Food and Drink

The pain in my groin has subsided but remains as a dull ache, I've found that drinking copious amounts of water seems to help. I don't know why maybe it changes the physical dynamics in the pelvic area but it definitely does, I'm drinking about 2 litres a day. I still feel dehydrated occasionally and need the rehydration drinks as well as plain water.

My level of fatigue has also reduced over the last 10 days, I still have a power nap during the day but it is getting shorter. That said, I missed a huge chunk of Christmas day to sleep and I was too tired to go to the pantomime with Mum and Dad, Stella, Martha and Tallulah on Boxing day. My eyes still water and are generally a bit sensitive to the light but all these side effects are as predicted by the team at the Oncology department.

Christmas morning we all decamped to Hannah's flat for Breakfast (strange, her Boyfriend must have arrived remarkably early?). It was great and as usual she had spread a cornucopia of delights, it was a good start to the day. Lunch was back at our house and this was restricted to those still living in the house (just the 6 of us).

I have been a long time reader of 'Bike'  magazine and, while opening the presents after lunch, Stella presented me with a package which contained a card and 3 wrapped Tee shirts from the magazine. I read the card and choked up and had to compose myself before I could read it out to the rest of the family. Jemima had written to the magazine explaining my situation, telling them of my devotion to that august publication, in the hope that they would publish the letter and I would read it in the following month's issue. They couldn't but wanted to do something and this is what they did. I intend to wear one in Nice and send them a photo and covering email.

Me in my Bike Tee shirt in Nice.


Boxing day my Parents came to us for lunch and the Pantomime and as mentioned earlier I was too tired to go. Lunch was great though.

All our children, other halves and Grand children came  us on the 27th, sadly, due to sickness (and rows) some the other halves and one of the Grand children couldn't make it, only 15 for lunch then.
Generally, Christmas is a very food and drink time for us and this Christmas has followed that trend.

Stella is ironing her clothes for Nice, placing them carefully in the case, and throwing my 'T's in , I must admit I am really looking forward to the (too short) break its a chance for both of us to recharge for the New Year.

Twas the night before Christmas...........

I've just finished reading the night before Christmas to Martha, the only child who wants to listen now. Most of the older children are having a debauched night in the pub or tucking their own children in bed.

This week is the first week without any Radio/Chemo therapy and I have had some of the predicted side effects in the following days. The worst has been a growing ache in my groin/pelvis area, this started last weekend and grew increasing painful reaching a crescendo on Thursday all I could do was go to bed and pop ibuprofen. This pain has subsided largely since Thursday but remains a dull ache, I am hoping this will fade substantially before Stella and I go to Nice.

To celebrate finishing the Nuclear part of my treatment Stella and I went out for lunch at a local fish restaurant on Monday which started with a rather saucy glass of Champagne. Very nice.

I popped into work this week, to Tooting to drop of tins of sweets for the watches and to  Croydon to drop off a card and say hello. The guy filling in for me is young, keen and good at the job (swine!) but at least I know the ship is in good hands. My tins of sweets seem paltry compared with the hamper I received from Tooting but I have given them for many years and they have become a bit of an annual tradition.It was good to catch up with the Red Watch, Tom and Pete.
It was equally good to catch up with everybody at Croydon it was quite emotional and I ended up being there chatting for much longer than I intended.

That was the week that was

Thats it! completed my last Radiotherapy session and have just taken the last of my Chemotherapy medication. I feel quite emotional about it, I'll miss all the crew on LA6 at the Oncology dept. Talking to the Radiotherapist the Radiotherapy has killed off the tumour and the Chemotherapy should prevent 'migration' so only the surgery to go, Bring it on!

In the early hours of Saturday morning a taxi driver, attempting the land speed record for a Skoda, ploughed into Stella's VW Polo pushing it from the kerb side where it was parked, up our drive and into my car. He then proceeded to use two of the neighbour's cars as emergency crash barriers before coming to rest. Obviously his 'chute' failed to deploy! Unbelievably neither the taxi driver or anyone else were injured in this pile up which totalled seven cars.

