BOB JK My diary of kidney cancer (to be continued)

FormerMember
FormerMember
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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.
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Thanks all for your birthday wishes, I have had a wounderfull day but feel really tired now.  Earlier in the day linda and myself went out for an early light lunch and it was nice and peacefull. Once home a lazy afternoon whilst Linda took kate to her councilling session. then all the boys visited and Linda and Katie cooked a brilliant tea which was really nice. Kate made a birthday cake which was also very good. Also my brother in law from America popped in on a flying visit and it was really nice to see him. Everyone has now gone and we are relaxing for a bit before going to bed. My blood pressure is still very high and we have upped my dose of tablets to try and compensate this. Earlier I was having a shower and then a shave and as I looked in the mirror I saw blood dripping from my face, I thought I must have cut myself shaving untill I looked in the shower and it looked as if someone had been slaughtered. My nose was bleeding like a gooden and that was probably due to the high blood pressure. Anyway all under control now and we will soon be off to bed. I am not working tomorrow so a bit of a restfull day is planned. My family have given me a wounderfull day and spending tonight with them was the bestest present of all

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Thanks Shirley and well done for finding me, im still looking for my other threads I started.

    A bit of a weird day today, I thinks its partly to do with the fact I was 49 yesterday and can't help wondering if ill still be about for my 50th. I would love to be and will be doing everything in my power to be here but cancer is a funny old thing as we all know so today im a bit reflective but ill soon snap out of that.

    Started the day really quietly, we both did a few jobs around the house, correction, Linda did most of the jobs around the house and then we popped  out for a bit, first to a friend of ours who needed a bit of advice on a house renovation project, then to another friends who's daughter was one today. I  managed a coffeee and cake but then felt as sick as a dog (sorry mollie) Then it was off to thye garage to gat a  couple of new tyres as the front two had suddenly worn down a fair bit.  then a quick trip to Tesco, I did rest for a bit then before I hung up a hanging basket which mother in law  had bought for me. I hardly had enough strength to push the drill in the wall but I was determined to do it, which I did ( I waited for Linda to go out first). I have just cut the front lawn but have given up on the back so im hopeing Justin will do that when he gets home from work. I have had to increase my blood pressure pills as it is still too high although it now seems to be comming down. I know Im a stubborn old git who should probably be spending his final time taking it easy but thats not me and its being stubborn which has allowed me to survive this long. I did decide not to go into work today though,  a clean start next week, thats my plan anyway.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Bob, I have no words of certainty for you. All I can say is with the positive outlook you have, ( & trust me-how you approach your 'cancer', does make all the differnce)!

    You seem so positive, that WIIL be working in your favour Bob, & you seem strong enough to face your illness, cure; as I said, it's the positive approach that really does have a positive impact!

    All the very, very best Bob. 

    All the best :-)

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Bob I got diagnosed at 50 and didn't expect to see 51 so we had a fab christmas that year! I'll be 53 early october and seeing another christmas this year (god willing) we don't know what's around the corner and it isn't too good spending time worrying over it, I've learnt this since diagnosis. LIVE FOR NOW do whatever you feel like doing have fun and enjoy the moment!

    I had a brilliant day, did some gardening, supervised John doing some gardening and made a cake for my eldest son who is coming to visit tomorrow with his girlfriend and her son, oh and of course the dog Sam, mustn't forget sam. I've cooked tea and washed up, quite an achievement for me all in all.

    Where did I find the energy? I'm off sutent on my break and off my blood pressure tabs as it's gone back to normal without sutent, without those pesky drugs I feel 'normal' and long may it last! Well until next sutent cycle at least.

    Have a lovely weekend oneand all!

    Jackie

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Jackie and sonsscaredmum.

    Thanks both for your comments.  I certainly don't spend lots of time dwelling on what could or could not happen, what will be will be and you cannot change that.  I do have a positive attitude and thats what has got me this far. I also am a realist and know what can happen but do not dwell on that for too long but need to prepare myself for things to come.  I think I am on my worst Sutent time and feel pretty grotty. Again I could not sleep and awoke early, my stomach is naking all sorts of noises and feels pretty uncomfortable. wherever I go today I fear the loo will need to be near me lol.  I finish my first 4 week course on Tuesday and then a two week break. Im sure, as before, I will get used to the Sutent and all its side effects. It does not stop me doing what I want to do and I plan to keep on pushing the boundarys for as long as possible. I have a staircase, hall and two landings to decorate as well as our bedroom and still need to get a bit more done in the garden. My biggest problem at the moment is still my blood pressure which is still a lot higher than it should be. It has come down a bit so hopefully by the time next week comes it will be nearer to normal. Not too much planned for today, Kate is on a sleepover at one of her friends and so we will pick her up a bit later. Then she is being picked up by my sister and will spend the day with her cousin. Tonight we will  pick her up and stay for a tad of tea (I hope, if your reading this Julie). Not quite sure whats going on tomorrow yet although I suspect fowl play by Linda and co !!

    have a good weekend everyone

  • Continuing to think of you, Bob, and hoping all is well........my love and hugs to you, Linda and Kate, well done to Kate for all she did for your birthday!

    Moomy

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to moomy

    Bob just popped in to say hi again! my son is late arriving! he has already phoned and said sorry Mum so he's excused.lol

    Anyhow back to the point I was going to ask,  are you on stomach protectors for your drugs? I've got omeprazole, went from 40mg to 20 which seems better, however it lines and protect us from some of the more unpleasant side effects of sutent etc. Just wondered if you're on it as it may help you if you're not so worth a mention to g.p, hope you don't mind me mentioning it. I don't get upset tum on sutent maybe it's because I use this? however in saying that I may get it next cycle now.

    Jackie

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Jackie, yes I am on the omprepazole but as yet its not making a lot of difference although presumably id be a lot worse without it but thanks anyway, trust your son to be late lol.. Take care

    Bob

     

     

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Well im not quite sure whats happening today other than im being taken out of the house soon and not allowed back untill one. Im sure things will become clearer as the day goes on.

    I had a good nights sleep last night. we went to julies for a spot of tea and birthday cake which Kate and Jenny had made and it was an exellent evening. Then we drove home and to be honest I was so tired I cannot remember apart from sleeping what else I did.The Sutent cold kicked in last night, I was freezing for a whie but again do feel better today. My blood pressure is also on the way down so that should be under control now. The sun is shinning here and ive a feeling its going to be a real nice day.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hello Bob, you've got me intrigued now about not being let in the house until 1?!  Perhaps Charlie Dimmock has been round with Mr Titchmarsh!??

    Hope you're OK and your lovely family too.

    Love to you all

    Wend x