Thank You

The end is near...not of me, but my journey to beat cancer.

The words to this song mean a lot, most of all I did it my way......


I have decided to close my Blog as I don't have too much to say on a regular basis. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to my regular readers for the support and comments that you have given me during my journey. Vicky and I have met (not face to face yet) some great people, notably Daz of Aberdeen, Kelly in Boston and Wullie and Veronica in Edinburgh, all of whom have been effected by this illness at the same time and all of whom seem to be getting through it (come on Kelly). We know that friends and family also read and have been happy with their comments and support, so again thanks.

It has been an education and I am quite proud of my blog and its contents and if it helps someone in the future who finds themselves in a similar situation, then great.

I will post news of my hospital visits over the years just to finish it off but that's all.
Oh the cruise was great and what a boat.


Thanks and goodbye.

The End.

We are sailing....

Survived my first week at work, well three days, as I am staging my return. It was really nice to see old faces again (as in not seen for a while - not old old!) and I received a warm welcome even though everyone is really busy as it is peak holiday season. I felt really tired at the end of the day so it shows that my body is not ready for a full on slaught - yet.

Vicky and I are off to spend a few days together this weekend, kid free. We are booked on a mini cruise from Southampton to Cork in Ireland on the Navigator of the Seas cruise liner for four days. Really looking forward to putting our feet up and spending some quality time together with a few luxuries thrown in! This thing is huge and even has an ice skating ring, climbing wall and 1000 seater theater. We leave for the long drive south late tonight and return on Tuesday.

This evening sees the return of the Rugby season so Dan and I are off to see Sale play the Samoa National team in a world cup warm up game which we are looking forward to.

All in all, thing are looking up with many positives and not many negatives, a complete swing from May 2007, just 3 months ago! I do feel that I am looking back on the whole experience and I can't believe that it all started over 7 months ago, time does seem to have flown.

Right off to find my sea legs, I think they are in the shed!

KYPU

Hi HOOOOOOOOOO........

Hi ho, Hi Ho, its off to work I go......

After seven months off its back to work on Tuesday. I am looking forward to it but I have to admit I am a bit apprehensive at the thought. My company have been great to me during the whole absence period and I can only thank them for that, it took a great deal of pressure off me when I most needed it. I am starting back on a part time basis, aiming to work 6 hours a day 3 day a week initially, slowly increasing it to normal hours over the next few months. The one thing I don't want to do is go back too quickly and burn myself out, resulting in further absence and disruption for all, it will be hard enough motivating myself and getting the old brain working again!

Last week has been good with a game of five a side football, playing Golf with my Big Bro, Ady and some other mates and spending time catching up on the huge list of jobs that has accumulated. It really is great to feel stronger week on week and not to have the big grey cloud hanging over your head is a huge bonus.

Speak soon and KYPU

C

Hodgkin's has left the building......

Went to see Prof R this morning and he gave me the once over, with the help of bloods and a chest x-ray. Conclusion is that I'M FREE of the 'H', in remission, free of cancer and ready to re start my life after a 6 month break. So from me its 'Goodbye, hope never to see you again' or as my little mate here says, Fuck Off!

Really chuffed that this whole chapter of my life is over and that we can look forward to the future as a family unit. Its been a long haul with plenty of deep troughs that have tested me to the limit but with the support of Vicky and many close family and friends, we have beaten it.

It was really interesting to read my blog from start to finish a few weeks ago as it reminded me of what we had been through. The worst time was the possibility of additional Chemo after a negative PET scan as I thought it had beaten me, but no way, just a day to day throat infection caused the grief and a temporary blip.

If you are reading this as a new comer to the Hodge I must ask you to remain as positive as possible, set a few targets and tick them off as time goes by. There is loads of support for you in the right place, but there is some information on the web that could do you more harm, just be careful!

So what is my next steps? Unfortunately my extended absence from work is over as I go back next Monday after 1 day short of 7 months. In some ways I am really looking forward to getting my teeth in to work again, having more to concentrate my mind on and familiar faces, but I know it will be tough and I must pace myself. On the medical side I have my next CT scan end of October followed my another appointment with Prof R and there after every 6 months. I really hope that these go well and I am one of the 80% that have no further issues.

Finally I really need to say a big thank you to Vicky. Its been tough, we both know that, but we have got through it together. You have been a rock to me and the kids and without you this ride would have been so different for us all. I know that our families feel the same, so from us all, THANKS and we love you to bits.

Today is the start of the rest of our lives.

KYPU to all

C x

Just checking in

Just arrived home for 24 hours to complete the first day of my Rugby Referees course. Having a ball in Wales, but mixed weather. We have had some hot days but I have to keep my shoulders covered so I don't burn the skin where I had the Radiation treatment.
Read up on Kelly's, Wullie and Daz's log and great to see that everyone is starting to feel better.
Family all well, its really good to have some quality time with them and to be able to swim again is great.
Next appointment with Oncologist is 13th Aug, week Monday so trying to be positive.
Cheers
C