It's funny I can't recall breaking any mirrors at the beginning of the year but I am not sure we can withstand a further six years bad luck.

Whilst sorting out the torturous labyrinthine insurance process later that morning we received a parcel which Stella thought was a bumper pack of colostomy bags (nice Christmas present!). This turned out to be a rather fantastic Christmas Hamper from all the personnel at Tooting Fire station this utterly changed our mood, what a wonderful thing to do. I intend to pop into the station this week to touch base with everyone and say thanks.

Needless to say we are hoping for a quieter couple of weeks.

Christmas Humbug

Another day another 'zapping' session, only two left now the last four weeks have truly flown by (I have been marking the 'zapping' and drug taking off on an excel spread sheet). Once I have completed the outstanding final segments of this stage I will have completed 50% of my total treatment, it doesn't seem that long ago that, still shell shocked, I crossed the threshold of the Oncology unit at Maidstone hospital. I can't speak highly enough of the staff and treatment I have received at there.

 Once again, today, we met up with a friend mentioned in Stella's earlier comment on this blog, she has a further 6 months of Chemotherapy ahead of her. She remains a truly inspirational character, very positive and resolute her strength gives me strength.

It's Martha's carol service this evening and Stella and I are both going. I am looking forward to it this year which unusual because generally I could be described as a 'Christmas Humbug'.

Finally, I don't usually respond to comments through this blog but, Claire I didn't get your email address with your comment. Yes, you were spot on with my film allusion well done and "Party on". 

Into the final straight....for this stage

This is the last full week of treatment, both Chemo and Radiotherapy. I am feeling increasingly fatigued for more of the day this is the accumulative effect of the Radiotherapy and is far and away the most severe. The Chemo has began to produce another of the predicted side effects of my particular drug, sore and red palms of my hands. Because I can see the finish line I feel I can comfortably bear whatever may come.

I had another meal with work friends Monday evening and had a thoroughly great time, the humour was most definitely "No quarter asked, no quarter given". It's a been a long time since I indulged in such "frank" humour.

Loft

I find my mind is like a loft where everything I need to know is stuffed into bin liners or cardboard boxes (Tea chests sounds more romantic but less accurate), inevitably information I need to hand is always stuffed in the bag/box in the furthest, most inaccessible corner. In this (imaginary) loft there's a door to a dark room marked "What right have you to expect more?". When I feel low this question plays on my mind and the truth is a life lived is a life lived however long or short it may be, it makes a mockery of long term life plans. To coin a phrase from one of my favourite films "Live in the now!".

I received the letters this week with dates for the beginning of the next stage, MRI and CT scans for the week of 30 Jan 2012 and a meeting with the Consultant surgeon on my suitability for surgery on the 9 Feb 2012. Again, I feel both exhilerated and anxious in equal measures at this development.

This week saw the last of my blood tests, this is a huge relief as I get a sweaty upper lip at the very thought of needles entering my veins and drawing out the contents. This condition wasn't helped this week by the Phlebotomist saying "Oh! I've bled you before". My blood count is satisfactory.

I feel as though I could challenge Rip Van Winkle for sleeping. The most usable part of the day for me is the morning I have a nap in the afternoon and get a full 10 hours sleep at night. Talking to the Radiologist this level of fatigue should abate quickly at the end of treatment.

I managed a trip up to London this week to meet some friends from work for a Christmas lunch and although I was back in Sevenoaks by 6:30 in the evening I had a great time. I ate far too much in the 'all you can eat for £4.95' Chinese restaurant and was shattered that night but felt the effort was worth it.
How does anyone drink J2O all night? At the first mouthful I could feel my teeth rotting.

