Blog 92 Monday 27th February 2012

I have found I have lots more energy this weekend Maybe because its my last Chemo session and I'm on a high. I have completed my forms to volunteer for Bowel Cancer UK and on Saturday helped set up Corby Open, exhibition. After a few hours the old Corby library was transformed, thanks to many volunteers. Sunday, I spent most of the day clearing out the garage ready to repair large sections of roof when the weather gets better. My newly found energy is "All in the mind" as keeping busy is a ploy to winding down the clock before the 5th March, when I attend for my CT Scan. Then a nail biting wait for the results !!  Today I volunteered to spend 3 hours at the Corby Open exhibition, cleaning the windows. I have dates that I am to attend for my Community Awareness  training with Bowel Cancer UK.

Again today, I spoke with a person that, like me, had been mis-diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Its shocking how many people have the same story!!!!  

Blog 91 Thursday 23rd February 2012

I received a call back from my Thoracic Surgeon Mr Waller (Blog 90) He couldn't see me until 29th Feb so I thought I would leave it and see what happens to the pain in my left side and ribs over the next few days . I ended up last night going to the doctor on call service at 23.30. The surgery was full of tired looking Mums, babies and young children. I was eventually seen at 01.00 this morning. The doctor was unable to diagnose the problem and suggested I wait for my CT Scan on 5th March !! I was prescribed pain killers and sent packing a bit of a waste of time, but I've been saying to everyone "Early Diagnosis" is the key !!

Today my Chemotherapy sessions conclude with the removal of the Chemo Folfuser, hopefully for the last time ever, GMT 10.00 am, no celebration until after the scan though. As previously blogged it is imperative that when going through the cancer journey, you stay positive, make plans for the future, keep active and eat healthy. Wendy and I are planning a Road Trip across America for next year East to West Coast !!! Based on our trip around Australia    http://naisbit.blogspot.com/  it should be great fun and will be asking for advice from our blog followers in America, to ensure we see some great "outdoors"

Blog 90 Tuesday 21st February 2012

My Chemotherapy journey started in September 2011 (Blog 36) and here I am contemplating my last session over the next two days I am looking forward to Getting my life back on track as a Cancer Survivor . Since being hooked up this morning I have had enforced sleeps on and off. I have also developed some pain in the left side of my ribs, on the site of my previous (July 2011) chest operation. My nurse in attendance told me to contact Mr Waller my Thoracic surgeon. I am waiting for a call back, as my next appointment with Mr Waller is not until March 13th' I don't feel I should wait. My CT Scan is March 5th (fingers crossed) but the results are not until 13th March at the time of the Mr Waller appointment.  Please check out this website and pass it on its got some good articles on healthy eating for cancer patients, early diagnosis and lots more  http://www.everydayhealth.com/cancer/index.aspx

Wendy's Blog

It is John's last week of chemo, thank goodness for that. When we started on this journey the end looked so far away, quite daunting really. I think it was more the unknown, we have heard all different horror stories about chemo and cancer and it was this that was at the back of our minds.

Well it wasn't as bad as we imagined apart from a short stay in hospital it has been relatively un eventful....fantastic. We have been extremely blessed that it has gone so smoothly and it is in a large part down to John's positive outlook and determination to continue with day to day tasks. Yes he has been tired  and occasionally a bit down but he woke up each day and dealt with each day as they came, with his positive attitude.

I am proud of John and the way he has dealt with this hurdle in his life.....well done love!

Blog 89 Saturday 18th February 2012

Twelfth and final Chemotherapy session starts this week, Tuesday 21st February, I have already had the telephone call from the nurses confirming my appointments for next week for taking bloods and Chemotherapy sessions start times, now looking forward to the end. I can't wait to get to the CT scan following my treatment, I feel my life is a little bit on hold until I get these results.

Wendy was owed some leave, so we have taken a few days out. My father, who is 93 years young is not very well and has confined himself to bed !! so we took the opportunity to visit the south coast for a few days, staying with our friends Bill & Trish (Thanks once again you guys). My father has some kind of mass growing in his stomach but this will not be investigated due to his age. He is quite perky when not sleeping and can still hold a conversation but soon drops of to sleep after. He is being well looked after by my Mum and Sister.

Lots of mentions by people having seen the television campaign for Bowel Cancer it has obviously got the message out there.  I have previously blogged that it is important to keep oneself busy during these times. With this in mind, I recently entered some of my artworks (Pastel & Chalk) into a local request for works to be exhibited in  http://corbyopen.yolasite.com/ originally set up to show local artists work, it was calling for works to be sent for consideration. Out of three submitted, I was successful with one, a picture of a charging elephant !!! inspired by my trip to Addo elephant park in South Africa many years ago. I have also volunteered to help set up the exhibition. It should keep me out of mischief for a few days and pass the time waiting for my scan and surgeon appointment!!!

