both

Anyway the thing is my ” wee thing “ is was and still is Melanoma 

 1 - Monklands Dermatologist tells me

2 - Dr Louise discusses options and my wife and I decided what getting done as you know 2 vs 1...I was told what to do! 

What’s happening to me now 

Had wee thing removed, well done no issues 

Introduced to Beatson Clinic Glasgow Dr Waterston team and  Cathy and all the department that deal with immunotherapy   

Been on treatment for weeks "wee thing" came back, Dr Louise said it’s rare but it happens, put on even newer immune treatment to shrink "wee thing". It needs to shrink or Dr Louise can’t operate.   I have been in the monklands three times this month , I have been to Golden jubilee, Beatson Pet Scan , Monklands Ward 14 , AMRU and 9 I think. New treatment has made sick but reduced the tumour and I am waiting on another operation I was told I could get sick as it’s boosting my system to super levels but it’s worked.

Basically I have spent this year in hospitals almost every one 

Here’s the important thing I am try to say 

To all the people in NHS Lanarkshire and Glasgow I have met this year 

THANKS 

I feel that I have been treated well  absolutely the best care and treatment well above my expectations everyone in each ward I have been in.  Every Dr , Nurse , cleaner , Porter , Charlene , Scott , Derek , all the Nurses in the Beatson , desk girls Dr Dunn , Dr Ross, Dr Waterston , Marion the tea lady met my old aunt yesterday in AMRU, Cathy at Beatson, Dr Tang 

Most of all Dr Louise she started the battle with “the wee thing“, hopefully soon she will finish it in the next three weeks.  Today it’s a draw she is going to score the winning blow 2 goals in the last five mins 3-1 to Team NHS.  I have learnt this year what a team 

Patients please be aware it takes 100% 

20% Team NHS

80 % Your team that’s You and your Family / Friends they are your team 

End