Start of the 4th Week

Start of the 4th week and I managed to get out on my bike today (Monday) after we got back from Hospital. This is the second time I have been out wearing my 'girdle', what a revelation, absolutely no pulling around my stoma I almost felt back to my normal self. I even managed a little tentative off road section on this ride, I still can't go far and use the 'granny' ring to go up hills much more than I would normally. I am determined to be as fit, emotionally and physically, as I possibly can without compromising my health as I am convinced this helps with going through the treatment and recovery.

Last week we saw Tim and Elaine, a couple of our oldest and dearest friends. We don't see each other from year to year but when we do the conversation (and wine) flows as though we'd seen each other yesterday, as usual, we promised to stay in touch and also as usual I suspect we will see them in a year or so's time.

I find I feel increasingly emotional, this was borne out at the weekend which saw the Baptism of one of our Grandaughters, quite naturally, it's becoming rarer to have all the children together at single event these days. Looking around at them all, listening to the boys doing the readings and seeing the fluid ease with which the Grand children could be passed from one to another of the older girls and how natural it all seemed; It suddenly struck me how beautiful they all are, I was overcome with that thought.
I'm not sure if a brush with mortality or a complete realignment of personal priorities can explain this emotional change but I don't think I can go back to the old less emotional self.

I thought I could

Just completed the 13th session of Radiotherapy I am now over half way with 12 to go. I feel like the train in Dumbo pulling the circus through the mountains.
This week has brought colds and a sickness bug into the Day household, I succumbed to both but not so seriously that they affected my treatment. Once again my susceptibility to infection was exposed.
1st December is a 'page turner' in terms of progress through this part of my treatment, not only am I over half way through but this month sees the end of this stage. I definitely feel I can see the finish line and something I only dared to hope for a few weeks ago, a couple of nights away in Nice during Christmas week with Stella. More than me she could do with some well earned 'R&R' this process is pretty intense.

Progress report

I contracted a cold this weekend, it started on Friday and was in full swing by Sunday. I felt very rough right through and spent a lot of time in bed popping cold remedies like sweets (marshmallows!). The Chemotherapy depletes my immune system and makes me susceptible to infections this was a relatively minor cold but it knocked me for six.
 Additionally, this weekend I had a lot of discomfort in my bowel spending quite a lot of time in the toilet passing matter, mucus and some blood (this was very light staining and could not be described as bleeding), all a little disconcerting.

I felt much better today following my abuse of cold remedies, Stella and I saw my Oncologist, this was the opportunity to find out how the treatment is going, what will follow and clear up some nagging questions.

•  The 5 week 'plan' is the total amount of Radiotherapy and should conclude the Chemotherapy, I had been concerned that this plan may vary.
• There will be a 6 week rest period following completion of this treatment package. In this period I will have CT and MRI scans.
• Surgery will follow very soon after the 6 weeks (last week in January, first week in February).
• A decision will be made on the material removed and there may be some 'mop up' Chemo therapy.
• The passing matter issue (above) is perfectly normal and a result of the treatment.
• I can take pain/IBS relief, it won't affect the Chemotherapy.
• I can resume taking a multivitamin to supplement my diet.

Everytime I meet with experts at the Oncology Centre I feel reassured and positive about the outcome.

2 Weeks down

I like this picture, earlier in the week we went for a walk. At the risk of enraging the 'global warming' lobby I find sunny days in the winter lift my soul, long may they continue. The Ray Bans are tortoise shell framed, not real obviously that would place me up with Adolf Hitler and Vlad the Impaler on the reviled peoples' list. It was a beautiful day and although the walk took it out of me I thoroughly enjoyed it and slept like a log that night.
The end of the second week has brought some side effects (detailed in the previous post) and a noticeable increase in my level of fatigue. However, after a meeting with my stoma nurses I now have an elasticated girdle to support the area around my stoma and intend to use some of my meagre energy level to go out for some short cycle rides. Previous rides had resulted in the area around my stoma 'pulling' uncomfortably so the girdle will give much needed support. I find going out on my bike, however occasionally, psychologically as well as physically uplifting and as such well worth expending energy. This is not bravado but rather maintaining a sense of self.
On Monday as well as me being 'zapped' we have a review meeting with my oncologist Doctor, Stella and I will be preparing questions over the weekend as we are both keen to get an idea of the direction the treatment is taking and timescales for surgery.

