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

Sir Bob,

Some Mother-In-Law jokes from Les Dawson to make you smile;

"I can always tell when my MIL comes to stay, the mice throw themselves at the traps"........

"I took my MIL to Madame Tussards Chamber Of Horrors and one of the attendants said keep her moveing sir, we are stock takeing".........

"My MIL fell down a wishing well, I was amazed, I never knew they worked"..........

Hope you have a better day tomorrow, energy and appetite wise especially, ( also thinking of you Lady Linda sad about what you are going through xx)

Hugs to you all,

Kate XXXXXX

PS Too True that us girlies nag, you men folk need it lol x

Dear Bob - though I've not been posting much I have been following your activities.  You are one amazing person and an inspiration to us all.  The odd days of 'rest and relaxation' are permitted - wish i could convince my other half of that too!!!  Alan struggled with his appetite after his r/t at the back of his neck.  He said that some things tasted bitter (sugar and salt) - and he had great difficulty with swallowing.  He also lost loads of weight but eventually ( after a few weeks) began to find his appetite again.  Complan.......Ensure.........mashed potato with lots of cream and butter (healthy eating what's that??) kept him going for a while..............liquidised creamy home-made soups too.......

((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))) for yourself, Linda and young Kate

Dot xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Bob,

Just to let you know I haven't forgotten about you and sorry to read you've not been feeling too great lately, but hopefully you are feeling much better today.

The reason for my absence is that I sadly lost my Dad last Monday and now face his funeral tomorrow. We never did find out the source of his cancer, just that the spinal and neck cancers were both secondary, but as it is he died from double pneumonia even though the call out docs said he was happy to leave him in his house and that he didn't need hospitalised, this was on the Friday, Dad was rushed in on Sat morning and passed away 4am Monday. My only consolation is he is now reunited with my Brother who you'll remember we lost 21 months ago to pancreatic cancer.

Anyway Bob, I wont prattle on just wanted you to know that although I haven't posting lately you now know why but that I still think about you and your lovely family constantly and send you all the strength in the world to keep fighting.

Please also tell Linda that I am so sorry to learn of her Dad's diagnosis - life is just so bloody cruel eh.

Take Care all of you

love Shirley x

Kate, thanks for the mother in law jokes, you did manage to put a smile on my face. Dot, thanks for the tips on eating, will try them out tomorrow.

Shirley, so sorry to hear about your dad. That all came on a bit sudden didn't it. I wish you strength for his funeral and for the time ahead also. I am glad you have the consolation of your dad and your brother being together again, that is something to hold on to. My consolation of knowing that I will die is knowing that at least if anything happens to my family, I will already be "upstairs" to take care of them. Also it would be fab to meet again my dad, my nan, and other good friends who I have lost too soon.

I have had a tough day at work today and I think with all the radiotherapy in between the Sutent cycle I have to admit defeat and take a bit of time off work. I have no appetite and feel worn out. I did last the day but as I cannot hold any food in at all im drained. I hope its a short term blip. I slept really well again last night but have still felt really knackered during today. I cannot see any point in flogging myself at work to only be totally knackered when at home

Bob I'm sorry you're losing weight? I am doing the total opposite on sutent, gaining so much it is impacting on my walking as I have bad knees. I'm dieting even with slimfast how bizzare it that,when you are struggling to enjoy food, so unfair all round.

I think you need to put yourself first for once and tell work to get lost for a bit and recouperate with the family around you, it's not weakness and is silly to keep pushing the limits with all you've just gone through! you have to give your body a chance to recover, get stronger and then look at your pace of life again.

Take care, Jackie x

Well, that is so right, its high time you looked after yourself for a bit, Sir Bob, work will still be there (I hope!) when you are feeling a bit better and less exhausted from the r/t. Dot has great ideas for putting on weight, trouble is I've been 'road testing' too many of them in the past, so be reassured, yes, they do work, lol! 

Thinking of you all with love and hugs from me

Hi Bob,

Hope after a few days relaxation away from the stresses and strains of work, you will feel so much better.

As Helen has already said work will still be there when you are ready to return,

Just make sure you take care of you, that is what matters most of all for you, your lovely girls and family.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((Massive hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) along with strength and healing vibes.

Love Maryxxx

Evening Bob

I hope you've had a restful day today and have got a little bit of appetite back.........As everyone keeps saying you need to think of yourself and your family and rest for a while.  Surely work can wait????

You have to give in - too many of us women are nagging at you now!!!!!!!!!!

Sending you, Linda, Kate and the rest of your family ((((hugs))))

Dot xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thanks all for the nagging. I have had a restful day. I spent most of it lying around and doing very little. I hung a bit of washing out and then sat on a chair outside watching it dry lol. My tummy is still very unsettled and I think that is because im on my worst time on Sutent and also i am still responding to the whole brain radiotherapy. My plan is probably to go in to work today, but mainly to get my reduced working hours sorted. It would be so, so easy to take a few weeks off but I know that is not in my best interests. I do realise that three days a week is perhaps pushing it a bit at the moment so I am negotiating working two days a week with the third day being paid by my sick day allowance which would see me through to end of July and then, if I do not feel any better, I will drop permanently to two days. Who knows what the future will bring and I want the option of upping my hours if im well enough to do so. At least after today, no more work till Monday and then, if all goes to plan, two days to work.

Sounds a reasonable plan, Sir Bob, hope it goes smoothly for you, according to what you feel able to do.

My love and hugs to you and the family.....