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.
Glad you had a good weel Jackie, your poor hubby, that cost him dear. Interesting you saying about the coffee taste changes as I get that and I think you are the only other person to notice it too. Normally I only drink coffee but on last phase had to switch to tea, so far still on coffee but only just. I too cannot believe im here for Christmas and really looking foreward to it. Enjoy that cake, that is something I have totaly lost the taste for, cake and chocolate, what a bummer.
I could say ive had a really lazy day after yestedays busy one but there is no point as linda will read this and report the truth. I could not get comfortable in bed last night so ended up sleeping on the sofa and managed a few hours sleep. I awoke about seven and after thinking its a nice dry morning I had a cuppa before walking the dog.By then it was pouring with rain and really windy. Anyway, job done I got justin up and we did a bit more painting. The colour we were covering was quite strong so it was hard work but now looks really good. Then ive been tidying up in my newly reposition study. I feel really good but in fairness look pretty awfull. we orded a new floor covering today for the hall, so next job is to decorate hall two landings and two lots of stairs. I have nearly three weeks to get it done. I will.
John blames you for this! we are starting to decorate! lounge first and then our bedroom followed by probably the hall and stairs! Went to get sample papers today and paint colour charts! I am determined to declutter and to bring it all up to date, didn't realised how aged it looked until you started reporting on all of your decorating Bob. ;-)
Haven't papers changed? there are some really lovely (expensive) ones on the market just now! I also am in two minds to change the floor in the lounge/diner from real cherry wood to laminate as it wears so much better. You'd think wood to be more robust but this one has marked too easily and wasn't cheap but I think laminate is now the way to go, we could sand and reseal but that seems a lot of work and dust! Still to convince John yet!
Oh and a new room needs new furniture, sofas and rugs! tut tut I've got that decorating bug now!
I agree on the chocolate Bob it doesn't taste right but I persevere and keep trying it! I understand it's good for the blood! rich in iron! can't do the chilli 70% one though makes my eyes water!
Haha, all this talk of decorating.......hope I didn't start you all off? The kitchen walls are now done, just some of the skirting boards and a panelled glass door to paint in gloss, argh! But I will try the trick of a cut onion in a saucer to help get rid of the smell of gloss. ( thanks, Leah!)
The fitters are coming tomorrow to do the last bits and fit the one cupboard we didn't think we had room for, but have after all! Then hopefully it will begin to look really wonderful!
hope you keep well and a bit busy but not too much ( what a day for a walk, Bob!) my love and hugs to all
After a really good nights sleep I awoke feeling really good. After we took Kate to school Linda took me to work. I managed an eight hour day and came home feeling reasonably good. Its been a battle at work today as they seem reluctant to pay me for some of the hours I have worked. never mind, ill get it sorted somehow. I must admit getting a tad nervous as my brain scan date draws nearer as I know the gamma knife is not a nice experience to go through again. Lets hope its not neccesary, but as brain mets are difficult to control its possible that I will need gamma and need to mentally prepare for it. Im off to work again tomorrow and wednesday then am having thursday and friday off. Apertite was good for tea tonight and im still eating so thats good, I think.
ooer got my next ct scan appointment! next Monday, nervous now! 2nd scan since sutent started cycle 6 nearly finished! First scan was so positive must keep thinking that way! God how I hate these scans and waiting for results.
Going to be really busy this weekend to keep mind off things! Got lots stocking fillers to wrap that's a start! Still got cakes to bake, decorating to start. Going to be pooped by Monday!
Hope you're doing o.k Bob with all the work hours you're putting in.
Indeed I am doing ok jackie and good luck for those scan results. you will be fine, im sure. you must and will keep positive, im telling you so. I hate the scans also but im so fortunate in that I dont have to wait long for the results. I have my brain scan on thursday morning and will get the results straight after and usually have to only wait a two or three days before getting scan results, a benefit of being a Bupa patient. Hope you are also well Helen.
Ive had a really good day today. again I went into work at half nine and stayed untill gone five and im hoping to do the same tomorrow. Since we have been home we popped to homebase and picked up a curtain pole for Kates room and ive just fixed it up and we have hung the new curtains. i doo feel tired now and im ready for a rest but by tomorrow ill be ready to go again.
Another good day today. ive been at work all day and still done a bit of decorating tonight, hence the short and late posting. I feel really good and also work seemed to have resolved my pay issues . lets hope tomorrows scan goes just as well.
