Well this journey anyway.
Latest blood tests are great, CEA now 1.1. It really feels great to be feeling this good now.
So no more posts here, unless Cancer comes back - no news will be good news.
I will report on my life from time to time on facebook, but Cancer is banished from my immediate thoughts.
Thanks to all for your support.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Still Going Strong
Since my last post I have:
- Had several CEA tests, all fine
- Had another full scan and annual checkup - all fine, no sign of cancer
- Left paid employment, now effectively retired
- Looking back at the past 3 years, this is what it looks like:
- First year after diagnosis, living with the understanding that the cancer would most likely return and would be terminal. Hard to get that out of my brain, also recovering from the chemo and surgery
- Second year, understanding that the cancer would probably return, and learning to live with some quite significant contraints
- Third year after, oncologist agrees that I have been very fortunate and cancer may not return. Learning to live as much as I reasonable can and staying comfortable
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Six Months On
Two CEA tests since my last reported here. Both have been 1.5 so I continue to show No Evidence of Disease!
Theoretically I am right in the middle of the most likely time to recur, but as always I have no idea how cancer will or will not affect me in the future, nor can I do anything about it. Right now it does not affect us, although the impact of my treatment remains, I still suffer from Cancer Fatigue (need a rest in the afternoon) and still have tingling and numbness in my feet and at times in my fingers. Both hands and feet remain very sensitive to heat and cold. I also have problems with multi-tasking and get very uncomfortable and even nauseous in intense meetings at work.
I have been a bit challenged in terms of my attitude to work and retirement. This really started during the hard part of my chemo when I was fairly sure I would not survive for much longer, and got quite upset that I would not be enjoying any retirement. I have moved on from there, but then started to get concerned about retirement plans and what I would actually do. It seemed the right thing to carefully plan for retirement and how I would spend my time.
Recently I have thought a bit about my life, which has been pretty amazing, and how I got to here. Very little of my past life, work and play has been well thought out in advance. I have generally lived for now and grabbed opportunity as it went past. This has served me well to date so I see no need to change, I am now quite excited about finding out what my life after work will be like, but I have no strong plans, and don't really know if it will happen this year, next year, or later.
So things have really been going pretty well. Cancer treatment is now not part of our lives, the illness is rarely considered and only the after affects of treatment are a nuisance, but nothing considered to what many people have to live with.
Theoretically I am right in the middle of the most likely time to recur, but as always I have no idea how cancer will or will not affect me in the future, nor can I do anything about it. Right now it does not affect us, although the impact of my treatment remains, I still suffer from Cancer Fatigue (need a rest in the afternoon) and still have tingling and numbness in my feet and at times in my fingers. Both hands and feet remain very sensitive to heat and cold. I also have problems with multi-tasking and get very uncomfortable and even nauseous in intense meetings at work.
I have been a bit challenged in terms of my attitude to work and retirement. This really started during the hard part of my chemo when I was fairly sure I would not survive for much longer, and got quite upset that I would not be enjoying any retirement. I have moved on from there, but then started to get concerned about retirement plans and what I would actually do. It seemed the right thing to carefully plan for retirement and how I would spend my time.
Recently I have thought a bit about my life, which has been pretty amazing, and how I got to here. Very little of my past life, work and play has been well thought out in advance. I have generally lived for now and grabbed opportunity as it went past. This has served me well to date so I see no need to change, I am now quite excited about finding out what my life after work will be like, but I have no strong plans, and don't really know if it will happen this year, next year, or later.
So things have really been going pretty well. Cancer treatment is now not part of our lives, the illness is rarely considered and only the after affects of treatment are a nuisance, but nothing considered to what many people have to live with.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Something To Celebrate
Quite a bit has been happening in the past month.
First up, I went to the Doctor for my 3 month checkup. All OK except that I spoke to him about a persistent scab on my ear. He was 99% positive it was a Basal-cell Carcinoma and referred me to the Plastic Surgery clinic. I have an appointment at the end of this month to deal to it.
Then I tried reducing my Fluox (Prozac) with the approval of my GP. That was interesting, I reduced the dose to half and about a week later I just wanted to sleep all the time. People at work were getting concerned about me, I was really dozy most of the time, so I went back up to the normal amount.
As it was now about 12 months since my last surgery I thought I would be due for another CT scan and catch up with my oncologist, so I sent him an email. He confirmed that that would be a good idea and set it up. A week ago I had the scan and last Friday met with him. I was a bit apprehensive before the meeting, there was a 50% chance the cancer would be back, but no, I am officially clear of cancer at this time. Only another 6 years to go before I am considered cured, but right now it cannot get any better.
