News of NEO
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Nigeria
NEO One of our bestest Men
NEO my good man we at Humane Resource wish you the very speedy recovery and return to the bosoms of our family.
We will pound many yams and prepare starch and banga soup to return you to the fine figure that suits you so well.
We will see you back soon O
FC
We will pound many yams and prepare starch and banga soup to return you to the fine figure that suits you so well.
We will see you back soon O
FC
Nigerian In Law
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 92
From: The stool at the end of the bar
I'm Still Standing
I'm a quarter of the way through the chemo now and my bowel is almost completely blocked by the primary tumour so no solids until after the next cycle at least. I've also lost the feeling in both feet, apparently a reaction to one of the chemicals, so the beloved Beemer is parked. Still, having scanned the Cancer Research and Macmillan websites I consider myself lucky to have so few side effects.
The plus of all this is that I may not have to rely on the usual "pocket full of personality" upon my return as I'll be so lithe and desirable (although much more wrinkled) that the distings will just fall at my feet with no need for transport money. That is keeping my morale up at the moment anyway.
Hope you are all keeping well, and a word of advice for the over 45s; for goodness sake get scanned once a year, even if you have to pay for it. I could have been sorted a lot sooner and with much less pain etc if I had heeded that advice.
Take care and fly safe.
NEO
The plus of all this is that I may not have to rely on the usual "pocket full of personality" upon my return as I'll be so lithe and desirable (although much more wrinkled) that the distings will just fall at my feet with no need for transport money. That is keeping my morale up at the moment anyway.
Hope you are all keeping well, and a word of advice for the over 45s; for goodness sake get scanned once a year, even if you have to pay for it. I could have been sorted a lot sooner and with much less pain etc if I had heeded that advice.
Take care and fly safe.
NEO
Last edited by Nigerian Expat Outlaw; 4th August 2012 at 08:43. Reason: Grammar
Joined: Oct 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 931
From: Den Haag
Following on from your advice - how was it discovered and were there any symptoms prior to that which you ignored, which in hindsight you would not have?
Keep up the recovery!
Keep up the recovery!
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
If you turn 50....absent any family history of Colon Cancer and no indications of problems....absolutely visit the Roto-Rooter Man and get "seen" to. It is painless...and the peace of mind knowing you are in good health is worth it. If you have family history...or any suggestion of a problem talk to your Quack asap.
First check was good for me....with some signs of Diverticula.....five years later and some good reason to get the second one done....over the protests of my government supplied Doctor....and confirmation of non-cancer problems confirmed. Now it is every other year to determine the extent of the problem and to ensure no other issues.
Colon Cancer caught early is one of the most curable cancers out there.
Hang in there NEO....perhaps in time the Distings will smooth out some of the wrinkles out for you!
First check was good for me....with some signs of Diverticula.....five years later and some good reason to get the second one done....over the protests of my government supplied Doctor....and confirmation of non-cancer problems confirmed. Now it is every other year to determine the extent of the problem and to ensure no other issues.
Colon Cancer caught early is one of the most curable cancers out there.
Hang in there NEO....perhaps in time the Distings will smooth out some of the wrinkles out for you!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: In the shadows
Totally agree with SASless. In England every two years once you reach 60 and until you are 74 you will receive in the post a bowel cancer screening kit - in Scotland it's from 50 to 74 and in 2015 that will be the same for Wales. My last test in December was clear but in May I began passing blood.
Saw my GP the next day, had a colonoscopy and biopsies taken within 4 weeks. Colonoscopy is very slightly uncomfortable but not painful and you are sedated. Like SASless and around 50% of folk over 50 the colonoscopy showed I have diverticular disease. The majority will never know they have got it. However my bleeding is caused by ulcerative colitis - incurable but controllable.
My point in all this is if you have any symptoms at any age get yourself checked out soonest. Just because the symptoms put the fear of God into you, don't leave it and hope it goes away. Altered bowel habits, pain, bleeding, passing mucus covered stools etc - get it checked out. Chances are that like me it isn't colon cancer but if it is and you catch it early it's curable.
All the best to NEO - I don't know your real name but I expect our paths have crossed over the years.
Saw my GP the next day, had a colonoscopy and biopsies taken within 4 weeks. Colonoscopy is very slightly uncomfortable but not painful and you are sedated. Like SASless and around 50% of folk over 50 the colonoscopy showed I have diverticular disease. The majority will never know they have got it. However my bleeding is caused by ulcerative colitis - incurable but controllable.
