Last week - another xray, scan and a steady as she goes result. they detected slight (very slight) increases in the tumors in the lungs, although i personally didnt spot them (but then, i'm just the patient!)
While this is not the result i wanted, the oncologist wasn't perturbed, and was more interested in how i feel, and how I'm coping. To be frank, it hadnt' been the best week, but he was very happy with progress, although he did mention the 'c' word again as being a possibility in the future. Not if i can help it!
So the next appointment is now not till early November!! Great news!
I'll let you know when.
Tomorrow i see two cancer patients. No names at this stage to repect their privacy. One has been referred by the Listener as a result of the article that appeared a couple of weeks ago on Food and Cancer. Jenny Bowden did a great job with the article, and the photographer was very flattering with the photo! (so i've been told!)
The guy is a grade 3 cancer patient, and is very nervous about upcoming treatment, so i'll be happy to give him a few pointers.
Another woman has been referred by Dave, my contact for Salvestrol, and she has a grade 4 cancer very similar to what i have. Scary close! So I've arranged to meet her and her husband and tell her about my 'journey' and put her mind at rest, and give her all the options that she won't hear from her oncologist.
All pro bono of course! Hardly helps put food on the table, but if we can help save or prolong a life, that is sufficient reward.
Life keeps going, busy as ever with Hornsnoggle Ferret, granchildren, household chores, exercise (all too little) and a myriad of church stuff which I wont bore you with. So our journey continues. You're a part of it, so keep asking, keep healthy, keep active, keep praying. Who s it that said 'you can complain about the rainclouds in your life, or you can dance in the puddles' Over to you.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
What the Listener DIDN'T say...
The Listener issue 1 Sept (with special thanks to Jenny Bowden) ran an article on Fighting cancer with Food.
Great article (but then I have a vested interest!), but what was left unsaid is probably just as important as what was said. Jenny was right - and she had the stats from the various cancer research groups to back her up- the right diet can make a real difference both in the prevention and the fighting of cancer. But its not the whole story. After what I've experienced, you need more than just a good, healthy diet. The 'extras' like lemon, lemongrass tea, fruit and veg juice drinks, are important, The supplements I take, the MAX range and Salvestrols, have played a huge role in fighting the effects of the chemo while helping build up the immune system - vitally important if you are undergoing medical cancer treatment.
Then there is exercise. Yes, it was mentiuoned, but not highlighted, and the importance of regular daily 30-40 minute strenuous exercise cannot be over-rated (mind you, that applies even if you are in good health).
The right attitude? Does that help? Absolutely. Not easy when you're having those 'dark days' following treatment, and when the effects of the chemo and radiation begin to kick in. But its by keeping doing what you do, maintaining a schedule and accomplishing tasks, no matter how small, that give you a sense of purpose and give you a reason to keep going.
Then there's prayer. Its amazing how even non-believers turn to prayer when they're fighting cancer. Maybe the old saying is true - there are no atheists in foxholes.
As a Christian, I cannot even begin to tell you what a comfiort and blessing it has been to have a God to turn to that I know hears and answers prayer, and as important, to have friends and family praying for me. It helps strengthens their faith, it gives me hope and peace i would not have otherwise, and it helps us look beyond ourselves and see a bigger picture, a higher purpose. After all, life isn't all about us.
So thanks, Listener. I wish the whole story could have been told, but hey, its a start, and for that I am grateful. Lets keep on fighting the good fight together.
Great article (but then I have a vested interest!), but what was left unsaid is probably just as important as what was said. Jenny was right - and she had the stats from the various cancer research groups to back her up- the right diet can make a real difference both in the prevention and the fighting of cancer. But its not the whole story. After what I've experienced, you need more than just a good, healthy diet. The 'extras' like lemon, lemongrass tea, fruit and veg juice drinks, are important, The supplements I take, the MAX range and Salvestrols, have played a huge role in fighting the effects of the chemo while helping build up the immune system - vitally important if you are undergoing medical cancer treatment.
Then there is exercise. Yes, it was mentiuoned, but not highlighted, and the importance of regular daily 30-40 minute strenuous exercise cannot be over-rated (mind you, that applies even if you are in good health).
The right attitude? Does that help? Absolutely. Not easy when you're having those 'dark days' following treatment, and when the effects of the chemo and radiation begin to kick in. But its by keeping doing what you do, maintaining a schedule and accomplishing tasks, no matter how small, that give you a sense of purpose and give you a reason to keep going.
