JM and Nick, thoughts are with you two, too. x

 

heywood mate takes hours mate

 

My Dad was diognosed withbowel cancer a few weeks ago, apparently it's early days!! Going to an hospital tomorrow to see what treatment is best for him!!!! I'm sh1tting my pants!!!!

Snazy, when were you in North Wales?? I could of offerd you a bum!!

 

Thanks Lisa. I would be lying if I said I was shocked or devastated by the news. Might sound cold but it all seems par for the course right now. And while no one wants to hear a loved one is dying, it's almost a relief for her that she is reaching the end of a long struggle now.

She is quite distressed and anxious at the moment, but to be honest a lot of that is actually being caused by not being able to smoke lol, some people eh.

I'm sure it will all sink in for me at some point, but right now. Want to be there for mum and my aunt as much as possible.
Thanks Les, very kind indeed mate
Yup got to keep on top of matters while all this is going on. Useless to them both if I'm in pieces. I will say that the 550 mile round trip to my aunts that I did today, and do whenever possible is an interesting time. Always on my own, I have 8-10 hours to think everything through. Can be good but got to try and keep the thoughts light, or the journey could get awkward.

Pretty sure they will accept her, at least as a home patient now. OT called twice today to discuss mums needs at home and to arrange care etc. She will be allowed home once that's all in place. The hospital are just waiting t her from St Christophers to see if she is accepted, so the can decide who is providing what care.


Sorry to hear you had such a crap day Nick you know I'm always on BBM if you wanna rant.
Sods law that once the day turns a bit pants, it just spirals down. But don't think the world is against you mate, keep positive as much as you can.
Saw some mighty nasty smashes on the way home, so if it makes you feel any better, the car gods were in a bad mood tonight.


Told aunt the news, and as expected she took it well. Battling cancer herself, she is very realistic about things like this. She was naturally saddened by the news, but I think we all knew there was a twist coming at some point.
Spent the day with my aunt in Wales, talking about their cancers on and off, and generally having a good time. Helped with a few bits around the house, and made my trip a little bit more social than just turning up with bad news.

Rather exhausted now. Was up at half 4, and on the road by 5.30....... Got back about 45 mins ago lol.

 

Sorry to hear the news mate, but glad they have caught it early on. Usually quite a few options at the early stages.
Try not to think too much about it as something that ends in doom, but more something less serious. You all need a clear mind to take in what they will have to say. Make notes of drugs and treatments offered and use the net to research them and to help him make decisions.
Everyone is different, families need help coping as much as the patient at times so don't shy away from it.
Ask any questions that come to mind, they are usually great and answering, or finding the answers.

Best of luck with it, and feel free to share how it goes

North Wales, the part I go to is Colwyn Bay. She has a scooby just down the road from her house. I did wonder if it was anyone off here lol.

 

Oh God, W. Why didn't you say
Early days is good, hopefully they can get him sorted. Fingers crossed for you xx
My best wishes to you and hugs xx

 

To JM, Nick and Will. Like I said to Snazy, I wish I could offer some good advice, but tbh I was crap at dealing with my Mams cancer, I really don't know what to say to help.

Everyone has different ways of coping and I personally don't think there is a right or wrong way. But you all need to take care of yourselves and let your feelings out if and when, as well as trying to stay strong for your loved ones. I am here for you guys and thoughts stay with all of you (and your families). xx

 

I'm signing off.
I am not looking forward to tomorrow. Kevin was the most fantastic man you could ever meet.
All the best to everyone, and I hope your outcomes are better. xx

 

Been through this myself, its not easy, but you need to be there for your mum .. you will have plenty of time for yourself later on .. I regret not speakin to my mum more and just being there ..

 

I'm so sorry to hear he lost his battle Lee.

Hugs to you. xxx

Call me if you want a chat. xx

 

Sorry for your loss hun, my thoughts are with the friends and family.
6 years though, that's good to hear he held in there so long. I peace now

Cheers for the kind words.

Pimmo I agree mate, quality time is the important thing, and I will be doing as much if that as I can, once I know what care the are putting in place, and knowing what I can do.

With her anger peaking from time to time, I'm walking away so they don't escalate. Makes things easier on all.

Thanks again Lisa. Think there should be a rule that no one should have to feel obliged to say anything other than "oh I'm sorry" or "you know where I am"..... I feel terrible with the number of people I have spoken to that say they don't know what to say. This isn't a dig by the way, it's real, it's always such an awkward moment.

My aunt answered the phone to someone yesterday while I was up there, they asked how she was and straight out the blocks she said " have breast and bone cancer, but other than that I'm fine thank you, and yourself" She said t me after there is no point in mixing your words, I have it so I told them.
Needless to say their reaction was somewhat lost for words.

 

Not really sure what to say...... Just keep your chin up mate

 

Cheers, there is an amazing amount of help coming from all directions of the health service, and from friends helping with changes to the house to make things easier for mum too.

I'm honestly in awe and humbled by it all.
They are talking about bringing a hospital bed here for mum, to make things easier.

 

I have been through that. Don't worry too much yet, catching it early is the key. It is one of the easier cancers to cure if caught early. They can remove it and stitch you back up so that all functions are normal afterwards.

