20th June:

I took out some Additional Voluntary pension contributions and have found out from the TPS that I am entitled to claim these when I retire (hopefully on July 10th). I have to send as much medical evidence as possible with the forms, and look through the paperwork to see what there is. When I look at all the interventions and the complications I find it so difficult to believe they are writing about me! It sounds horrendous.

Patient admitted 11.3.08 for extended right hemihepatectomy, cholecystectomy and portal vein resection and anastomosos on 12.3.08. Colorectal liver metastasis in R liver and segment IVa and IVb involving the portal vein. Taken to intensive care following surgery and then to surgical HDU 13.03.08. Had right Wallace and T tube inserted following operation. Fluid from T tube grown group D strep and clostridium perfringens and coag negative Staph on tazocin.
Patient developed acute confusion in HDU, diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy.

I wonder how I am still alive after all that! I also wonder from time to time how long I have. I guess no one really knows but I don’t think I have ever confronted death at such close quarters before.