Then there's prayer. Its amazing how even non-believers turn to prayer when they're fighting cancer. Maybe the old saying is true - there are no atheists in foxholes.
As a Christian, I cannot even begin to tell you what a comfiort and blessing it has been to have a God to turn to that I know hears and answers prayer, and as important, to have friends and family praying for me. It helps strengthens their faith, it gives me hope and peace i would not have otherwise, and it helps us look beyond ourselves and see a bigger picture, a higher purpose. After all, life isn't all about us.
So thanks, Listener. I wish the whole story could have been told, but hey, its a start, and for that I am grateful. Lets keep on fighting the good fight together.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
THE LONGEST EVENT...
What a great Olympics! When the dust has settled we can look back on our Kiwi team with a great deal of pride. As we reflect on the 13 medals, 5 of them gold, plus all the joy of the medal winners, the heartbreak of those who came so close, the satisfaction of the PBs achieved, consider the monumental effort that every one of the team put into their training, preparation, and the burning desire they had to achieve victory. No overnight success stories here, just a result of hard graft, years of committment and hanging tough when they must have wondered if it was all worth the effort.
So what sport takes out the endurance medal.? What event takes the longest to compete at the games and the most time? The answer might surprise you. Yachting. Yep, it took Ben Ainslie (and our own super golden girls!) 6 days on the water, and up to 11 hours of competition to win their event. Not everything went to plan every day. Some days were disastrous, but most were pretty good. Some days they won, but not every day. It was consistency and sticking to the plan and believing in themselves that brought them the final victory.
I feel a bit like that with the cancer sometimes. Good days, mediocre days, some entirely forgettable days. But by ignoring the frustration and hangover of the effects of the chemo (even after 8 months!) my 'longest event' is made tolerable because I know, in the end, I'll finish the race. and when you have cancer, anyone who finishes the race is a victor in my book. It will take a while - years in fact - but by sticking to the plan, refining our 'training programme' and hanging tough even when it all seems too much, we'll make it.
So dont just be a bored spectator, be an active supporter - not just of me, but of anyone going through challenging or life changing health problems. You'll be blessed, and the person you encourage/pray for/help will be equally blessed.
Their victory will take longer than 6 days, or 11 hours of competition, but with you on their team, victory will be all the sweeter, and the medal belongs to us all. After all, anything worthwhile in life ios only achieved through a little hard graft.
Off to Oz this week, then back into Christmas Hornsbnoggle Ferret mode. He's been a great distraction!
So what sport takes out the endurance medal.? What event takes the longest to compete at the games and the most time? The answer might surprise you. Yachting. Yep, it took Ben Ainslie (and our own super golden girls!) 6 days on the water, and up to 11 hours of competition to win their event. Not everything went to plan every day. Some days were disastrous, but most were pretty good. Some days they won, but not every day. It was consistency and sticking to the plan and believing in themselves that brought them the final victory.
I feel a bit like that with the cancer sometimes. Good days, mediocre days, some entirely forgettable days. But by ignoring the frustration and hangover of the effects of the chemo (even after 8 months!) my 'longest event' is made tolerable because I know, in the end, I'll finish the race. and when you have cancer, anyone who finishes the race is a victor in my book. It will take a while - years in fact - but by sticking to the plan, refining our 'training programme' and hanging tough even when it all seems too much, we'll make it.
So dont just be a bored spectator, be an active supporter - not just of me, but of anyone going through challenging or life changing health problems. You'll be blessed, and the person you encourage/pray for/help will be equally blessed.
Their victory will take longer than 6 days, or 11 hours of competition, but with you on their team, victory will be all the sweeter, and the medal belongs to us all. After all, anything worthwhile in life ios only achieved through a little hard graft.
Off to Oz this week, then back into Christmas Hornsbnoggle Ferret mode. He's been a great distraction!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Thanks no 3...
Crouch, touch, pause...no, its not a tedious scrum, just where i am now after the latest xray result. A state of pause, wait, hold - i'll know when to 'engage' after my next visit to the oncologist early Sept. So no major changes, no increases, no reductions, just same old same old - so i'm thankful for that! Quite happy to stay on 'pause' for the time being!
The friends i need to thanks are too numreous to mention, but lets make a start. The Home Group from my old church at Long Bay, who have beena source of knowledge and inspiration. Being with these folk remind you of what heaven will be like when we finally get there. My current Home Group at Shore, hanging in there with me faithfully month after month, through good times and bad.
