As Frank Spencer often used to say "A friend in need is a friend indeed".

I can't even imagine what you are going through at the moment but really hope you get to fight this thing. Hang on in there, Dougie.

Thanks Ian. It does not always take a lot to raise the spirits, and with you keeping in touch, this simple fact has helped me a lot. One of these days the world will hopefully become more normal, and I shall come to Folkestone and buy you a beer.

Cheers.

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You're one of ours Dougie.
Loads of good vibes heading your way.
Keep us up to date, ye hear.

You're one of ours Dougie.
Loads of good vibes heading your way.
Keep us up to date, ye hear.

Thanks for the vibes Tony, much appreciated. Will update when I can,

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Thanks for the vibes Tony, much appreciated. Will update when I can,

Don't forget your normal interesting posts.Always a good read.

Thanks Bertie for your thoughts and wishes, it really is most humbling to read this thread, and don't worry, I am not going anywhere just yet. I will just blame Caz when I start crying

For your degree sign, it's 0176 on the small keypad whilst holding down the ALT button (if it's not ALT, it's CTRL, can't quite remember just now). I have yet to find out how to do it on this laptop and Windows 10, but will get there eventually.

Thanks Bertie, and everyone else who have contributed, especially Caz who started this all off.

Glad the thread's working out for you Dougie!  I don't mind admitting I cried when I read your first post!    Just what you want to hear when I'm supposed to be cheering you up! 

Anyway, that's another day closer to Friday and I sense you're a little chirpier than you were a couple of days ago!  God, hospitals are such boring places aren't they?  I'd swap places with you for a couple of days though, just to give you a break.  But I can't so you'll have to settle for a virtual hug and a whole lot of positive vibes!  

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Best wishes Dougie sounds like a tough few months to say the least. Keep fighting!

Cheers 

Anthony 

 

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Blimey I knew something was up but crickey sounds like it's a real tough time right now. I know all about cancelled operations we had that a while back with the old man but got there in the end. Hope you are able to get some quality of life back soon and if not Caz is right just sound off in here, there's plenty around to help you through. Take care and thinking of you xx

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Thanks Ian. It does not always take a lot to raise the spirits, and with you keeping in touch, this simple fact has helped me a lot. One of these days the world will hopefully become more normal, and I shall come to Folkestone and buy you a beer.

Cheers.

I'm a teetotaller (as in a boring old fart).  But you should see the new Folkestone Harbour Arm which is nearing completion, it's really a world away from the rotten decaying thing it once was. It's even going to have three static Pullman coaches installed in there and be as a café and sleeping quarters.

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Best wishes Dougie sounds like a tough few months to say the least. Keep fighting!

Cheers 

Anthony 

 

Thanks Anthony, yes it has been a bit tough, but I still have a smile on my face on occasions. Everyone on here has been great.

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Blimey I knew something was up but crickey sounds like it's a real tough time right now. I know all about cancelled operations we had that a while back with the old man but got there in the end. Hope you are able to get some quality of life back soon and if not Caz is right just sound off in here, there's plenty around to help you through. Take care and thinking of you xx

Thanks Dotty, it is annoying when procedures are cancelled, particularly when I was prepared and wanting to get it over with. Now, as the new date approaches, I am starting to get nervous, so please Mr Doctor, don't cancel it again.

Thanks again.

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Glad the thread's working out for you Dougie!  I don't mind admitting I cried when I read your first post!    Just what you want to hear when I'm supposed to be cheering you up! 

Anyway, that's another day closer to Friday and I sense you're a little chirpier than you were a couple of days ago!  God, hospitals are such boring places aren't they?  I'd swap places with you for a couple of days though, just to give you a break.  But I can't so you'll have to settle for a virtual hug and a whole lot of positive vibes!  

 

Carol, I would like to thank you for all you have done to help make my life easier, you are such a kind hearted soul.

I have not had such a good day today, been sick a few times, so hopefully the procedure with go some way towards easing this problem. The doctor came to see me today, and seemed pretty confident everything would go ahead on Friday.

I had some bad news tonight, my sister, who suffers from type 1 diabetes has been taken into hospital. She has already had a partial amputation of her left leg, and now it seems they have to do the same with her right leg. The strange part of all this is that although she lives in Crowborough, just South of Tunbridge Wells, she is in St Thomas' Hospital, less than two miles from me at Guy's. It never rains 'til it pours eh. I will ask tomorrow if they will allow me to jump in a cab, and go and see her.

