Good news - keep it up! I look forward to hearing more good news soon

Promising Outlook
 

Just thought I'd update you on my progress.

I was discharged from hospital for the fourth time on Friday afternoon, having been re-admitted for severe small bowel pain and nausea (couldn't even keep water down), and this time I hope and pray they have finally found the cause and sorted it. Yesterday was my first pain free day since this whole sorry affair began in March and I slept the whole night without any sudden starts due to turning over and causing tumour compressions.

I am now on (only !!) nine various drugs to alleviate pain, bowel convulsions, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea and fatigue. But they are all temporary, some until the post operation scars heal, some until the end of the chemo, some for longer, perhaps years or even life. but Hey Ho, the operative word in this situation is life. And none of them affect me work wise if I have to keep taking them.

I had the fourth full chemotherapy cycle on Thursday and on Friday was confronted with a bunch of very happy consultant surgeons, haematologists and nurses who told me that I was being discharged. I have a number of bowel dilations caused by back pressure from the previous blockages, the small bowel is less inflamed but still healing and may take months, years or never return to its normal size, but the primary tumour is either so small it was hidden from the CT scanner by intestinal overlay or is too small to see. In all absolutely splendid news. The other lesser tumours were all undetectable.

So after another four cycles it is a good bet that remission will be the order of the day and I'll be back on that bar stool (or more realistically in my case the plastic chair by the pool) sooner than I thought. One troubling issue is that my sons took me to the local and I tried a half of bitter just before I went back into hospital; couldn't drink it as I didn't like the taste ! Is it worth continuing this treatment if I'm going to end up teetotal ?! Your thoughts please.............

During the week I was visited in hospital by a very nice lady from Redhill HR who had made the effort to drive all the way up just to see how I was getting on and pass on best wishes and encouragement from herself and my bosses in Lagos. I emphasise that these were personal messages, not the stock text book stuff. Unless you've been in this sort of situation it is hard to express the lift a visit gives, and such messages, especially from people who have very big fish to fry, mean an awful lot.

I have had literally hundreds of communications, mails, texts, calls and visits and it is impossible to quantify the positive effect these have had and are still having. People who are well don't wake up full of sweetness and light every day of their lives, so I reckon I'm entitled to have the odd "down" day, but when I get a mail or a call it lifts me up again if I'm feeling discouraged.

Once again I thank those who have done this from the bottom of my heart, especially those who have hundreds of people to think about, but still spare a thought for one small cog in the machine.

All in all, barring some unforeseen obstacle, all I have to to is endure four more chemotherapy cycles, build myself up a bit (well, lot actually) and get on the plane back to work.

One thing I have learnt among many other life lessons is that although there is no loyalty on the corporate or commercial fronts, there is still human loyalty. People have jobs to do but they are still human beings with human feelings. This was demonstrated to me in practical terms last week. Maybe we should sometimes look at both sides instead of always taking the cynical approach to everything our bosses do ? Just a thought.

Be safe guys and gals, I'll see you soon.

NEO

Hang In There NEO
 

Good Luck, Sorry this is happening to you.
My sincere thought are with you. Mike

Good news - thanks for the update!

Thinking of you
 

Teatotal!! that is serious.

News Flash
Nigerian beer industry shares tumble.

We do tend to be better people sober.....in your case we don't know.....as seeing you sober is such a rare occasion.

Very glad to hear you are well on the road to recovery....in time you will regain the appreciation for the foaming ale....but it seems you've already got your spirits where you need them!

All that being said....a dear friend had a real fight with Hepititus many years ago and was on a "Water Only" routine for a full year. Twenty years later and he still cannot drink Coffee because he cannot stand the taste of it.

Scary thought in your case should you be the same.....off Beer for life!:{:oh::uhoh:

Not Again ?!
 

I was admitted to hospital (for the SIXTH time) on Friday with uncontrollable vomiting and severe abdominal pain. This so called journey has a lot of speed bumps in the road !

So they have all that under control and I'm able to eat a bit, except I've now lost a total of 75 pounds since this whole thing started. The dietician and nutritionist are due to see me tomorrow morning then Ill be discharged once again with another load of drugs to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Once again, thank you for all the support, you have no idea what it means to me.

NEO

Best of Luck NEO for the future

I hope all goes well for the future and I will be watching this thread :ok:.

John

Hi NEO, we don't know each other but I've been really captured by your story. Have had a few friends in a similar boat to you and it's bringing back a lot of memories both bad and good. I really glad to hear was your comments on what it means to get visits and encouragement from your mates.

On the subject of beer - can't they put stout directly into the chemo cocktail?

Good luck mate.