I also talked about the fatigue. There does not seem to be any post surgery reason for it and it looks like it may be one of the common side affects of long term Fluox use. He strongly suggested I discuss this with my GP. That will happen next week but in the mean time I am cutting back, but slowly. In Wellington last week I got through two days with no rest in the middle of the day, I am going to try it for the rest of this long weekend as well, it would be great to be back to full strength, and possibly losing some weight as well. My weight has been creeping up, which is great as far as the Doctors are concerned, but not for me.
However there has been a couple of negatives in the past month. Kate Murphy and the support group for colon cancer she led have provided me and many others with invaluable support and help. Kate died on 3rd October after a six month battle with a recurrence. I never met or spoke to her but she will always be a friend.
First up, I went to the Doctor for my 3 month checkup. All OK except that I spoke to him about a persistent scab on my ear. He was 99% positive it was a Basal-cell Carcinoma and referred me to the Plastic Surgery clinic. I have an appointment at the end of this month to deal to it.
Then I tried reducing my Fluox (Prozac) with the approval of my GP. That was interesting, I reduced the dose to half and about a week later I just wanted to sleep all the time. People at work were getting concerned about me, I was really dozy most of the time, so I went back up to the normal amount.
As it was now about 12 months since my last surgery I thought I would be due for another CT scan and catch up with my oncologist, so I sent him an email. He confirmed that that would be a good idea and set it up. A week ago I had the scan and last Friday met with him. I was a bit apprehensive before the meeting, there was a 50% chance the cancer would be back, but no, I am officially clear of cancer at this time. Only another 6 years to go before I am considered cured, but right now it cannot get any better.
I also talked about the fatigue. There does not seem to be any post surgery reason for it and it looks like it may be one of the common side affects of long term Fluox use. He strongly suggested I discuss this with my GP. That will happen next week but in the mean time I am cutting back, but slowly. In Wellington last week I got through two days with no rest in the middle of the day, I am going to try it for the rest of this long weekend as well, it would be great to be back to full strength, and possibly losing some weight as well. My weight has been creeping up, which is great as far as the Doctors are concerned, but not for me.
However there has been a couple of negatives in the past month. Kate Murphy and the support group for colon cancer she led have provided me and many others with invaluable support and help. Kate died on 3rd October after a six month battle with a recurrence. I never met or spoke to her but she will always be a friend.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Change Is Good.
This blog post is a bit late, because google broke my blog (and many others as well). All better now though.
3 weeks ago I attended my annual colo-rectal checkup. Prior to that I had blood tests for CEA and Liver Function. I was ready for a flat or rising CEA, the statistics indicate I should be prepared for recurrence. But as usual the outcome was not what Doctor Reeves expected. CEA was down to 1.4 from 1.6 - a very positive result and strongly suggesting no active cancer recurrence. I am booked for another colonoscopy in 4 years, clearly the hospital thinks I am going to be around for at least that time.
What I also had not expected was that my liver function is not good, and the nurse noticed a potential hernia developing around my multiple wound site. The hernia issue may be due to over lifting, I was referred to the orthotic dept for a support belt (due for fitting next week).
The liver function is not too bad, considering the abuse my liver has had, but does not seem to be getting better and may be connected with my ongoing fatigue. I have stopped all alcohol (not that I have had more than the odd beer), increased my water intake, and lifted my walking. In another week or so I will have another set of liver function tests and see if I am making any progress.
I drove to Twizel a couple of months ago for work. I take my own car on these trips so that I can take a break when it suits me. Between Geraldine and Fairlie there is a nice twisty section of road that have always enjoyed, but this time I got thinking "what is I blew up this car and could get a new one, what would it be?" A sporty car, for sure. On the way back, I blew a head gasket (no, I was not trying to), I fixed it up fairly easily and sold it. Now I have one of these. I am looking forward to my next trip to Twizel ;=).
I am really doing well, and feel really good about life most of the time. I do get frustrated because I get fatigued after about 4 hours and need to have a lie down. Stress and conflict really gets to me, I have to be careful at work and need to back out of some situations. But overall life is good, I never thought I would get to be enjoying life so much.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Getting There
It has been a while since my last post, mostly because cancer is now mostly not a part of my life.
Two weeks ago I had a 3 monthly CEA test, then I had 4 days of panic as I thought the cancer was coming back. But no, my CEA was 1.6 which was the same as last time. That flat result strongly suggests no recurrence, and certainly I am now officially No Evidence of Disease or NED.
In terms of my health, I am mostly feeling pretty good. I still get problems such as chest pain and nausea if I over do it, but I seem to be managing that quite well now. I do have to take a break early afternoon and have a lie down for an hour, and cold really gets to me, but either I am managing the situation better, or I am slowly getting better as I feel I am coping better with normal life.
