This one was for my diabetes type 2 test. I had booked it online and someone who booked it at their end hadn't said what tests to do. The phlebotomist took blood and then ticked all the boxes on the computer.
Luckily they did. A few days later I had a call from the surgery with news that my PSA (prostate specific antigen) was on the high side. As a result they were referring me to the Urology department at the local hospital.
So far the NHS was working well.
The referral was to the Urology department at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone for November 17th.
Here we almost entered the world of farce theatre. The doctor was very good and explained about PSA and possible outcomes. He only mentioned the Big-C once.
"Go behind the curtain and drop your trousers and pants, lie on your side facing the curtain."
I did. WTF!
The window was fitted with vertical blinds.
Except .. some of the slats were missing. I joked that maybe someone walking past walking their dog might get a shock if they looked through.
At least it made the whole thing less fraught.
The result was that the prostate was enlarged. I would now be sent for an MRI.
Luckily the path outside the examination room window wasn't open to the public!!
A few weeks passed and the letter came. An MRI was set for December 8th. This time at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
It was at the mobile unit. I spent 45 minutes in the machine. They were unable to find a suitable vein as I needed to have a dye injection for the machine to detect whatever they are looking for. So they went in the back of my hand. It was strange going in and out of the machine and when the cold dye was pumped in.
Results would be two weeks again.
Just before Christmas I had a call. The MRI had detected something and they now want to do a transperineal biopsy!
The appointment is at another hospital in the area, the Kent and Canterbury Hospital in Canterbury.
Reading the paperwork it sounds absolutely horrendous. Maybe going into details where the needle goes isn't for today!
I'll know more on January 13th when it's over and done with.
Everything has been done quickly. Whether this is due to the seriousness of the condition or simply luck, I don't know.
I do know without the National Health Service, that I have paid into since I started work in 1973, I would be looking at a huge bill.
The NHS has many detractors but providing free healthcare at the point of delivery is an amazing thing.
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