The hard ware

This is the machine that fires x-rays into my body. The tattoos on my hips and back are the coordinates for the cross section of my bowel that needs to be hit but fine point adjustments made on a day to day basis ensure the whole tumour gets an even dose of radiation. Ultimately it is this that shrinks the tumour in preparation for surgery. I lay on the bed (out of shot) with my face in the blue pillow in this photo. Adjusting my body takes far longer than the actual irradiating which is less than 10 minutes at a time.

I think this machine looks like a giant spot welder (for those of an engineering bent) which is pretty much what its doing to me.

I had conversation with a friend this week who had bowel cancer last year, his words were " the treatment is rough and you'll feel shit for about a year but you will come out the other side". His words are pretty much echoed by my consultant only in less colouful, more techically detailed language. It is reassuring to here from people, particularly a friend in this case, who have been through this experience it all helps build confidence.

I am begining to feel some minor side effects of both the Chemo and Radio therapy. The Chemo side effects manifest themselves with minor irritation in my stoma and in the surrounding scar tissue, a slightly 'rasping' throat and soreness in my eyes. The Radio therapy side effect is limited to a slight tenderness in the skin on my hips.
These are very minor and easily controlled, aqueous cream for the hips and eye drops for my eyes, so far I have not felt any nausea (a definite plus!). It is early days and I will keep an eye on the stoma and throat situation. I do find that I get more tired now by 4 o'clock in the afternoon I need an hours sleep, I call this 'powering down'. This nap allows me to stay up later in the evening but I am still normally in bed by 9:30.
My weight has increased slightly to 13st 5lbs, I am told this a good thing, even though none of it is increased muscle mass!

One down Four to go

Completed the first week of Radio/Chemo therapy today, so far so good. I haven't suffered any adverse side effects. Early days!
I have been given free (!) nylon slippers to wear in the treatment room at hospital as well as executive parking rights (£1.80/week). The advantages of cancer just keep rolling in.

Stella's passion is divided (equally I hope) between me and Steve Harley of Cockney Rebel  fame (old band from the '70s). During the zapping process the team pipe music into the room, to make the victim feel less intimidated (Ha!). Imagine how I felt as I was being lined up for zapping, naked butt in the air when Mr Harley's (my Nemesis!) 'make me smile (come up and see me)' came over the ether, mocking me in my compromised situation.

Oh the irony!

First day new boy

My first day with radiotherapy today and I had 'new boy' nerves the night before with all the usual unpleasant side effects that anybody who has been through the hell of the first day at a new school suffers.
But as with school everybody only wants to help and my first bout of radiotherapy and, indeed, my first dose of chemotherapy passed without event. I am sure that this will all become more arduous as the treatment moves through it's term but a positive start has put me in a confident frame of mind.
As usual Stella was the assertive partner asking questions and demanding answers from the helpful staff while I parodied a rabbit caught in the headlights.
I met a guy going through similar treatment to mine, it's reassuring to talk to someone else in a comparable situation.
I find I am inhabiting two different worlds at the moment; 'Cancer world' where our lives (Stella and mine) revolve around eating resting, surgery, oncology and maintaining a positive mental attitude; 'Other world' dealing with the every day demands of family life, links with friends and ensuring there is enough diesel in the car to get around.

Entering the rapids

Had a busy hospital week this week, went to both Pembury and Maidstone. The Pembury visit was to check my stoma post op, on past visits to Pembury the meetings have started with me being 'probed' and I was a little concerned and nervous that this meeting was going to continue that tradition. However, this was an all together more pleasant visit with both my consultant surgeon and stoma nurse. The good news is that the stoma has healed well and the next stage can get under way. Incidentally, I still get the urge to go to the toilet 'conventionally' although I don't produce any significant matter (too much information?). Apparently this is perfectly normal.

