My new life

Got the results of CT scan today

2010-12-04T15:05:33Z

I got results of CT scan today, thankfully the scan is clear and my consultant is happy with my progress.

I told him that I am still going to the loo 3/4 times a day rather than the 1 time a day before the cancer. He said that it is normal because the colon is normally three and a half feet long and he took about a foot off so it's only 75% of what it used to be, so it has to go somewhere.

There was an issue with my bloods, my hemoglobin level is high - 17.2

I am going back for more blood tests next week, lets hope that is nothing serious.

It has been a year now since my operation - 11/12/2010, time just goes so quickly

Cancelled Holiday to New Zealand

2010-12-04T14:56:14Z

We have had to cancel our holiday to New Zealand, my mother in law has been diagnoised with multiple brain tumours. (primary)

The diagnosis in not good, weeks or a few months to live

She has become extremely confused and does not really know where she is any more. We are having quite bizarre conversations which for now add a bit of humour to the situation.

Luckily for now she is not in any pain. She can not use her left arm or left so the symptons are like a stroke. She is in hospital at the moment but we are hoping to get he into a Nursing Home next week

Booked holiday to New Zealand for end of January

2010-10-13T22:53:25Z

I saw my consultant in September, he is very happy that everything is well.

Got my next CT scan in December, then it will be a year since the operation.

We have booked a big holiday next year to New Zealand for the end of January

Onwards and upwards

Peter

CT scan is clear

2010-06-21T22:18:39Z

19/06/10 - Got the results of my CT Scan and everything is clear. I am going back to see my consultant again in September and the next CT scan will be in December - Outlook is good

CT Scan next Wednesday

2010-05-28T23:33:20Z

I am going for my first 6 month CT scan since the operation.

I am a bit worried about it but I have been keeping well so hopefully it will be clear.

I guess there will always be a lingering doubt but if there is any re-occurance it is better to know sooner.

Hopefully I won't have to wait too long for the results

My birthday today

2010-04-09T21:55:02Z

It is my birthday today, went to Ireland with Kay to see my dad for the weekend.

All is well, thank God.

We are going on holiday to Tenerife in 4 weeks, cant wait

Never have been that keen on birthdays, Now they are more special, hoping for plenty more to come. My consultant says that I will be very unlucky if the cancer returns, hope he is right

Pete

Holiday Insurance - Cancer Patients

2010-03-27T10:58:11Z

My wife and I have annual travel insurance though Direct Line but pre-existing conditions are not covered.

I was checking around to get some new quotes for Annual Travel insurance and these seem to be around £100-£120 but don't cover anything to do with the bowel cancer.

I phoned one company and they wanted and additinal £960 to cover the bowel cancer!

Hopefully good news is that we bank with NatWest and they have a gold card which costs £12.95 a month but includes breadown cover and worldwide travel insurance. I phoned them and they will cover me for the bowel cancer for an additional premium of £70 a year.

This seems like a really good deal, has anyone else had similar experiences with quotes for Travel Insurance?

Regards

Peter

3 Month checkup today

2010-03-27T10:46:45Z

I went back to see my consultant today for my 3 month checkup

Everything seems ok, I was not sure what my cancer staging was but it is T3,N0,M0 - Dukes B

Still feeling quite tired, consultant thinks this is more psychological rather than physical, he says it will take 6 months to get over the surgery and the mental side of having cancer.

I am going back for CT scan and blood tests in May.

I was a bit down when we discussed the 5 year survival rates but hopefully I will be on the higher end of the percentages, my aim is to be 100%

Peter

Back to work today

2010-02-15T15:06:28Z

I went back to work today after 2 months off, the time has gone so fast.

To ease me back in, I am doing reduced hours for a few weeks.

Before I went in, it was a bit like going to secondary school for the first time, when I got there it was OK.

Peter

Going out for walks ever day

2010-02-04T13:08:20Z

Now that the snow and ice have gone, I have been going out for walks every day for about an hour or an hour and a half.

We live in a village so there are plenty of walks close by.

I will have to get in the habit of doing this, it seems like regular exercise is good for stopping bowel cancer returning. Don't know if that is true but it can't do any harm.

I guess healthy eating, exercise, low cholesterol, lower blood pressure etc are good for all conditions including dementia - according to the BBC yesterday

I should have bought shares in Andrex

2010-02-02T10:29:25Z

I should have bought shares in Andrex!

Can quite believe how many times I am going to the loo a day.

Probably 8 times a day since the operation. I used to be a once a day man.

I hope this settles down soon as I am going back to work on 15th February

My Results - Good News

2010-01-04T16:13:12Z

I had a meeting with my consultant on 2nd January and everything is clear, there was no spread of the cancer. I will not need any further treatment. I will see my consultant in 3 months and have CT scans every 6 months for the next 5 years and a colonoscopy after 3 years.

I feel so lucky and blessed. Some days I wake up and I can't believe that I have had the operation and that everything is OK

Every day is getting better

2009-12-19T07:10:24Z

Sunday 13th December

Every day is getting better now

They have taken out my cannula and epidural so I am freerer now and the feeling has come back in my legs and I can walk around. The catheter will be removed in the morning

They say I am doing really well

I have 5 scars from the surgery, different sizes, the largest one is about 3 inches long and hurts when I move or caught but the others are fine.

Not getting any sleep at all, it is so noisy at night.

The nights are long but the days pass quite fast.

Hopefully I will be home in a few days

Eating again

2009-12-19T06:57:35Z

Saturday 12th December

I am back on normal food again, cornflakes and orange juice & tea for breakfast.

Drinking lots of water

Chicken casserole for lunch followed by pudding and custard

I am shocked that I am eating so well and not in too much pain

The operation

2009-12-19T06:50:35Z

Friday 11th December

Kay and I got to the Lister for 6.50 but had to wait around until 12.00 before anything happened. I was last on Mr Thompson's list.

I got taken down to for my epidural and anesthetic and the last thing I remembered was it it was exactly 12.50

The next thing I remembered was waking up in the recovery ward at 5.10 and it was all over. They had done the operation with keyhole surgery I was happy that they did not have to revert to full open surgery. The operation had lasted 4 hours.

I was taken up to my normal ward about an hour later and saw my wife. Within half an hour I was on the mobile to my dad in Ireland and my brother in America. My Dad could not believe that it was me on the phone.

I didn't have any real pain, my legs were pretty numb because of the epidural. My right leg was a lot more numb that the left. I was allowed fluids but no food yet.

I can't believe that it is over, this part at least!