The immediate future for me after Friday will be one of discomfort, and a certain amount of pain as the stent embeds itself into my Oesophagus, this takes 2 or 3 days to fully open, and will probably take a bit of getting used to. Thereafter, I will be embarking on a new round of chemotherapy, maybe as soon as the end of next week. Although I kept my hair with the first chemo treatment sessions, I am told that this next course of treatment will see me go bald - just another little thing to look forward to I won't be updating my photo in the rogue's gallery

Who knows what the future holds after that, hopefully I will able to live a more normal life than that which I have endured over the last six months or so, but of course, there are no guarantee's, time will tell. What I will say however is, if anyone reading this has any doubt about their health, please, please, get it checked out. I left it a bit too long, and am now suffering the consequences. Unless a new form of treatment comes through, I will never be cured, but the condition might be held in check for an undetermined amount of months, possibly even years.

All of you who have sent  vibes and wishes, I thank you, you are great, and I have been humbled by the reaction - again huge thanks.

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Blimey I knew something was up but crickey sounds like it's a real tough time right now. I know all about cancelled operations we had that a while back with the old man but got there in the end. Hope you are able to get some quality of life back soon and if not Caz is right just sound off in here, there's plenty around to help you through. Take care and thinking of you xx

 Hey Dotty!  Long time no see.  Nice to have you back! 

Keep posting for Dougie!  We need to rally round and keep him positive.

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Morning Dougie!  

Jeez!  Talk about bad news.  I'm so sorry to hear about your sister.  Seeing family suffer is a terrible thing.  Sometimes life throws so much at us, we wonder how we cope. But, we do!  We just do!

I lost my eldest son last year and the day after his funeral, I took mum for a hospital appointment and they told us she had terminal cancer.  I couldn't have been more numb but there was nothing I could do to change anything.  I kept forcing myself to think there were others in the world worse off than me and they somehow manage to get through, so if they can I can.  

Taking a positive and pragmatic approach got me through it.  Of course initially I went through the standard shock thing of asking myself questions like, did I miss something with Micky or mum and could I have prevented his death, her terminal state?  But there was nothing to be achieved by this and I could either continue going round in circles, asking questions that had no answers or take a positive attitude and move on, like others others all over the world do. Because when I asked, 'why me?' The answer was always, 'why not me?'  

Today is my son's birthday and I'm thinking of the happy times we had together and celebrating his life.  I might get a little sad but it won't get me down.  What's done can't be undone and what's to come will come.  So worrying is pointless because it won't make things better but it could make things worse.

Be strong Dougie!   Xxx

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Morning Carol,

I knew you'd had a bad year, but your post puts it all in perspective. It's me who should be supporting you, not the other way round. I hope you get through the day without too much sadness. As you say, there is always someone worse off than you, and I don't feel qualified to show enough respect for what you have had to deal with. I'll hold your chin up, if you hold up mine. If others have had similar experiences, and want to talk about it, please do so here, this thread is not all about me.

I am winding down on some of the medication and getting ready for tomorrow. The blood thinner Fragmin which I have to inject twice a day, is put aside for now. Although it becomes second nature to administer these injections, it's nice to have a bit of a break I must say.

I did make enquiries about seeing my sister, but they won't allow me to go today in case I fall over, which the way I feel right now is a distinct possibility, having been in bed for eight days. I guess they are right, but I would have liked to at least make the attempt, others being worse off, and all that.

I hope we all get through the day without too much stress.

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As a cancer sufferer myself (blood cancer)I wish you all the best Dougie and hope everything turns out well.

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Morning Carol,

I knew you'd had a bad year, but your post puts it all in perspective. It's me who should be supporting you, not the other way round. I hope you get through the day without too much sadness. As you say, there is always someone worse off than you, and I don't feel qualified to show enough respect for what you have had to deal with. I'll hold your chin up, if you hold up mine. If others have had similar experiences, and want to talk about it, please do so here, this thread is not all about me.

I am winding down on some of the medication and getting ready for tomorrow. The blood thinner Fragmin which I have to inject twice a day, is put aside for now. Although it becomes second nature to administer these injections, it's nice to have a bit of a break I must say.

I did make enquiries about seeing my sister, but they won't allow me to go today in case I fall over, which the way I feel right now is a distinct possibility, having been in bed for eight days. I guess they are right, but I would have liked to at least make the attempt, others being worse off, and all that.

I hope we all get through the day without too much stress.