The meeting at Maidstone was to plan out my Chemo/Radio therapy which starts this coming week (Tuesday). I will be taking a Chemo drug called Capecitabine every day, including weekends, simultaneously with the Radio therapy which is Monday to Friday (other than the first week) for all five weeks of treatment. The list of side effects for the Chemo drug is just this side of the most terrifying horror film you can imagine, but then again if we read the side effects for paracetamol we'd probably put up with the hangover!

Stella has put together an excel spread sheet of all my appointments for this part of the treatment and I can't wait to start 'ticking them off'.

It would be fair to say I am both excited (stoked) and intimidated by the prospect of actually starting the nuclear part of this journey.
It truly is the begining of the end of the tumour and any associated material but I think it is going to be a rough ride for the duration of the treatment.
Still, as one of our daughters said to me "Mountain or Mole hill, depends on your perspective" , out of the mouth of Babes!
A look around the Oncology department reveals plenty of inspiring examples and I am not the first to have gone down this road, so 'into the valley................'

Good days Bad days

I have had to think about how this blog will be read; sometimes when I'm on my own, mostly in the shower, the fear of my cancer threatens to overwhelm me, I  rationalise my position and fall back on this mantra: 'I am in the hands of experts, the plan is sound, the prognosis is good' but occasionally my strength falters. Fortunately, Stella has managed to get released from work for the period of my treatment, this is a huge relief as when I waver her resolution gives me strength.
A friend recently reminded me of Lance Armstrong's autobiography and the inspirational way he dealt with his cancer(s). I have read his (original) account and it seems to me that he is a very determined, mentally strong and goal driven individual. Like him I have a goal; June 2012 to be on my board in the surf at Croyde, I accept that it is smaller than winning the Tour de France but I am equally determined to achieve it.

We had a great weekend seeing all our children and grandchildren over both days, fireworks on Saturday and a sumptuous lunch on Sunday I have returned to the wine drinking fraternity!
Yesterday I managed another outing on my mountain bike and went further than before. I 'pushed the envelope' a little too much and am paying the price today but it was worth it.
I continue to receive positive and encouraging comments and they are a tremendous fillip to me. I do read all the comments although I don't respond, this is down to to my inability to use the technology. I intend to correct this over the coming months.

Cycling and stoma visit

I managed to get out for a ride on my mountain bike yesterday, under strict orders not go 'off road'. I only did 6-7 miles on quiet country lanes but it was a 'shake down' test to see if I could ride comfortably in my cycling gear. I could and it was great to get out the weather was just right, not too hot or cold. Now I can start to build on the distance and identify natural resting points along the way.

I had an appointment with the stoma nurse at Pembury today, I was a bit nervous because I knew she would want to pull out the remaining stitches around the stoma. Stella said not to worry as it doesn't hurt; she lied!
She was comparing her experience of having caesarean stitches removed, what she didn't take into account is my much lower pain threshold.
Still the nurse was very gentle and gave me lots of 'freebies' to silence my pathetic whinging.

Weight gain

I went to the doctor's yesterday (31 Oct) and have gained some weight. I now weigh 13 Stone 3 pounds, while I was there I also asked about doing exercise. I have been trying to get out for a walk most days just to maintain a minimal level of fitness but now I am also going to try to get out on my push bike for some short rides, weather permitting.
there is a real balance to be made between exercise and rest and, at the moment, I am exploring these boundaries.

Getting ink done

This machine is called a CT Simulator, it's used to line your body up using lasers to create the target area for radio therapy. When the operators have identified the correct position(s) they mark your body, in my case permanently, with 'tattoos'. I was going to publish a picture of me in situ by decided against a picture of my naked butt going out accross the internet, we'll save those for our 'private' collection. I have always quite fancied 'getting ink done' but didn't anticipate the NHS paying for it!

This week has been fairly busy, it started on Sunday with our oldest daughter's 30th birthday, on Monday we had some good friends round for lunch and went for a walk in Knole park, They gave me a present which appealed to my softer side (something I didn't know I had).

