I am now back home, having been discharged from hospital with a big pack of pain relief. My first thoughts of this last week is that the pain was not so intense second time around due to the epidural
Although my epidural was placed much higher than shown in this image, the principle was the same.
The Epidural was in place to administer a prescribed dose of a drug called
FENTANYL this drug is described as 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. I was given morphine during my Bowel cancer operation and had hallucination's what was to happen now!!!!!! The following is taken from an information site
Thoracic Epidural Block height and
intensity
"Typically, the effects of the epidural are noted
below a specific level on the body (dermatome). This level (the
"block height") is chosen by the anaesthetist. The level is usually 3-4
dermatomes higher than the point of insertion. A very high insertion level may
result in sparing of very low dermatomes. For example, a thoracic
epidural may be performed for upper abdominal surgery, but may not have
any effect on the perineum (area around the
genitals) or bladder.[9] Nonetheless, giving very
large volumes into the epidural space may spread the block both higher and
lower.
The intensity of the block is determined by the concentration
of local anaesthetic drugs used. For example, 15 ml 0.1% bupivacaine may provide
good analgesia for a woman in labour, but would likely be insufficient for
surgery. Conversely, 15 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine would provide a more intense
block, likely sufficient for surgery. Since the volume used in each case is the
same, the spread of drug, and hence the block height, is likely to be
similar"................................so there you have it !
Knowing my fear of having a needle into my spinal column from our previous meeting, my anaesthetist, first put me under before inserting the epidural. My Surgeon Mr Waller said he would try to use the previous scars but would have to open them up further:-
CHEST DRAIN
THE LOWER SCAR IS THE WIDTH OF THE SURGEONS HAND AS HE HAD TO GET HIS HAND INSIDE MY DEFLATED LUNG
A SPIRAL OF EPIDURAL TUBE EXITING MY SPINAL COLUMN SECURED IN PLACE BY SURGICAL CLINGWRAP!!
The worst experience during this whole procedure was waking up after the Op, I was gasping for air and trying to say I couldn't breath !! The recovery staff had just removed all the tubes from my throat and having had my lung deflated for surgery, I needed to re-inflate it naturally. How was I to know!!!! I was asleep!! I was panicking, disorientated, and woozy. A very calm voice repeated several times "Just concentrate on breathing" I stopped panicking and started breathing.................
The secondary tumour has now been removed from my lung and had been effected by the previous Chemotherapy. Some cells had died from the effects of the chemo, but the actual tumour had continued to grow. This is good news, as my Oncologist had previously stated that I would not necessarily be offered further Chemotherapy,
"as it had not worked" now we know it had worked, in part, maybe I will get another opportunity.
This episode was a major disappointment to me, especially after the chemo. I am secretly hoping this tumour was a "stray" cell from my previous lung op a year ago and this is now the end.
I have had many well wishers and prayers offered from family and friends thank you all ,but I was especially very proud to have my 83 year old Mother "Phyllis" and wife Wendy by my side in hospital throughout the week helping me through. Jonathan and Hope were also fantastic in their support thank you all very much.
Again I have to thank all the staff at the Leicester Spire for a job well done especially Mr Waller Thoracic surgeon, Dr West Anesthetist, theatre staff and ward staff they were all brilliant........
Australian scientists believe they are on the brink of delivering an affordable blood test to identify bowl cancer. At the moment, screening relies on people returning stool sample kits they receive in the mail. But less than 40 per cent of eligible Australians participate in the free federal government program.