Went to our cottage in France today. Overnight ferry to St Malo from Portsmouth. All was well at the cottage had a great meal in Bannalec and lit the stove to warm the place up.
During the whole holiday I kept checking my phone - I just kept hoping for news on the biopsy. Still nothing.
Had a good holiday showed James F all the sites, ate loads of meal out. Had a mad New Years Eve with some cheap and unpredictable France fireworks and too much wine. Did wonder at one dark point if I'd see next year. The websites (which I've really hit during the holiday) make it clear that the prognosis for oesophagus cancer is not too good.
We have to head home earlier than we expected for a CT scan which is booked for Thursday 3rd.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas Day
Had a really great day today. The Christmas Day service went very well. Teresa and I led, Ivor played. It was great to have all the family together. Jez had once more created the most fantastic 'Cecil B De Milne' style stable scene at the front of the chapel. The crib had lain empty for the whole of advent. Jesus is meant to make an appearance on Christmas Day but we couldn't find Him! We checked in the creche and had a choice of a reindeer or Paddington complete with wellies. A small doll in pink was commandeered from Ivor's (our fantastic pianist)little granddaughter. Another highlight of the service was when one of the holly and poinsettia decoration caught fire. I love this church. Only we could loose Jesus and set fire to the place on Christmas Day - don't you just love Methodists!
When we got home we opened all our pressies - what a great day with my fabulous family!
When we got home we opened all our pressies - what a great day with my fabulous family!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve
Thought I might hear today but nothing!
We had a great candlelight carol service at chapel tonight.
We had a great candlelight carol service at chapel tonight.
Annointed!
Thought I might hear today but nothing!
We had a great candlelight carol service at chapel tonight. The place was packed. The guys prayed for me and annointed me with oil after the service - Amy & James joined in. Thank-you Lord for my wonderful Church!
We had a great candlelight carol service at chapel tonight. The place was packed. The guys prayed for me and annointed me with oil after the service - Amy & James joined in. Thank-you Lord for my wonderful Church!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Endoscopy
Today is the endoscopy day. Went to Bedford South Wing hospital which is currently seriously hit by the Novo Virsus (winter vomiting bug). You have two choices either sedation of throat spray. I opted for sedation but felt no effect at all.
Had to get changed into their robe but they insisted I kept my shoes on. Sadly I was wearing my beloved Doc Martins. As you can imagine - quite a sight.
Gagged loads as they put the tube down my throat - not too nice. I heard them say that they had taken a biopsy whilst down there - not a good sign. I went home with Teresa only to drop a whole plate of dinner on the floor - perhaps I was more sedated than I thought! Asked how long the results would take - they said 5 working days.
Had to get changed into their robe but they insisted I kept my shoes on. Sadly I was wearing my beloved Doc Martins. As you can imagine - quite a sight.
Gagged loads as they put the tube down my throat - not too nice. I heard them say that they had taken a biopsy whilst down there - not a good sign. I went home with Teresa only to drop a whole plate of dinner on the floor - perhaps I was more sedated than I thought! Asked how long the results would take - they said 5 working days.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Amy's Home!
Early start this morning as Amy & James (oldest daughter and her fiancee) came home for a six week week Christmas holiday. Great to see them both - James is a really great guy and Amy is really happy.
I went to the doctor for the first time today having had trouble swallowing. Things like bread and cake just seemed to get 'stuck' behind my breastbone. Many people I've talked to since have said that they get the same sensation if they eat bread too quickly. I had a really bad experience with a muffin in Milton Keynes (not a boast!) where the blockage just wouldn't shift. Loads of hiccups and pain - quite scary!
I'd dome a bit of Internet research and was convinced this was a hernia - the doctor put the wind up me a bit. He said I needed an endoscopy and would arrange one asap. Bit more time on the Internet suggested it might be more serious.
I went to the doctor for the first time today having had trouble swallowing. Things like bread and cake just seemed to get 'stuck' behind my breastbone. Many people I've talked to since have said that they get the same sensation if they eat bread too quickly. I had a really bad experience with a muffin in Milton Keynes (not a boast!) where the blockage just wouldn't shift. Loads of hiccups and pain - quite scary!
I'd dome a bit of Internet research and was convinced this was a hernia - the doctor put the wind up me a bit. He said I needed an endoscopy and would arrange one asap. Bit more time on the Internet suggested it might be more serious.
Why A Cancer Blog?
I decided to keep this blog having found similar sites really helpful during the early day of my illness and especially in the run up to diagnosis. I've so many friends and family members praying and thinking of me, so many to keep updated I thought this would be a great way to keep everyone in the loop. Now, with the help of our mad Scottish Au Pair (Chloe) I've got round to setting it up. My wife wonderful wife Teresa is also going to make entries, the first few entries from both of will be retrospective but you'll not notice the joins.
God Bless
Dave Redfern
God Bless
Dave Redfern
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