Tuesday saw 2 more friends visiting from work they brought cards with get well messages and something I absolutely didn't expect, a collection. For any of the contributors reading this blog I have bought the top of the range Kindle as I love reading and expect to do a lot of it over the coming months. Once again I am bowled over by everybody's generosity and friendship. I will, of course, be writing a more personal thank you to those lovely people.

All through this week I have suffered with dehydration, particularly in the morning I have taken a rehydration treatment as recommended by my stoma nurse and this has re balanced my fluids. It's quite important to not just drink water when I feel like this as it flushes me through and exasperates the problem.
Another trick to slow down digestion and ensure I get the most out of my food is to eat marshmallows or jelly babies as the gelatine slows the process (who would have believed that eating sweets is good for you!).

On Thursday Stella and I went to Joe Allens (Exeter street) for lunch, this was a major achievement for me as it was the longest time I have been out since my stoma operation and involved a train journey, a brisk walk and a meal in a restaurant. It was a great 'date' and did wonders for my personal confidence.

Back to Friday and the top of this blog.

Shower

I found out this morning why it's not a good idea to shower after breakfast. Still it was all easily washable.

Note to self; Always shower first thing!

Nuclear medicine start up

 Received two the two letters detailing my Chemo/Radio therapy appointments yesterday. I have a Chemo appointment on the 11November and Radio therapy appointments starting on the 15 November every day, Monday - Friday until 19 December. I think I'll end up with Christmas off and the major operation (stage 3 in previous post) early in the New Year.

In all the appointments the one that worries me most is a 30 minute meeting in the 'quiet room',  I dread these meetings! You think they could come up with another name for the room 'the bad news room' would at least be more honest.

Elsewhere, I switched on the TV to watch MotoGP today and learnt of the very sad death of Marco Simoncelli he was, most definitely, a future champion.

In other news

Stella and I went for a picnic in Knole park in the week, custard tarts and  fizzy water, it was a beautiful day and we went to our favourite spot, out of the breeze and in the sun. I can't believe how grey my beard is considering I still feel 25!

Also this week 2 of our older daughters independantly had minor road accidents, thankfully no one was hurt but the cars were bent slightly out of shape. These events show that the world still turns, one can become a little self obsessed in my circumstance.

Treatment details and time scales

Good wish texts, blog comments and get well cards continue to roll in. I am astounded by the love and support of both friends and family it truly lifts my spirits.
For clarity I am going to explain my treatment and the time scale involved. For simplicity's sake I'll break it down into stages.

Stage 1: Colostomy/Bypass operation.
This was done on the 12 October for 2 reasons; 1 to make me more comfortable (which it has) and 2 to bypass the cancerous bowel area. This will avoid complications that could arise during radio/chemo therapy treatment.

Stage2: Radio/Chemotherapy.
5 Weeks of Radio therapy simultaneously supported by Chemotherapy (tablets not intravienous supply). This will kill the cancerous cells but will also damage healthy cells in the area, although these will heal.
All this treatment will require time to heal and settle before moving to the next stage.

Stage 3: Surgery to remove the now dead cancerous mass and rejoin the bowel.
This is the largest surgical operation I will have and will take between 4 - 6 weeks to recover but all the cancerous material will have been removed.

Stage 4: Reversal of the colostomy.
This is the last stage and can be upto 12 weeks after stage 3.

The whole process will take 6-7 months, bear in mind the treatment has already started so this (October) can be taken as the first month.
I could return to work/normal life between between stages 3 and 4. Stage 4 is the least intrusive so recovery should be fairly brisk.
All things being well I am hoping to return to a normal life early spring 2012.

Cancer - The up side

I found out today that I am exempt from prescription charges for the rest of my life (I intend this to be a very long time!). Wahay!!

