So if you read the last blog (thanks whoever did) or read my tweets, you'll have found out that I've been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Here's the shortened version of the <cough> "journey" (apparently that word isn't the best descriptor):
Warning: There will be words & waffle.
Oct 2018:
Went to my usual medical practise, (but couldn't see the usual GP) because of a bit of blood in the poos. Had the finger (med, it's not that bad), sent away for blood tests (nothing unusual found), and told to monitor. The blood where it's not wanted disappeared.
Oct 2020:
Went to my doctor because blood was back. Another finger, more blood tests, and a referral to specialist.
Jan 2021:
Specialist referral received. Yep, unless you go private, things move slow on the public list.
Feb 2021: Here's where the shit get's more real
Went in expecting a sigmoidoscopy; that's a small camera into where the sun don't shine. A bigger finger later, and specialist recommends a colonoscopy.
March 2021:
Colonoscopy through public healthcare. A very interesting watch, totally recommended for those not squeamish about what goes on in their insides. Unfortunately the nurse who usually gives out the results and counselling wasn't available so the doctor who did the camera came up with "You've got cancer" & here's the report, & you'll be got in contact with. Wow, fuck you mate.
Contacted by the more sympathetic nurse, & given a far better lowdown of what's to come.
Just of a week later a CT scan of chest, abdomen, & pelvis to confirm where cancer was and if it had spread. Plus an iron infusion for good luck.
A couple of days later, a MRI scan to check the local area & surrounding bowel. Then back to the specialist for quick look at results. Confirmed size, location, and possible treatment options.
A couple of days later, got the news. Due to catching the cancer early on it's not the aggressive short-term treatment, but the longer 6 week combination of daily chemo tablets & radiation therapies.
Late March, met with the Chemotherapy Oncologist. An excellent doctor who explain the therapies very clearly, wanted to get me started ASAP, but had to wait until his colleague had seen me.
April 2021:
Seen by the Radiation Oncologist. Again covered what I'd already heard, but explained more about that side of the treatment.
Couple of days later in for another localised CT scan, & body tattoo dot to help the lasers align.
Home visit by a community nurse. Another well spoken professional.
20th it all starts. First radiation treatment, but without chemo (prescription in hand). No side effects, but warned that effects of both treatments will be accumulative. Took the first dose of chemo drugs that night.
Late April the brain fade & nausea is becoming a thing. More tablets to try to combat that. Nausea is easy, the brain fade not so. Brain fade possibly also due to a lack of liquid before taking chemo tablets; so daily diet/intake adjusted.
May 2021:
The pains & fatigue are intensifying. Paracetamol is all I'm allowed due to interaction of other painkiller with other drugs I'm on.
Last Wednesday was the first day I couldn't cope with work. Fatigue & tiredness hit me within an hour of starting & soon sent "home" (already working from home).
Survived a very satisfying day in the actual office. Great uplifting banter from colleagues that I'd not physically seen for many months.
But that level of intensity totally me for Friday, & stayed at "home" again. Hoped the weekend would see me better.
Nope, despite a trip into town for a nice steak, any form of physical activity just added more fatigue & tiredness. Tried curling up to sleep, but brain not obeying body.
Today, Monday, just like Friday. My brain just hasn't wanted me to be a function human being until I started writing this. It's only down here now because of solid concentration on one task; feel free to point out spelling/grammar errors after you read.
So there it is. The story so far. I'm roughly half-way the treatments & I just really kinda thinking of packing it in workwise until it's all over an done with. People to talk to about that, & decisions to be made.
Apologies for waffling on. Feel free to comment.
Hopefully, to be continued.
