 |
| Smile |
Meeting with the oncology team;
Consultant, Specialist nurse and Radio
therapy-Radiographer. If you want to know a bit more about ‘these
roles’ you might look at http://www.nhscareers
. Lots more information, to assimilate and
make some sense of. Whole new set of options open up at this stage
including the implications for the future (driving, continuing where I left off
with my career?) What directions to go in life and what remains? My nemesis
remaining with me and affecting me for the rest of my life and worst case a
decline in faculties (particularly executive function: see relevant factsheet
at https://www.headway.org.uk/Factsheets.aspx which just about governs everything
 |
| Sorry! |
The images & size (the largest
being small plum the others about half this) of the tumour were pretty stark; Nevertheless
I was pleased I had the opportunity to face my nemesis and see it for what it is; an uninvited invader who’s main
body sits in my right frontal lobe & parietal white matter about the size
of a plumb 40mm x31mm, extending inferiorly & medially into the body of the
corpus callosum (bit that connects the two halves of the brain. There are two others,
‘relatives ‘about the size of grapes and it is likely that they connect. This
is important in determining treatment as the tumours cover a large part of the
cerebrum (brain). Surgery is not considered an option .There is no cure.
Treatment is about ‘control of the tumour to limit its impact on brain
function. I have it and the potential threat for the rest of my life. So had
better get on with it!
The staff were as usual highly professional,
expert and caring and I could not have asked for better provision. My endeavour
to promote the NHS continues. Please join me via the blog with your own accounts.
The prospect of Hurdle #4 (treatment) the
prospect of Hurdle #4 (treatment)
 |
| Mates. |
Next week as part of Radiotherapy,
I will have a facial mask constructed out of moulded plastic which is used to
guide the radiation precisely. The following week I start the Radio therapy
with three sessions (about ten minutes long) per week for two weeks. One common
symptom is hair loss though this tends to occur after the event. Some reddening
of surrounding skin, somnolence (falling asleep) and fatigue - exhaustion.
I will remain on the Steroids as
the tumors cause swelling and the most likely cause of the headaches and visual
problems to the effect on other parts of the brain. Thankfully these symptoms
have significantly subsided. I am permitted moderate amounts of alcohol the
effects of which are enhanced by the Steroids- every cloud has a silver lining!
 |
| The blogging team |
All the Skinner/Kenny's sending our love ....
ReplyDeletethanks .every little helps to maintain the batteries at a usable level.
DeleteI remain robust physically and emmotionally .
Did you take a look at the Wilco Johnson inteveiw with the BBC about his battle with cancer?. I may keep an eye out for a possible gig
Lots of good gigs coming up at the Junction also
Deletehttp://www.junction.co.uk/calendar/2013/junction/Music
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI can't let you have radiation without me. Amy and I are going to England on the 10th of February. You may have "moderate" amounts of alcohol. I as usual will go for excessive.
ReplyDeleteWow!. our home is your home. Let me know what help you need from me to smooth your journey
Deletethank you for your guide to the road ahead. but surely you cannot not have anticipated a protest from me about you and your nemesis, a goddess much misunderstood and variously interpreted, but not applicable to your case. you, and i for that matter and the rest of humanity, are and have throughout our lives been in the hands of nemesis's older sister, Tyce, the one who gives us all, to you anne and all, to me charlotte and all. unfortunately, while joyfully holding our lives in her hands she tends to play with them as with balls, so it is, as we know to our cost, a bit of an up and down ride, spell her name dice, and you know what i mean. but it is she who is our destiny. nemesis her sister is only brought into play if a man whom Tyce has favoured does not praise the gods, boasts of his riches and fails to alleviate the plight of his fellow citizens so she has no business with you, as we all know you, and as you rightly encounter us in the introduction to your blog history.
ReplyDeleteTyce it is, but I think you have misidentified the source of my decision to name my foe. I thought of a Nemesis called "the Warlock", who battles with Torquemada and Terminators; however, in that case, the latter name may have been more apt. See if you can riddle that one out!
Deletenever met the chaps ! should i? at my age ?
DeleteI don't think either of use want to be acquainted with the 'Torquemada s in our societies though they do need to be understood and confronted.I understand (from Wikipedia) that Torquemada was an architect of the 'Alhambra decree' a blueprint for what followed ?.My knowledge of 15th century European politics is limited though I am fascinated by our readiness to be lulled in into the same patterns of behavior.
Deleteand what pattern of behaviour is that?
DeleteBehavior beginning with scapegoating , targeting a fall guy as a defense for our ;projections,displacements etc culminating in Frank Psychopathy and murder
Delete"lull" seems strange in a relentless domesday scenario and trajectory of the kind delineated. or is it just that blogging is not a good medium for exchanges of this kind. in the past we needed several cups of tea and coffee in the kitchen to question things together. i miss those mornings very much.
Deleteon the matter of the nhs i just wanted to let you know that yesterday was the umpteenth time in as many years that members of staff at addenbrooke's not only looked after me and my old body but did so in a manner which made me feel really good to be among people of good will. and with my next appointment in my pocket i thought what a blessing to live so close to it.
love to you all
c&p
OK so impersonations of the phantom of the opera it is!! We have a friend in the village (early 30's) who has thyroid cancer - he's had radiotherapy and yep it will make you red and sore and yep it will knacker you.
ReplyDeleteYou need to set your expectations of what you can and cannot do - post treatment - you will be knackered....our mate Rob was and he's in his 30's - :)
But having a treatment plan in place is a good thing - so stay strong be positive!!
Slightly overweight man in his fifties, emotionally and physically robust, sustained by beer, crisps, good food and plenty of support. Treatment plan is encouraging and hopefully will halt or contain the tumour.
DeleteHi Neil it's taken a while to work out how to follow your blog but I've cracked it!!
ReplyDeleteFirstly thank you for sharing this very personal journey, I will be flowing the blog I'm not sure if there is any thing else I can do to help but i will be checking for updates every evening as I put your great nephew to bed!
My most recent experience with the NHS was Isaac's birth , the supervision and care I received during the pregnancy and birth I can not fault I felt supported and in control the midwifes and doctors were kind and caring. Isaac was delivered at home by two amazing community midwifes they arrived at 4 am and left by 11 having to go and do a full days work , the skill of these women blows my mind . I will be forever thankful to them and the work they did that morning to safely deliver our beautiful son to us . Much love to you Anne and the boys, you all are very much in our thoughts xxxxx
Hello Tamsin
Deletewhat A lovely story and not too dissimilar to Rory's home birth though we needed two practice runs with JH and FH before we got there. I am planning on writing a specific post relating to birth /birthing and Labour in contrast to the fantastic Oncology care that my mother received in 2008 before she died and now I am gratefully receiving .I also have a midwives friend who I hold in high regard.Last nights program in the series 'Midwives' on BBC was particularly powerful and moving.