Nearly There - Hopefully
 

Last week I had the 7th of 8 chemo treatments. The normal schedule for my type of cancer is 6, but because of the gap caused by the bowel operation they decided it would be better to "over treat" than not do enough. I can take the chemo and its' well known side effects, it's the steroids they make you take for days afterwards (to bolster the immune system) that knock me sideways.

The last cycle is schedule for 28th December then a full body scan to see if if the scourge has been eradicated. Assuming (as I must) that Ill be clear, I then get an intensive programme of dietary input and physiotherapy to build me back up, although I am managing to eat even though this has made me unable to digest fibre as well as Lactose intolerant. Hopefully they will pass once the chemo stops and the bowel gradually returns to something approaching normal size.

To anyone diagnosed with any variant of this cruel condition I have one vital message; never give up, no matter how painful, nauseous or long it may be. Some are "lucky" and have 6 cycles as outpatients then go straight back to a relatively normal life, some are less fortunate. But I'm convinced that there is a psychological aspect to the whole issue of serious conditions such as this, and that maintaining a positive mental approach can make a significant difference.

Once again, the loyalty, support, true friendship and contact from colleagues and my bosses has also made a huge difference. Statistically one in three people either have, have had or know someone with cancer. Support is a huge bolster. I am unsure how I would have fared this far had I been compelled to face this alone. Food for thought.

I'll report again when the last chemo has "worn off" and the scan results are out.

All the best,

NEO

Get Well Soon
 

Hi Sir,
Glad to hear you are recovering. Take Care. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Hello NEO,

dont really know what to say beside that I really admire your strenght....you're setting an example here...just wanted to give you a "pat in the shoulder"...even in a virtual way...thanks for sharing and get well soon buddy.....

Dario

Sarkozy and I raised a glass to you last night Lad!

On the mend
 

Fight it all the way. I look forward to hearing you give the all clear.

In the meantime, have a good Christmas and new year.

Good news and thanks for the update!

SAS - judging from your comments on FB, you raised quite a few glasses!!;):E

Keep it up
 

Dear NEO,
Keep the positive vibes going I don't know if it helps but we are with you!
JJ

NEO, keep fighting the good fight! Merry X-mas and A Happy New Year!

NEO,

Looks like you are well and truly in the wars. One more chemo treatment and then some rehab should have you on the path to recovery. Easier said than done but you seem to be making a good fist of it.

I look back at my time at Calabar with fond memories.
Manic production crew changes, radio wars with Uko, rude emails to Lagos demanding money, trying to balance the petty cash, epic VIP flights and most of all many nights of merriment at the bar.

Great base you ran there. The Cercopan crowd always let it be known that you were the better host.

Best of luck for a complete recovery.

Phonic Wheel

Nearly There ??
 

Hello All,

Well, what can I say........ Emergency admission on 10th January after a fall in the kitchen left me with a gaping head wound, only to be told I had a 25% chance of survival due to severe malnutrition. I couldn't believe it; in a developed country under constant supervision and observation I ended up weighing 41KG (those who know me will testify to my "normal" shape and size !) and needing intravenous feeding.

I then caught "hospital acquired pneumonia" (WTF ?!) and spent three weeks in the High Dependency Unit. Straight afterwards a "Groschen" line was surgically inserted into my chest (it's still there) to feed me and take blood samples etc, but during the procedure my left lung was punctured. Talk about bad luck.............

I was finally discharged last Friday. I've had two CT scans to check on the condition of my small bowel, neither of which showed any sign of cancer. Of course this was an incidental observation, the "official" verification can only be obtained from a PET scan which I am yet to have. The good news is that I am finally pain free and able to move around (albeit with a walking frame temporarily) on my own. My muscles and especially Achilles tendons have wasted after three months enforced bed rest. But I weigh 60KG and gaining and am learning what I can and can't eat etc. Little and often is the order of the day.

The PET scan should be fairly soon (I need to be strong enough to take the radioactive injection), and barring any unforeseen obstacles I hope to be back in harness in sunnier climes in a couple of months. I get stronger and more flexible every day with the exercise regime; a very painful and stiff routine but it seems to be working.

So after a year of fighting with numerous setbacks to contend with I can finally see a light at the end of this evil tunnel. Once again, I can only say a huge thank you to those who have not forgotten me and have been checking on my progress (or lack of it) over the past year. It has been a massive morale booster, especially during the desperately low periods. And whatever people may say or think about my employer, they (or more precisely he) has stood by me and not deserted or dumped me. It is this sort of loyalty that separates the wheat from the chaff; a rare commodity these days.

Being told you only have a 25% chance of survival is an almost surreal experience; perversely it made me even more determined to beat this thing. The old cliche "There is always someone worse off" has also been brought into sharp focus. I saw a good number of people pass away over the past year. Some were simply terminal, some gave up and some couldn't withstand the chemo or radio therapy.

