BOB JK My diary of kidney cancer (to be continued)
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.
A happy belated birthday Chrisie and I hope you had a lovely day. Well yesterday I "definately" overdid things and felt awfull last night , but I feel ok this morning so at least I got over it quick. I awoke early and after Linda had gone to work, realised she had left her lunch behind and so after dropping Kate off at School I ten dropped Lindas lunch off to her at work. Once home I still was not happy with the state of the wall so yet more filling and sanding and now apart from one area I am happy with it. I then got my new extendable roller out to do the ceiling. After dipping it in the paint I couldnt stop the roller from turning on the pole and therefor could only paint in circles and not a straight line. Out came the gaffer tape and I soon fixed that and proceeded to give the ceilings 2 coats of paint. As we are holding a coffeee morning on Friday I dont want the house looking like a total wreck so I then cut in around the tops of the wall with the existing colour and at least it is all ready for the final coat at some point. Well after tea I had never felt so rough, hot, sick, you name it, I felt it. Also at one point my hand seemed to go numb and lock around the paint brush which was a bit weird I decided to take the dog for a walk and felt much better for the outside air. Considering I am on my last week of Sutent which is normally one of my worst 2 weeks I done good yesterday. As its my birthday tomorrow I dont think id better get the paint brushes out so a relaxing day with lunch with my beautiful wife is on the cards. Also at the weekend we took Kate to town and we got her ears peirced. It had been something she had wanted for a long time and I had always resisted but the time seemed right. I wanted to take her while I am well so she knows I approve of them. If we had left it to some time when im not around she would be asking herself if I would of approved of it.
Happy birthday Bob. Your last post really moved me - what you wrote about Katie having her ears pierced was so true. It's a small thing, but could have caused her so much distress and conflict in the future. You really are thoughtful. On another note - you do seem to me to push yourself hard. When you describe your day, there are times when I think I'd feel knackered and I'm not poorly, nor taking powerful medication, but I am nearly the same age as you. You mustn't beat yourself up about needing to rest once in a while. Age alone takes its toll and I cannnot do what I did not that long ago, stamina does not grow with us. Love to you Ange
I think ive realised the hard way that I cannot do as much as I used to do and the way I felt last night really frightened me. It wont stop me pushing the boundarys but maybe, just maybe I wont push them so far. I think also this is normally my worst time on the Sutent so I should have given in sooner. I promise I will rest up tomorrow, only moving to grab another slice of birthday cake. Tonight we have been to my twins house and had a great evening of tea and chat and yes we both blew out the candles on the cake. I came home proudly wearing my new jumper and am now ready for bed.
Happy Birthday Bob and I wish you a day filled with love and happiness. We haven't 'met' before but I often pop into the forum and occassionally read your diary. How many candles on the cake? And I hope you save us some!
Today I awoke to breakfast in bed. red roses. and Kate and Linda at my side. not forgetting mollie at my feet. "BLISS"
After taking Kate to school we popped out for a coffee break before going shopping ready for our coffee morning on friday to raise funds for macmillan. I had a bit of a rough night last night (must be my sisters cooking) but feel 100% better today. We are going out to lunch at midday as at the moment evening eating does not seem to agree with me. Many thanks for your birthday wishes and I hope you all have a good day.
