Hi All


for those of you who are not fully in the picture this post will hopefully bring you up to speed.

I've had a nasty cough for quite a while and was busy seeing the quack and working my way throughout the treatments available at the Pharmacy. Antibiotics were working but the cough came back as soon as I stopped.

On Jan 6th I went for a chest x-ray at the war Memorial. On my return home I was phoned fron the QA and asked if I could come in and see the lung specialist and have a CT Scan on tuesday 10th. This I did.

I was informed that although i needed further tests it looked very much like I have a tumour in my left lung. I also have various "spots" of Asbestosis to complement it throughout my breathing system.

A biopsy followed on Monday 16th with an endoscope based bit of equipment. ( I didnt feel a thing and could see all what was happening - fantastic!!). The results were given on Friday 20th and confirmed that i had Non Small Cell carcinoma. It is inoperable due to its position an proximity to other things, and my prognosis was palliative care using Chemotherapy.

I asked why dont you call it big cell carcinoma and was told that the the explanation would probably take longer than i had left to live, so I left it there. It's the most common form of lung cancer in the uk today (80% of sufferers get this type) and the medicos know an awful lot about it.

I was then referred to the Oncologist, who would further explain and discuss my treatment and prognosis.

I saw the oncologist on thursday January 29th who went in to more detail and confirmed that i would be starting chemo either on the 5th or 12th of february

I saw my dentist in the afternoon to make sure I was ok in that area before the treatment, and guess what - full dental charges (you knew that was coming though didn't you?)


Anyhow thats enough from me for the moment - its not all doom and gloom bloggers - there are highlights threaded with silver, which i shall expand upon in my next entry.