Onwards and upwards ! Just a PET scan to make it official, a lot of stodgy, fattening food and some exercise and I'll be back.

NEO

Strength and courage, NEO!!!!!! 'It ain't over until the fat lady sings!'

Alouette:ok:

Great news NEO, though so sorry to hear the degree to which you have suffered!

Also, nice to hear about the way you have been looked after by the company. I remember well the uproar when they decided to severe Brian Fitzpatrick's employment after 6 months sick leave, which resulted in a lot of back pedalling. Sadly his outcome was less successful.

Prayer
 

I have said a prayer for you NEO and all is well with you.

Good Luck
 

Hang in there!
We are all rooting for you & fingers crossed.
M.S

That's great news, been praying for you and am looking forward to seeing you back in the saddle.

Hi NEO,

We worked together in HK 88 - 90.

Seems like the hospital made a real mess of your last visit but it could have been worse, you could have been in a BMH!

Stag on mate, you'll get there in the end.:D

Good news NEO......That 25% chance will drop quicker than a Auntie's Kitchen Night Fighters knickers when you get back to flying if I remember your Piloting Skills with any clarity.

When you get to the point you can swill Gulder by the Gallon....that weight will magically reappear!

NEO
 

Mate,

There is no doubt but that your fighting spirit and determination to beat this evil thing has been an inspiration to us all.

Getting back to work will be the ultimate triumph! Have a plate of chips on me!

Cyclic.:D

Good news thinking of you.

Good News NEO

Me and the missus coming to UK in the summer after a long absence, if your up for it by then I'll bring the 'Prawsns'!!!!

S

Fantastic news NEO. I've ordered a padded cushion for your place on the park bench in case your nyash stays bony, but I'm sure your usual Heineken and frankfurter diet when you return will soon fatten it up :ok::}

Nearly There
 

Hi Peeps,

Fingers and toes crossed, it looks as though I'm finally on the home straight; the PETCT scan showed the cancer has gone, however there was what my consultant termed an "artefact" in my chest cavity which means another scan to officially clear me as in remission.

An artefact is a common issue with these PETCT scans, it is basically a sort of shadow that appears when the 2D CT image is superimposed upon the 3D PET image. For example if you're breathing in when one image is taken and breathing out when the other one is shot, you'll have an artefact. Nobody seems concerned about it in the slightest, to the extent that my next appointment isn't until the end of August at which time the scan will be booked.

In the meantime I continue to gain weight and strength slowly but surely, no pain and only a small IBS type symptom to contend with. I have to take antibiotics for the rest of my life to stave off the Blind Loop Syndrome that caused the malnutrition but hey ho, people take pills every day for all sorts of things, if I have to take a couple it's a small price to pay for the gift of life.

So with the support of my friends and my employer I should be back in harness sooner rather than later, hopefully before the next consultant appointment.

At the risk of harping on (for which I make no apology), I feel an overwhelming debt of gratitude to those who have proven themselves to be TRUE friends, keeping in touch and visiting throughout this hellish period, some making outrageously long and arduous journeys to do so. This short list includes my ultimate boss who came to see me, crossing London and onwards up to my new home base in absolutely atrocious weather, turning up on the doorstep looking like a drowned cat with an umbrella that had been blown inside out ! You all know who you are, and I will never forget. Call me old fashioned, but I was brought up to believe that loyalty is a two way street and you have each earned mine for the rest of my life.

I have also had a few visitors more recently, some of whom have stayed and shot the s**t with me, a great morale booster.

Cheers to all and heartfelt thanks for the continuing messages of support. It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, but she getting a sore throat............

NEO

Great news - my heart sank slightly when I saw this thread at the top, but with no cause! Keep it up :ok:

NEO,

We've never met, and most likely never will, but I have followed this thread with great interest and respect for you and your friends.

I am really glad you are on the mend, and must admit to having a similar thought to 212man (although to a lesser degree no doubt than him), when the thread found its way to the top again.

Good luck to you sir, I hope you end up back in the saddle where you clearly belong.

Gary

As 212Man said....I was operating on the "No News is Good News!" routine.....and I am very glad it was disproved here.

Glad to hear you are mending well....and wish you a speedy return to "Work"....which is a four letter word..... like "Wife" and "Kids"!

I am off to have a CT Scan myself.....the Quack did not seem to concerned...but then why should he be....as it is not him having the problems.

Look at the bright side....Antibiotics for Life....should keep you safe should you stray while down to Aunties Kitchen!

Good to hear you feel better!:ok:

GREAT NEWS
 

Good news, take care Sir.:D

Great news!! Take care Sir!

Lima Alpha! So glad to hear you're back in the green.

Bit boney for the Lima Alpha handle Alan, but I'm working on it ! :ok:

Cheers,

NEO

Good news at last ! well done and I hope things get back to something near normality for you sson:ok: