Well here I am four months into my recovery. It's certainly taking longer than I expected but I can see the progress. I think I'm finally accepting that slow and steady is the best way, it's a bit like that story of the tortoise and the hare.
I saw the Consultant and Oncologist last night. We went through the PET scan and Endoscopy results in more detail. They seem happy enough with me but they won't consider my cancer cured until 2 years has gone. In the meanwhile I seem to have been given the status of cancer free.
An ENT Doctor was also bought in about my ears. I've had glue ear for over 3 months now and they had hoped it would drain itself naturally by now. However as there has been some improvement we have decided to give it another 3 months. They are reluctant to operate unless necessary as there is a risk of infection, and after the year I've had I never want to go inside another operating theatre. The temporary hearing aids have their limitations but they do work pretty well, so I'm happy to wear them for another 3 months.
I am eating fairly well, I can only eat a limited range of food, but I rarely need to use the feeding tube now. As soon as I can maintain my weight for 3 weeks they will remove the PEG tube. I am going to be getting extra help now from the Dietician to get there as maintaining weight is a constant struggle, I managed to lose again last week.
The only other issue really is my lack of energy. I manage to be active in the mornings but then I need to rest most afternoons and I'm still going to bed around 9pm each night. The Oncologist said it can take some people 6-12 months to get over Chemo and it looks like I'm going to be one of those.
The last subject for discussion was my dilemma about work. I can't really afford to pack up work yet but I can't imagine I will ever get back the full amount of fitness I'd need for my old job. The Oncologist asked if it would be practical for me to return just for the part of my job where I am working at a desk and not having to go out or deal with clients. That sounds ideal to me, it would be just 2 or 3 mornings a week and no stress. All I have to do now is to use my negotiating skills to sell the idea to my boss!
