Saturday, 29 March 2014
Please have a look at
http://www.justgiving.com/ade-Thomas
We have noticed today that this blog has had thousands of views. Imagine if everyone gave £1.
Seriously, if you can please donate £1....
Chris will be back on to update his blog at some point in the next day or two. We have not looked at it for years, but I can tell you that Chris is doing well and we wish all people seeking advise and support the best of luck and please take inspiration from Chris's blog. Thank you Vicky Thomas
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Full Stop
I think these results are more important to me than been told you are in remission as that is just the start of rebuilding your life. One year on you have rebuilt your strength, and it takes that long, rethought your future and how you may have changed your outlook and got you friggin mind over the question 'why me' and all that!
I remember someone asking me just after diagnosis how it has changed my life, they must have been naive as it is only now that I can naturally answer. I will not be and have not been 'plastic' and say what I think others want to hear, or the right thing, I am and will be more natural and honest in my thinking and that is probably been the biggest change to my life along with wanting to spend more time with honest family and friends and not been materialistic, that pisses me off more than ever.
Life really is to short, yes we all like the odd luxury and why not we work hard enough, but to think that we are all owed something is crap.
Right that's my current thoughts out of the way so its onward and upward. I feel great, look forward to some fantastic times and want to work hard in every area and most of all enjoy life.
So unless anything happens that is it, full stop and good night.
And for one final time KEEP YOUR PECKER UP.
Thanks
C
Friday, 9 May 2008
A Grand Day - Thank you
Very humbling to think that I can muster so much support from friends and family and I know that the Lymphoma Research fund at Christies will use the money to try and fund new treatments and even a cure to this horrible disease which can hit anyone at any time, either personally or via close relationships.
Got the all clear again a few weeks ago, have a CT scan in June and my next appointment in August. This time last year I was facing my last Chemo - what a difference a year makes - another song....?
Cheers and KYPU
C
Monday, 31 March 2008
Your help please....
I will be running the Manchester 10K in 7 weeks time and would appreciate your support. I know that you may have a few requests for sponsorship in the run up to the event, but if you could help me then that will be great, if others, then I understand.
This time last year I watched my sister Angela run the Great Manchester 10K raising money for Cancer Research as I was in the middle of Chemotherapy to cure Hodgkin's Lymphoma. At the end of the race I made a comment that I would do it in 2008 and guess what..............she did not forget!.
So here I am, raising money for Professor Radcliff's Lymphoma Research fund based at Christies Hospital in Manchester. This charity is very close to my heart as the research to find new treatments, and even a cure for Hodgkin's Lymphoma is vital to all future patients.
I was very lucky to have a hospital like Christies on my door step during my treatment and the staff are second to none so please help me in reaching my modest goal of £500.00.
I will be running with my brother and sister, Adrian and Angela, so there will be a small competitive edge to the day, and I can guess who will win!!! My goal, to finish!
Thanks for your support and KYPU.
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
What is in a blog...
Some comments are:
Dear Chris
I am a Senior lecturer in Radiotherapy and Oncology and came across the blog when looking for some bits on side-effects of radiotherapy. Great to see such a positive and real view, the ups and downs of being a person with cancer. Thank you for your honesty and I will definitely put this the way of my students so that they see what benefits there are for the patients they are treating with radiotherapy. Good luck for the future. Paul Brown
Paul - Are you in the North West? If so I could always come and talk to the students if it would help. Thanks for reading and good luck to you. Feel free to contact me.
Blogs like yours help me find inspiration for the journey and fundraising I am doing to fight this horrible disease. Chriswww.140miles.com
Chris - Good luck to you with your fund raising. Sufferers owe so much to the people like you who do so much to support all kinds of cancer. Keep being inspired.
I have just read your blog and thinks it fantastic that you kept your sense of humour throughout your treatment. Recently diagnosed with HL and chemo starts Friday - very nervous but reading the blog it provided me with more "honest" info than any booklet. I am determined to remain positive, and looking forward to getting better
Nells9 - Hope all went well on Friday, you are probably feeling pretty shitty when I write this but it will get better. I hope my honest blog with my not too serious slant helps you, and if it does then I have achieved my goal. Keep in contact.
Nells9, Hope you got on ok yesterday, I think Chris's blog is something that could help anyone going through Hodgkin's.Although I am Chris's sister in law, his blog helped me see things from the "inside", it answered questions that maybe sometimes I felt maybe difficult to ask, I felt and still do feel that his blog is definitely a good thing, not just to other sufferers, but for the family and friends to keep updated on his progress.I saw Chris today, he looks great!, and the first thing I said to my husband when I got in the car was that looking at him, I could not believe how poorly he was this time last year. He looks brill!A blog may not be for everyone, but from a family point of view, when you see someone you love and care about going through Hodgkin's, you worry about saying the wrong thing, asking the wrong questions, but a blog like this, with Chris's honesty, the questions are answered, his feelings were explained.Being able to post on his blog, I didnt have to ask him questions, but I could make it known that I had read what he had posted and I was aware of his thoughts without him actually having to say a word to me. Good luck xxxRachael x
Rach - you made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and I never thought I would have said that? I know the blog has been read by you frequently and your comments helped me during the dark days. Glad it helped a close family member as we all know these types of events can be awkward to discuss.
