Cheltman's blog

4 months on

2010-02-22T21:52:17Z

It's 4 months since my diagnosis of recurrent stomach cancer (and 28 months since my initial diagnosis of stomach cancer). I'm being treated with GEMCARBO chemo. It's a pretty rough ride, but nowhere near as bad as the ECF chemo I was on first time around. Over all I feel like I am still doing pretty well and I am keeping up my fighting spirit.

The GEMCARBO does keep blasting my neutrophils into the back of beyond so I keep becoming neutropenic and getting infections. But I've pulled through the infections (the most recent one was pretty nasty).

Whilst the chemo is very wearing I do feel it is working against the cancer - certainly the symptoms I was experiencing on the run up to diagnosis have not given me problems since the chemo started.

I am thankful for every day I am still able to enjoy life with my family and friends.

A new year - an uncertain time

2010-01-01T01:35:15Z

I write my first post of 2010 wondering what the year ahead will bring. I know my cancer has the upper hand in this battle but I haven't given up hope, despite rather bleak words from my consultant.

This whole journey has been a mind-changing experience beyond anything I could have imagined. Thinking about everything in a new light and cherishing every day that I am blessed with to see my two little girls and my loving wife.

I see the beauty of nature through different eyes - through the eyes of someone who has given himself time to appreciate such things and spend less time rushing about doing pointless stuff.

One thing I am very grateful for is that I can see and move, albeit not quite as energetically as I once did.

I wish everybody (anybody) who reads this the very best for 2010.

Richard