Blog 156 Thursday 28th March 2013

I was previously given a "Two week fast track referral"for colonoscopy CT Scan and blood tests, all in all it has turned out quite un-remarkable. Although I await the definitive results it appears I have been checked to exclude microscopic COLITIS.

Diagnosis Of Microscopic Colitis

In microscopic colitis, the colon generally appears normal on sight. Therefore, a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy might not show any evidence of disease. In some patients there may be areas of swelling or redness in the colon, but these may be difficult to see.
In order to make a diagnosis, several biopsies must be taken from the colon during a colonoscopy. These biopsies will preferably come from several different areas in the colon. The hallmark signs of the disease can then be seen microscopically on biopsy tissue, hence the name

During the colonoscopy I had eight biopsy's taken from different parts of the colon I was under sedation of (Midazolam hydrochloride) thank goodness but awake and viewing the complete procedure on a VDU monitor. I was extremely relieved that further cancerous lesions were not found.
I await the histology...............

I sometimes have persons contact me via the blog to highlight an issue of importance to them, we are normally connected with one thing in common to raise awareness of cancer. One such lady Susan Vento has contacted me from the US In her own words ......................................

My name is Susan Vento. My husband Bruce Vento was a member of the US House of Representatives—until October 10th, 2000, when everything changed. Bruce died of pleural mesothelioma—a rare disease caused by asbestos exposure that kills 90-95% of those who have it. Not many people know about this terrible disease, which lead me to reach out to you; I noticed that you have an influential cancer blog full of great information. I am hoping you will help me spread awareness about asbestos cancers and help to protect the rights of those who have been affected by mesothelioma and other cancers.

I am spokesperson for a great online resource called the Asbestos Cancer Victims’ Rights Campaign (cancervictimsrights (dot) org) that fights to protect cancer victims and their families. I wrote a blog piece (cancervictimsrights (dot) org/my-story-opposition-to-the-fact-act-susan-vento/) and would love if you could read it, share it and incorporate your thoughts. Your support, and the support of your online community, can make the difference to ensure justice for all cancer victims and their loved ones.

Thank you for joining me in my fight to educate people about such a deadly disease. Our ultimate goal is to help those who have suffered from all forms of cancer in their struggle to seek health and justice.

Blog 155 Friday 22nd March 2013

Once again snow covers the ground overnight. Anyone visiting UK this time of year may think it should be a lot milder, be warned it is freezing! Hope's school breaks up next week for two weeks and Wendy is on a two week holiday break for Easter. We were looking to go away for Easter but on Tuesday next week 26th March, I have the dreaded Colonoscopy (see previous blog) in the morning and then a CT Scan in the evening. These tests were ordered by the consultant, after I visited the colorectal clinic. I haven't had a colonoscopy for two years but remember the awful solution that you have to drink. "Klean-Prep" Four sachets to be exact, thats four litres over a period of 4 hours, whilst running to the loo in between.  For anyone experiencing Klean-Prep for the first time it tastes so much better with Lime cordial added. Two days before the examination you are only allowed to eat things like boiled chicken and white fish. I checked back on this blog to my previous colonoscopy and saw that the last time I ate kedgeree (flaked fish rice and bolied eggs) you should add curry spices but I'm not allowed!!  One day before exam NO Eating ! Just Klean-Prep.

Blog 154 Tuesday 19th March 2013

There is a time eventually that, anyone going through Psychological trauma can no longer put on a "brave face" stay positive and have happy thoughts.  I have joined and read forums and gasped at the tenacity of some of the sufferers, I have read lots of accounts of persons in a similar or a much worst situation as me, but It is extremely difficult to "Stay positive" all of the time.  I'm sure eventually it catches up with us and we say it because ..........  it makes us, and our loved ones around us feel better.