Blog 88 Friday 10th February 2012

Heavy snow again overnight in the Midlands. Hope and I will be out tobogganing later, after her school. Its school holidays next week so will be looking for things to do for her.. Wendy has ventured into London by train today for a works meeting. I took great delight taking photos of her clearing her car of snow so she can drive to the station. Our Labrador, "Jack" just wants to get out into the white stuff and chase squirrel's. I have finished my penultimate chemotherapy session and feel totally washed out. I have managed to sleep this time which is a bonus!! my head feels full of cotton wool as if I have a heavy cold,  I read somewhere that you never know when a Taurean is sad or depressed, but this week has seen me quite depressed. I'm not sure why. I think I just need some sunshine.
I have booked my free sessions with  Integrated Cancer Therapies reflexology, etc for next Monday. I found out about these free sessions via my nurse. Integrated Cancer Therapies is  a registered charity for cancer sufferers that live in Northamptonshire, perfect!!! Two weeks time my final Chemotherapy session and then CT scan to check how successful the treatment has been.........here's hoping

I have to include this link in my blog as I want everyone to check it out from Cancer research UK please click on the link and watch the video.

Blog 87 Tuesday 7th February 2012

Today is the 11th Chemotherapy session and it is all boringly normal. I have been fitted with the Folfuser Fluorouracil to be infused over the next 46 hours. The warning on the bottle is very clear
"Cytotoxic - handle with care" I am extremely pleased that I have had the opportunity of the Chemotherapy, but boy, will I be glad when it is over! If I can give any advice, for anyone starting on this journey, for the first time, Don't fret, the sessions come around and go very quickly. You will get some or most of the side effects that you will read about, there's lots of information out there of how to deal with this. Take a loved one with you when attending appointments, especially the Oncologist. I got into the habit, of asking the Oncologist to write down the name of drugs, treatments and any information that I didn't understand. I then looked it up on line to understand fully. Stay active and positive...... I have got into a routine of regularly walking the dog, in different locations. I have started a small business, business plan, marketing plan, website, flyer's, business cards, targeting business. All the information is available on-line or library. I have also started to decorate the hallway !!!!! (I was pressurised to do that).
But above all remember each session is doing you good......................and there is a lot of available support out there, write a blog its great hearing from others, join Twitter............... I have learnt there is a lot of people out there far worst of than me.......................

Blog 86 Saturday 4th February 2012

I have recently discovered that anyone suffering from cancer who live in Northamptonshire, can receive free of charge integrated cancer therapy's such as aromatherapy, therapeutic massage, therapeutic touch, reflexology, hypnotherapy and tai chi (chi kung)

Integrated Cancer Therapies is a registered charity specialising in delivering complementary therapy to people with cancer living in Northamptonshire. They are a team of fully qualified and insured therapists with over 25 years collective experience in treating cancer patients. Their purpose is to improve the well-being of people with cancer by providing holistic care using evidence based complementary therapies. The delivery of this service will rely upon charitable funding and voluntary donations. I know where I will be next week !!!! I am secretly hoping that the therapy's will help with the numbness experienced across my left side chest following my lung operation  and the numbness in my feet from the Oxaliplatin drug. I shall also ask about the Tinnitus in my ears since the Oxaliplatin drug.................... Or  I shall just lay back and enjoy !!!  I am hoping by highlighting this service that, maybe, you will have a similar service where you live, for you, or any cancer sufferer that you may know. I'm sure this cannot be unique to Northamptonshire please let me know if you have a similar service, or any other service for cancer sufferers in your City. I will then include any in my blog to assist others. I am starting my 11th and second to last Chemotherapy session next week 7th Feb until 10th Feb. Bloods will be taken on the 6th Feb. Its bitterly cold in Northamptonshire today, last night was reported as minus -10degrees,  and its currently snowing roll on summer!!!!!!!!!! 

Wendy's Blog

I cannot believe that with all the vitamins and berocca that I have been taking to ward off all sickness, so John is not exposed to any bugs, and what happens I get sick! I am full of cold, sneezing, runny eyes, runny nose, cold and miserable. I just hope that John does not get infected, it would be very cruel if he gets sick when he only has two more chemo's to go.

I have a very busy week next week, visits to Birmingham, Grimsby, Manchester and London and then 4 days off the week after next, what to do, it would be nice to get away but John has been stripping the hall way to decorate so I imagine that is what we will be doing!

He likes to potter about the house keeping himself busy. I am pleased that he does not work because  when it gets a bit much he can sleep or just relax. Let us just hope that he doesn't catch what I have got.