Well that was day 1 of week 1 in the cycle. Have to say that it wasn't too bad during the process. But also have to say that it left me feeling very. very tired. So came home and had a sleep for a couple of hours. Am a little worried mind you, when I woke up I was feeling hot and so took my temp. It's up - 38.2! Not so good news for the first week. It's allowed to go up to 38.5 before I need to get worried so am monitoring it closely and keeping my fingers crossed. Last thing I want, now that I have made it into the trial, is to have something go wrong and get moved out of the trial Currently lots of will power being used. Take care all, Tim While there is a slight chance, there is a chance. While there is a chance,there is hope. ... View more

I found out today that I made it into the trial and will be doing the double drug chemo treatment. It was such a relief to hear that news, I broke out into tears of relief,joy and happiness. My wife did the same when I told her. Both us have found it really hard over the past 9 days, nothing was going in my favour. I think that there needs to be a books of do's and dont's that they give cancer patients. I went to the chiro today, something that I've done on a regular basis for the past 20 years, and while they were manipulating my back they aggravated my liver. Talk about a sharp pain as a result. Went to the GP as the pain hadn't dropped much over an hour and was promptly told off. "Don't ever do that again" I was told. Might have been nice to know about it to start with. On a side point, my back feels much better. I start my chemo tomorrow with its double dose of drugs. Must remember not to have a wee before hand (every other time I did and they wanted a sample). Think it might be easier just to hold on until they say it's ok to go. Not sure what side effects the chemo will bring. Hopefully they are manageable. Until later Tim While there is a slight chance, there is a chance. While there is a chance,there is hope. ... View more

Well, today was the day that I was meant to find out if I had made it into the trial program. I didn't find out. There is one result from the blood tests to come back. While it may not be good news, it is not bad news. You have no idea how good it felt to be not told bad news today. Every other time in the past 3 to 4 weeks that we have seen a doctor the news has just gone from bad to worse. Hopefully I find out tomorrow. Either way I start chemo on Thursday. Haven't slept much for a week now (surprise, surprise). Last night was no exception with only getting 3 hours of very interrupted sleep. I am awfully glad that the oncologist wrote out a script of knock out tablets. Both myself and my wife need them. Have to save the energy for fighting this damn cancer for as long as possible. Will post again tomorrow. Hope to know about the trial then. take care Tim while there is a slim chance, there is a chance. While there is a chance, there is hope. Oh.... as an after thought. Any body got any recommendations about good books to read? I'm going to need something when the chemo starts on Thursday and somehow I don't think Phantom comics are going to keep my attention for very long. cheers ... View more

Well its the start of a new week and you guessed it, more tests. This time though they were the pre tests for the trial that I have been recommended for. I find out tomorrow if I made the trial or not (have fingers crossed but after the decline in news over the past three weeks am not getting my hopes up) We had a great weekend with about 14 people coming around on Saturday for a pizza and pasta night. We cooked. As per usual on these nights we cooked far too much and will be eating leftovers for a week. Mind you, I'm not complaining about it. The only problem with Saturday is that while I intended to let myself unwind a little (I felt that I had earned it) I let myself unwind a little too much. Problem of drinking nice red wine. Anyway, Sunday I felt sorry for myself all day - probably not a good thing to have done seeing as I need to be looking after my liver. I don't really regret it and am not going to do it again. It's hard work being positive and sharing the story with everyone. Must admit to breaking down on Saturday and saying to my wife I can't keep being the strong one around everybody. My wife is great. She let me get it out of my system and simply said "you don't have to be strong all the time, just be positive". She really is a wonderful woman. Started thinking about my will on the weekend (the cause of me breaking down). It's hard having to write one. I know that it's needed but it doesn't make it any easier. Sadly though, it can't be put off. Even though I intend to fight for as long as I can, I still need to think of the worst possible scenario and plan for that as well. Can't really think of anything else to write. Life goes on. Things need to be done. Writing this helps to clarify my thoughts and helps me accept what is happening a little more each time. Mind you, I wish I could do the same with my damn uni essay. C'mon Tim, stop procrastinating and just finish it! take care all. will post about the trial outcome Tim ... View more

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could offer up some pointers about how to survive the Christmas holiday period? I am a school teacher and am about to have 5 weeks holidays forced on me. My tragic diagnosis was given to me on Dec 6th and, to be honest, I think that the only way I have coped so far is that I have still been working. Can't say that I am looking forward to the quiet times and the questions/thoughts/emotions that are going to occur about the time frame I was given and that the only choice is palliative care. Any advice, greatly appreciated Tim ... View more