Forward Planning........

Got my timetable for radiotherapy today and for the first time in nearly 6 months we can start to plan ahead. Appointment for measuring up on Wednesday 6th June with the first 'ZAP' on Friday 8th June. I will be hit form two angles in the left armpit area only and this will result in limited side effects. There will be 15 appointments covering a three week period. My last 'ZAP' is on the 28th June, two days before I go to Amsterdam to see Genesis in concert, fantastic timing as this was planned as a goal after all treatments had been completed.

Doc gave me another physical examination today and could not feel any problems in neck or under arm area. Really thinking positively that my Hodgkin's experience may be coming to an end, but know that there is a risk of reoccurance in the next five years. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

KYPU

C

CONFUSED.COM

This story has more twists than an Alpine road!

I went to hospital today expecting a 7th hit of Chemo and came out with what I think is good news! Confused yet?

Hospital visit started normally for a chemo day, bloods, waiting for the oncologist etc. After the phone call last week we were expecting to be told that there was a trace of Hodgkin's still to be found and that I would require another 1 cycle of chemo and radiotherapy after. During the discussions with my oncologist it became clear that I would not be needing any more chemo as the affected area (under left arm pit) was clear following the PET and CT scans (YIPPEEEE). There was a trace on the PET scan in my right neck area which was a cause for concern, but the feeling was that this was caused by an innocent infection and is NOT related to the Hodgkin's Lymphoma and that no further treatment was needed. Both Vicky and I looked at each other not knowing how to react? Was I clear or not? I asked if they could complete another PET scan in a few weeks to see if it was still there but this was rejected as the recommended course of treatment was radiation treatment and CT scans at 6, 12 and 24 months. The oncologist could not give me a definitive answer which I found difficult to accept to start with, but after time, I recognise that he was giving me an honest opinion with the results of tests that he has.

So its bye bye chemo suite.... hello radiation suite! Appointment on Thursday with Radio Man to find out schedule and be measured up.

Confused? I don't know weather to be happy at the lack of HL in my arm pit or confused with the seed of doubt that has been sown? I will try to be both and make good of the next few weeks and digest the ever changing information!

Cheers and KYPU!

A great week..

Well what a great week we have had after the news on Tuesday! Took about a day to accept that I had to have more treatment and immediately made plans to enjoy the next few days. Arranged to take the kids out of school Thursday and Friday and off to Wales for a few days. It was great to spend some time with them knowing that during their two weeks school holidays I would be under the influence of Chemo 7. We just chilled out and let them loose with their friends and it was good for all of us.

Yesterday, 27th May, was Vicky and my 12th wedding anniversary and we had arranged to see Josh Groban in concert in Manchester so my Mum and Dad volunteered to take over the child care for a few days and we came back. As it was a special day we booked in to the fantastic 4* Palace Hotel in Manchester and made a night of it. The concert was great, better than we thought it was going to be, and it was nice to relax after in comfortable surroundings.

So, the last week has been good for all of us and we have made the most of my first chemo free week. Shame all that will change tomorrow when its back into the treatment! Can't say I am looking forward to the next eight weeks, but if it finally hits the buggers where it hurts, then its worth it.

Pictures show presents from Kelly Kane in the US, Cancer is my pain and will only be my bitch once its is gone for good. The bandanna will be useful as my locks continue to fall out and I am beginning to look more like Kojak every day, and with two more chemo's to go, who knows what the end result will be!

Right, I'm off to read up on Boston as I fancy the DUCK tour trip myself......(with Vic).

KYPU

OH SHIT.......

Well, what a 24hours I have had. This time yesterday I started to feel unwell with a Gastric pain in the middle of my chest, so off to bed I went. It got worse during the afternoon to Vicky phoned the Chemo hot line and they recommended that I went to A&E to have tests to ensure there was no infections. So off go the kids to their cousins and we trundle off to the hospital.

Blood tests showed that my white cell count was 2.2 and the neotrophils 1.1, both below the recommended levels. No sign of infection in chest or water so I had to wait to see a doctor before clearance to come home. Some three hours later (2330) he arrives and discharges me...not happy.

So its home and a good nights kip.

Then to this morning. Having a nice lie in when Vicky answers the phone: 'Hello its Christies Hospital, can we speak to Chris....'. To cut a long conversation short its the results from the PET scan and they are not what we wanted to hear. I showed a level 3 which means that I still have a trace of infection in my body, so its back to the Chemotherapy on Tuesday for another cycle (2 sittings) of ABVD followed by three weeks of radiotherapy. The rest of the conversation was lost as I found my chin on the floor and tried to put in back in place. I, we, were all sure that I had done enough and that the treatment so far would have done the trick, but not so...OH SHIT!

