Glad to see the pill situation has worked out better. Solids being eaten is a good thing.  Good progress for you... 

---

Dusting down and getting back up on that horse.

That's the way, Dougie.

Thanks for all the replies guy's, your encouragement helps enormously.

As the sun is out, I am off to the cafe for a coffee and a chat, maybe even something to eat.

---

---

I am glad it met with your approval Matty. I ordered up a Roast Beef dinner, and although I was a bit disappointed with the quantity I ate, what I did consume, I enjoyed very much - as you say, baby steps, and I am happy with that. It was good to get out of the house for a couple of hours.

---

Now then.  See what happens when I go to work and leave you.  You perk up!  Maybe the lack of nagging did you good!  

I'm so pleased you're seeing some improvement.  Hope you had a coffee for me Dougie!  Nice and strong, milk but no sugar!  

---

Don't worry Caz, you are always there, spiritually, if not physically, and I will try and remember about the sugar. The owners of the cafe know me very well, as I have using it for over 50 years now (not the same owners though) and they understand my situation, and try to cater to my needs. The only downside to all this that they have no concept to the meaning of the word "small" when it comes to portion size. They are so used to giving me extra large meals from the past, which I can't get anywhere near these days, but the quality is top notch.

Hope you had a good day at work.

---

Sounds like the cafe owners think you need feeding up a bit.   At least they're taking care of you. 

Yes. I had a good day at work but I'm soooo tired.  It's going to take longer to get used to than I thought. There's really not a lot of fun in aging is there?  

Night, night!  X

---

Good to hear you are managed to eat some roast beef Dougie.

---

 Yes, I am quite pleased really, it was not a huge amount, but it was good to be able to enjoy one of my favourite meals, and more importantly, keep it down, so far. That is now over 48 hours without a sickness episode - progress? Maybe.

---

Not had much time in the last 48 hours but good to read that you're on the up.

Great news about the sickness abating.

Keep going!!

---

 Thanks Gandalf, your thoughts are always welcome

---

How's the Parrot getting along?.

Any better?

Not sure Tony, Caz is looking after him.

---

  The Parrot?  Erm!  Am I missing something?   Have you two had something in your coffee?  

[edit]   Ahhh!  Doh!  Obviously I need coffee to wake me up!  The Parrot's improved considerably since he fell off his perch a couple of weeks ago!  Where there's life there's hope.   

---

I'm told it helps if you don't keep whacking it on the worktop, Caz...

---

Poor Polly Parrot!!!!!!.

---

  Monty Python-esque!  

So where is Dougie today?  I rather hope he's out drinking coffee and  eating roast beef and not being as sick as a parrot!

---

He's not dead, he's resting!

---

Me also

Been to the cafe, but only had banana and custard, washed down with a cup of coffee. I bought a cauliflower cheese a few days back (love them) and if I don't eat it today, it will be out of date, so I will have that in a little while. Might also have a couple of fishcakes a little later, really pushing the boat out here, but as they say, a little of what you fancy does you good. Not so hungry today, but not having too much of a problem with nausea, so all is good.

I had a phone call from Guy's, and I am booked in for the start of the new chemo sessions on Wednesday (11am), provided that the consultant is happy when they see me on Monday Not sure if it will a 2 or 4 hour session, but either way, I should be out before the start of the rush hour.

You are not going to nail me to the perch, just yet.

---

.

Evening Dougie and all!  The phrase 'sick as a parrot' means 'disappointed' and when I named this thread I was using it as a double meaning.  Dougie is sick but also disappointed that his operation had been cancelled yet again.  Now you've all got me wondering where the term originates from, because not only did the Pythons do that famous sketch, it was also that short tongued comedian's catch phrase.  

Anyway Dougie, it's really good to hear things are keeping on an even keel for you and I'm sure that's more to do with your positive approach than with the medication.  Keep up your visits to the cafe and having whatever you fancy.  It's what life's all about!  

We're all willing you on with Wednesday's chemo session and we'll all be here to buoy you up if the side effects get to you.  I'll be holding your chin up and I won't mind if you're sick on my shoes. I'll make sure I'm wearing an old pair!  

That reminds me of my first proper date with hubby.  We'd been working together for a few months, I really fancied him but it took him ages to ask me out, so when he did, I was over the moon.  Just before he picked me up I started to feel ill but I didn't want to cancel and I'm not a sickly person so I thought I'd see it through.  

We'd walked half way to the pub when I felt it welling up.  And it did.  In someone's gateway.  But he brushed my hair away from my face (it was very long) and held it the whole of the wretched wretching episode, so that it didn't get puked on.  He never flinched a bit and he even wanted to take me out again the next night.     

Oh, I rewarded him by marrying him four years later.  

---

Hi Caz, by the time I have posted this update, you will probably be asleep, but here goes.

The "sick as a parrot" quote at least has introduced a bit of humour into the proceedings, which is not a bad thing, these things can get a bit serious at times.

I loved the story behind your first date, there must have been something there to come back for more, and it was great that you ended up married, and still together all these years later.

Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends, at least for today, and as this next section will be a bit graphic, I apologise. As I said earlier, the last 72 hours or so have been a bit better for me. The latest problem is that of constipation, and although I took the medicine prescribed, yesterday, and today, there has been no movement. Try as I might, nothing works, as I am unable to give much help as I can't produce much downward pressure, when I do, the only result is vomiting. I can't say for certain, but there appears to be blood in the vomit, which is worrying. This could be from stent movement, and subsequent damage to the tumour.

I am now pondering over whether to ring the emergency doctor yet again, but I am loath to do so, because it will mean another ambulance at the door. It's a times like these that I wish I had someone here to take control, and do the right thing. I will wait a bit longer to see what happens.

 

---

So sorry to hear this Dougie..it must be so hard on your own to know whether to ring or not and the thought that if you do, it could potentially mean an ambulance at your door...I guess if you are feeling rough it is probably the best thing to do, to make that call...at least to have a conversation with a medical person....you are in my thoughts this night....

Thanks Paul, I know it would be the sensible thing to do, but I don't want to. Still not decided.

---