These comments make me feel proud of my blog, something I have really enjoyed doing. Please keep the comments coming as they help so many people understand life with cancer, not only the sufferers but also family and friends.
And for me, feel good in general, although the last few days have been tough with fatigue and a stomach problem. Back to the hospital 10th April. A year ago today I was recovering from my first Chemo, what a year!
Cheers and KYPU
Chris
Sunday, 3 February 2008
7000 hits....
I have just read that Wullie has closed his blog and can understand why. I closed mine in August thinking that I was over it but I soon realised that the emotional part of Hodgkins remmission is only just beginning. I think differently and I would like to share the ups and downs with any new sufferers so the odd update will continue, but only when there is something to say.
Last Monday was my offical 1 year since diagnosis and referal to Christies Hospital to the Oncologist. It was on my mind a lot this last week and I am very concious that I am not out of the woods yet but I am having a good go at staying on the parimiter for the next 18 months. Doing positive things really does help take your mind off the negatives but it is always there.
Skiing was fab, great snow, sunny weather, fab resort and top company - all the ingreadients for a memorable week. I missed Vicky and the kids more than ever but three nights is not along time.
Also great to see Steve in the play ground looking healthy again. Keep it going.
Nothing else of note to add so I will sign off for now and update when needed.
Cheers and KYPU
Chris
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
What a year
That was then and this is now!
By the way, a very happy but belated New Year to all. Hope 2008 brings great happiness to all.
Had my 3 monthly appointment last week, just bloods and a good fondle and nothing to be found. I don't even think that they are going to scan me in April as I don't have any side effects so Horrayyyy, a better start to the year. Thinking of two friends at this time as they are going through a very rough time currently with a similar illness. S - be strong, see you soon.
Even off skiing to France next week with 19 others from the rugby club - should be quiet and relaxing! I booked it during my treatment last summer and its always been a target - I will go skiing.
Everything else top dollar, Vicky is great, the kids have driven us crackers over Christmas but we had a good one. The new job is good and I am feeling much better, but still have my bad days. It will take time.
One last thing, I have signed up to run the Manchester 10K in May so there will be a link to a sponsorship site soon with all donations going to the Christies Hospital Lymphoma research fund. Appreciate any help you can give me.
That's about it, speak again when something else to say.
NB. Hope this blog can be a help to anyone who is new to Hodgkin's Lymphoma. If it is it would be great to hear from you so leave a response.
Cheers and KYPU
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Full time results are in...
Great news, the lump on my arm was just a lump, fat, Lipoma, non malignant, JUST A LUMP. That's it, I won.
Got a phone call from Prof R today whilst I was at work and he told me the good news. I don't have to see anyone else until 2008.
The relief is out for Vicky and myself and god it feels good.
Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. Live it...
Cheers
C
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Its been a while....
So I went back to work for a week, then went on a cruise, then back to work. I think that's where I left off.
Work has not gone according to plan. I planned to go back part time for a few weeks then increase the hours after approximately 4 weeks. This never happened as I found the return to work mentally and physically hard. I was very tired and if I had a long day (6 - 8 hours) then I would be in bed the next day. I could not give the commitment that I knew the job required so after 6 weeks I began to make enquiries about moving to a new job, not operational but in support. My company head office is 14 miles from my home so it made a lot of sense. Last Monday (5th Nov) I started in the new position in Business Development / Commercial and so far it has been a good move. I am working full time hours in an office environment and the other staff have been very supportive.
In the middle of it all I went to Paris to see England in the Rugby World Cup Final which we unfortunately lost. After watching the semi final with the boys at Marple Rugby Club I sat at my PC, pissed and armed with a credit card - Vicky was a bit nervous, but by the end I had transport (car and train under the channel) and four mates booked, that's it we are off! It was a once in a life time opportunity to see your country in a world cup final, no matter what sport. We had a great weekend and to top it all the lads that I went with did a whip round and brought me a ticket to get in the stadium. I owe them for this and always will - what do you say!
I think that's about it, nothing else to add....
Oh Yes, had my CT scan and the Hodge has defiantly fucked off! I brought my scan forward a few weeks due to not feeling too well in general so I had the scan on the 12th October with the results on the 22nd Oct. Prof R did not even come to see me, he sent one of his team to deliver the good news. My relief did not last too long as a few days before I had found a lump in my left forearm, just below the elbow. I was referred to the clinical surgeons who decided to extract it and have a biopsy. That was a week last Friday and I hope the get the results by the end of this week and I will leave an update. So the champagne is on ice again until this news is confirmed, fingers, toes, hair crossed that I will be free at last.
As usual Vicky has been a rock to me. She is saying that she is glad that I am back to work full time, but I know she does not mean it! I know it has been difficult but 2007 seems to be ending on a better note than it started. New job, no cancer and a very loving family - priceless.
Cheers to all and speak soon and remember KYPU.
C
Thursday, 30 August 2007
Thank You
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.
Friday, 24 August 2007
We are sailing....