Unfortunately,  I have succumbed to some automatic negative thoughts, those dreaded thoughts of negatively predicting the future  and wandered into a very lonely place.  Yesterday, I went for a Psychological assessment with a view to have  Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a short term therapy created after research showed the important role a person’s thoughts play in determining their mood and behaviour. Two types of therapies are combined in CBT: Cognitive Therapy which looks at a person’s thinking patterns, and Behavioural Therapy which focuses on a person’s behavioural response to those thoughts.

During the assessment I discussed how the Cancer has effected me and my family's life, the disappointment's of the chemotherapy and the cancer spreading to my lungs. I also discussed the recent loss of my Father and first wife Janice to cancer  and the devastation those losses have caused our family, especially to my sons loosing their mother at such an early age. I was unsure how I felt after pouring out everything to a total stranger but was glad I did.

I have been prescribed Fluoxetine 20mg an anti depressant otherwise known as Prozac and await the results of the assessment. In the meantime a further CT scan appointment has arrived for next week.

 

Blog 153 Tuesday 12th March 2013

Sunday 10th March was Mothers Day in UK. It was also exactly a year to the day that my father died. I took a gift but unable to celebrate as I knew that my mums thoughts were with my father. My thoughts were also with my sons who lost their mother a year ago January. The weather was dreadful and the snow was closing in all around. With a three hour journey home I left on Monday to get back home, I left the south coast just in time, the weather closed in and during the late afternoon the main M23 and A23 London to Brighton Road was in passable trapping people for up to 10 hours.

Today I had a my bowel cancer consultants clinic at 11.30am normally these clinics are straight forward but today I had a prostate test ( digitus medius ) :((  All you guys will understand what that means..................... following the prostate test I also had a sigmoidoscopy   (click on the link if you dare)

It was all quite un nerving as the clinic does not normally follow this track. I was then told I needed to give blood for the CEA Tests  Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein found in many types of cells but associated with tumors. CEA is tested in blood. The normal range is <2.5 ng/ml in an adult non-smoker.The main use of CEA is as a tumor marker. The most common cancers that elevate CEA are in the colon and rectum.

As I left the consultant stated he was sending me for an urgent Colonoscopy and further CT SCan

 

Blog 152 Thursday 7th March 2013

Previously I have applauded the work of the researchers. Today I have a piece, courtesy of the Mail on line of a very brave lady.....  Lynne Fisher. Lynne decided to do something drastic about the cancer that had killed her Uncle, Father and Brother. Firstly she had a genetic test for the cancer gene that was killing her family. Lynne discovered to her horror, that she had the genetic fault and an 80% chance of Bowel Cancer.  But controversially, even though Lynne showed no signs of cancer, she agreed, as a preventative step, to have an operation called a sub-total colectomy to remove a large part of her bowel. Ironically Lynne still has a 30% chance of developing Bowel Cancer as the surgeon removed all but a small section of bowel.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2288093/Bowel-cancer-A-gene-test-told-Lynne-risked-bowel-cancer-So-took-drastic-decision.html#ixzz2MqWVQ39B
Researchers are finding new genes all the time that are linked to particular types of cancer. But this is a complicated area of research and it will be some time before we fully understand how inherited gene faults cause particular cancers. There are only a few genes that doctors can test for at the moment.

Nobody should have to suffer the stress of wondering if they may develop cancer in the future because a family member has been diagnosed. It is a complicated process and genetic testing would be for persons with a strong family history of cancer.........

You may have a strong family history if any of these situations apply to you

• More than 2 close relatives on the same side of your family have had cancer (the same side of your family means either your father’s relatives or your mother’s relatives)
• They have had the same type of cancer, or different cancers that can be caused by the same gene fault
• The cancers developed when they were young, below the age of 50
• One of your relatives has had a gene fault found by genetic tests

Anyone who has previously read my blog will remember that my first wife Janice died last year January 2012 diagnosed  with ovarian cancer. I was going through chemotherapy for Bowel Cancer at this time. In consideration of the above bullet points my three sons with Janice should not be at risk of a faulty gene.