Blog 118 Monday 30th July 2012

Early diagnosis of bowel cancer saves lives........I am ever thankful to my wife Wendy who kept nagging me to go back to the doctors when my symptoms of diarrhoea didn't go away, I was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer at an advanced stage and ever thankful to the doctors surgeons and nurses who gave me the second chance.........................you can get lots of information from                 www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk 

 Information & Support freephone:                      0800 8403540

East Midlands Cancer Network has asked Bowel Cancer UK for help in contacting local colon or rectal cancer survivors. The Cancer Network is a useful resource for local information for cancer patients, their friends and relatives and Health Professionals from the East Midlands area. East Midland Cancer Network understands that many patients following treatment for a colon or rectal cancer face many and varied challenges which may not be met by their local hospital team.

To this end they are planning to make a DVD which will be handed to patients and carers six weeks after their treatment is completed. The Cancer Network would like to interview 5 patients about their experiences.

In addition, they are also looking to film 5 patients to share these experiences. .In my attempts to spread the word Bowel Cancer UK has asked if I would be a willing participant to be interviewed for a DVD and filmed whilst sharing experiences. WELL I recently jumped at the chance of being interviewed "ON AIR" for Northampton Radio and being photographed for the local paper which highlighted this blog.....................so if I can help persons embarking on the rehabilitation period after treatment then bring it on.

 

Blog 117 Monday 16th July 2012

OK, I need to make some sense of my recent ramblings, so a short synopsis . I developed a severe case of Tinnitus  on my fourth chemotherapy session back in 2011.  I was immediately taken off the chemo drug Oxaliplatin as this was believed to be the cause. My Oncologist Craig Macmillan left notes for my GP that if the Tinnitus does not get better two months after my chemo, I should be referred to an Otolaryngology or ENT Specialist for further investigation.
(Synopsis John synopsis !!!!)

Ok, I had an MRI Scan which was clear of any focal abnormality ie metastases or acoustic neuroma so that's good !!!!! but I have been told that the MRI scan picked up that I have generalised cerebral atrophy (shrinking of the brain) with periventricular ischemic change.

Although this is not uncommon in the older person and is associated with dementia, but in my case described as "possibly slightly more than might be expected in a patient of my age". (55 years) Today my GP gave me a copy of the Radiology report and suggested that I again contact my Oncologist. Just in case  I have also informed the medical insurance people................."Simply Health" they have been very good.......and continue to be sympathetic and supportive.

This is just too weird ! I have received an appointment from the NHS to attend a CT Scan on Wednesday 25th July 2012. It specifically mentions abdominal scan. I telephoned my bowel cancer specialist nurse and spoke with Mark Kingston as this scan is out of sync with what I have recently been told at El-Rabaa surgery. Mark made enquiries and reassured me that in fact this letter is a mistake by the radiology department and should in fact be 25th July 2013 I am a great believer in "everything happens for a reason" or am I just pessimistic. Mark told me to tear the letter up and not go......................

Blog 116 Wednesday 11th July 2012

I was given an appointment with my bowel cancer consultant yesterday which is a normal 6 monthly check and I took the opportunity to ask for the results of my recent MRI Scan ordered by the ear nose and throat specialist. Thankfully I was told the scan results came back clear and the consultant said they were unable to determine the cause of the tinnitus. I was very happy. However the CEA count, which is the cancer marker in my blood, was slightly higher than it has been, so I was sent for further blood tests. I'm not worried by this as when undergoing Chemo my CEA marker was often climbing then dropping but always in the "normal" zone. My consultant asked me to make an appointment with my GP so the results of the scan can be discussed further........... which has been set for next week Monday. The reason why the consultant asked me to make this appointment with the GP is, that apparently she was not qualified to discuss MRI (????????) so be it,  a trip to the GP it is then...............