BOB JK My diary of kidney cancer (to be continued)
FormerMember
4509 replies
3 subscribers
1622038 views
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.
Kates friend Georgie has just gone home leaving Linda and I knackered and broke. Since deciding they would start raising money for my cancer charity they decided to do odd jobs for us and charge us for the pleasure. They will go far, them two. I managed to raise enough energy to bake a cake with them and Kate has just done her homework with Linda. We was going out to a chrismas craft fair but we have all lost our get up and go. We were trying to decide who was going to take Kate for her swimming lesson when her instructor rang and cancelled it. Kate who 2 minutes earlier was laid up saying she felt too ill for swimming was then dancing arouynd the room like a mad thing. Hopefully my energy levels will be better tomorrow as we really need to start our xmas shopping.I start my 8th cycle of Sutent tomorrow.
Today, After taking my first Sutent of cycle eight, we went to Cambridge to start our Christmas shopping. We done really well and managed to get all the ones that need sending abroad (note sally). Tonight I went to put on my glasses to write the cards, I couldn't believe it, I have lost my lens again. This time no sign of it so its back to the old glasses. Once again really tired and one hell of a sore throat. not sure if thats a side affect of the Sutent or where Linda and I were larking about. We had a bit of a play fight and then I made her jump out of her skin by hiding behind a door. That was a bit daft as I know she will get her own back. Im at work tomorrow so hopefully ill feel better. I hope everyone had a reasonable weekend.
Well the sore throat was neither larking about or the Sutent but a bloody cold or man flue as some would call it. I feet a bit rank but hopefully with all the meds im on it will soon knock it on the head. 2nd day of the 8th cycle of Sutent and its nearly xmas. Managed to get parcel bound for America posted today before doing half day at work. I have a day off tomorrow but have a councilling session with specialist at hospice. Hope you are all OK
Had my scan yesterday and started Sutant again today after a extra weeks break from it. Ive still got a bad cold so im not feeling the full effect of the blood transfusion but i can definatly walk further without gasping for air. Ive been taking 4 tablets a day for 28 days for just over 1 year now Bob but when i go back for my scan results in 2 weeks they are gonna review the situation as in how its affecting my blood after 2 weeks. we are a bit fed up at the moment as it looks like the trip to Spain is off as after we get the doggie passport we have to wait 6 months untill we can come back in to the country with her so that would mean around July when it far to hot for me and her but all being well and im still responding to treatment we could go October-ish. The trouble is once Sutant stops working theres only the trials i think then its weekly or fortnightly visits to the hos, still it cant be helped ill just have to keep my fingers crossed.Ive got a feeling my kidney is moaning though as i keep getting a uncomfortable feeling in my side. Rigfht im off for my tea, Jon has just shouted. Love to all keep well. Fay.
Today, my cold has taken grip and I am coughing like a gooden. Im aware I need to be carefull as there is a chance it could go to my chest and Ill end up with pnemonia. If I feel as bad tomorrow it could be a doctors visit.I am supposed to be up early tomorrow to take Lindas car for an mot. We will see how I feel. I also hope to go to work forashort while but again we will see.
Fay, what tablets do you take four times a day, Is it a lower sutent dose or other. Good to hear from you Good luck with the scan results in 2 weeks time and im sure Spain will materialise soon, take care,
After a good nights sleep I feel a bit better today and so I awoke early and fed the poor dog at some unearthly hour then, much to the dogs disgust, dragged her outside for a long walk. Then after kissing my lovely wife and daughter goodbye I set off to the garage to be there at 7.30 for its M.O.T. After going to the garage to pick up 2 new tyres and then going back to pick up the certificate, I then went to work. We were so busy today I managed to stay there seven hours. The time goes so quick I cant believe its Friday tomorrow. Linda and I are off shopping in the morning and then, if I feel OK, I might go to work again, Partly we need the money and partly I need to prove to myself that I can do it
After a really crappy night, not a bad day. We went to bed in reasonable time but after an hour or two I was coughing like a good one so I again ended up downstairs. Tomorrow I plan to see if I can buy a wedge of foam to elevate me in bed (not in that way you dirty buggers). This morning after taking Kate to school we went shopping and got a few more prezzies and then after lunch, I went off to get tax for car and then went into work again for a bit. So after a crap night, not a bad day. A quick funny. After going to the loo, I stood up, luckily flushed loo and then as I looked down to do up my zip, guess what, yes my bloody lens fell out of my glasses straight into the pan. So Linda and Kate after a good laugh have banned me from wearing them until they are fixed, so its back to the old ones, if I can find them.
A rather unsettled start to last night as kate got herself into a bit of a state and I eventually ended up asleep in her bed to paciify her. Today has been a bit sluggish, Kate went with some friends ice skating whilst myself and Linda spent the morning running around shopping for us and for her mum and dad as her dad is not too well at the moment. and then the afternoon with Linda in bed as she had overdone things whilst feeling crappy herself, when will she learn. (a fine one to talk I hear you saying) At least things are better tonight. I cooked a curry for tea and now we are settled down watching x factor and celebrity. bliss!! Tom and Kate are also over and have hijacked my computer for wedding invitations, hence im getting in quick
I had a really good nights sleep yesterday and feel a bit better for it. I still have a really sore throat, especially first thing in the morning. As everywhere you go, everyone seems to have a cold its not suprising I have one. Does anyone know if there is any implications with having the flue jab and taking sutent. Today I finished week one of cycle eight of Sutent. Today we done a bit more xmas shopping before retiring to the settee for the afternoon.
Today, well, ive felt terrible today and Linda has convinced me to take the rest of the week off work.I have slept for probably three quarters of the day and now feel so guilty that I have done so. Its funny, when your time is limited, as I know mine is, to waste a day asleep is such a crime, even if I dont go to work tomorrow I hope to do something a bit more constructive. I seem to sleep well at night but still wake up dog tired in the morning. I dont know if its the drugs im on or progression of the desease. I feel its probably progression of the cancer as I have nott changed the regime of the drugs but definately feel a whole lot more knackered. It doesn;t mean im down and out, it just means a bit of fine tuning to make the most of my days. Ive also had this bloody cold which seems to have taken its toll on me. Tomorrow I plan to ring my consultant to see if I can have the flue jab with the Sutent.