The pastoral team and elders, past and present, at Shore CC, who never fail to pray for me despite the numerous other people and duties they have to contend with. Thomas Chin and Jim Davis, the two 'supplement geniuses' without whose help and guidance i wouldn't have made it thus far.
Fellow sufferers Glen Lawton and Des Jack for their phone calls and encouragement. Friends like Trish Williams, Mike Pinkney, John Russell, Ted Owens, Allan Macgregor, David Auld, John Stringer, Judy and John Burton, the Macleods, Viv Laurie, Jim and Lois Patrick, Brian Carr, (plus many others who I will no doubt remember as soon as I publish this post!) who are a constant source of support and encouragement.
Our Tuesday am MM group who keep me focused, grounded in reality and accountable.
A special mention to Frank who was a a huge help in my earlier 'coming to terms with cancer ' days, who has since passsed away with cancer. Theres a dark irony in there somewhere!
You cant have cancer and be an island. Its just not possible. You either need help, or you need to be there to give help. Its what keeps you grounded, gives you meaning, and helps you look for the silver lining, even on the darkest of days.
Probably a lot more folk on the thank list - but thats a start. We'll dig deeper into the memories of the past 18 months and come up with more before the next blog.
Till then, keep smiling. keep praying, and live every day to the max. I'm not out of tne woods, but then, neither are you.
The friends i need to thanks are too numreous to mention, but lets make a start. The Home Group from my old church at Long Bay, who have beena source of knowledge and inspiration. Being with these folk remind you of what heaven will be like when we finally get there. My current Home Group at Shore, hanging in there with me faithfully month after month, through good times and bad.
The pastoral team and elders, past and present, at Shore CC, who never fail to pray for me despite the numerous other people and duties they have to contend with. Thomas Chin and Jim Davis, the two 'supplement geniuses' without whose help and guidance i wouldn't have made it thus far.
Fellow sufferers Glen Lawton and Des Jack for their phone calls and encouragement. Friends like Trish Williams, Mike Pinkney, John Russell, Ted Owens, Allan Macgregor, David Auld, John Stringer, Judy and John Burton, the Macleods, Viv Laurie, Jim and Lois Patrick, Brian Carr, (plus many others who I will no doubt remember as soon as I publish this post!) who are a constant source of support and encouragement.
Our Tuesday am MM group who keep me focused, grounded in reality and accountable.
A special mention to Frank who was a a huge help in my earlier 'coming to terms with cancer ' days, who has since passsed away with cancer. Theres a dark irony in there somewhere!
You cant have cancer and be an island. Its just not possible. You either need help, or you need to be there to give help. Its what keeps you grounded, gives you meaning, and helps you look for the silver lining, even on the darkest of days.
Probably a lot more folk on the thank list - but thats a start. We'll dig deeper into the memories of the past 18 months and come up with more before the next blog.
Till then, keep smiling. keep praying, and live every day to the max. I'm not out of tne woods, but then, neither are you.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Thanks no 2
Then theres the wider family - the 2 bros, sister, sisters in law, nephews and nieces, and a smattering of cousins - all those who make up the greater whanau. Too many to name names, but how appreciative I am of their love, support and encouragement. Even the 'Oz connection' has been great, regularly phoning and keeping in contact, checking on progress and updates. A big 'thankyou' to all of you, you're never taken for granted, and its great to be reminded of the family bonds which still run deep.
I've really started someting here - the more I reflect on the journey so far, the more I am aware of the number of people I am indebted to, those who have made a real impact on my life. So i'll do my best to keep it real, keep it honest, keep it brief. Getting over a nasty cold right now (blame the Hamilton weather) but with an immune system like mine, you cant be too safe. So I'm hunkering down till its run its course. Bless you all - 4 weeks to go to the next xray!
I've really started someting here - the more I reflect on the journey so far, the more I am aware of the number of people I am indebted to, those who have made a real impact on my life. So i'll do my best to keep it real, keep it honest, keep it brief. Getting over a nasty cold right now (blame the Hamilton weather) but with an immune system like mine, you cant be too safe. So I'm hunkering down till its run its course. Bless you all - 4 weeks to go to the next xray!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thankyou no. 1
You know the old saying - we HAVE our family but we choose our friends. Well, if I had the choice, the family I have is just the one I'd choose. Breaking the news 16 months ago to Fay and the children was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, and since that time their love, support and encouragement has been more than I could have ever hoped for. And of course, with all the children now married, that extends to the wife/husbands of the children as well. I've heard of similar situations where family members have lost the plot, and been quite dismissive of the cancer sufferer. Not so with my clan - and i have been truly blessed by their love, care and attention, even though they all have a host of other responsibilities and busy lives of their own.So THANKS to Fay and the family, and to God for giving them the patience and growing their character as they learn to cope with a husband and dad who has given them plenty of heartache and anxious moments.
