What I have been up to for the last two years?
I post this not for likes or comments like ‘I am sorry to hear this’, more to raise awareness amongst everyone about a subject which has become very important to me.
Men are 83% less likely to speak about health issues than women – I always assumed myself as relatively healthy, yes I liked good food, beer and wine but this was balanced by going to the gym. This story has taken me a long time to write. – please stick with it to the end.
It was at the gym in the November 22 that my good friend Robert came up to me and said you are slowing down, I tried to blame late nights and wine, however I was sent off to my GP for some tests.
The GP missed an essential test which was my iron levels – I didn’t realise this until the heart surgeon I was referred to pointed this out and sent me away to meet with a specialist consultant.
An initial test in January 23 showed a large tumour in my bowel, this was confirmed as Cancerous. That’s a big word which comes with a huge level of fear and change. I lost my work community but I found a small group of friends to share the journey with along with my amazing wife and children
Further tests and scans lead to me meeting a new oncologist probably with a better bedside manner, whom I met and he calmy explained I had nine tumours in my liver and currently it was inoperable with a life expectancy of 2-5 years. I didn’t really hear the inoperable word, I heard chemotherapy which is what you generally relate to cancer.
Chemotherapy started and I naively thought this is easy, that’s until I ended up in hospital with pneumonia, intubated and knocked out for three days, chemotherapy resumed with more controls around who I met and when.
20 weeks of chemotherapy later I ended up in front of the same oncologist expecting to be told, in my ever positive way, that I was fixed.
He spoke about the positive effects of the chemotherapy and he would pass me on to a surgeon for further work. This started many visits to the royal infirmary more scans and nine procedures (operations) were put into my diary each one dependant on the success of the previous one.
The procedures were to remove the remaining tumours, and the big procedure would be to remove the bowel tumour and two thirds of my liver in May 2024. I won’t go into the detail but these procedures were scattered with laughter and tears.
With hindsight chemotherapy isn’t something I would wish on my worst enemies and I had a surprise 20 week session following all the operations to make sure that I was cancer free.
Every chemotherapy session for me was on a two week cycle which for me started at ward 1 at the Western General hospital, a centre for cancer excellence, I met a lot of people there young, old, vegetarian and of all creed and religions. Some sadly (including one friend who I have known for 30 years) have left us but thanks to the great work that the NHS does a lot of people survive or have their lives extended.
I am still here having just had my 6 month scan and told there is no sign of any cancer I plan to be here for a long time!
My message to everyone is put your health first, your employer will quickly replace you no one has ever thought I wish I spent more time at work as they lie on their death bed.
Make sure you spend time with friends and family you never know what will happen tomorrow. Catch up for a coffee (or beer) with that friend or a school friend who have you havent looked up for a while!
Gents – if you are in your late 40’s go to your GP and ask for your well man check, it involves giving blood and some tests. One needle versus all the needles, scanners and knives that I have seen.
Early diagnosis is the best way to extend your life. 1 in 2 of us will be diagnosed with cancer – catch it early.
A special mention to my friend Kevin Donaghy who has an amazing book Stories of Cancer and Hope which every copy helps raise money for Maggies