Davidden
Member
- Messages
- 20
I have been absent from here for too long, but feel my story needs updating since a lot has happened. I am Type 2, and now take insulin daily, after over 15 years on "diet and exercise" control.
At the end of 2019 in Brazil I had my biopsy on Chip (the lump on my shoulder) - they were not so squeamish about my blood sugar levels - and diagnosed a Lipoma (a fatty, benign lump of tissue) and told me not to worry unless it started bothering me - it was than about the size of an apple. As I was not returning to the UK any time soon, and as the NHS considers most Lipomas to be cosmetic (so not covered!) I decided to wait until I returned to Peru in March 2020 and get it excised there. Covid had other ideas! I arrived in Lima 4 days before the pandemic shut everything down, and Peru had some of the strictest rules on personal movement anywhere in the world. Over-65's (which included me) and under-14's were not allowed out of the house, except for medical reasons, or to buy food if no-one else was available.
My first shopping trip I was stopped by 4 soldiers, all armed to the teeth, and interrogated about what I was doing! I continued to make daily walks along the sea front, ostensibly to go shopping or to the chemist, but primarily for exercise, as my T2 was controlled then by diet and exercise. I tried to make contact with hospitals and doctors about Chip, who continued to grow, but they all refused to see me as Covid had hit hard in Peru, and my age was also a restricting factor. Eventually in September 2020 I got a video consult with a surgeon, who referred me to another doctor (specialising in internal medicine) by video to deal with my blood sugar levels. After blood tests he immediately prescribed Metformin and Atorvastatin, but following more blood tests 2 weeks later changed that to Janumet (Sitagliptin / Metformin) and Toujeo Insulin (keeping the Atorvastatin the same), and this approach reduced my glucose levels sufficiently for the surgeon to agree to consider surgery, and for my first face-to-face consult. He scheduled surgery for late October 2020 and booked me in to a private clinic. I take 32 units of Toujeo once a day in the evening.
I woke from surgery to find he had cut me open from spine to shoulder, but only performed a deep tissue biopsy, as he realised Chip was not a Lipoma, and the pathology report confirmed it was a Chondrosarcoma - bone cancer! He immediately referred me to the cancer hospital, and eventually in April 2021 Chip was removed - all 5.2 kgs of it, along with my right shoulderblade (scapulectomy). That was as much as they could do for me in Peru, so as soon as the borders re-opened I returned to the UK for ongoing treatment, however here the specialists at RNOH Stanmore have advised me that, although the procedure in Peru was excellent, reconstruction is not an option and I have had to learn to cope with the use of only one arm (but can use both hands!).
I am still taking the Toujeo, now prescribed here in the UK, and eat a fairly healthy diet - after 13 years in South America deprived of many UK treats, like Fish and Chips, I do occasionally lapse a little! - and my blood sugars are considered acceptable. My 18 months low carb (before and after starting Insulin) appeared to do nothing much for my waistline, or my sugar levels, so although I do restrict my carb intake, not as avidly as before. The Janumet no longer has an adverse reaction on me< and at my last review the nurse was reasonably happy with my progress. Unfortunately I cannot walk as much as when in Peru as arthritis has also caught up with me, and old injuries (right ankle, left knee, right wrist, and lower back!) have all slowed me down, and restrict other exercise activities (balance also affected by immobile right arm) - but I am happy, reasonably healthy, and coping very well on my own now I am back "Home"!
At the end of 2019 in Brazil I had my biopsy on Chip (the lump on my shoulder) - they were not so squeamish about my blood sugar levels - and diagnosed a Lipoma (a fatty, benign lump of tissue) and told me not to worry unless it started bothering me - it was than about the size of an apple. As I was not returning to the UK any time soon, and as the NHS considers most Lipomas to be cosmetic (so not covered!) I decided to wait until I returned to Peru in March 2020 and get it excised there. Covid had other ideas! I arrived in Lima 4 days before the pandemic shut everything down, and Peru had some of the strictest rules on personal movement anywhere in the world. Over-65's (which included me) and under-14's were not allowed out of the house, except for medical reasons, or to buy food if no-one else was available.
My first shopping trip I was stopped by 4 soldiers, all armed to the teeth, and interrogated about what I was doing! I continued to make daily walks along the sea front, ostensibly to go shopping or to the chemist, but primarily for exercise, as my T2 was controlled then by diet and exercise. I tried to make contact with hospitals and doctors about Chip, who continued to grow, but they all refused to see me as Covid had hit hard in Peru, and my age was also a restricting factor. Eventually in September 2020 I got a video consult with a surgeon, who referred me to another doctor (specialising in internal medicine) by video to deal with my blood sugar levels. After blood tests he immediately prescribed Metformin and Atorvastatin, but following more blood tests 2 weeks later changed that to Janumet (Sitagliptin / Metformin) and Toujeo Insulin (keeping the Atorvastatin the same), and this approach reduced my glucose levels sufficiently for the surgeon to agree to consider surgery, and for my first face-to-face consult. He scheduled surgery for late October 2020 and booked me in to a private clinic. I take 32 units of Toujeo once a day in the evening.
I woke from surgery to find he had cut me open from spine to shoulder, but only performed a deep tissue biopsy, as he realised Chip was not a Lipoma, and the pathology report confirmed it was a Chondrosarcoma - bone cancer! He immediately referred me to the cancer hospital, and eventually in April 2021 Chip was removed - all 5.2 kgs of it, along with my right shoulderblade (scapulectomy). That was as much as they could do for me in Peru, so as soon as the borders re-opened I returned to the UK for ongoing treatment, however here the specialists at RNOH Stanmore have advised me that, although the procedure in Peru was excellent, reconstruction is not an option and I have had to learn to cope with the use of only one arm (but can use both hands!).
I am still taking the Toujeo, now prescribed here in the UK, and eat a fairly healthy diet - after 13 years in South America deprived of many UK treats, like Fish and Chips, I do occasionally lapse a little! - and my blood sugars are considered acceptable. My 18 months low carb (before and after starting Insulin) appeared to do nothing much for my waistline, or my sugar levels, so although I do restrict my carb intake, not as avidly as before. The Janumet no longer has an adverse reaction on me< and at my last review the nurse was reasonably happy with my progress. Unfortunately I cannot walk as much as when in Peru as arthritis has also caught up with me, and old injuries (right ankle, left knee, right wrist, and lower back!) have all slowed me down, and restrict other exercise activities (balance also affected by immobile right arm) - but I am happy, reasonably healthy, and coping very well on my own now I am back "Home"!
