Another One Bites the Dust!

[Airspeed]

Ian,
You're not hogging the stage, or depressing us, Mate. All you're doing is keeping us up to date, and that's one of your jobs!
Apart from that, reading posts is not compulsory, so if some don't want to see it, it's their choice.
For the rest of us, hearing from you is reassuring.
ATB

[Jon.M]

Not depressing at all Ian, keep telling us as much or as little as you want to.

I followed a similar thread on another forum a couple of years ago and I felt it was a help both for the protagonist and those of us that followed it. I certainly didn't see anybody lamenting the posts. I wouldn't know as much as I do about passing wind after a colostomy and what unused anal muscles can do after such an operation if I hadn't read it.

My father in law died at the end of last year. He was an uneducated farmer in a small Italian village and died where he was born. Whilst it was sad it was also the most natural thing in the world, and understood and accepted by all as such. Maybe many of us in sophisticated urban areas have forgotten or uselessly try to avoid death.

Jon

[Tomliner]

Ian,it's always good to hear from you.Don't ever feel guilty or concerned about updating us.After all,it's what many of us requested.However I've got to take you to task for one thing.You've shaken my belief that I'm immortal!Now I'm not so sure! EricT

[TSR2]

Glad you've got that out of the way Ian, sounds bloody uncomfortable. How long before you get the results back?

[speedbird591]

Thanks, guys. Of course you're right about people having the option to not read my posts. It just hadn't occurred to me that people would have the affrontery not to read a post of mine It's an outrageous suggestion and I demand names! If I find out who they are I can slag them off with complete impunity, of course, in the knowledge that they won't read it

Jon, I appreciate and agree with your comments about your father-in-law but the colostomy stuff. Yeuch. That's gross - please don't let's go there

Ben - I've just had a call from the hospital and the doctors have discussed my case at their weekly meeting so it looks like they've got the results already. I've made an appointment to see the consultant next Wednesday. I'm not looking forward to the confirmation of the diagnosis but I was dreading even more hearing that the biopsy wasn't successful and that I had to do it again. So it's almost a relief!

Ian

[airboatr]

Well I'm Bl@@dy damn well depressed, It's been raining constantly as of late.

[Nigel H-J]

Hi Ian, pleased to hear that the biopsy went OK, I am off next week so very likely that I won't get in front of a computer until I return so will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you, many years ago and in severe pain I underwent emergency surgery and they found that my colon had ruptured and had to remove part of it. (large bowel) initially they thought it was cancer and I had a very unpleasant time waiting for the results, so I really feel for you having to wait until next week Ian.

(I was diagnosed as having diverticulitis though it is very rare for the bowel to perforate and must admit when I do get a lot of pain from that area of the bowel it worries me that it might happen again.

Anyway Ian, you mentioned that your dear lady does not want to use the petrol mower and you may change it for an eletric one, I have been looking at B & Q as they offer OAP discounts on Wednesdays (the wife....not me)!!

One in particular is the Bosch Lithium Battery Mower, no electric cords to run over (my speciality) and very light as having trouble with my petrol one due to my spine and arthritis so may very well get this one. A bit expensive granted but may be an option.

http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/garden-po ... r-12698624

Regards
Nigel.

[speedbird591]

I saw the consultant on Wednesday for the biopsy results and it's confirmed as malignant mesothelioma. No shock to me as my body had already told me that and I'd come to terms with it. It was harder for Karen who'd decided to stay in denial (which is optimist speak for sticking your head in the sand ) She hadn't really considered the bad option so the specialist nurse spent most of the time answering her questions and talking us through the CT scan pictures and stuff.

Because this particular cancer is very personalised (custom designed for me!) the consultant couldn't even give a guesstimate and said I could pick my own number between 6 months and 10 years. She had one patient who lasted 10 years despite it being clinically impossible If my rate of deterioration stays the same my body tells me I'm looking at the shorter end.

They gave me some good advice about pain management and it was encouraging to hear that modern pain management means that it can be increased indefinitely and tailored precisely to the patient. My case will be examined at the regional mesothelioma panel in Bristol who may give extra advice to the team at Bath. Then I'm being referred to Oncology who may or may not recommend chemo or radiotherapy options to ease the symptoms. I've also been referred to the local hospice team and they've already contacted me and will be checking up on me regularly and will become my first contact for symptom control and care.

So the incredible care I've been receiving is continuing and everybody has been so kind and genuinely concerned and encouraging.

I handed in my notice yesterday so I'm a month away from retirement. I won't be sorry to hand back all my railway paraphernalia. It was fun while I was still fit but the last few months were getting a bit tedious after I'd passed my 50 year working landmark and felt that it was time to stop looking after unappreciative people

Right, I've got an empty calendar for a couple of days so I'm putting my feet up. I'm starting with a bacon and egg sandwich. Anybody else?

Ian

[DaveB]

Hi Ian

It's a bit early for me with a sandwich but I'll join you for a coffee

I'm sorry to hear your results have confirmed the worst scenario. Having had some of the chaps mention friends they knew living on with the condition for donkey's.. one kinda gets a hope that your 'version' may mean the same although me being pessimistic, I'd already convinced myself the opposite. With friends like me, you don't need enemies

Please continue to keep us up to speed mate.. we're all rootin' for ya

ATB
DaveB

[Garry Russell]

Hi Ian...sorry about the short end thing, but there is always hope and when you can take it easy a bit you should get a better quality for a bit.

Not much else to say except we are all here for you as much or as little as you want.

Take care now