My Fight with Mesothelioma

9 minute read time.

26 Sep 2009

Friday 25th Sept The Kidney Function Test

The day has been a long drawn out affair.

We had to get to K&C Hospital by 9am and go to the Nuclear Medicine Department where I was given an injection, in my right hand, of a dye.

I had to go away then, for 90 mins, so we strolled around in the wonderful sunlight.

I told Ray to go off to town, which he did, as I knew it would be a long day.

10.20 am I returned and the nurse drew off some blood from my left arm.

12.50 this was repeated again, so as Ray had returned we went to lunch in the hospitals restaurant.

1.20 My last sample of blood had been drawn and the nurse said the results of my Kidney function will be on my records next week.

Oh dear I hope it is a good one and that Chemo can go ahead.

Had a great time on the way home shopping in Lidl I love walking in there as it takes me back to the days in Spain.

When back home we unpacked the shopping and then took Louis for a walk on the beach calling into to see friends on the way.

Another episode over and next is Wednesday for my Tattoo on my scar–hey ho and on we go.

Fridays Appointment

September 23, 2009

Well after a great holiday I get back into all the medical appointments again.

Friday 25th Sept I have to go all day to Kent and Canterbury for a Glomerular Filtration rate.

A small injection is given in my arm and then blood is taken at 90 min intervals for 4-5 hours.

I hope and pray that they find my one kidney is working 100% so that they will give me the Chemo I need.

I only have one as 20 years ago they found I only had 1 kidney working and that had gone into Renual Failer because I was born with small Uretheas.

A new one was built and I carried on my life.

So here goes lets hope all will be well.

Hello Everyone.
Ive been away almost a week now its been so far a nice break. Windy but dry.
Ive met some lovely people from my MHF. Last night we went to a party,but I couldn't make the end but I still had some good laughs and a tipple or 2.
Today we went to western-Super-mare.
Tomorrow we are off to Burnham on the bus.We still have a few days left before I have to come home, We are going to see Terry later on also I am meeting up in Basingstoke with my brother..
Then its all over and back to reality. To Start my Chemo. That's the next party only this one I intend to make the end of.

On Holiday.

September 14, 2009

Well the hospital said go on holiday before the Chemo so that's what we have done.

Packed the Motorhome and off we went.

First stop Friday was Canterbury Park and Ride where we stayed overnight and had a great meal with our friends and then Saturday we travelled to Shepton Mallet to the Motorhome show with the MHF.

I'm so surprised at the strength I had walking round the show and then walking the dog.

I have to go to bed quiet early though which is new for me, tired and worn out but happy.

Today Monday 14th Sept we travelled on to Brean Sands for the MHF Holiday Rally and are really getting into the swing of being away in the Motorhome and camping.

The weather is sunny and warm when out of the wind so here we are all set up with the Awning Porch up but once again very tired so we havent gone up to the bar and entertainment.

Tomorrow we have plans to go to Burnham on Sea on the bus and then to join everyone in the evening at the bar and entertainment.

Wednesday is a great plan for a Carvery at lunchtime –coming to the conclusion this is the way to go on through all this –lots of fun and enjoyment –going with the flow.

Good Nights Sleep

September 11, 2009

Well I have had a great sleep today– just waking now and again but soon went back to slumber land.

It was the first night since march sleeping flat —how cool was that.

I have woken up and I can move my hands and my feet so it means I haven’t put pressure on my back and that nerve problem (they still do not know where ) so that must be the Cancer is on a nerve structure somewhere.

I have been out in the garden with the dog and the sun has turned the clouds orange such a pretty sight.

Well we are off on holiday and I know the signal is bad at Shepton so I will keep my blog up at Brean.

I cant wait to be amongst my cyber friends,

First we park up at the Park and Ride tonight and a meal out with Jock, Dougie and Russell.

I do hope I keep very well in the next 2 weeks so that I can do new things and see new places.

Mavis

Ready for the Off

September 10, 2009

Well Mavis has been running round all day packing the van with food booze and clothes, ready for a week in Somerset. Its always her happy times getting ready for a trip. Its great to see her positive and happy.

Drain Is OUT Today

September 9, 2009

The Chemo Consultant gives me no hope but Miss King the Oncologist Surgeon always talks about how young I am and how strong I am ,it really does make a difference.
The Lung drain is out today and it is now draining into a very small bag that is stuck over the wound but it is great to get rid of the stitches.
My Radiotherapy dates are with me and that starts on 6th of Oct that is just 2 short bursts to zap the wound so no cancer grows up into the wound –this is a very aggressive cancer.
Then it will be Chemo from then for 2 days every 21 days for 6 months.
Not a cure but just a quality of life thing.
So there you have it
I’m off for a holiday with MHF so lots of laughter ahead.
Love Mavis

Just a thought

September 8, 2009

I’ve been thinking today. For best part of 52 years now I have looked out for Mavis. Protected her kept her out of harms way. Dealt with all the nasties in life. When she was in trouble I was there to sort it.

But this thing now. Is out of my league. It’s not something I can sort. For the first time she faces something that I cant deal with. I’ve got to watch her fight this for herself. God if only I could swap places. I would willingly take this on just to protect her again.

It’s the helplessness of it all.

I will be there for her every step of the way helping supporting. But ultimately it’s a journey we can’t take together.

Another New Day

September 8, 2009

Today we have got up early as we both cannot sleep so I have been training Ray how to do On-Line banking as I have always run the finances of the household because I said I should be able to run the house if left on my own.

The tables have turned so now its Ray that has to learn to do the household jobs.

Doesn’t life twist and turn.

We are going to do the washing of the M/H and tidy up the garden now the Painter has finished painting the house (very pleased with it to)

I have to get the holiday clothes packed as it is another day tomorrow at the hospital (I do hope the drain is out as I want to sleep on my side as sleeping on my back sitting up makes me snore.)

A Disapointing Day

September 7, 2009

We have seen the Oncologist doctor today, for consultation on ,if ,what and when next round of treatment is.
It was a very disappointing day. The center was over crowded. So our consultation was held in a back room with stored items. Not very conducive ,considering the severity of the occasion.
They did apologize for that. We didn’t feel confident in there at all. The other appointments we have had have all been professional and although the news was bad, it felt dignified, that’s the word I am looking for. We didn’t feel that to be told yet again that your condition is not curable in what was basically a store room was not in the least bit dignified.
Anyway after answering all the same questions again. It was decided that they will commence a one off radiation session on the area where the drain is removed from. That stops the cancer seeding in the wound. This will take place in about 2 weeks time. Then they will assess her kidney function, because she only has one kidney, they fear that the chemo will upset it so when or if they are happy that its fully functional. The chemo will start about 2 weeks after that. It appears it will be an all day session every 21 days for six sessions so we are looking at about April next year before we are done with that.
So its all a wait and see thingy again.
Mavis has added
Been to the Chemo dept and not impressed –they have painted it up like a kiddies nursery to make it look a happy place –that doesn’t work. They really should keep it looking more professional to keep that professional way of nursing you. Also they haven’t said anything different to what I already know. I knew I had only 2 years –I knew it was only to improve survival and not a cure. The same questions are asked that are in my file. What they have said is that if it makes me ill then that is not helping my survival so they will stop and have made a suggestion that I go to the Royal Marsden as they experiment there which I do agree on. They still say go on holiday and they will phone me and arrange for the treatment to start when I get back so that’s what I will do. So now its Wednesday back to K&C hospital to see Miss King to have this drain out. All hospital at the moment.