Dougie, some things in life we can't control but others we can and it's up to us to take that control and make the very best of what we have.  When Micky died and I found out my mum had only a short time left, I realised my time would be better spent supporting my mum and by making the most of that time with her, rather than spending time grieving.  You can't help the dead but you can help the living!  Brutal but true!

So yes please, hold my chin up.  It's always a comfort to know someone's there for you and talking about it is the best therapy. But, you're still here.  You need support and it helps me to know that you're able to talk and if I can support you and hold your chin up, then my time is better spent than being sad for people I've lost. 

I'm sure your sister knows you're thinking about her and understands you're not able to visit. Imagine how she'd feel if you did try to make the journey and you did fall!  Yes others might be worse off but you won't help them by not looking after yourself. (I'd have been no use to my mum if I hadn't been pragmatic).  So, accept that some things you can't change. Get yourself right and then support your sister.    

Am I bossy or what?  

I'm sure we will all get through the day.  As for stress?  Pah!  

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As a cancer sufferer myself (blood cancer)I wish you all the best Dougie and hope everything turns out well.

Gosh Eric, I did not know, sorry to hear that. You know, this thread is just as much for you to share your experiences, as it is for me. It was Caz who started it all off, but all are welcome.

I hope that the treatment you are receiving is making a difference, and continues to do so. Please keep us posted.

Thanks for the wishes.

 

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Gosh Eric, I did not know, sorry to hear that. You know, this thread is just as much for you to share your experiences, as it is for me. It was Caz who started it all off, but all are welcome.

I hope that the treatment you are receiving is making a difference, and continues to do so. Please keep us posted.

Thanks for the wishes.

 

Hi Dougie,  The medication i am on means there are no symptoms to speak of, but I have anaemia with a very low red blood cell count. I have had several blood transfusions, but for the last few months my red cell count is hovering just above the transfusion level so I don`t need any at the moment. Trouble is though, there is no cure except having a stem cell transplant, but as I am 75 they wouldn`t contemplate doing that.

Anyway, enough of my troubles, get well soon Dougie.

 

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Hi Dougie,  The medication i am on means there are no symptoms to speak of, but I have anaemia with a very low red blood cell count. I have had several blood transfusions, but for the last few months my red cell count is hovering just above the transfusion level so I don`t need any at the moment. Trouble is though, there is no cure except having a stem cell transplant, but as I am 75 they wouldn`t contemplate doing that.

Anyway, enough of my troubles, get well soon Dougie.

 

Eric, your problems are every bit as relevant as mine when it comes to this thread. I was not sure how blood cancer affected you, but if it can be held in check by transfusions, that's good news. Do you get any complications allied to the treatment? In my experience a few totally unexpected things  happen, all of which are bad.

I am just wondering how many more of our number are suffering from cancer, or something equally nasty, who have not come forward yet. I know it's not always easy to talk about, and I found that with casual acquaintances it was best to just say when asked, " I'm ok thanks" Here it's a bit different and somewhat easier, especially when pushed into it, as I was. Not mentioning any names, of course.

Thanks for the get well wishes Eric, and I wish the same for you.

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Eric, your problems are every bit as relevant as mine when it comes to this thread. I was not sure how blood cancer affected you, but if it can be held in check by transfusions, that's good news. Do you get any complications allied to the treatment? In my experience a few totally unexpected things  happen, all of which are bad.

I am just wondering how many more of our number are suffering from cancer, or something equally nasty, who have not come forward yet. I know it's not always easy to talk about, and I found that with casual acquaintances it was best to just say when asked, " I'm ok thanks" Here it's a bit different and somewhat easier, especially when pushed into it, as I was. Not mentioning any names, of course.

Thanks for the get well wishes Eric, and I wish the same for you.

I started with it early in 2013, I had been feeling odd for a month or so, with sweating during the night and severe itching whenever I went in the warm bathroom for a wash or shower. So I went to the doctors, who sent me to see a specialist. He did a bone marrow biopsy,by sticking a big needle into my back and drawing off some fluid, After injecting anaesthetic first.

A couple of weeks later I was told I had Primary Myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer. As far as treatment goes, it`s just a case of taking tablets to stop any symptoms, and  occasional blood transfusions. I go to the Christie Hospital every 4 to 6 weeks where they take a blood sample to check levels of red cells, white cells, and platelets, then prescribe whatever medication I need.

It`s a long term disease, I`ve had it for four and a half years now and I`ve heard of someone who had had it for ten years and was still alive.

 

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