Sunday, 19 August 2007
Hi HOOOOOOOOOO........
Monday, 13 August 2007
Hodgkin's has left the building......
Saturday, 4 August 2007
Just checking in
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
Thursday, 26 July 2007
Were all going on a Summer Holiday....
Friday, 20 July 2007
Who is David Beckham!
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Factor 99 please!
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Getting by with a little help from my friends
Friday, 6 July 2007
Motivation...
I know that you are not expected to get up and run straight away and that is why you are advised to take periods of convalescing, 4 - 6 weeks in my case, but the fact that this is effecting me is a backward step and one that I will have to get over before I think about returning to work full time. It is very frustrating but I do believe that time is a great healer and hope that this proves to be the case. A bit of dry sunny weather will help, agh the good old British summer again, remember it is Wimbledon week!
I have also been thinking about my blog. I do not want it to become a diary of my life in general as it is about my battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and the sooner its over the better. I will only update when there is something relevant to share and as soon as I go into remission, then I will close it once and for all.
Thanks for all of you continuing support and comments.
KYPU....
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Turn it on again
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Perfecto!
- Slowly marinate in a variety of spices for three months, topping up frequently.
- Check that all areas have been effected by scanning from various angles.
- Cook at 1,000,000 oC (See instruction manual for gas) for three weeks, turning frequently, watching not to burn outer skin.
Result - Cancer free living?
That's it, today I walked out of Christies Hospital in Manchester knowing that I will not go back in for any further treatment, finished, fenitoed, gone, no more! A great feeling for Vicky and myself after 5 months. Another chapter of this tale completed and a new one begins, hopefully with a very happy ending. Feel good, skin on shoulder burnt and red in color, but other than that all OK.
My next appointment is on August 13th with Prof Radford and the next scan is in October. These will give negative results (i.e. no cancer) and my time in remission begins. In the meantime, I need to slowly build myself up and get fit for the future, including work, after 7 months off! I have to admit that I look forward to getting a normal life back again and interacting with friends and colleagues.
Off to put my feet up and watch Tim Henman for the next 3 hours (oh he's just lost) and loose some weight!
Cheers
Monday, 25 June 2007
Home Run
I can't get the next issue out of my head. I am not a religious man, but Vicky placed the following poem on Wullies Blog and the words are just fantastic and very relevant to myself and lots of other people we know or who we have got to know.
One night I had a dream--I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord and across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints, one belonged to me and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life,there was only one set of footprints. I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life. This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way, but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. "I don't understand why in times when I needed you most, you should leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. "When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
It leaves a lump in my throat I can relate so much of my recent experience to it. Maybe, in my case, the Lord has been replaced by others close to me, but the message is just the same. I can't thank everyone enough for the messages, cards, help and thoughts.
Humbled...
Thanks
Saturday, 23 June 2007
Nearly there....
Monday, 18 June 2007
Radiotherapy side effects starting
Friday, 15 June 2007
AOB
We have no plans for the weekend apart from the usual kids parties and shopping for Anna's school trip to the Isle of Man next week.
I must mention a few people, Kelly Kane in the US who had her final chemo yesterday following 6 months of treatment, Wullie Currie in Scotland who starts his Stem Cell transfer next week and will be in total isolation for 4 - 5 weeks and Daz of Arran (well Aberdeen) who visits his company doctor next week to get the all clear to return to work. All of the above are recovering from Hodgkin's Lymphoma and have been a great support to Vicky and myself during the past few months. I wish them well during the next few weeks and will be thinking of you. Visit their blogs, very different but with the same story, if that makes sense.
Finally, thanks to my taxi drivers this week. I have not chanced driving after radiotherapy and have managed with the help of my Mum, Dad and Alan, Father in law who have all driven and waited patiently for the machines to be fixed. It was funny sitting in the waiting room for my turn as you could see people's surprise when I got up to go for treatment and they remained seated. Most patients are much older than I and it dauned on me that it must be a strain on them seeing me in this position. I can't say sorry, that's the way it is, but I can say thank you again for all the support for Vicky, the children and myself.
Off to get the DNA results from Gezza Kyle!
KYPU
C
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Frank!!!!!!!!
So far not alot to report on the radiotherapy side (picture shows 'Frank') although they have changed my dose from 12 seconds each side to....wait for it.....ten seconds each side! My only complaint is the delay in treatments, the first day 20 minutes, day 2, 1hr 10 mins and today 1hr due to 'Frank' breaking down whilst I was on the table? Try lying still for 30 minutes on a glass table with your head cocked to the right and your arm at right angles! I was told that if I had an itch then the student radiotherapist would do it for me to keep me in position, I took one look at Phillip and decided to struggle! In the end they had to re position me which took an additional 5 minutes. I have had no obvious side effects although tonight I did feel really tired.
Other than the inconvenience of having to take 3 hours out of my day for treatment all else is good. If I continue to feel the same in a weeks time I am planning to start slow physical work to re build my strength, something I am looking forward to starting. Maybe I will get that new bike that Santa forgot to drop off last year?
Nothing else so I'm signing off, will update at the end of the week.
Cheers and KYPU.