Archive for October, 2009

The basic tenet to effective treatment

After meeting many people whose worlds have been turned topsy-turvy by a cancer diagnosis, I am convinced about one thing – Nobody can really live until they sort out the issue of death. Once we have come to terms with our mortality, and settled the matter of our eternal destiny, death holds no terrors. Disease [...]

Mixed reactions towards doctors

During the past twelve months some aspects of medicine and practice have come into focus. I have learned that: – The best of people are just people at the best. We all exhibit traits of weak fallen humanity in word, promises made and performance. – Doctors are expected to get it all right, all the [...]

How much we take for granted

Today marks four weeks from the end of the radiation treatment. The pain has gone but I can still only do ‘stuff’ for about 3 hours before running out of steam. I still need to rest and sleep a lot. BUT Today also marked the first day for more than 6 weeks that I have [...]

Summarising present position

The surgeon performed a digital (finger, not computerised) inspection of my rectum and found the tumour has not totally disppeared but is reduced and hardened up, ready for excision. The surgeon will examine the CT scan of the liver taken in Christchurch on 24 September to confirm the state of the liver. He will also [...]

Next lap mapped out

Had a follow-up appointment with the surgeon today to assess the results of the radiation therapy and the next plan of attack. After an internal examination he concluded that the radiation has not completely eradicated the tumour and so, subject to further examination of CT scans of lungs and liver, surgery is planned for the [...]

What a difference a day makes

My radiation therapy ended 2 weeks ago today. I was warned that the pain would continue to increase for a further 7 days. Nelson oncology suggested 10 days would be closer to the mark. We decided we would run the gauntlet and drive home to Nelson as soon as possible following the end of the [...]