Carol, I would like to thank you for all you have done to help make my life easier, you are such a kind hearted soul.

I have not had such a good day today, been sick a few times, so hopefully the procedure with go some way towards easing this problem. The doctor came to see me today, and seemed pretty confident everything would go ahead on Friday.

I had some bad news tonight, my sister, who suffers from type 1 diabetes has been taken into hospital. She has already had a partial amputation of her left leg, and now it seems they have to do the same with her right leg. The strange part of all this is that although she lives in Crowborough, just South of Tunbridge Wells, she is in St Thomas' Hospital, less than two miles from me at Guy's. It never rains 'til it pours eh. I will ask tomorrow if they will allow me to jump in a cab, and go and see her.

The immediate future for me after Friday will be one of discomfort, and a certain amount of pain as the stent embeds itself into my Oesophagus, this takes 2 or 3 days to fully open, and will probably take a bit of getting used to. Thereafter, I will be embarking on a new round of chemotherapy, maybe as soon as the end of next week. Although I kept my hair with the first chemo treatment sessions, I am told that this next course of treatment will see me go bald - just another little thing to look forward to I won't be updating my photo in the rogue's gallery

Who knows what the future holds after that, hopefully I will able to live a more normal life than that which I have endured over the last six months or so, but of course, there are no guarantee's, time will tell. What I will say however is, if anyone reading this has any doubt about their health, please, please, get it checked out. I left it a bit too long, and am now suffering the consequences. Unless a new form of treatment comes through, I will never be cured, but the condition might be held in check for an undetermined amount of months, possibly even years.

All of you who have sent  vibes and wishes, I thank you, you are great, and I have been humbled by the reaction - again huge thanks.

 Hey Dotty!  Long time no see.  Nice to have you back! 

Keep posting for Dougie!  We need to rally round and keep him positive.

Morning Dougie!  

Jeez!  Talk about bad news.  I'm so sorry to hear about your sister.  Seeing family suffer is a terrible thing.  Sometimes life throws so much at us, we wonder how we cope. But, we do!  We just do!

I lost my eldest son last year and the day after his funeral, I took mum for a hospital appointment and they told us she had terminal cancer.  I couldn't have been more numb but there was nothing I could do to change anything.  I kept forcing myself to think there were others in the world worse off than me and they somehow manage to get through, so if they can I can.  

Taking a positive and pragmatic approach got me through it.  Of course initially I went through the standard shock thing of asking myself questions like, did I miss something with Micky or mum and could I have prevented his death, her terminal state?  But there was nothing to be achieved by this and I could either continue going round in circles, asking questions that had no answers or take a positive attitude and move on, like others others all over the world do. Because when I asked, 'why me?' The answer was always, 'why not me?'  

Today is my son's birthday and I'm thinking of the happy times we had together and celebrating his life.  I might get a little sad but it won't get me down.  What's done can't be undone and what's to come will come.  So worrying is pointless because it won't make things better but it could make things worse.

Be strong Dougie!   Xxx

Morning Carol,

I knew you'd had a bad year, but your post puts it all in perspective. It's me who should be supporting you, not the other way round. I hope you get through the day without too much sadness. As you say, there is always someone worse off than you, and I don't feel qualified to show enough respect for what you have had to deal with. I'll hold your chin up, if you hold up mine. If others have had similar experiences, and want to talk about it, please do so here, this thread is not all about me.

I am winding down on some of the medication and getting ready for tomorrow. The blood thinner Fragmin which I have to inject twice a day, is put aside for now. Although it becomes second nature to administer these injections, it's nice to have a bit of a break I must say.

I did make enquiries about seeing my sister, but they won't allow me to go today in case I fall over, which the way I feel right now is a distinct possibility, having been in bed for eight days. I guess they are right, but I would have liked to at least make the attempt, others being worse off, and all that.

I hope we all get through the day without too much stress.

As a cancer sufferer myself (blood cancer)I wish you all the best Dougie and hope everything turns out well.

So yes please, hold my chin up.  It's always a comfort to know someone's there for you and talking about it is the best therapy. But, you're still here.  You need support and it helps me to know that you're able to talk and if I can support you and hold your chin up, then my time is better spent than being sad for people I've lost. 

I'm sure your sister knows you're thinking about her and understands you're not able to visit. Imagine how she'd feel if you did try to make the journey and you did fall!  Yes others might be worse off but you won't help them by not looking after yourself. (I'd have been no use to my mum if I hadn't been pragmatic).  So, accept that some things you can't change. Get yourself right and then support your sister.    

Am I bossy or what?  

I'm sure we will all get through the day.  As for stress?  Pah!  

Gosh Eric, I did not know, sorry to hear that. You know, this thread is just as much for you to share your experiences, as it is for me. It was Caz who started it all off, but all are welcome.

I hope that the treatment you are receiving is making a difference, and continues to do so. Please keep us posted.

Thanks for the wishes.

Anyway, enough of my troubles, get well soon Dougie.

