First off, many thanks for the heartfelt best wishes from all. It really is appreciated and shows how the GAA fans can rally around each other, even if almost unknown to each other.
The one or two of you that have put a colonoscopy on your to-do list has made this thread worthwhile already.
First sign for me was blood on the toilet paper...do not presume this is piles/hemorrhoids. Then blood might be in stool, or you imagine it is --- time to make ASAP doctor visit. Of course, it all takes time from initial doctor visit, get referred to gastro expert, schedule colonoscopy and get results. In my situation, first report was on 26 October and colonoscopy was 11 Nov. which was very quick. MRI and CT scans on 26 Nov confirmed no spread to liver, lungs or bone.
The "died after a short illness" is indeed an odd one. Is it part of Irish culture to not mention cancer? I know my father never uttered the word...he'd tell me so-and so was sick, "he has the boyo" was his phrase. And "breast cancer" contains two words that can never be mentioned.
Of course, it is also true that it is not the cancer that finally kills - susceptibility to infection allows a minor cold to develop into pneumonia which causes the death. Easier to talk about that I suppose. I have a lot more paperwork and information on how to deal with chemo side effects to help prevent side illnesses than I have on the cancer itself.
The cancer treatment is very straightforward: 1) chemo to stop it growing; 2) chemo/radiation combo to kill it; 3) surgery to whip it out and take a bit of surrounding tissue in case it is contaminated too; 4) monitor for recurrence.
Stopping a cold turning into pneumonia when the body has no tools to resist (white blood cells) is a battle often lost. Of course, the medics must see a drop in white blood cells, because if they hold their normal levels it means the chemo is not working on that patient.
I'm hoping my working from home status will help me avoid all the infection routes associated with commuting, workplace, lunches in public and so on.
GAAGO will be my best friend for entertainment in 2020. Might even have to brush up on the Gaeilge for TG4 games.
Chemo 1 of 8 ends today with the return of the pump after the 46-hour infusion of chemo drug 5-FU (google has plenty info on it). That is the hard hitting full forward of chemo, hence the need to deliver it over 46 hours. I'm developing a full back cross between Mick Lyons and Johnno Keeffe to fight it by mixing power with silky skills. Ye younger pups might pick a combo of Seamus Moynihan and maybe a Ricey or McMahon to bring a Tyronie into the mix.
No side effects thus far, although they tell me fatigue will send me to bed for a few days Sun-Tues next week. Small price this time, but the cumulative toxicity will exact its toll as we go forward.
Will update before next chemo session...everyone have a safe and wonderful Christmas holiday...I know I'll hug my people a little harder this year!!!
