Hi everyone and New Year Greetings from Brittany. Hope you have a great 2010 and all the happiness, peace and prosperity you can handle.
We’ve had a great Christmas and are enjoying our New Year break here, reserves are built up for round #3 of treatment in January. I’ll keep you briefed as to dates and how it’s going as the month progresses. The aim is to halt the spread into my stomach. They are holding further intravenous chemo in reserve to handle secondary spread as and when. It’s amazing to think that it was the presence of ‘specks’ of malignancy on my diaphragm and inside my body cavity that denied me the chance of surgery (only ‘human’ cure) in the first place. That spread was absolutely stopped in its tracks and, did not originally (and has not since) developed into anything nasty.
Health-wise I’m doing OK, swallowing happens (with some water) but I do feel sick sometimes. This is a very small price to pay for still being around. I’m very blessed. Diagnosed in 2007, given 9 months and still here in 2010. Brill – roll on 2011. Got loads planned for 2010 including decadent holidays with my lovely wife and family, mad breaks away with mates and lots of boating when the sun shines again. I utterly intend to live life to the full so brace yourselves for all the details!
I’ll blog next in a week or so after we are back from France and the treatment’s started.
God Bless
Dave xxxx
Friday, January 1, 2010
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
More Chemo & Radiotherapy In 2010
Hi Guys,
Well had the full CT scan this morning and then a meeting with my oncologist and upper GI nurse. It would appear that things are pretty much as the endoscopy suggested yesterday. The tumour has spread from it's original site in the junction of the gullet into the top of my stomach. This growth combined with the radiotherapy damage (fibrosis) is causing the swallowing difficulties. Talking to Dr Bulusu it would appear that I've done very well to have no spread until now and he doesn't seem too concerned. I'm booked in for a course of radiotherapy at Addenbrookes and the start of Chemotherapy (Capacitemene tablets) after Christmas. This should help keep the little blighter in place.
The good news is that there is no sign of any secondary tumour which is a real relief, liver, lungs etc. are all clear. He's explained how the tumour and fibrosis affects the 'motility' of the oesophagus and stomach meaning that food doesn't go down as quickly as it might and my brain gets told by my belly 'I'm full'.
All in all, two years on things could be a lot worse, I respond well to chemo and it's been 18 months since the last treatment. I'm relying on your prayers and God's intervention.
Thanks for checking in.
Dave
Well had the full CT scan this morning and then a meeting with my oncologist and upper GI nurse. It would appear that things are pretty much as the endoscopy suggested yesterday. The tumour has spread from it's original site in the junction of the gullet into the top of my stomach. This growth combined with the radiotherapy damage (fibrosis) is causing the swallowing difficulties. Talking to Dr Bulusu it would appear that I've done very well to have no spread until now and he doesn't seem too concerned. I'm booked in for a course of radiotherapy at Addenbrookes and the start of Chemotherapy (Capacitemene tablets) after Christmas. This should help keep the little blighter in place.
The good news is that there is no sign of any secondary tumour which is a real relief, liver, lungs etc. are all clear. He's explained how the tumour and fibrosis affects the 'motility' of the oesophagus and stomach meaning that food doesn't go down as quickly as it might and my brain gets told by my belly 'I'm full'.
All in all, two years on things could be a lot worse, I respond well to chemo and it's been 18 months since the last treatment. I'm relying on your prayers and God's intervention.
Thanks for checking in.
Dave
Bad News I'm Afraid....
Hi All,
I know, I know, I've not blogged for ages. I've been well and not had a lot to say. Unfortunately my swallowing has deteriorated recently and so tests (which were for once not scheduled) were swiftly arranged. Yesterday I had an endoscopy which showed (so I am told) the tumour spreading into my upper stomach and up my oesophagus from the lower junction where it was originally. This is the first really bad news for over 18 months.
I have a full CT scan and meeting with my hero oncologist today so will blog tonight with the latest news. I will keep blogging if I'm starting treatment again too.
Just to fill you in with other news, we had a great two weeks in Antigua early in the month - fantastic sunshine therapy and then back to the snow. Amy held the fort business wise whilst we were away and did a great job. She's in Aussie with James at the moment. We're off to the cottage in France with my Mum and Dad for the new year.
Congratulations to Anthea Burrell (my best mate's daughter) who has just given birth to a bouncing (9lb 7oz - ouch) baby boy called Cody. He's a fantastic little chap and I've already had lots of holds and cuddles and tackled an 'interesting' nappy! Not lost the knack!
Check in later for more news and if you have kept looking at my blog despite me not writing too much recently then thanks.
As always Teresa is working hard and looking out for me; thank-you my darling.
Have a great Christmas everyone.
Luv Dave xx
I know, I know, I've not blogged for ages. I've been well and not had a lot to say. Unfortunately my swallowing has deteriorated recently and so tests (which were for once not scheduled) were swiftly arranged. Yesterday I had an endoscopy which showed (so I am told) the tumour spreading into my upper stomach and up my oesophagus from the lower junction where it was originally. This is the first really bad news for over 18 months.
I have a full CT scan and meeting with my hero oncologist today so will blog tonight with the latest news. I will keep blogging if I'm starting treatment again too.
Just to fill you in with other news, we had a great two weeks in Antigua early in the month - fantastic sunshine therapy and then back to the snow. Amy held the fort business wise whilst we were away and did a great job. She's in Aussie with James at the moment. We're off to the cottage in France with my Mum and Dad for the new year.
Congratulations to Anthea Burrell (my best mate's daughter) who has just given birth to a bouncing (9lb 7oz - ouch) baby boy called Cody. He's a fantastic little chap and I've already had lots of holds and cuddles and tackled an 'interesting' nappy! Not lost the knack!
