Received written confirmation of my pre-op date and the operation date yesterday, 16th and 23rd January respectively, in the words of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence "This shit just got real!". Although in truth it's been real for quite some time.
What with the operation, three birthdays coming up and imminent retirement this part of the year, generally a quiet time, seems manic at the moment. We have also decided to buy the lease car I have had for the past 3 years, it has proved to be all the family car we need, although we still have a hankering for another old VW bus (we've had two)I think that is just the 'Hippy' in both of us.
We are becoming quite the theatre goers, we have booked tickets to see Much ado about nothing at the Old Vic for later in the year. This is significant because I have held off making commitments too far into the future, I think this is a sign of my renewed optimism.
Friday, 11 January 2013
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Twelfth night
53 today, Martha's card from last year can be 'recycled' today. had a relatively quiet day today most of the kids visited, went for a walk in Knole Park with Hannah, Mark, baby Sophie and our 3 youngest.
Christmas has been a busy period for the Day household we have visited, been visited, went to the pantomime and I took Gabriel to his first adult comedy night at our local theatre, the Stag. I actually did get out on my mountain bike before the end of 2012, twice! I went further each time and did more off road riding than I thought I would be up to.
Stella treated me to a meal at Joe Allens and we went to see Simon Callow in his one man rendition of a Christmas Carol for my birthday. It was a brilliant evening, prior to collecting our tickets from the box office we found ourselves behind Simon. Stella asked him to sign a programme which he obligingly did, top bloke!
But Simon where were the songs?! (Muppet's Christmas carol reference).
Generally I feel more healthy daily, the numbness in my fingers and feet also seems to be subsiding although I still struggle with shirt buttons and picking small items up from a flat surface, not end of the world stuff but irritating just the same. I am going to give some blood tomorrow for the research programme I mentioned earlier, I was advised not to do it before the Christmas break (the sample may be left and deteriorate in the break) by the research team at the oncology centre.
We met up with my surgeon on the 27th December, I signed the consent form for the reversal surgery and it looks as though I will be going in on the 23rd January, just in time to recover and retire from the Fire Brigade.
Stella treated me to a meal at Joe Allens and we went to see Simon Callow in his one man rendition of a Christmas Carol for my birthday. It was a brilliant evening, prior to collecting our tickets from the box office we found ourselves behind Simon. Stella asked him to sign a programme which he obligingly did, top bloke!
But Simon where were the songs?! (Muppet's Christmas carol reference).
Generally I feel more healthy daily, the numbness in my fingers and feet also seems to be subsiding although I still struggle with shirt buttons and picking small items up from a flat surface, not end of the world stuff but irritating just the same. I am going to give some blood tomorrow for the research programme I mentioned earlier, I was advised not to do it before the Christmas break (the sample may be left and deteriorate in the break) by the research team at the oncology centre.
We met up with my surgeon on the 27th December, I signed the consent form for the reversal surgery and it looks as though I will be going in on the 23rd January, just in time to recover and retire from the Fire Brigade.
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
Joyeux Noel
Went to the Kent Oncology Centre yesterday to get the results of the CT scan, the waiting area was packed, who would have believed that an oncology centre could have a Christmas rush!
Stella and I waited about an hour and a half to see the consultant; as we walked into his office he shook our hands and said "the scan is clear" , fantastic news that is only sinking in this evening. The consultation took all of 5 minutes, he discharged me from the oncology department and, as a parting gift (?), sent me for another blood test.
I will have to have a blood test every 6 months and a scan annually, a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Only one hurdle left between me and a surf trip, surgery and recovery in the New Year, I'll wax my board.
I have volunteered to take part in a research programme looking at the genetic structure of people who have suffered with (bowel) cancer, I feel I want to be involved in the struggle against this terrible disease.
In other news, Stella and I went for a Christmas meal at 'The butcher and Grill' in Battersea with friends from work last night. This proved to be a good way of celebrating our news, we didn't get to bed until 1 o'clock in the morning, far and away my latest night for a long time.
The world suddenly looks a brighter place.
Stella and I waited about an hour and a half to see the consultant; as we walked into his office he shook our hands and said "the scan is clear" , fantastic news that is only sinking in this evening. The consultation took all of 5 minutes, he discharged me from the oncology department and, as a parting gift (?), sent me for another blood test.
I will have to have a blood test every 6 months and a scan annually, a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Only one hurdle left between me and a surf trip, surgery and recovery in the New Year, I'll wax my board.