All the best to him anyway.

Les

 

Very sorry for your loss Lee.

Les

 

It was the same for my old mate Snazy. They really are very good and the help they will offer is second to none. Your mum deserves the help of course. Don't be frightened to ask for what is needed.

Les

 

Again amazing speed from the NHS. A call this morning organised an afternoon home visit, they came at half 2 and made their recommendations for equipment.
Just taken a call from Mediquip, who will be delivering a large number of items in the morning. A hospital bed is on order, motorised chair to help her get up, toilet frame bath lift.... Wow! Awesome stuff, thanks NHS.

Off to see mum a bit later, but the house is almost ready for her to come home in safety. Hurrah.

 

Cheers Les.

Know I know what they can do I will be sure to ask them about anything.
Just what the NHS have done today is stunning.

 

awwww, fantastic she is coming home.
Your Mum is so brave as you are for the endless support you are showing her.

 

He really was a wonderful man.
He fought long and hard. So brave.
The funeral was very moving and when we went to the hotel afterward, there was pictures all over of him at various stages of his life. Loads with Shirley (his wife) and the kids.
She did him proud.
The Chief Constable, his Boss, made the most wonderful speech that actually made a lot of us smile at the memories.
They Officers called him laptop, as he was a "small pc".
RIP Kevin, you won't be forgotten

 

Not going home just yet, making plans though

I'm not brave, just doing the right thing.

 

feel for your loss lee im trying to be positive but it will get my mum in the end just how long

 

Oh mate, I know what you mean, but please try not to be too negative about it. Hard not to I know, but just take each day as it comes and try not to go down the road of impending doom. Plan for today and tomorrow....

 

Be positive, Nick. Kevin fought it for nearly 6 years.
My Sister in law is going though it too and she has been fighting for 3 years.
Where there is life there is hope. Humans are amazing creatures.
I think Kevin had had enough, your Mum has loads left to go for. Lots of support for from here.
Give us a shout anytime you need to give vent to your feelings
Love to your Mum and be positive, it really does help x

 

It is nice (if that is the right word), that the memorial to his life could raise smiles as well as the tears I am sure were shed. Whilst anything like this is hard, I do think it must help in some way to remember him fondly, as well as mourning the loss.

All anyone can do is remember the great person he was now, and take comfort in all of the good times. I must admit (and please don't think that I'm insensitive), but Laptop did raise a smile.

RIP Kevin, and again my love goes out to you and everyone else who had the joy of knowing and loving him. xxx

 

Well, mum went to St Thomas's today for the measuring for her "Hannibal mask" for her RT on her brain tomorrow. She has a course of 5 doses, one daily from tomorrow. She was rather upset as she was told she will lose her hair during the treatment, so we are working on suitable headgear. I suggested one of the animal snowboard beanies the other half has, she was not sold on this idea.

Meanwhile, my sister gave birth to her latest baby on Sunday morning, so she is unable to really help much again. To prove her approach to things once and for all, she complained that the doctors don't know what they are talking about as they kept her in over night after the baby vomited what appeared to be old blood. Errm better safe than sorry?
Then she decided to walk home from the hospital this evening (Monday) with a 1 day old baby, a 10 month old baby, neither with winter clothing on, in 0 degrees. The walk is about 40 mins!

Meanwhile mum is doing well, trying to keep her chin up, being positive about the RT, realising its minimising the effects of the cancer, and trying to reduce the symptoms of it. Being very brave.
Following the home assessment we now have almost a complete hospital set up at home within days of it being ordered. Motorised bed, motorised raising and reclining chair, bed table, toilet adaptations and other bits. I'm amazed at the speed of all this.

Next couple of days will be quite testing. New kitchen fitted now, hallway made suitable for mum to get about new bathroom fitted and new driveway being laid too. It's all go round ere at the moment.

Fingers crossed mum will be ok with the RT. Thoughts are with everyone else dealing with cancer at this time. Must go and see my aunt in the next week too.

 

Could you not have asked he doctors to remove your sister's reproductive system?

 

Guys, girls, haven't contributed for ages, and am doing so now from iPhone so excuse any typos.

We finally finished Chemo On 15th November. The first three cycles, on FEC, relatively straight forward other than hair loss. Lowest point of my life I think, having to shave her long blonde hair, but necessary. Claire dealt with it better than I did.

Second three cycles was docetaxel. She felt a bit rough with this, had quite a bit of pain, but once they prescribed tramodol it was under control.

Anyway, we started radio last week, every day pretty much til the 8th of Jan at clatterbridge, about 70 miles round trip. She's driving herself! I'm stuck at home with youngest, full of chickenpox!

Anyway, from our side of the fence it's been relative plain sailing. I'm not saying I'd recommend it, but we've been lucky.

Love to you all, our thoughts are with everyone battling this horrible condition.

 

Even her eldest has said enough now lol

 

Glad to hear it's all going "well" mate, well done to her for coping so well. The hair shaving is always going to be traumatic. Not sure what we are going to do about mums but if we go the shaving route, I have a plan.

Have they said anything about how well the treatment is going yet? Or too soon to say. Sorry if that's a bit personal.

All the best with the remainder of the treatment, and here's to a good strong recovery.
Stick in there guys.