Full time results are in...

Chris Thomas 1 - Cancer 0

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

Its been a while....

Its been a while since I last updated and I know that I said that I had finished, but such a lot has happened in the past few weeks so her I go again.

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

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

Were all going on a Summer Holiday....

A quiet week with not a lot to update.

Went into work on Tuesday to see some familiar faces. It was nice to see them and got me in the mood for work again. I think my colleagues were happy to see me and they all commented on how well I looked, just missing the tan due to the good old English summer!! I must admit that I do feel good in myself, possibly the best since October 06, that's 9 months ago! At the end of the day I was absolutely knackered and this did effect me on Wednesday as well, so I did learn that I am not as fit as I thought I was, need to pace myself.

Getting ready to take the kids to Wales as they break up from school tomorrow. Looking forward to the break and some more rest, just hope that the rain stops and the sun shows his face again. I think I have lost some weight since last year, and todays questions is, Did I have any trunks on???!!!

Its just over two weeks to my next appointment with Prof R and after Kelly's news this week, I am really hoping that I don't get any set backs. Only time will tell, no point in dwelling on possibilities!

Nothing else to report so KYPU and have a great summer.

Who is David Beckham!

Played my first game of 5 a side football (Soccer for the guys from the other side of the pond!) tonight for six months and feel really good. Thought that my lungs could give up after 5 minutes, but managed 1hour with the lads and scored a few goals!

Another step towards normality which is great and feeling good is a great motivator. Celebrated with a few pints of Guinness, to keep the red blood cell count up......honest! This time last year I was playing rugby for my company in the Malaysia Airlines 10's tournament and tomorrow night there is a reunion which I would like to go to. We had a really good laugh last year with some top blokes and it will be great to see them again, what a year since!

Vicky thinks I have the look of DB, do you agree? I like to think of myself as having a party six!

Speak soon and KYPU.

Factor 99 please!

Its nearly three weeks since I finished Radiotherapy and my arm pit is just beginning to settle down that's to the magic of cool aquas cream! The picture shows my burnt pit, with the lighter area raw skin (or lack of it) and this has been very uncomfortable.

I said time was a great healer and this is proving to be right both physically and mentally. Have decided not to have counselling at this stage as I feel a lot better and am being positive about as much as possible.

Great to hear that Willie has been allowed home after this SCT which has been successful. I know that he has been to hell and back but his feet are on the ground again!

Nothing else to report so speak soon.

KYPU!

Getting by with a little help from my friends

It took a comment from Vicky to bring me back to plant earth and bring things in to prospective and for that thanks. We were lying in bed one night, me feeling all sorry for myself and being negative and argumentative about everything when she told me not to be selective in my thoughts. It took a bit of time to sink in but she was right, I was selecting small points to be happy about and negative about everything else. Small comments like that can really have a great effect on you, but am am aware that it may take a small comment to tip me the other way, I must remain positive and Keep my Pecker up.

I have also began to read comments on the Lymphoma Forum which has helped. There is a thread Post Chemo Blues which has made me understand that I am not alone and the experiences really help to change your attitude. I have began to get my self in order, working on setting goals to build my strength to enable me to get back to normal living. This includes work who I paid a visit to this week. I have a date pencilled in for my return, the 20th August, that's 6 weeks away and the week after my next hospital appointment! Having had what will be a total of 7 months off I am looking forward to seeing familiar faces and getting my mind into other things rather than myself and home. I know that Vicky will miss me, she putting on a brave face saying that she is looking forward to some peace and quiet, I know you are joking!!!!!!!

In myself I feel good although the burning from the radiation treatment under my left arm is getting worse and can be quiet sore.

Think that's about it for time being.

Speak soon and KYPU.

C

Motivation...

Well, then end of my first week with no treatment and how do I feel? After a great weekend, possibly assisted by adrenalin, I have spent the past few days not feeling too good. Woken up with headaches, stomach pains, feeling sick and very lethargic. I am not sure if I have picked up a bug (not from Amsterdam before you ask) or if it is something that people suffer from after having long periods of illness. I am also finding it hard to get motivated to do anything other than basic requirements and my head feels full of broken biscuits. I am struggling mentally to get my life back on tracks after such a long time of putting things on the back burner and as a result I have agreed with Vicky that I will take advise if I feel the same next week, maybe some counselling will help?
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....