I have volunteered to take part in a research programme looking at the genetic structure of people who have suffered with (bowel) cancer, I feel I want to be involved in the struggle against this terrible disease.
In other news, Stella and I went for a Christmas meal at 'The butcher and Grill' in Battersea with friends from work last night. This proved to be a good way of celebrating our news, we didn't get to bed until 1 o'clock in the morning, far and away my latest night for a long time.
The world suddenly looks a brighter place.
Friday, 7 December 2012
Movin' on
A fortnight ago, Stella and I went to Birmingham to see Steve Harley (of Cockney Rebel fame for those of a certain age) I'm not a massive fan but Stella has stalked this individual since 1974! All that said the concert was exceptional and well worth the visit. The weather was atrocious and this had direct impact on the numbness in my hands and feet, this condition is very temperature sensitive and is noticeably improved in warmer times.
I had the official result of the contrast enema last week, the wound site is healed and healthy. Very good news and although this is what I expected every test brings it's own trepidation, on that note I also had the CT scan on the 12th which I'll get the result from on the 17th, as I say its the waiting for results that is the hardest part. Although I'm confident that the CT scan will prove as positive as previous tests there is always a nagging doubt.
Despite the fact that I told the CT operative when she asked that I'm allergic to the sight of blood, especially my own, she couldn't resist telling me that " we had a gusher" when she tried to insert the cannula in my arm. Fortunately I was already laying on the scanner's bed with my feet slightly raised!
Also in this last fortnight I have been walking a lot more, pushing out the distance and terrain, I can see a definite improvement in my personal fitness and go for a punishing cross country walk at least once a week. I'm not up to cycling yet but my mid term aim is to get out and do some miles on my mountain bike before the end of the year.
We have a meeting with my surgeon on the 27th to pin down a date for the operation to close my stoma and repair the hernia, this will be a truly welcome Christmas present.
I had the official result of the contrast enema last week, the wound site is healed and healthy. Very good news and although this is what I expected every test brings it's own trepidation, on that note I also had the CT scan on the 12th which I'll get the result from on the 17th, as I say its the waiting for results that is the hardest part. Although I'm confident that the CT scan will prove as positive as previous tests there is always a nagging doubt.
Despite the fact that I told the CT operative when she asked that I'm allergic to the sight of blood, especially my own, she couldn't resist telling me that " we had a gusher" when she tried to insert the cannula in my arm. Fortunately I was already laying on the scanner's bed with my feet slightly raised!
Also in this last fortnight I have been walking a lot more, pushing out the distance and terrain, I can see a definite improvement in my personal fitness and go for a punishing cross country walk at least once a week. I'm not up to cycling yet but my mid term aim is to get out and do some miles on my mountain bike before the end of the year.
We have a meeting with my surgeon on the 27th to pin down a date for the operation to close my stoma and repair the hernia, this will be a truly welcome Christmas present.
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Ouch!
The title sums up my enema experience, it was as uncomfortable and a little less than dignified which is to be expected. However, some very good news, the doctor told me that there wasn't any obvious leak from the wound site. This is significant as any leak would complicate further surgery.
Next stage is the CT scan of my chest and liver in December, surgical consultation with surgery hopefully early in January.
I'm actually looking forward to 2013 (and still praying that the Mayans are wrong).
Next stage is the CT scan of my chest and liver in December, surgical consultation with surgery hopefully early in January.
I'm actually looking forward to 2013 (and still praying that the Mayans are wrong).
Monday, 5 November 2012
Plus one week
One week on from completing my chemo and I'm feeling pretty well all things considered. We went to France for the half term, the Somme, returning this weekend, we were very lucky with the weather and had mostly clear sunny days. This break was in complete contrast to the one we had in June in Devon, it was very relaxing, we ate at some very pleasant restaurants, took a trip on a hundred year old steam train and generally had a very easy time. We went back to St Valery Sur Somme where the kids took these photos:
This bar is same one that I am having a coffee in at the beginning of this blog before I started on this journey, I have to say I feel much better in these photos than I did in that first one. I'm still sensitive to the cold and my feet and fingers still feel numb but this seems to be receding slowly.