Really disappointed with this set back, but we have to remain positive and know that this will beat the buggers to a pulp and then we can start to rebuild our lives.

Dreading telling the Kids but that is something that we have to do. Planning to take them to Wales for a few days pre-chemo which will be nice.

So much for normality.....

Cheers and KYPU!

Well done Angela....

Many congratulations go to my big sister Angela and her two running partners, Lesley and Carol, who completed the BUPA Manchester 10K run today in a great time of 1hr 8 minutes. As a result she has collected a massive £730 in sponsorship money which will go to Cancer Research. Thanks to my dedicated readers who assisted in this great achievement. I went to see her finish the race and the photo was taken shortly afterwards, thanks Ang and well done. Bad point of the day is that I was overheard saying that I would compete next year!

Had a great weekend, feel good and looking forward to a week of normality, knowing that I am not going to be kicked in the guts in a few days time. I do get tired quicker than normal and need to rebuild my strength over the next few weeks. I am trying not to think about next Tuesday but of course it does cross my mind every now and then. I am determined to remain positive.

Once again, well done and thanks to Angela.

KYPU..

Thrillertastic

He may be a bit potty these days, but I have to admit his music through the years is great! We had a fantastic time last night at the Thriller Live show in Manchester, the music, dancing and atmosphere made the night memorable for us all. Anna and Dan joined in the dancing and Vicky commented that she had not seen me smile so much for a long time, which really hit the mark.

A bit tired this morning so plan to spend the day doing next to nothing.

Speak soon.

CT Scan...no problems

Had my CT scan today and thankfully did not have the same post scan difficulties as two days ago. All OK and feeling good. Actually stopped off on the way home for an Italian with Vicky and enjoyed the time together.

Talked to the children a bit last night and they asked a few questions which we were able to answer. They know that I have finished treatment know and am waiting for results so there should be no more Mr Grumpy (ya right!).

Looking forward to tomorrow night as we take Anna and Dan to see the Thriller show in Manchester. Will be good to spend the time with them doing something different. The other one is too young and will get in the way so he's off to his cousins for a stop over and really looking forward to it.

Thanks it for tonight

Thanks

Oh dear...

Well, I think I have just endured the worst day since my treatment began! I think a mix of chemo 6 side effects, tiredness, anxiety and stress resulted in a very poor reaction following my PET scan.
The actual scan was OK, a quick injection of a drinking water from Seffafield then a small sleep followed by the chance to lie in a huge polo (scanner) for 30 minutes, with your arms tied over your head! No results available immediately so its the CT scan on Wednesday and then the wait. Advised that as I was Radioactive I could not contact small children or pregnant women and to minimise contact with adults for the next eight hours. I was given a cup of tea as I had had no food or drink other than water since midnight.
After being given the all clear to leave the hospital I walked outside and immediately felt nauseous, and within a minute I was engaged in a long conversation with Hughie and Ralph down the great white porcelain telephone (flower bed actually). The nursing staff came to see if I was OK and advised that it could not be a side effect of the injection and I was given the all clear to go home with a paper bowl and window open!
Went straight to bed and felt 99% cr4p! My body felt totally battered with fuel tanks empty. Every joint ached and my head was banging. I sipped on water to keep fluid levels up but could not take food, it was absolutely horrible and I thought that I could never recover fully from this. I was also mentally exhausted and confused. I think that I must get very anxious before a hospital visit and everything just gave way at the same time, resulting in this reaction. Had a chat with Vicky and we decided that it may be best if I spent the night at my parents to give me a chance to recover and relax. On reflection this was a great idea and thanks to Vicky for taking the strain again.
So that was my day! Feel better today and trying to relax as much as possible and regain some strength as I really don't want a repeat of the above. We plan to sit and talk to the kids tonight to give them an update as I think they are more aware of things than we presumed. The poor things just don't understand and it must be really tough for them.

On another note, BBC news are running a Cancer awareness week and we watched the story on Charlotte Esler who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 14. The story is quite moving, especially when they talk about the effect on other people in your life. My Mum asked me if I felt the same, and I do. Seeing someone else talk about the disease that you have is quite an eye opener. There is some other information on Hodgkin's Lymphoma on the BBC website.

Finally thanks to Kelly Kane from the US. My parcel with chemopalooza.com hats and 'Cancer is my Bitch' T-shirt arrived today. A chance for me to put my modelling skills into action and a picture will be posted soon.