More thanks on the way - stay with me!
More thanks on the way - stay with me!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
see the big picture...
Sometimes, when you look out your window in the morning, you know its not going to be a great day. Grey, misty, overcast, threatening - all the signs for a day that doesnt hold much promise. But as the morning wears on, someting happens. The mist clears, the clouds lift, the sun peeks out, temperatures rise - and you know its going to be a good day after all. Not great - the cloud occasionally pays an unwelcome visit, theres a bit of a breeze, but certainly a whole lot better than you'd been expecting.
Thats a bit like the scan results than came through today. Still a few minuses, but they are outweighed by the pluses. so we live to fight another day. And what more can we ask for?
The tumors in the 'lower half' have all decreased, some to the point of being almost non existent, which is of course great news. The tumors in the lung, however, are more stubborn, some having increased in size and there are more of them. but they are still small and sparse enough not to be of any real concvern YET. What the future holds is anybodys guess, but thats in Gods hands, so we'll leave it to Him, with a little help from a more targetted diet and supplement regime.
The oncologist was in no hurry to start me on another round of chemo, which was just as well, as I had no intention of doing so anyway. There will be an x-ray (not scan) in 6 weeks, followed by another assessment and treatment programme. So we all breath a big sigh of relief, give praise to God, and box on.
I have been put on to a great book that comes with a supporting DVD, 'Curing Cancer with Commonsense' by Marcus Freudenmann. Like most alternative recommendations, you learn to pick the eyes out of it, discard that which you dont consider helpful, and apply that which does. This book has been a huge help. and shows (yet again) how prevention is so much more desirable than trying to cure the disease after you get it. I'm also very aware that on the 'healing journey' so far I've been blessed by so many people who have come across my path at just the right time, far too often for it to have been a mere coincidence.
So in future blogs I'm going to attempt (note the attempt!) to thanks those who have been 'angels in disguise' and whose combined advise and help has brought me to where I am today. Remember, in Jan last year I was given maximum 18 months to live,so all these people have been instrumental in my 'beating the odds'. This is a risky exercise, for I'm bound to leave some people out, but bear with me and I'll give it my best shot. All the cliches come to mind - no man is an island, we're all there to help each other, etc etc, but without the help from all these dear people I doubt I would have made it this far.
Have a great day, and keep reaching out to people - you may never know how much they need it.
Thats a bit like the scan results than came through today. Still a few minuses, but they are outweighed by the pluses. so we live to fight another day. And what more can we ask for?
The tumors in the 'lower half' have all decreased, some to the point of being almost non existent, which is of course great news. The tumors in the lung, however, are more stubborn, some having increased in size and there are more of them. but they are still small and sparse enough not to be of any real concvern YET. What the future holds is anybodys guess, but thats in Gods hands, so we'll leave it to Him, with a little help from a more targetted diet and supplement regime.
The oncologist was in no hurry to start me on another round of chemo, which was just as well, as I had no intention of doing so anyway. There will be an x-ray (not scan) in 6 weeks, followed by another assessment and treatment programme. So we all breath a big sigh of relief, give praise to God, and box on.
I have been put on to a great book that comes with a supporting DVD, 'Curing Cancer with Commonsense' by Marcus Freudenmann. Like most alternative recommendations, you learn to pick the eyes out of it, discard that which you dont consider helpful, and apply that which does. This book has been a huge help. and shows (yet again) how prevention is so much more desirable than trying to cure the disease after you get it. I'm also very aware that on the 'healing journey' so far I've been blessed by so many people who have come across my path at just the right time, far too often for it to have been a mere coincidence.
So in future blogs I'm going to attempt (note the attempt!) to thanks those who have been 'angels in disguise' and whose combined advise and help has brought me to where I am today. Remember, in Jan last year I was given maximum 18 months to live,so all these people have been instrumental in my 'beating the odds'. This is a risky exercise, for I'm bound to leave some people out, but bear with me and I'll give it my best shot. All the cliches come to mind - no man is an island, we're all there to help each other, etc etc, but without the help from all these dear people I doubt I would have made it this far.
Have a great day, and keep reaching out to people - you may never know how much they need it.
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