10 Minute segments!

I have to ask myself, what I can get done in 10 minutes? Not the rushing around packing in the tasks 10 minutes but the 10 minutes until I collapse from exhaustion...

No sleep last night hardly, so was particularly tired this morning.

I was disappointed in myself that I hadn't gotten Fran a card. Fran said it was okay but I had bothered that year in Jan-Feb 2010 which I spent in hospital. I had the foresight to wrap a box of chocolates and a card in my wardrobe to direct Fran to find...maybe it was a premonition of what hell was to come and what normal things we absolutely had to keep going for the sake of tradition or normality. Nearly 3 months I was in hospital!

This morning I was woken with both a dull and piercing pain, liquid morphine entailed and in half an hour I attempted to get to the showeroom...back to my bed maybe for just another few minutes...After another 10 minutes I had a lovely shower. It proved just a little bit too much today....I found my drying myself getting slower and slower...I quickly but the bolt across my bedroom door in case Charlotte should wander in and dried myself enough that the bed would not be soaking and collapsed on the bed....instant relief.

Just spoke with Fran...going to get dressed in my pull-em ups and shorts then will pop down to the garage. Fran is making me one of my favourite yet simplest of dinners - Ham off the bone, A few chips and some peas and French beans. Almost always it has a couple of sunny-side up eggs but just not in the mood today. She is making a Nigel Slater recipe for a cheese and onion tart for Herself and Charlotte but like I said not in the mood for eggs today!

Time to drive to the garage to get some chocolates and a card, will be back soon and don't tell Fran they are from me???

T xx

My 2012 Derwent Dambuster 10-mile Challenge

PLEASE DONATE AS  MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS YOU CAN  - THANK-YOU

http://challengecancer.org.uk/dambuster-details.php

http://www.challengecancer.org.uk/

In Dec 2009 I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Bowel Cancer which had infiltrated a number of lymph nodes. Surgery was performed to remove the cancer and lymph nodes and unfortunately the chemo was stopped after 4 days due to an allergic reaction.

In Oct 2010 secondary metastases were discovered - a single tumour in my liver and cancerous 'hotspots' in my para-aortic lymph nodes and my pelvis. I was told the cancer that had returned was inoperable.

In Jan 2012 the cancer returned to the original bowel cancer site as well as the secondarys.

I was given a leaflet for Challenge Cancer Through Adventure over a year ago as friends of mine thought I deserved some fun. I finally started looking at what I wanted to do as an Adventure. Within the site there was a link for The 2012 Derwent Dambuster 10-mile Challenge, this is what I have decided to take part in as my challenge whilst raising funds for CCTA:

http://challengecancer.org.uk/dambuster-details.php

Some may think that Cancer is enough of a challenge but I need some other challenge, some fun - Why not raise some money at the same time!

Much Love to you all and Thank-You in advance!

Tony xx

Thursday's Oncologist Review

Dr F, my Macmillan Nurse H went through in a bit more detail the results of the recent MRI and CT scans....

During my appointment, I made the decision to ask the one question I have been putting off asking for the past 2 years. I asked it straight.... "How long have I got to live in my current status"... I was terrified to ask it and even more so to get the answer that I was sure would give me less that a year on this planet. The answer was a little unexpected but apart from being told I was cured, was the next best thing... "I truthfully cannot give you an answer that would be accurate. You are reasonably healthy apart from the slight increase in activity"

So there you go, I have plenty of time as it currently stands to pray for a cure and continue with as much healthy eating and exercise as my body will allow. Whilst I will be on treatment No 2 on Monday I need to get as fit as I can in order for my body to be able to tolerate the extreme treatments coming its way.

I have noted already something that didn't happen for 6+ months last time and that is my hair falling out....washing my hair in the shower this morning saw big handfuls dropping to the bottom of the shower....that head shaver Fran brought me for Christmas will be out and in action this coming weekend!

I am looking to get a Urology referral via my GPs due to the repeated urinary infections. I have been through 4 lots of anti-biotics and should get another 2 weeks supply on Monday when they should have the lab/culture results. The nurse who initially dip-tested my sample said the results were off the chart...I agreed as it is quite painful at times to go for a wee!

I have placed some 'details' below mainly for my blog records and for anyone that really wants to know a little more detail than usual.

Comparison was made using the previous MRI scan results from 11.05.2011 and CT scan results 28.02.2011

MRI notes:

• Area of activity seen in the rectum has increased in size.
• No Para Aortic growths showing - therefore whilst still activity (hotspots) the activity has remained static.
• The liver shows an area of high activity at the site of the known metastasis - no other metastases showing.

Conclusion:
Features are in keeping with local recurrence with spread into the right levator, and a liver metastasis that has increased in size.

CT notes:

• No evidence of Lung or Mediastinal (chest) lymphadenopathy (disease of the lymph nodes).
• A couple of small lung nodules are seen which remain unchanged since the previous CT.
• The Liver Tumour has increased in size to 3.8cm from 2.1cm
• No other Liver adhesions identified.
• Normal appearances of the spleen, pancreas, kidneys and adrenal glands.
• No para aortic lymphadenopathy.
• An incisional hernia noted in the right anterior abdominal wall.
• Increased activity and inflammatory change within the pelvis at the site of the anastomosis (intestinal join).
• No destructive bone lesions (damage)

Conclusion:

Features in keeping with disease progression both within the pelvis and within the liver.

So a mixture of good and not so good news but to be honest I am certainly not going to cry about the results I was given - now I am back on the Irinotecan and Avastin lets get the 3.8cm liver tumour back to scar tissue !!!

Minister Colin and Chris popped round last week and had chocolate biscuits...no happy shopper biscuits in this house...a very old joke that happened some time ago when Minister Lynn was given Happy Shopper biscuits. It was lovely to see and take prayer with them both.

Not very often nowadays, but I went to Third-Space last week on Weds and celebrated Burns Night...a lot of laughter and excellent food was sorely needed.

Much Love to all,

Tony xx