Right, I'm off to go and find some energy, thanks for listening again!

PET scan tomorrow!

Have my PET scan in the morning, something that I am not sure if I am looking forward to. It involves being injected with a radioactive liquid that goes into you blood stream and they scan the gamma rays being released. For a few hours, I will be Radioactive Man!

These scans are relatively new to cancer research and with each unit costing over £4.2 Million to establish, I am so lucky to have one within a 30 minute drive.

The weekend has been OK with today the worst day of the week so far, horrible body aching and a bit of a sore throat. I keep telling myself that it is down hill from here and I won't feel the same again.

Finally, I apologise if my last post was too forward. It was not aimed at anyone and I would like Angela to raise as much money as possible for her efforts.

Thanks and speak soon.

Help please...

I would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has sponsored my sister who is running the Manchester 10k on the 20th May (Next Sunday) with all donations going to Cancer Research UK, a great cause.
I would like to ask anyone else who can help to please make a donation simply by clinking on this link. It takes 1 minute to complete and any contribution is hugely valuable. On the 21st January 2007 I would have probably ignored this request, but on the 22nd, I would have remortgaged my house, it can effect you directly or indirectly that quickly. Please do what you can. I know that a lot of people are completing the run for life race and you may have already donated, if so, thanks, if not.....
I really want to mention Vicky's family who have all donated, including Auntie Linda and Uncle Alan from Spain. Thanks, really appreciate it.

Grovelling over, feet back on ground!

Ding Ding - Round 6....

OK Chemo 'Tyson' Therapy, I have now survived 5 rounds and I am still standing. You have given it your best shot to down me but I keep bouncing back and round 6 has just started! You always start the round strong, putting me on my back for the count, but I will continue to get up and at the end I will be in for a shot at lifting the best prize of all, cancer free living.

Chemo six complete and I walked out of the room hoping that I will never have to return. Got home and went straight to bed and spent the rest of the day feeling very yuk, bad sickness and very tired. Had a good kip and today seems a bit better. Have a date for my scan results, Tuesday 29th May, a bit of a wait, but as I am on a clinical trial, my scan results need to go to London to be discussed before release. A bit of a bummer, but worth the wait!

Wig arrived yesterday. Looked like a dodgy Albanian market stall trader from Clayton so refused to accept. Wig lady not to happy but there are plenty of others who it will suit and be an improvement from their current efforts. Luckily my hair loss is minimal so no real problems.

Thanks and speak soon.

Last Chemo in the morn

The day has almost arrived, my last planned Chemo is bright and early in the morning. This is another big milestone and something that has seemed so far off in the past and I am looking forward to walking out of the Chemo suite for the last time. The whole cancer thing is about setting goals, the initial shock and staging, starting treatment, finishing treatment, scans, results, further treatment and the years in remission and so on.
Both Vicky and I have found the past few weeks hard, knowing that this part of the treatment is nearly over and I think that we will find the next two weeks difficult with scans and the dreaded results. Vicky knows how I have reacted and felt during the whole episode and I need her support more than ever. I continue to feel for the kids as they are missing out on some nice days out (we were supposed to be camping this weekend but I just did not have the strength) and with tensions running high they have felt bad vibes and after a quick trip by the United Nations peace has been restored!
No picture to reflect this post so its up to you!

38 Today

Yes its my 38th Birthday today and so far it has been great. As I share my big day with youngest son Matti, we opened some presents in bed and had a lovely breakfast. Loads of excitement, and Matti was happy too!

Peace restored as Children at school and looking forward to a nice pub lunch with Vicky and my Mum, maybe outside as the sun has got its hat on again. Dad had bugs so has been but in confinement for a few days and I am not missing my last planned chemo on Tuesday! Gives an excuse for another pub lunch later!

Feel 90% OK today after a good kip, with the help of a sleeping tablet. Hope last of stomach and body aches go soon.

Thanks for you comments and best wishes.

Day of no news!

Morning all.

Feel I must place an update, even though there is not a lot to report so far this week. Think the photo looks like me, very tried and thinning hair!

Still have the side effects of Chemo 5 with bad stomach ache and a bit of aching bones although not as bad as in the past.

Must feel better by tomorrow as another year passes me by - 38th birthday. Share my birthday with my youngest son, Matthew, who is 5 and massively excited.

Enjoying the great UK weather although I am not allowed to sit in the sun due to possible reaction to the Doxorubicin (also called Adriamycin - A in ABVD). Never mind the weather will be good again in the future.

NB. For those who think my picture taste is poor, please think out of the box. PET = small dog!

Thanks