My toilet habits are becoming more normal, that's to say I only have to empty my 'bag' 2 or 3 times a day. While I was receiving chemotherapy this could be up to 6 or 7 times a day with regular trips to the toilet throughout the night. Overall I'm pleasantly surprised at how quickly the side effects of the chemotherapy subside and am looking forward to the continued return to normality. The most frustrating things I get annoyed with ( I'm not a tolerant patient) are how weak I still feel generally and the imposition of the hernia (site of the stoma) on my movements and the uncomfortable fit of my jeans. Small beer I suppose but annoying just the same.
This week I have the particularly unpleasant prospect of a 'contrast enema' , words that can strike fear into the most strident heart, this is to check the site of the tumour surgery to ensure that there isn't any leakage and that the wound has healed. I should be pleased because this is the first stage of the end game but I can't help feeling a little intimidated.
This bar is same one that I am having a coffee in at the beginning of this blog before I started on this journey, I have to say I feel much better in these photos than I did in that first one. I'm still sensitive to the cold and my feet and fingers still feel numb but this seems to be receding slowly.
My toilet habits are becoming more normal, that's to say I only have to empty my 'bag' 2 or 3 times a day. While I was receiving chemotherapy this could be up to 6 or 7 times a day with regular trips to the toilet throughout the night. Overall I'm pleasantly surprised at how quickly the side effects of the chemotherapy subside and am looking forward to the continued return to normality. The most frustrating things I get annoyed with ( I'm not a tolerant patient) are how weak I still feel generally and the imposition of the hernia (site of the stoma) on my movements and the uncomfortable fit of my jeans. Small beer I suppose but annoying just the same.
This week I have the particularly unpleasant prospect of a 'contrast enema' , words that can strike fear into the most strident heart, this is to check the site of the tumour surgery to ensure that there isn't any leakage and that the wound has healed. I should be pleased because this is the first stage of the end game but I can't help feeling a little intimidated.
Sunday, 14 October 2012
Final cycle
Friday just gone I started my final cycle of Chemotherapy, this nearly didn't happen as on my blood test on Wednesday my platelet count was borderline at 90 (The limit for continuing is 100). I put my lowered count down to a busy week which saw Stella and I walking a fair bit with me completing the whole circuit of our Knole walk, something I haven't managed for some considerable time, I also went to Gabriel's open evening which went on much longer than I anticipated. Stella and I also partook of some more 'adult' exercise this week which probably helped to deplete me a little (nice all the same). Suffice to say that I received a phone call from the hospital early on Friday morning asking me to come in a couple of hours early to take another blood test before my treatment and that if my count hadn't improved they would have to reschedule. This was a blow as I did not want this part of my treatment to drag on longer than absolutely necessary, not least because it would throw out the time scale for the rest of the treatment, scan, result, surgeon consultation and surgery. Also we have booked to go away in half term with the kids, this change would have threatened that trip. The journey to the hospital was a bit fraught to say the least as Stella and I were both locked into our own thoughts and were not conversing in our usually upbeat fashion.
On arrival I went straight to the blood test station and had blood taken. Once again there was tense hour and half until I was called to Charles Dickens ward, where I receive my infused chemo, I was settled in to my relevant station and told that my platelet count had increased to 104 and as such I would start this cycle. Stella and my relief was palpable despite the fact that I dread the next couple of days as they can be unpleasant I was very happy with this outcome as it put everything back on schedule.
While I was being settled in Stella left to go shopping, pick up Martha from School and return to pick me up. On her way out she spoke to a family that had been in the waiting area at the same time as us. She asked how they had got on and sadly the news wasn't good for the Dad, his brain tumour had returned with a vengeance and there was no further treatment that could be given. His comment was "This cancer is a bastard" but that he was going to "enjoy what was left to him". I felt this put my concerns over delayed treatment into perspective, I felt like an ingrate.
On arrival I went straight to the blood test station and had blood taken. Once again there was tense hour and half until I was called to Charles Dickens ward, where I receive my infused chemo, I was settled in to my relevant station and told that my platelet count had increased to 104 and as such I would start this cycle. Stella and my relief was palpable despite the fact that I dread the next couple of days as they can be unpleasant I was very happy with this outcome as it put everything back on schedule.
While I was being settled in Stella left to go shopping, pick up Martha from School and return to pick me up. On her way out she spoke to a family that had been in the waiting area at the same time as us. She asked how they had got on and sadly the news wasn't good for the Dad, his brain tumour had returned with a vengeance and there was no further treatment that could be given. His comment was "This cancer is a bastard" but that he was going to "enjoy what was left to him". I felt this put my concerns over delayed treatment into perspective, I felt like an ingrate.
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