Hi Kate   Thank you. Chemo went well, but it's unpleasant. I'm making adjustments to get through it.   I think I'm angry about it being such an inconvenience to my life style. Perhaps I haven't fully grasped the situation and I haven't quite accepted that normal life should be put on hold. Maybe I just want it all to bugger off.   Cheers   Phil ... View more

Hi Budgie   You comment was short and sweet. I know you can do better. Do you have a photo of your beloved malamute?   This is my Bonnie. Siberian husky. Bonnie loves her Daddy   ... View more

Hi Claire   Still quiet for you. I hope your surgery recovery is going well. And I hope your abused fingernails are on the mend following anxious wait at the hospital yesterday.   I'm sorry the virtual books weren't a very stimulating read.   Cheers   Phil ... View more

Hi Lampwork,    Thank you for the back story. And for the puppy pictures. It's cool that you and Claire both have a Tibetan link. One of you have a soul mate and the other has the most loyal friendships.    I'm writing about my chemo on my blog. My general feeling about chemo... It sucks balls. Not a fan at all. But I'll just shut up and get on with it.   I hope you are feeling better.    Cheers   Phil ... View more

Hi Sch   Yes they removed a tumor. About 20cm of bowel. It started as stage 2, then became stage 2.5 sort of. Now they just call it stage 3. But still early in the stage 3 zone. 24 lymph nodes removed. Only 1 was cancerous, but it pushed me up to the next level. Chemo starts tomorrow.    Cheers   Phil ... View more

Hi Claire and Lampwork    I'm virtually visiting you guys in hospital or home, where ever you may be recovering tonight.   Some flowers to brighten your rooms. 💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐   Some books for some light reading, to help pass the time. 📚📓📒📔📕📖📗📘📙📰   And a bear to cuddle  🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸🧸   I also snuck in some junk food because hospital food is crap. 🍕🌭🍔🍟🌮🌯🥙🍿🍤🥡🍦🍨   I hope your recoveries are going well.   Cheers    Phil ... View more

Hi Claire   Phil is fine 😊   Yes both cavies. They turn 10 and 11 this year. We had a boy who died at 9 and we still get sad when we think about losing him. Unfortunately for cavaliers, his heart gave out early.   Like I said before, I've drawn so much from you and Lampwork, I just want to get it started. Kind of approaching it with a little anger and a lot of enthusiasm.   I didn't realise you were having surgery today. Good luck. Or should I say break a leg, since it's a dance routine. I'll pay you a virtual hospital visit via the forum.   You are so brave to go to the hospital alone. I'd be too scared for that. My wife would murder me for suggesting out loud.   Take care. I hope all goes well.   Cheers    Phil   ... View more

What is worse than having cancer? I think I know now. Discovering when someone you really care about has cancer. ... View more

Hi Lampwork    Good luck for tomorrow.  I'll be keeping an eye out for your updates.   Thank you for all the positive messages.   Cheers   Phil ... View more

Hi Julia   My chemo starts on Wednesday. I first fronted up to the chemo unit last Wednesday, so I could book in. They were a little quiet so they were able to squeeze me in for bloods and chemo education. This was straight after my initial meeting with my Oncologist .   The oncologist gave me a good overview, but then the chemo education was outstanding. We discussed so much detail about side affects, but also dos and don'ts.   I was just discussing your post with my wife. We are actually both surprised you weren't warned about this side effect. So perhaps you're chemo education wasn't very thorough. It maybe worth following up on to make sure you are aware of the hazard to yourself and others; as well as the other side effects you may experience and how to cope with them.   To counter being tired, the general opinion is to exercise. I don't know how easy that will be. I might find out before the end of the week. From the research I've done, succumbing to the fatigue creates more fatigue. So once your in the quicksand, you'll only sink deeper. My plan is to go for a walk when I get tired.  I don't know how sustainable it will be, but it's kind of time to get on with it.   Good luck with you treatment. Stay fit and well.   Cheers   Phil ... View more