Home - week end catch up

Stella has updated this blog while I have been in hospital so I am just going to put a few sentences down from notes I made while I was on the ward:

12 Oct: Had the (stoma) operation this afternoon, Stella left me just before I had the anaesthetic, came too on Pye Oliver ward at Maidstone hospital I couldn't eat anything but had a comfortable night: Thank heaven for Morphine!
Mananged to walk to the loo in the night - good effort!

13 Oct: Stoma seems to be healing fine and passing 'matter'.
Showered myself this morning that felt great!
Had a chat with the stoma nurse, changed my bag with help and successfully cut the hole in a new bag.
Both my cancer nurses popped in to see me today they were, as ever, very friendly and supportive.
Mum and Dad rang and I was able to have aconversation with them. Stella came in at Lunch time, it was good to see her again.
Stomach feels tender but not too uncomfortable, the morphine is wearing off.
LOADS OF VISITORS in the afternoon and evening.

14 Oct: More pain today as the morphine continues to wear off, feeling more bruised.
Should be going home tomorrow (Saturday)depending on how much matter I pass (less than 1200mm in a 24 hour period). Feeling more tired today although still managed a decent shower, took my bag off for it - a first!

15 Oct: Produced matter from both my 'tail end' and through my stoma - extraordinary experience. My consultant explianed that this would happen until the remains of matter left in my unused section of bowel was clear.
Going home, Stella is picking me up - I could cry! All the staff have been wonderful and the food is good but I can't wait to be home. I must ask the visiting stoma nurse about some kind of 'girdle' support for the bag to take the weight off my bruised and distended stomach muscles.

17 Oct: Moving about more at home has made me a bit mored tired than I anticipated and I have produced more matter from both ends, I spoke to the stoma nurse on the phone today, she told me that this is to be expected and is perfectly normal - phew!

Yum! Hospital Food

I went to see John today. He's in fighting form and good spirits. The chicken casserole tasted good....And I brought him jellies. Believe me you have never seen anyone so excited to see jellies!!

Update from Stella

Subsequent to John writing his short blog update I noticed a familiar willowy figure of a woman report to oncology reception. It was the wife of one of John's old colleagues from his Larkfield days in Kent Fire Brigade. I smiled over at her but she seemed not to recognise us so we went over to say hello. "Hello. Jackie?" said John. "Yes" said Jackie quizzically. "It's John.....John Day". Then she recognised us and we kissed each other on the cheeks. We can't have seen her for at least ten years but sometimes time just seems to melt away. Dave her husband came in afterwards (he'd been parking the car) and we must have chatted for a good hour. Jackie has begun her second fight with breast cancer.....this time the other breast. She's risen to the challenge and is looking fantastic. What an inspirational woman!
Finally we were called back to the admissions lounge where John's particulars were all taken down again. He was given his gown, a pair of paper pants and a pair of white support stockings. (I have photos....tee hee). After a short wait (which I'm sure seemed interminable to John) we were called to theatre reception. John's surgeon appeared in his theatre blues and then at about 12.40 I said goodbye to John as he was taken by the hand and walked to theatre. I was told the operation would only take about half an hour and decided to visit with John's parents who live close by and give them a progress report.
I phoned the hospital at 2.10 to hear that John was still in theatre. That had me worried and I asked them to ring me on my mobile when he was out of theatre. I went for a walk and at about 3.00 they rang. John was in recovery and all went well. They told me to ring the ward a little later to see if he'd arrived there. I rang about 4.00. John was "resting". I saw no point in visiting him and went home.
John's parents went into see him at 6.30. He's well but woozy. That's about all I can say. The main thing is the treatment has started and every day is a day closer to getting this whole thing over with. I'll be updating the blog for a while but I suspect John will be out of hospital asap.......Saturday, I reckon.
Thanks for all your support guys.xxx

Colostomy Day!