I am not sure of the cause of the fatigue, it could be my liver rebuilding, in which case it should get slowly better over the next 6 months, or it could be caused by the chemo, in which case there is fair chance I will just have to live with it. I also have persistent random itching, but that may well be my liver rebuilding itself.
Overall I really do feel pretty good with my life. There is no question that the trauma of chemo and surgery was worth it. Without the medical treatment I would be in a really bad way now, or very stable.
Like everyone else, I have no idea what the future holds. If I start thinking statistics and probabilities I can get down, but right now life is great, I am feeling good, and have nothing to worry about that I cannot deal with, so worry is a wasted emotion.
I am eternally grateful for the support I have had, and am still getting, from Teresa, Christchurch Hospital, my employer (Meridian), extended family and friends. Without the contribution from them all I would not be in this great space.
Two weeks ago I had a 3 monthly CEA test, then I had 4 days of panic as I thought the cancer was coming back. But no, my CEA was 1.6 which was the same as last time. That flat result strongly suggests no recurrence, and certainly I am now officially No Evidence of Disease or NED.
In terms of my health, I am mostly feeling pretty good. I still get problems such as chest pain and nausea if I over do it, but I seem to be managing that quite well now. I do have to take a break early afternoon and have a lie down for an hour, and cold really gets to me, but either I am managing the situation better, or I am slowly getting better as I feel I am coping better with normal life.
I am not sure of the cause of the fatigue, it could be my liver rebuilding, in which case it should get slowly better over the next 6 months, or it could be caused by the chemo, in which case there is fair chance I will just have to live with it. I also have persistent random itching, but that may well be my liver rebuilding itself.
Overall I really do feel pretty good with my life. There is no question that the trauma of chemo and surgery was worth it. Without the medical treatment I would be in a really bad way now, or very stable.
Like everyone else, I have no idea what the future holds. If I start thinking statistics and probabilities I can get down, but right now life is great, I am feeling good, and have nothing to worry about that I cannot deal with, so worry is a wasted emotion.
I am eternally grateful for the support I have had, and am still getting, from Teresa, Christchurch Hospital, my employer (Meridian), extended family and friends. Without the contribution from them all I would not be in this great space.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
3 Months Cancer Free
For the past 3 months we have been living life without cancer, which feels really good. I may well not be cured (35% probability according to statistics) but for the past 3 months there has been no hospital visits, no cancer related medication and just getting on with life.
The last blood tests showed a flat CEA (1.6) so I get at least another 3 months cancer free.I still suffer from fatigue, and may forever, apparently. That is a normal side affect of chemo and is not a big deal as far as work (home and employment) is concerned, but for me personally it is quite frustrating. However if I had not gone through the surgery and chemo last year, I would be in a very bad place now, or resting peacefully 6 foot under, so I am quite happy with the treatment.
The blood tests did show a high GGT, I spoke to my GP about it, he said it was not unusual in otherwise healthy patients and nothing to worry about, considering the abuse my liver has had from chemo and surgery.
We are now settling into our new house, way smaller than the old place, but very comfortable for us and thanks to selling at a good price (above valuation) and buying at a good price (below valuation) we are in a comfortable position, come what may.
The whole sale, purchase and move process went well, all on time and under budget, a credit to good project management and two old pedants....
Work is also going well, I have reduced my accountability and am now focused on work which is close to my heart, I really am impressed with the support I have had from Meridian.
No news will be good news, there should be no updates for another 3 months.
The last blood tests showed a flat CEA (1.6) so I get at least another 3 months cancer free.I still suffer from fatigue, and may forever, apparently. That is a normal side affect of chemo and is not a big deal as far as work (home and employment) is concerned, but for me personally it is quite frustrating. However if I had not gone through the surgery and chemo last year, I would be in a very bad place now, or resting peacefully 6 foot under, so I am quite happy with the treatment.
The blood tests did show a high GGT, I spoke to my GP about it, he said it was not unusual in otherwise healthy patients and nothing to worry about, considering the abuse my liver has had from chemo and surgery.
We are now settling into our new house, way smaller than the old place, but very comfortable for us and thanks to selling at a good price (above valuation) and buying at a good price (below valuation) we are in a comfortable position, come what may.
The whole sale, purchase and move process went well, all on time and under budget, a credit to good project management and two old pedants....
Work is also going well, I have reduced my accountability and am now focused on work which is close to my heart, I really am impressed with the support I have had from Meridian.
No news will be good news, there should be no updates for another 3 months.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)