My point in all this is if you have any symptoms at any age get yourself checked out soonest. Just because the symptoms put the fear of God into you, don't leave it and hope it goes away. Altered bowel habits, pain, bleeding, passing mucus covered stools etc - get it checked out. Chances are that like me it isn't colon cancer but if it is and you catch it early it's curable.
All the best to NEO - I don't know your real name but I expect our paths have crossed over the years.
Last edited by CharlieOneSix; 22nd August 2012 at 08:47.
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: In the Haven of Peace
NEO doesn't have bowel cancer, he has non-Hodgkins Lymphoma which is causing some problems with his bowels as the tumours are shrinking after chemo-therapy. He has completed another session of chemotherapy but is being kept in hospital under observation as he is suffering some complications at present. I spoke to him a couple of hours ago and he remains resolutely positive in his outlook and is determined to be back at work before the year's end.
Cancers have some strange ways of manifesting themselves and NEO originally returned to UK suffering a really painful back problems which was initially mis-diagnosed as a due to a crushed nerve root. It took some weeks before the tumours were discovered and treatment for his real ailment could begin.
He really appreciates everyone's good wishes and hopes to be back in circulation, slimmer, balder but the same old NEO as always
Cancers have some strange ways of manifesting themselves and NEO originally returned to UK suffering a really painful back problems which was initially mis-diagnosed as a due to a crushed nerve root. It took some weeks before the tumours were discovered and treatment for his real ailment could begin.
He really appreciates everyone's good wishes and hopes to be back in circulation, slimmer, balder but the same old NEO as always
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: In the Haven of Peace
NEO's had some additional complications and has had to be kept in hospital for the last couple of weeks. He's having surgery today to help and I know he really appreciates everyone's good wishes, so please join with me in wishing him the best in beating the beast and getting well enough to get back out to Africa and sink a few Heinekens with his friends again
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 3
From: UK
Is it possible I might have shared a pint or two with NEO in Goodies Bar, Mar 2005 to Sep 2006? I'm not a fling winger, just a ground guy who was helping start up a new airline at the time.
Best wishes NEO and hope it goes well.
Best wishes NEO and hope it goes well.
Nigerian In Law
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 92
From: The stool at the end of the bar
Bright Light Is There !
Thought I'd post a short update on my situation. I was discharged from hospital again after a near six week stay yesterday evening.
The operation to free up my bowel was a great success and the surgeon who carried out the procedure had only one regret; that he could not remove the primary tumour as it has blood vessels which feed the bowel running through it. If he had cut it out he would have "killed" my small bowel. So I have some more chemotherapy to undergo.
The pain, both internal and external, from the operation is very acute but I have been assured that will pass as it heals up. I am controlling it to some extent with morphine sulphate tablets which unfortunately means I drop off to sleep at the drop of a hat, sometimes without even realising it !
But am now eating a soft diet which will slowly develop into a normal one, something which was simply impossible a couple of weeks ago. Having lost 65 pounds I need to build myself up in order to withstand the remaining chemotherapy cycles.
The good news is that the surgeon tells me that the primary tumour has shrunk from a full size rugby ball to a walnut. With 5 cycles remaining the light at the end of the tunnel is mathematically as bright as it can be under the circumstances.
Once again, best wishes and thanks to all who have contacted me or left messages, and please please please think about getting a scan as I advised earlier.
NEO
The operation to free up my bowel was a great success and the surgeon who carried out the procedure had only one regret; that he could not remove the primary tumour as it has blood vessels which feed the bowel running through it. If he had cut it out he would have "killed" my small bowel. So I have some more chemotherapy to undergo.
The pain, both internal and external, from the operation is very acute but I have been assured that will pass as it heals up. I am controlling it to some extent with morphine sulphate tablets which unfortunately means I drop off to sleep at the drop of a hat, sometimes without even realising it !
But am now eating a soft diet which will slowly develop into a normal one, something which was simply impossible a couple of weeks ago. Having lost 65 pounds I need to build myself up in order to withstand the remaining chemotherapy cycles.
The good news is that the surgeon tells me that the primary tumour has shrunk from a full size rugby ball to a walnut. With 5 cycles remaining the light at the end of the tunnel is mathematically as bright as it can be under the circumstances.
Once again, best wishes and thanks to all who have contacted me or left messages, and please please please think about getting a scan as I advised earlier.
NEO
