Matt's Cancer

03/06/2020 - Camera Scan

Page 3

My appointment came through for the 3rd June 2020, so I drove myself to Burton hospital, not really sure what to expect or what was going to happen. My appointment was with Dr Moole, who told me she would like to do a camera scan, I explained to Dr Moole I had not been given any medication to clear my bowels etc, then asked which end is the camera going in. To my surprise, Dr Mool told me through my penis. I just froze, didn’t know what to do, I could hear this voice saying “right….right….right….” Then I realised it was my own voice, Dr Moole was looking at me and waiting for a decision.
I asked how long this procedure would take, Dr Moole said only about 10 minutes. In my head I thought, worst case scenario I could count 10 minutes in my head and it’s over.
I signed the consent form, got changed into a gown.

I was terrified at the thought of what was going to happen next.
I was asked to lay on the bed, it was more like a trolly with a monitor and machine connected to it.
I layed on the bed, I wasn’t offered any anaesthetic of any kind, perhaps it wasn’t needed, the camera went in, it wasn’t pleasant and hurt as it went deep into my bladder. Dr Moole told me not to tense as this would make it worse, but I found it impossible to relax while in pain, she could see how uncomfortable I was and let me know when she was taking the camera out.

I didn’t have any issues with Dr Moole and her staff, the procedure was unpleasant, but needed. I could have said no thanks, but I wanted to move forward and not delay things. If I’m honest, I don’t think I could agree to it again.
After the camera scan, I got dressed again. Dr Moole told me there were 3 large tumours in my bladder, approx 3 cm, she told me at this stage she didn’t know what they were, I would have to have them removed, then they would send the tumours away for testing. It hurt to pee for the next 2 days, due to my bladder being messed with, but I was fine after that.
Dr Moole had one of her nurses phone me, to check on me, as she was worried about me, that was really kind of her.