Eric, your problems are every bit as relevant as mine when it comes to this thread. I was not sure how blood cancer affected you, but if it can be held in check by transfusions, that's good news. Do you get any complications allied to the treatment? In my experience a few totally unexpected things  happen, all of which are bad.

I am just wondering how many more of our number are suffering from cancer, or something equally nasty, who have not come forward yet. I know it's not always easy to talk about, and I found that with casual acquaintances it was best to just say when asked, " I'm ok thanks" Here it's a bit different and somewhat easier, especially when pushed into it, as I was. Not mentioning any names, of course.

Thanks for the get well wishes Eric, and I wish the same for you.

I started with it early in 2013, I had been feeling odd for a month or so, with sweating during the night and severe itching whenever I went in the warm bathroom for a wash or shower. So I went to the doctors, who sent me to see a specialist. He did a bone marrow biopsy,by sticking a big needle into my back and drawing off some fluid, After injecting anaesthetic first.

A couple of weeks later I was told I had Primary Myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer. As far as treatment goes, it`s just a case of taking tablets to stop any symptoms, and  occasional blood transfusions. I go to the Christie Hospital every 4 to 6 weeks where they take a blood sample to check levels of red cells, white cells, and platelets, then prescribe whatever medication I need.

It`s a long term disease, I`ve had it for four and a half years now and I`ve heard of someone who had had it for ten years and was still alive.

Evening Dougie. Thanks for holding my chin up. I'm fine!  I hope I did as good a job holding your chin up!  

I agree with your comment to Eric and I'd encourage anyone to post and tell their stories. I know about Eric's and I know there are others on here who might want to talk. 

Hope the prep for tomorrow is going well. I expect you might not post tomorrow, in which case I'll know you've had the stent procedure and are feeling ropey.  I'll be with you in spirit though!  

You did such a good job of chin holding, I now have a neck ache

I had a visit from the surgeon who will be performing tomorrows op. He told me about what to expect, then I had to sign the consent form. The procedure is due to take place at 14.00 hrs, and takes about 45 mins, but knowing me, I shall probably sleep for about a week afterwards.

I will try to log in during the evening, but will see how things go, although I will probably be around in the morning.

Thanks for all the support, the hugs and vibes.

I'll be thinking of you, Dougie, and sending you all my very best.

It's good to hear that you appear to be getting the correct treatment Eric, and that life does not hold too many dragons for you. The more positive stories I hear the better I feel, even though our two cancers are polls apart in terms of treatment. Provided they keep the blood count up, there is probably no reason why you should not go on to have a life of reasonable quality. After all, this is what we all ask for. Feel free to join in any time you want Eric, the more the merrier.

Sounds like all systems go then, but I'll probably see you around in the morning anyway. 

Hugs! X

Hey Caz, yeah I been engrossed in work as per and just don't get the time to indulge these days! I will try and be around for a bit though. Off to Lake District Saturday morning for a fortnight so will check in if the internet is around lol. Hope all is well with you too xx

Good luck for tomorrow Dougie and keeping fingers crossed it will all be over and done with this time tomorrow xx

Justine - Witham, Essex, 27masl

Good luck for tomorrow from me as well Dougie, hope everything goes well.

I'll also say all the best for you with regards to tomorrow's operation. Keeping everything crossed that it'll be a success.

Thanks for all the good wishes guy's (and gals), it means a lot to me. I am as nervous as hell about tomorrow, but it has to be done, and I am sure all will be ok. I have got the "A Team" working tonight, and for tomorrows day shift, so I will be looked after well. These nurses really are the best, I can't praise them enough.

Gonna try and catch up on some sleep soon, but might check out the thread in the morning. Goodnight all.

Goodluck Dougie.

I spent half my childhood in hospital with leukemia it's not a nice place to be, but at the same time it's a great place to be.

The medical staff were brilliant and if it were not for them, id not be making this post.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. And I'm looking foreword to reading many more current conditions  threads 

Hi Dougie, I hope the procedure goes well today and that you can post later, hopefully with positive news.  Apologies for not posting earlier but I seldom wander into The Forum Arms.

I was woken at 05.45 for my breakfast as I need to fast for 8 hours before the procedure. The usual checks for blood sugar, blood pressure etc. which they do every four hours were done, and a nice fresh cannula was inserted, this is done every three days. Next will be a shower, and then the long wait until the excitement starts.

Thanks for all the good luck wishes, and as I have said many times, it really does mean a lot to me. Hopefully I will be able to give you an update later on today. TTFN

Morning Dougie!  We're all there with you today, so you have lots of support.

Good to hear you have the A team on your side too. For all the failings of the NHS, our medical staff really are the very best, especially the surgeons and teaching hospitals have the creme de le creme.  All you have to do now is have faith and stay positive.

I'll be thinking about you and sending good vibrations all day! X

It's another step forward , Dougie.
Good luck.

Well, you're not signed into the forum Dougie, so that's a good sign that your procedure is all systems go!