CJ Posted November 24, 2011 Author Share Posted November 24, 2011 Col. Remind me which part of the country are you staying? Is it Wales? If you'd like to PM me your address, I'll send you a case of it I'd like to do that if you'd like to accept. I am in Wales my friend but I am not too sure how I am going to feel about alcohol once the chemotherapy starts. The offer really is much appreciated though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurgen-Jm-Imports Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 keep your chin up mate - your a nice fella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted November 28, 2011 Author Share Posted November 28, 2011 Just spoke to my cancer care nurse about the lack of radiotherapy and she says that is good news! If it had been needed urgently then that would have indicated that the spinal tumours had eat in deeply and there was a danger to the spinal cord and possible paralysis. The fact that we are now looking at just chemo seems to suggest that the tumours are still confined to the surface. Woohoo - good news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Awesome news! \o/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Fantastic news CJ. The care nurses really know what they are talking about so I would be fairly confident in what she has said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 great news mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurgen-Jm-Imports Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 great news mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Nice to hear your latest news Col. PS my previous offer never runs out, so as and when... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Nice to hear your latest news Col. PS my previous offer never runs out, so as and when... Erm,.. does that apply to me. Its just, my back is much better now after a good rest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Nice to hear your latest news Col. PS my previous offer never runs out, so as and when... Thank you old fruit. A brief update: I have had a strange few days. The weekend was really bad with incredibly bad back ache and general feeling of illness. I also had muscle aches in my legs which is a first. It got so bad I could hardly move about and I really started to fear the worse. Then, after talking to the cancer care nurse on Monday, I learnt that I could take more painkillers than the 3 diclophenic I had been using. Lo and behold, after taking her advice I had a great sleep on Monday night and an almost pain free day yesterday. That's it thinks I - cracked it. And then I went to bed last night. After 4 hours I was in agony again. Legs and back aching like a biatch. Had to get up and walk about as best I could for a while whilst the painkillers took effect. Then back to bed for another 3 hour stint before the pain came back again with a vengeance. Took another diclophenic with my breakfast and within 45 mins all was good. So good, I went out for a walk for an hour and have just got back feeling fine and dandy. Lets hope this continues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Sorry to hear that CJ. Is it too easy to associate any other sickness that may be about to the cancer? I mean by this, could it be that you are unwell in another way ie. coming down with flu or something that is causing the aches and pains? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Sorry to hear that CJ. Is it too easy to associate any other sickness that may be about to the cancer? I mean by this, could it be that you are unwell in another way ie. coming down with flu or something that is causing the aches and pains? Sadly not my friend. The spread of the cancer into the spine means that back pain is now a certain symptom. The aches in the legs maybe be attributed to other things, although the coming and going of the aches would suggest that too is probably the cancer as opposed to something like the flu which would be here for a while and then go. TBH, at the end of the day, these are aches and pains (albeit sometimes quite severe) and as such can be controlled with painkillers. If I am given a choice of survival and having to take lots of painkillers or the alternative then I say "bring on the painkillers"! Not only that, they don't stop me performing the and so all is not lost yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Have you started the chemo yet Col? That itself can cause deep leg pains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted November 30, 2011 Author Share Posted November 30, 2011 Have you started the chemo yet Col? That itself can cause deep leg pains. Not yet Ian. That begins next Thursday. All I can put it down to is an over exuberant knee trembler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Ah OK I'm rooting for you here, give that blighter a good kicking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share Posted December 7, 2011 Update time: I met with the oncologist again today and finally had some news off her that wasn't bad! The MRI scan results have shown that the spread into the spinal area is minimal. In fact, so minimal it didn't show up on the scan at all (but is obviously there as the PET scan picked it up) and, as such, she decided against the radiotherapy treatment for now. So, that was good news indeed. That begged the question as to why I am getting such severe back pain (especially at night) and this is where the not so good news came. Apparently I am suffering with osteoarthritis. There is no cure for this per se and it can only be controlled with painkillers but, whilst this isn't great news, nobody ever died from it! I also spoke to her about the forthcoming chemotherapy (that starts tomorrow) and what we are hoping to achieve. Her response was threefold: 1. Help with the symptoms of the oesophageal cancer 2. Shrink the tumour and kill cancer cells 3. At worse, keep the tumour the same size and the same number of cancer cells. Well, actually that isn't the worse scenario. The worse is that the tumour actually enlarges and cells multiply but that is quite a long shot. So, I then made the comment that the only symptoms I have are back pain and seeing as she is now convinced this is due to arthritis, what symptoms are they trying to help. At this she smiled and said that I should be experiencing far worse symptoms than I am and that in itself is a good sign. For a change (remember this was the Doctor who told me in no uncertain terms that I had 6 - 12 months to live) she actually sounded positive and even said that the prognosis was based on statistics and we would have more of an idea after the first 12 weeks of the chemo. However, she still tempered this by saying that my illness has no cure and remains palliative. But, to my mind at least, that palliative care could go on for years! So, all in all a good day and a good meeting. Roll on tomorrow and the beginning of operation fightback! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Good news chap We're all rooting for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 You're an inspiration, Colin. So pleased you're keeping so positive. You'll beat it for sure with an attitude like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noz Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 awesome news. glad to see things looking up for you mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 The missus was an oncology secretary for years, and she has said to me it's quite amazing how far a positive attitude will go, she's seen at least a few of these 'miracle' recoveries. I wouldn't be surprised if you end up being one of those minority who shrink it and kill it with positive thinking goodies!! Keep up the fight dude we're all behind you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil-NA Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Good news matey, hope all goes well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Good news Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Hope you're ok, mate. Really feel for you Good luck in getting it all sorted out. As has been said before, a positive attitude will go a long way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Glad to hear your news Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Ahh good, glad to hear that it was the better outcome mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.