John wrote this piece as we waited in oncology reception having been through the Admissions Lounge.
"We arrived at the hospital at 07:11 hrs and booked in with admissions. Both Stella and I were bemused by a bizarre meeting with my consultant, his registrar and the stoma nurse which took place in a small kitchenette just beside the nurses' station. We sat on chairs and the consultant perched on a kick-stool. The operation was described in gory detail and we were given instructions and booklets on how to manage the stoma. Nothing too daunting!
I have been marked with indelible marker by the stoma nurse who makes the recommendation for the best place for the stoma to go. She made marks on the left and the right approximately mid-way between the belly button and the hip bone. X marks the spot!
Met with the anaesthetist who went through all that he would do: he says that he will make me feel as though I've drunk 2 pints of Harveys...can't wait.
Everybody is very friendly, helpful and supportive. They do inspire confidence."

Operation Brought forward

My colostomy operation has been brought forward to tomorrow (12th October), someone has pulled out and I was on a short notice list. The hospital contacted me today and it's been a bit of a rush but I have to report to admissions at 07:30hrs.
This is a significant step as it brings the whole procedure forward by at least 2 weeks.
The fight back begins here.

First steps back

Had confirmation of my stoma operation today, 26 October, I have an appointment to discuss stoma management on the 19th.
I would have liked the operation sooner, I was pencilled in for the 19th, but these dates are confirmed and I will receive the confirmation letter this week.

Getting deeper in the maze

Had my appointment with the radio therapy doctor on Friday, this was both good and disappointing news.
The (very) good news is that my lungs and liver are clear of cancer. The disappointing news is that rather than 5 days radio therapy followed by surgery to remove the tumour I will have 5 weeks radio/chemo therapy, rest and then surgery.I have elected to have the stoma operation before starting the radio/chemo therapy as this will prevent potential problems and help smooth the whole process from begining to end.
The time scales involved with this new approach are much longer, this was a bit of a body blow to my spirit and although I understand the sound reasoning behind this change I still felt very low on Friday evening.

Saturday brought time to reflect on the situation, a more positive outlook and a discomfort free day!

I also received my third cancer present, an impossible puzzle which my 7 year old daughter cracked first time.

I notified work about the change in procedure, they have been very supportive and understanding.

Sunday brought a lot of discomfort in my bowel and real pain (for the first time) I took some pain killers and am using an over the counter IBS treatment- Buscopan- this combination eased the pain and discomfort considerably.
I am trying to up the amount of water I drink as this seems to help "flush" me through.

Bike ride

Managed to get out on my mountain bike today for the first time in months. I've not felt comfortable enough to do it recently but it was great to get out. The weather was perfect and the changing autumn colours looked spectacular.
I will try to get out again before my radio therapy and surgery starts next week.

Had a particularly uncomfortable night last night. I think when I eat is crucial to how comfortable I sleep. I'm not going to eat much after lunch today to see if it makes a difference.

Had confirmation of my radiotherapy appiontments yesterday, this means that the surgery that was only pencilled in for the 19th will go ahead. This is good news.

Received my second cancer present yesterday,art equipment, I haven't painted for years but as I am going to have some spare time I think I'll start.

Receiving lots of good will messages from friends at work. These are very important to me.

Slept well through the night last night, this the first undisturbed nights sleep I have had for a couple of weeks.
Generally I feel very tired by about 8 oclock in the evening.

Everybody knows

We went out to dinner at a friend's house last night and I received my first 'cancer' present, a juicer, I can't wait to give it a try.
I weighed myself - 13 stone exactly.
Finished telling family and friends today (Sunday), I found this very distressing and the hardest thing to do so far. All have been very supportive both emotionally an practically offering lifts to hospital etc.
I feel the more I talk about having cancer the less it has the power to scare. That said I feel as though I am paddling my surf board 'out back' in complete calm oblivious of a monster sheet of glass bearing down on me. Ignorance is bliss!

In the beginning.

Why me and my friend?
Yesterday, after a battery of tests, I found out that I have bowel cancer and it seems so unreal that it feels as though this is happening to someone I know very well but not me.
I am a complete novice at 'blogging' and thought that it may be an interesting way of plotting my progress through the medical procedures over the coming months. I also thought my blog may strike a note with other people in a similar circumstance.