Blog 136 Wednesday 31st October 2012

Happy Halloween!! We have just got back from a few days R&R in the Cairngorms National Park Scotland. I was not able to do much walking but the scenery was breathtaking, especially as most of the Cairngorms are snow capped. We had a lovely stay at the Dunallen Guest House in
Grantown-on-Spey. Thanks once again to our hosts David and Jayne.

After three lots of anti biotics my incisions are eventually healing nicely. On our return from Scotland a message had been left on the answer machine from my Oncologist Craig MacMillan. I have an appointment on Saturday 3rd November 2012. I am hoping that I am offered Chemotherapy for a second time. I previously blogged that Craig MacMillan, said that he would not necessarily offer me Chemo again, as it had not worked and I had suffered severe side effects. My Thoracic surgeon Mr Waller, reported that the tumours removed from my lung on this occasion, had been effected by the chemo but had continued to grow. With the return of the bowel cancer to my lung, I want the chemo even with the side effects. I am sure that Craig MacMillan is very concerned after the chemo drug Oxaliplatin  that gave me the Tinnitus that has effected me so badly.

November is just around the corner. I will be so glad when this year is over. Its been a horrible year starting in January with the passing of my former wife, Janice, who was battling cancer, and which has devastated my sons, to the passing of my father in March. Chemotherapy with its side effects and further ops on my lungs after the cancer has returned. Bring on 2013 I am optimistic it will be better much better !!!!     

Blog 135 Tuesday 23rd October 2012

The consultation with Mr Waller the surgeon went better than first thought. Firstly a quick chest scan, which was clear, great now to the big man himself. Apparently I was on the wrong anti-biotics and told to discontinue these and take a new batch for the next 5 days ........that's it, .......all that worry for nothing....... I'm sure other cancer patients would agree, that when a strange phone call comes in from the hospital on a Sunday afternoon, or any day of the week come to that (Its happened to me twice and its always been bad news)   you do tend to worry........................ OK.................

Colonoscopy..................................check
Bowel surgery................................check
CT and MRI scans......................... check
Surgery on both lungs.....................check
Chemotherapy ................................check
CT & PET Scan...............................check
Surgery on left lung.........................check

Please talk to, your family or friends if you or they do not want a check list like my list above check out the Bowel Cancer UK website for signs and symptoms or more information.

http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/

It is staggering that a quarter of bowel cancer sufferers are only diagnosed after being admitted to hospital as an emergency. Please read more by clicking on the link http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/media-centre/latest-news/quarter-of-bowel-cancer-patients-only-diagnosed-after-an-emergency-admission/

England Scotland and Wales have a bowel cancer screening programme in place
"Compared with breast and cervical screening, bowel screening uptake is worryingly low, particularly among men. This study is an important reminder for people to complete their bowel screening kit when it arrives in the post."
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK with more than 41,000 people diagnosed with the disease each year - over 100 people each day.
The bowel screening programme has only been fully up and running in England since 2010 but it is thought it will eventually save around 2,000 lives each year in

I am aware that this blog has been viewed in Fifty Four countries so far (Click Here to See) or on the Cluster Map) I would love to hear from others, especially if you have a screening programme in your country or have used the screening programme in your country.   

Blog 134 Monday 22nd October 2012

We have had a fantastic weekend celebrating my eldest son Jonathan and his wife Victoria's blessing of their marriage. Jonathan & Victoria were married on Christmas Eve 2011, they had brought their wedding plans forward, as Jonathan's mum Janice, my former wife of fourteen years, was battling cancer a battle she lost in January 2012. The wedding was originally planned for 20th October 2012 and that's what we did............it was a beautiful occasion.

On our return Sunday afternoon, I received  a strange phone call from the hospital.......Sunday afternoon.........?? results of the fluid removed from the recent absys that were sent for analysis have been returned and my surgeon, Mr Waller needs to speak to me ..................I confirmed I have an appointment tomorrow 23rd October, "Don't shoot the messenger" comes to mind. The very polite person was not able to give me any further information................we wait and try not to come up with any reasons and explanations prior to the consultation.............
 

