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.
Think her "Maj" left quite a few people of her New Years Honours list and your one of them for your couarage, determination, and putting 2 fingers up to Mr C, Your love of your family and your ability to give me and im sure many others a good belly laugh at your humour, Men look fab and cool with grey hair, glad you are eating well and feeling better
So from now on i name you "Sir Bob JK", and if Lindas looking in its now "Lady Linda" haha tell her to get the largest breadknife out and do the honours, being very careful of course !
Thanks Kate, Not sure about letting linda loose with the bread knife though. although my brain is full of brain mets, it still works better when my head is attatched to my shoulders,
Thanks Helen, I intend too. I slept really well last night although I did awake a little bit early, but at least did go for the best part of the night. After we had all awoken we decided on a trip to Cambridge as Kate wanted to go with her friend to see the new chipmunk movie. As that did not appeal to me i instead went for a slap up full English breakfast and then a look around all of my favourite gadget shops. As usual though, things did not quite go to plan and as I was walking along a young lady in front of me tripped on the kerb and landed at my feet in a bit of a dither. With everyone else just watching, I struggled to help her a few yards to a seating area and as my energy was draining I thought, this will look good, if we both collapse in a heap on the floor and Linda walks round the corner. Anyway I made it and she was ok once rested and so all was well, phew. By this time the girls came out the pictures and we all went for another meal, this time Italian meatballs and spaghetti. Very full up, well I was anyway, we headed home and dropped off Kates friend before arriving home and dropping off myself for a few hours. I have just found a bit of room for tea and feel ready for work tomorrow. I have again felt pretty well again today and it would be great to have another couple of weeks like this before the not so good period kicks in.
By the way ,as reminded by my sister in America, is the second anniversary of when I had my huge chest operation. I remember after having the operation wondering what the future held, I guess I now know. Its living day to day, week to week and month to month and more importantly scan to scan. I am very grateful for the fact I am still here and my new years resolution is to still be here this time next year. I am being entertained by Linda, Justin, Kate and Matt playing Cludo when they havnt a clue how to play it, better than what's on the telly that's for sure.
Hi Sir Bob, I first visited this site 18 months ago after the loss of my neighbour from a brain tumour at the age of 33. She was only 3 weeks younger than me, so I joined Share in my quest to try and find some answers. I’m yet to find them, don’t know that I ever will, but the positive to come out of it is I found you blog. Since then I come back every day to follow your progress. I feel compelled to back up Kate’s comment about your New Years Honour! I cannot think of anybody else who truly deserves such an honour as you. You’re always thinking about those closest to you, and even assist damsels in distress that fling themselves at your feet in the street, without a thought to yourself! You provide so much support and inspiration for the many people that use this website, even the invisible one’s like me who only silently read and never post. You help me to put things into perspective, and your humour always adds a smile to my face.
Your family sound fantastic, I can quite understand your need to protect them. So here’s to many more New Year’s for Sir Bob and Lady Linda to see in together (and perhaps you should keep the sword handy to help you do battle with the suits at work should the need ever arise).
Bob, just a note to let you kow I think you are wonderful. You are so brave and your family are so lucky to have you in their lives. We will all be here next year to see you write yur new years resolution and to read about your clueless game of cluedo with your beautiful family! :) Those happy times are the one's Linda and kate will hold with them for always, and it is those times that will keep them smiling for always Bob.
You just keep enjoying yourself Bob, because every smile, hug, every time you and your family express your love, you are beating it, your spirits stronger, saying up yours cancer! If only for that minute xx so here's to the good times. the smiles and the happiness that you all bring to each other!
Big smiles for you, you super brave man you!!! much love, Teri x