Check in later for more news and if you have kept looking at my blog despite me not writing too much recently then thanks.
As always Teresa is working hard and looking out for me; thank-you my darling.
Have a great Christmas everyone.
Luv Dave xx
Monday, November 16, 2009
1 Year And No Treatment!
Hi Everyone
Just a quick update from the Redfers. I'm doing OK; a few swallowing problems but nothing to worry about. My next appointment with the oncologist is in January and I'll post again then and let you know how it's going.
I'm not going to bore you all with the minutiae of my life; to be honest the more I told everyone the more some people felt empowered to comment on the vast number of holidays I take! I plan to take loads more too! Seriously, when I was in treatment it was great to keep everyone up to date with all the detail but now I'm so much better it seems a bit 'precious'.
It's been a year since my last chemo - a whole year and I'm still well; how cool is that?
Check in again in January 2010 for the latest update.
Have a great Christmas & new year everyone.
Best wishes
Dave xx
Just a quick update from the Redfers. I'm doing OK; a few swallowing problems but nothing to worry about. My next appointment with the oncologist is in January and I'll post again then and let you know how it's going.
I'm not going to bore you all with the minutiae of my life; to be honest the more I told everyone the more some people felt empowered to comment on the vast number of holidays I take! I plan to take loads more too! Seriously, when I was in treatment it was great to keep everyone up to date with all the detail but now I'm so much better it seems a bit 'precious'.
It's been a year since my last chemo - a whole year and I'm still well; how cool is that?
Check in again in January 2010 for the latest update.
Have a great Christmas & new year everyone.
Best wishes
Dave xx
Friday, October 16, 2009
Slobber, slobber etc...
Hi Troops,
Firstly thank-you for all your kind comments - you are all heroes!
Well just had a wisdom tooth out - actually just the exposed root from a previous 'bodged' extraction. Had to go to the Maxo-Oral-Facial unit at Bedford South Wing Hospital. It took a crow bar, extra shots of Novacane, 4 stitches and a dental surgeon with a strong wrist. Glad it's gone; it was painful exposed roots etc....
Teresa's birthday today, started with a champagne breakfast at a local hotel then had to go back to bed. Champagne with breakfast is to be recommended but, you need a sleep afterwards. Nothing dodgy just an overwhelming fatigue.. Happy Birthday Florence.
Signing off now for two weeks, off to France and the cottage for a nice half term holiday. I'll blog again when we get back.
Thanks for checking in again...
Luv Dave xxxxx
Firstly thank-you for all your kind comments - you are all heroes!
Well just had a wisdom tooth out - actually just the exposed root from a previous 'bodged' extraction. Had to go to the Maxo-Oral-Facial unit at Bedford South Wing Hospital. It took a crow bar, extra shots of Novacane, 4 stitches and a dental surgeon with a strong wrist. Glad it's gone; it was painful exposed roots etc....
Teresa's birthday today, started with a champagne breakfast at a local hotel then had to go back to bed. Champagne with breakfast is to be recommended but, you need a sleep afterwards. Nothing dodgy just an overwhelming fatigue.. Happy Birthday Florence.
Signing off now for two weeks, off to France and the cottage for a nice half term holiday. I'll blog again when we get back.
Thanks for checking in again...
Luv Dave xxxxx
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
WOW!!!! Note The Changed Blog Title
Dear Friends,Just changed the blog title from 'Cancer Fight' to 'Cancer Survivor'. 18 months with no growth or spread. God, Florence (& my family), the NHS and my friends (WNL Church, Stamps, Hearns, and their Lordships Burrell & Forsell) are so good!
The tumour is not growing, not spreading in fact really behaving its evil self. The swallowing problems are caused by fibrosis from last year's radiotherapy, the worst I'll need is a stent if it gets any worse.
Not got another appointment now until 2010 and, wait for it, no scan beforehand. Might I actually be in the few % of sufferers who survive this disease? Starting to beleive it now.
Have to say I was VERY nervous before this scan. You have to prepare yourself for the worse because if you get bad news and haven't even thought you might where does that leave you? Sleepless night last night and actually felt sick this morning.
So thank-you for your prayers & your friendship.
God Bless
David
xxxxxxxxxx
Monday, October 5, 2009
Update (Again!)
Mallorca was fantastic; great room, pool etc. superb weather and the kind of hotel with a watchtower and sniper in case of undesirables (and children) trying to muscle in! Seriously a brill weekend. Teresa was able to do a bit of business too whilst there. Loads of sun, swimming and tapas.
Here's the timescales for the next few day.
Tuesday: Off to the BUPA hospital early in the afternoon for a minor procedure. Bloomin chemo mucks up everything! Scan then at Bedford South wing at 5.00 pm.
Wednesday: 10.15 - See my hero oncologist for results which I promise I'll post straight away.
Friday 16th: Having my wisdom tooth out - no jokes please...
Pray for me - swallowing is not fantastic so it might be growing again - let's hope not.
Thanks for checking in
Dave xxxx
Here's the timescales for the next few day.
Tuesday: Off to the BUPA hospital early in the afternoon for a minor procedure. Bloomin chemo mucks up everything! Scan then at Bedford South wing at 5.00 pm.
Wednesday: 10.15 - See my hero oncologist for results which I promise I'll post straight away.
Friday 16th: Having my wisdom tooth out - no jokes please...
Pray for me - swallowing is not fantastic so it might be growing again - let's hope not.
Thanks for checking in
Dave xxxx
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