Blog 133 Thursday 18th October 2012

What a week!! I had to go back to the hospital as an absis had formed under one of the incisions and was causing a lot of pain. The ward doctor had to open up the incision, firstly with a large needle and syringe, then with a swab. All the fluid was removed and a sample sent for analysis. because the infection is so bad I have been put on Flucloxacillin x 2 x 500mg x 4 times a day and Phenoxymethyl x 250mg x 4 times day as well as Tylex pain killers. I have been back to the local GP everyday this week for the wounds to be dressed. I haven't been able to sleep very well as my chest and back is still very painful. On my return to hospital I was sent straight back to the High Dependency Unit HDU as that was the only room available for the doctor. To my horror, I recognised the person in the only other bed "Colin". Colin was in the HDU with me after our operations two weeks ago. Colin had the same Op as me and was informed that there was a probability of 90% that the biopsy's taken from his lung were not cancerous. Colin was back in having surgery, on the very day I had returned and having his lung lower lobe removed............ the histology had returned cancerous cells ..............................I felt so sorry for Colin,  as on the ward we had discussed his operation and I felt good for him that all would probably be OK. Keep your chin up Colin Its all been found in good time which is great.!!

I must again make mention of my Medical Insurance "Simply Health" they have been wonderful a special thanks to "Julia" my contact at Simply Health. I have mentioned before how comforting it is to know that medically, everything will be taken care of when your world starts falling apart around you......................It is so nice to have a friendly voice and efficient person arranging everything.         

Blog 132 Sunday 14th October 2012

Today was my fathers birthday, he died earlier this year aged 93 years. My wife  Wendy had an opportunity to participate in the Perkins 5k Fun Run she did so in my fathers honour, and to raise money for the "The blind Veterans UK" . My father was an Eighth Army "Desert Rat"  in the second world war and a commander of a tank regiment. In later years he lost his sight and St Dunstans in Sussex helped him tremendously. St Dunstans is now known as The Blind Veterans UK . Wendy completed the fun run in brilliant sunshine this morning in Peterborough. There were hundreds of people running for different charities, you may donate to this fantastic cause HERE  

Under normal circumstances Wendy would have run for Bowel Cancer UK due to my condition, but it was poignant that this run was arranged on my fathers birthday

I was not able to run, as I only had my stitches out on Friday last week and I am still in a lot of pain. I am due to see the nurse again on Monday 15th October to assess the wounds and then an appointment with my Surgeon Mr Waller has been set for 23rd October. I will then enter the early warning treadmill of the scans.........................I will now be passed back to my Oncologist Mr Craig MacMillan. As I have more treatments and surgery, it appears to take longer to get over it .................or is it because I'm getting older??mmm

Blog 131 Sunday 7th October 2012

I am now back home, having been discharged from hospital with a big pack of pain relief. My first thoughts of this last week is that the pain was not so intense second time around due to the epidural

 

Although my epidural was placed much higher than shown in this image, the principle was the same.
The Epidural was in place to administer a prescribed dose of a drug called FENTANYL this drug is described as 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. I was given morphine during my Bowel cancer operation and had hallucination's what was to happen now!!!!!! The following is taken from an information site

Thoracic Epidural Block height and intensity
"Typically, the effects of the epidural are noted below a specific level on the body (dermatome). This level (the "block height") is chosen by the anaesthetist. The level is usually 3-4 dermatomes higher than the point of insertion. A very high insertion level may result in sparing of very low dermatomes. For example, a thoracic epidural may be performed for upper abdominal surgery, but may not have any effect on the perineum (area around the genitals) or bladder.^[9] Nonetheless, giving very large volumes into the epidural space may spread the block both higher and lower.
The intensity of the block is determined by the concentration of local anaesthetic drugs used. For example, 15 ml 0.1% bupivacaine may provide good analgesia for a woman in labour, but would likely be insufficient for surgery. Conversely, 15 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine would provide a more intense block, likely sufficient for surgery. Since the volume used in each case is the same, the spread of drug, and hence the block height, is likely to be similar"................................so there you have it !


Knowing my fear of having a needle into my spinal column from our previous meeting, my anaesthetist, first put me under before inserting the epidural. My Surgeon Mr Waller said he would try to use the previous scars but would have to open them up further:-

CHEST DRAIN

THE LOWER SCAR IS THE WIDTH OF THE SURGEONS HAND AS HE HAD TO GET HIS HAND INSIDE MY DEFLATED LUNG






A SPIRAL OF EPIDURAL TUBE EXITING MY SPINAL COLUMN SECURED IN PLACE BY SURGICAL CLINGWRAP!!









