BOB JK My diary of kidney cancer (to be continued)
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Hi, My name is Bob and I live in Cambridgeshire. I am married with an 8 yr old daughter and three older step sons. Up untill the end of last year everything was tickety boo having recently moved to a new house which we love. Work was busy but enjoyable. I am Manager of an electrical companys maintenance department and my Wife, Linda was enjoying her job as a Nurse. The three boys are buying there own house nearby and all work locally. In November I went to my Doctors with a small "cyst" on my chest. After a couple of referals and many Xrays, pet scans, bone scans and CT scans I was told the news everybody dreads. My lump on the chest was a secondary cancer of which the primary was in my left Kidney. I was fast tracked to the Royal Brompton, under the expert care of Mr Laddas who informed a long and complicated operation would need to be carried out to remove the bone tumor and surrounding bone which involved two ribs,my collar bone and chest bone. I did not have time to panic, the operation was carried out the next day over 10 hrs. After nearly two weeks in the Brompton I am recovering well from this op but I have since been told that the Cancer is in both kidneys as well as small mets in both lungs. It seems at the moment further ops are out the question and i have been put on the drug Sutent. I am one week into this and so far so good. I do not know what the future holds but I have to remain positive.
Hi All, Just want to wish little Katie a fabulous Happy Birthday today. Hope you all have a lovely time together and Bob I am soo proud of you - Young Kate doesn't need any presents she has her Daddy with her on her special day, I bet you that's the best present this gorgeous wee girl was praying for.
Here's wishing you a fabulous birthday, I hope you had a brilliant time this morning and school wasn't too taxing this afternoon. Thinking of you all at the moment Bob you are never far from my thoughts. Concentrate on the here and now and take things as they come.
Well, we have all had a great day. From early this morning visitors have been popping in. We took Kate to our new local coffee shop before school and we all enjoyed that. After a quick bit of shopping Linda took kate to school to take part in her cycling profficiency before comming home with six of her friends for an hours fun at home. Lindas Mum dad brother and sister in law visited as well as my two sisters. Also just had Sally from America ring as well so as you can imagine, a busy one indeed. Kate has just gone to bed, Tired but happy and I think we will be doing the same soon. Thanks for all youBirthday wishes for Kate. I have faired quite well today and have eaten quite well. My legs feel like lead but tonight my hands are responding better so thats good news.
A good day again today. After sleeping quite well Linda decided I was joining her and a friend on a short walk using the old mobility scooter. I was in two minds but decided to go with it. So we loaded up the scooter in the boot then took Kate to school. Then we set off to our walking mission. It was actually really great and I had a lovely time. The weather was quite warm and we parked up at this car park ready for the off. Although ive tried out the scooter a couple of times im a bit nervouse of its range as the battiries seem a bit limited. Anyway we set off in due course and almost straight away the levels went from full to half. I tried to adopt Lindas idea of not looking at the guage and just going for it. Well after a bit of a struggle we made it to our destination and how lovely it was. We had a cream tea in the sun and just rested up for a bit. As the chair has struggled a bit, Linda and Tracey picked up the car. I thought "what can I do while I wait for them" so we had another drink and I also managed to polish off a bangers and mash dinner, so the steroids are working well. Now home, Kate and Linda have been to her weekly counciling session and are home. Tomorrow we have the Mac nurse coming across. Not sure ill have a lot to say to her but we will see.
I'm not able to post much at present but have managed to catch up with your diary........I just wanted to say 'well done' for coping as you do. Alan doesn't like his scooter much and wouldn't look at it at first....but now realises that it's better to use it than to be stuck at home all the time. He always looks better after a trip round the park and a natter with 'Dad's Army' (our name for the old 'uns that stroll round each day). He was also reluctant to talk to his Mac-nurse at first and always passed the phone to me when she rang - 'it's your friend from Macmillan'!!!!! But since my illness last year he's found that the nurse doesn't bite and that he can talk to her. He will off-load his worries to her too.........Something he doesn't usually do!!!!! I know you have a great support network around you but your 'supporters' need support too and that's where Mac comes in useful............Even if you don't feel the need yourself it's good to know that the nurse is there for everyone...........And she (or he) is a very powerful friend - not many docs will argue with a Mac-nurse!!!!!! Good luck with your meeting......
A belated 'Happy Birthday' to young Kate - so pleased she had a lovely day...in spite of it being a school day......
I take your point about the Macmillian nurses. They have their place in treating this Cancer and I am maybe a bit hearsh and from Lindas point of view im being selfish as she desearves all the support she can get on this journey.
I feel in a bit of a funny place, at the moment, Almost in Limbo. Ive gone from being a working breadwinner to a stay at home dependent. Im not sure if work will be back on the cards or not. I promise ill give the Mac nurse a chance and see whats on offer.
Linda has taken Kate off to school. Not sure what we are up to today but tonight Linda has a friend staying round so I am hoping they will both have a great evening. It will do them the world of good. Ill get the wine ready and the Chineese
Hi, Bob, I've just read back a couple of pages, gather you haven't been too good but are, in your own inimitable way, fighting back as ever! Sorry I haven't been able to catch this to add my Happy Birthday wishes to Kate, but maybe a belated 'Happy Birthday, Kate' will do?
Take care of yourself.....love and hugs to you all
I have had a tough day, spent most of it in bed, after reacting to a take away i had last night. I am feelin very frustrated and fed up, patience has never been my best quality.