Turn it on again

Just returned from a weekend of relaxation, rest and window shopping in Amsterdam, oh and did I mention the FANTASTIC Genesis gig at the Amsterdam Arena...

It has to be one of the two best live gigs I have been to, the other being Pink Floyd at Main Road. It is 15 years since the last tour and with no new material the boys (or oldish men) were able to go back to their roots and perform classics like 'In the cage', 'Ripples', 'Carpet Crawlers', 'I know what I Like' and 'Firth of Fifth', not as a montage, but in full version with amazing sound. Along with Phil and Chester beating the hell out of bar stools and drums the whole gig was great and made the weekend a huge success. Thanks to Alan for coming with me and using his previous experience to show me the sights of Amsterdam...and there are some, I tell you! Also got to thank Vicky who put the weekend package together for us, we really appreciate it.

I feel really good in myself, with the Radiation 'Sunburn' causing a little discomfort and my lungs slowly returning to improved capacity. I will start my strength building this week with some short walks and cycle rides (if the rain ever stops). I am determined to continue my good feeling by getting fit and returning to the bronzed stallion that you saw on my last post!

Finally a note to Wullie, KEEP YOUR PECKER UP. It is tough for you at the moment, but it will get easier in the near future and that will result in long term joy for all. Remember, you only need two foot prints at the moment, relax and when you are ready you can stand on your own two feet. Cheers.

Speak soon

Perfecto!

The cooking instructions stated:

1. Slowly marinate in a variety of spices for three months, topping up frequently.


2. Check that all areas have been effected by scanning from various angles.


3. 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

Home Run

This is it, the home run. Only three more visits to the radiotherapy department and then I am cooked! Really looking forward to the weekend as I travel to Amsterdam on Saturday to see Genesis in concert, and the reviews are good. It was supposed to be a treat after some rest, but at least I am going, even if it is only two days after my last blast.
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

Nearly there....

A lot can happen in a week, but for me this is one I have been looking forward to for a long time. This time next week I will have finished my treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma after five months. It all started in December with a lump under my arm which was surgically removed and confirmed as HL. Three months of Chemo and three weeks of Radiotherapy seem to have done the trick and its fingers crossed until my next CT scan in October.

I have four hits of radiotherapy to go and on Thursday the 28th I walk out of hospital knowing that I do not have to go back for any more treatment, and I can't wait!

Hope everyone else is having a good week. Will update on Thursday.

KYPU.....

Radiotherapy side effects starting

I am starting to see two side effects from radiotherapy, the first is baby smooth skin on the target area with all hair fried to extinction, the second is massive tiredness and lethargy. Mix this in with not sleeping too well and the answer is KNACKERED.......

Not got too much planned for the next two weeks so its feet up and relax. Seven down and eight to go, half way to the end of treatment.

Other than the above, all quiet on the western front so it off to the duvet for me.

One final thing, the comments are great and all read. Anon, thanks for taking the time to read my story and I hope that one day we will meet and I can stop thinking!!!

Cheers and KYPU.

AOB

The end of another week and my first full week of Radiotherapy which has gone better than I expected. Not too many side effects, a bit of tiredness and headaches if I don't drink enough water! My shoulder tingles for about 2 - 3 hours after treatment but there is not too much discomfort - yet!
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

Frank!!!!!!!!

Three down, Twelve to go!
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.

Frank!

Well, that's 1 Radiotherapy session down, 14 to go!

No problems encountered during my first 'ZAP'. After a short consultation with the Radiotherapists I was taken into the room and introduced to 'Frank', the Radiotherapy machine...(think about it....)

Most of the time in to room is taken up getting you in position and lining your four small tattoos up with the machine. Once complete its evacuate the area for all others and off we go. I get 2 'ZAPS', one from the back and one from the front. Each one lasts for a massive 12 seconds - it takes longer to get dressed after! I have been warned that side effects may include burning of the skin, tiredness, nausea and sore throat and it will get worse with more visits. Glad to say that after my first experience, I did not have any side effects and hope that this continues.

Besides the above, I feel great, possibly the best for six months. I need to re build my strength gradually and look forward to not having further treatment, the light is getting bigger?

Right off for another frying, speak soon!

KYPU..