The worst experience during this whole procedure was waking up after the Op, I was gasping for air and trying to say I couldn't breath !! The recovery staff had just removed all the tubes from my throat and having had my lung deflated for surgery, I needed to re-inflate it naturally. How was I to know!!!! I was asleep!! I was panicking, disorientated, and woozy. A very calm voice repeated several times "Just concentrate on breathing" I stopped panicking and started breathing.................  

The secondary tumour has now been removed from my lung and had been effected by the previous Chemotherapy. Some cells had died from the effects of the chemo, but the actual tumour had continued to grow. This is good news, as my Oncologist had previously stated that I would not necessarily be offered further Chemotherapy, "as it had not worked" now we know it had worked, in part, maybe I will get another opportunity.

This episode was a major disappointment to me, especially after the chemo. I am secretly hoping this tumour was a "stray" cell from my previous lung op a year ago and this is now the end.

I have had many well wishers and prayers offered from family and friends thank you all ,but I was especially very proud to have my 83 year old Mother "Phyllis" and wife Wendy by my side in hospital throughout the week helping me through. Jonathan and Hope were also fantastic in their support thank you all very much.

Again I have to thank all the staff at the Leicester Spire for a job well done especially Mr Waller Thoracic surgeon, Dr West Anesthetist, theatre staff and ward staff they were all brilliant........ 

Blog 130 Tuesday 2nd October 2012

Wendy's Blog

Last night John slept like a baby, I was the one sitting reading the paper at 2.00am in the morning in the lounge.... I don't know but today was not something I was looking forward too. We arrived at the hospital at 7.15am and was lead straight to the High Dependency Unit. The nurse arrived at about 7.45am and John was asked all sorts of questions and was given his nice hospital gown and pressure socks....very fetching.

We waited, and waited, the operation was originally due for 8.30 but after the anesthetist Dr West and Mr Waller, the surgeon saw John we realised that he was being put back till 11.00am. John climbed into bed and managed to sleep for awhile. I must say it wasn't long before the men in green surgical scrubs came to get him. After a hug and kiss I watched my husband being wheeled away. It is not nice knowingly letting him go so that someone can hurt him. We both know that there was no option, this operation needed to be done, but the pain to come that is what is scary!

It was a long and lonely wait. Jonathan (John's eldest son) had gone to our home to pick up John's mum who is staying with us this week, and to help get Hope off to school, but with the delay of the operation they decided to come to the hospital for about noon. It was then decided that they would then wait for Hope as John was not due back till about 2.30pm - 3.00pm. I had taken a book and sat in the lounge waiting! As for updates none is forthcoming until he is wheeled back from recovery... a really long wait!

He was brought back to me at 2.30pm, tubes coming out of his back (epidural), side (lung drain), nose (oxygen), catheter, and IV's in his hand and arm. He was still incredibly drowsy and in pain. The epidural is something John was offered last time but turned down. He regretted that decision and that is why he had it this time. I must say the pain was controlled very quickly and he was made comfortable a lot quicker than last year.

By the time his Mum, Jonathan and Hope arrived at the hospital, he was sitting up, drinking water and asking for something to eat and some tea. However he soon waned and needed to sleep. Sleep tight John, love you and glad that they got the tumour.

I have taken some photo's and we will get them up as soon as he is back home

 

Blog 129 Monday 1st October 2012

The day before surgery........ not sure how I am feeling, I remember the last time I went in to the same hospital for the same operation at the same time only 13 months ago. I have been given the same surgical scrub for pre operative washing and the same thoughts running through my head, only last time I had the chemotherapy, post Op, to fall back on.  I am an avid reader of anything that will assist others in the future concerning Bowel Cancer It was with interest that I read
 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2201277/The-3D-scan-helping-surgeons-treat-inoperable-tumours.html A story about a very brave lady Heather Davies diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in such an awkward position she was told it was inoperable. Based along the same lines of my recent PET Scan (but without radio-activity). A CT scan and  an MRI Scan is put together and computer software transforms it into 3D images, giving the surgeon a far better platform to operate,  brilliant!!. When you read things like this you again realise there are persons far worse off than yourself..................Bag packed, starvation procedure in place, not long to go now and this alien will be removed.

HOPE'S BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm Really upset that my daddy is going into hospital again its been a while since I wrote on the blog. I'm typing really fast because I gotta go to bed soon. When daddy was given the ALL CLEAR for a little bit I thought it was forever but mummy said he still had to have checks and scans. Anyway I'm looking forward for tomorrow because we get KFC by the way that's a take away.

 

 

BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!