Hi Graham, as you will remember we have met in the UK a coule of times. Sorry to hear of your medical proclems, but also pleased to hear that it is all planned to be taken care of.

Very best wishes,

Chris S

Hi All,

That's the first and only IV Chemo completed, together with the first of 28 Radiotherapy sessions completed earlier on today.

All was well so far, and I didn't feel any different.

I've just had the first dose of the tablet Chemo doses, not sure if I feel anything or it's my imagination.

I'll post again after some sleep tonight.

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Happy Crunching,

Graham

Hi All,

An update after the first week of treatment:

5 lots of chemo tablets and radiotherapy completed, 23 more to go.

No side effects so far, but they say that the effects are not really expected until week 2 or 3.

I'm happy to say that my dark sense of humour is holding up well, and keeping me smiling (even if there are a few that ask "How can you laugh at something as serious as that"

My answer is " What else am I supposed to do, cry? That wouldn't help anyone, especially me, and that's who I'm concerned about right now!"

Thank you all for the wishes, and take care of yourselves and those you care about.

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Happy Crunching,

Graham

Great news Graham. Totally agree with humor as the best defense against sadness and self-pity. Keep that upper lip stiff.

An update at the end of week 2:

10 (of 28) radiotherapy doses and 76 of 220 Chemo tablets (19 of 55 doses) have been completed.
Still feeling fine with no major side effects so far - Result!

Getting slightly more tired, but this is expected, as is the looser movements, 4 times a night to the loo is getting tiring!

Thanks to my wife and friends I am still upbeat, and positive. I can cope with this. My (dark) sense of humour is working well, and I get groans from the puns (mostly).

So far so good.

Many thanks for the comments and thoughts, they do help.

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Happy Crunching,

Graham

Hang in there, we are all praying for you.

Look on the bright side, with all this radiation you aren't going to need a torch if the power fails or you have to walk home in the dark.

---

Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Rob, Where the radiation is going, that will only work if I don't wear trousers or underwear.

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Happy Crunching,

Graham

Now that's picture I'm not going to be able to get out of my mind for some time.......

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Graham,
Good to hear all your treatments have not affected that dark humor yet.

Sending more positive thoughts and prayers your way to keep you strong.

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Hang in there?!

And don't forget ya hat!! (Or t' ducks 'll hav' ya'!)

;-)


Keep glowing and good luck!

Best wishes,
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Please keep your pants on Graham. ;-)

Cheers.

Graham. I understand that up and down all night b.s. With me it’s the waterworks. Eventually you will get used to it and get some better sleep. I find that I get some good sleep sitting on the loo. But it has side effects too. Legs fall asleep.
For the humor of the situation. Now you don’t have to turn on the light in the loo at night to hit the target. Lol.

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Week 3 treatment was completed last Friday.

15 Radiotherapy sessions done, 13 to go. 29 Chemo Sessions done, 28 to go. Now past halfway! YAY!!

On the side-effects, so far only extra loo visits at night and sore rear end and gas! So much Gas - WOW! I'll put op with the gas and extra night visits, my wife is less keen on the gas.
We do laugh about it.

The sore rear end - I have been given some "Intrasite gel" to use, I can't see to apply it, so my wife is doing so. She gets all the good jobs :D

Humour is still the order of the day, and all the supportive comments I get on here and elsewhere are really helping me a lot.
The Radiotherapy nurses are great, they make me feel so at ease.

I can't emphasise it too much, when you get the chance for a Bowel Cancer checkup, please do take it! That check saved me from a far worse outcome.

End ramblings for the moment

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Happy Crunching,

Graham

Life's full of gas, then you pass it......
Thanks for the update, and, in the best possible sense of the phrase, long may you continue passing gas ;-)

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

So much gas. Put it to use. You have heard it before. “I have so much gas I could drive to wherever and back.
So drive this Fart Car and enjoy the scenery.

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That's interesting, nay, eye watering concept...

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?

Thanks again for all the comments and support.

Week 4 is now complete.
20 radiotherapy done, 8 to go.
40 doses of Chemo dome, 16 to finish.

Gas issues haven't changed much, and my wife is still putting up with that and the gel application. I am fairly sure that, if we had gas central heating, I could supply a fair amount of our requirements.

The level of discomfort (stinging) is increasing now, but I am still managing it OK. The water stings now when I clean.
This is a minor inconvenience if I get rid of any chance of this Cancer!
The Oncologist, and the nurses I talk to seem impressed at how well I'm doing in all areas - side-effects, and mentally. They're all wonderful.

The laughing at myself continues, modified by "Ouch!" occasionally, my wife is supporting me a lot, for which I am so grateful.
Walking around the house, I must look like JR Ewing, orThe Duke when he left his horse at home.

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Happy Crunching,

Graham

So that means that you're on the "home leg" then Graham. (Y)

As for the gas, have you tried any party balloon tricks yet? :-D

Cheers.

Good to hear progress.

Keep laughing and keep with it!

Good luck and best wishes,
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

The latest update

3 Radiotherapy to go, and 6 doses of Chemo to go. YAY!

In terms of side effects, a slight increase in soreness, and gas production, and that's about it. I'm coping very well, I think.

The only thing that has got worse is my sense of humour, it's darker together with worse puns (I didn't think they could get Verse), but Heigh-ho, I enjoy them and the winces and groans I get in reply.

Margaret is still a great support, I am so grateful to her.

The NHS nurses and other staff have been so good and so supportive as well.

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Happy Crunching,

Graham