What saddened you today?

[Breezy_Pete]

Off to the gym tomorrow evening, 😎

 

 

 

 

but only to show my face and pick up a get well soon card from some of my lovely training partners.😁

[skomaz]

1 hour ago, Breezy_Pete said:

 

This was excellent advice, which I followed. GP said It's only slight...but when I pointed out that I'd been taking iron supplements for the 4 months between donation attempts she sat up (as far as I could tell on an audio-only call) and said, OK we should probably check your wee and poo.

 

Wee was OK but the qFIT  poo test rang big alarm bells with a score of 304.  This tests for occult (hidden by mixing) blood in stool, over 60s get this in the post from time to time apparently, in the UK. I'm 5 years too young for that, if you get one in the post, use it FFS.

 

That score sent me straight to Endoscopy, for a look up and down the gastric tubes. Down was OK; but Up found 'what looks like a malignant tumour' in my caecum (start of large intestine). Carted straight for a CT scan to see where else it might/mightn't be (but they didn't tell me result of that at the time)

This was on December 7th, day of work Christmas Party... I attended, but not as carefree and boozed up as normal. Shell-shocked probably described my mood better.

 

Lots of calls and an MRI scan later, it was pronounced to be localised, and of type adenocarcinoma.

After a rather anxious Christmas they had me and partner chatting to a very nice surgeon on 29th Dec about their plans. Right hemicolectomy, to be followed by chemo if necessary (if adjacent lymph nodes affected, sometimes even if not, I'm told). Op planned for 19th Jan.

 

That happened as planned, last week, and was unproblematic. Just over 48 hours in hospital and I was home, after being incredibly well cared for by the local NHS, love 'em to bits.🥰

 

Recovery has been pretty spectacular, but I was arguably in the best shape of my life when I walked in, give or take the odd tumour.

Pub lunch today with a couple of pints, after a bit of clothes shopping (fancied a bit of colour in my wardrobe, realised I'd become very grey/brown/dark blue like I was trying to hide). 1 mike walk in lovely fresh air with the dog this morning, after making breakfast in bed for my partner, then doing the washing up.

 

So some sad bits, but pretty happy outcome thus far (you don't need a whole colon, trust me). Histopathology results about a week from now, no point worrying about those til they're in.

 

Moral of the story, if you can give blood, do. It might just save your life. 🤗

 

 

 

Bloody hell Pete - wasn't expecting that as a post!...   but then neither were you I expect!

 

Anyhow glad things have gone OK so far (and long may this continue) and fingers crossed for you.

[J.R.]

I'm very pleased to hear the outcome was positive Pete.

 

Would something like that have been picked up by a coloscopy or only through blood tests?

 

I am probably due another coloscopy, I must check the date of the last one. My mother died at 45 from cancer of the colon, I had just turned 15.

[Breezy_Pete]

Short answer yes, but a flexible sigmoidoscopy (partial look around up there, not as far round) wouldn't have found it.

 

Colonoscopy was the definitive diagnostic investigation, but apparently iron deficiency anaemia (there are other types of anaemia) in men is virtually always associated with 'something' unwelcome growing somewhere in the pipework between mouth and anus.

[Titanium_Man]

2 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

 

This was excellent advice, which I followed. GP said It's only slight...but when I pointed out that I'd been taking iron supplements for the 4 months between donation attempts she sat up (as far as I could tell on an audio-only call) and said, OK we should probably check your wee and poo.

 

Wee was OK but the qFIT  poo test rang big alarm bells with a score of 304.  This tests for occult (hidden by mixing) blood in stool, over 60s get this in the post from time to time apparently, in the UK. I'm 5 years too young for that, if you get one in the post, use it FFS.

 

That score sent me straight to Endoscopy, for a look up and down the gastric tubes. Down was OK; but Up found 'what looks like a malignant tumour' in my caecum (start of large intestine). Carted straight for a CT scan to see where else it might/mightn't be (but they didn't tell me result of that at the time)

This was on December 7th, day of work Christmas Party... I attended, but not as carefree and boozed up as normal. Shell-shocked probably described my mood better.

 

Lots of calls and an MRI scan later, it was pronounced to be localised, and of type adenocarcinoma.

After a rather anxious Christmas they had me and partner chatting to a very nice surgeon on 29th Dec about their plans. Right hemicolectomy, to be followed by chemo if necessary (if adjacent lymph nodes affected, sometimes even if not, I'm told). Op planned for 19th Jan.

 

That happened as planned, last week, and was unproblematic. Just over 48 hours in hospital and I was home, after being incredibly well cared for by the local NHS, love 'em to bits.🥰

 

Recovery has been pretty spectacular, but I was arguably in the best shape of my life when I walked in, give or take the odd tumour.

Pub lunch today with a couple of pints, after a bit of clothes shopping (fancied a bit of colour in my wardrobe, realised I'd become very grey/brown/dark blue like I was trying to hide). 1 mile walk in lovely fresh air with the dog this morning, after making breakfast in bed for my partner, then doing the washing up.

 

So some sad bits, but pretty happy outcome thus far (you don't need a whole colon, trust me). Cut and shut job works just fine.

 

Histopathology results about a week from now, no point worrying about those til they're in.

 

Moral of the story, if you can give blood, do. It might just save your life. 🤗

 

 

😱 Also didn’t see this post coming. What a shock. 
 

Can anyone tell me why these not nice things always happen to the good people 😔
 

You’ve been amazingly supportive, helped me lift my mood when low and beyond when it was needed, but I’ve never really been able to find the right words to show just how much thanks and gratitude I had for you (and others)
 

So, If there is anything I can help, please, please let me know. 
 

 

[Gaz]

Blimey!  

 

Glad to hear good news Pete (relatively speaking in terms of clouds and silver linings), and that you're making a good recovery 👍

 

Gaz

[Mickvrs220]

Good luck pete ,hope all stays champion for you 👍

[mac11irl]

so.....

this here has been a roller coaster of posts to read through tonight! 

very much came from nowhere!!!

 

fingers crossed all continues on the same trajectory Pete, sending the positive energy your way.

and, also thanks for sharing the details openly and honestly, as this is the kind of random place someone going through similar to you and googling it is going potentially find, and see information they need, and also the support friends and even somewhat strangers can give, so they might feel a bit more at ease and more willing to discuss whats going on in their situation and unburden themselves.

 

 

and if anyone like that is reading this random car forum thread for info on health topics - talk to your doctor about the medical stuff, but feck it, join Brisky and open up to some petrol sniffers about your personal electrical gremlins and timing belt issues. its a friendly community willing to listen

 

[@Lee]

23 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Short answer yes, but a flexible sigmoidoscopy (partial look around up there, not as far round) wouldn't have found it.

 

Colonoscopy was the definitive diagnostic investigation, but apparently iron deficiency anaemia (there are other types of anaemia) in men is virtually always associated with 'something' unwelcome growing somewhere in the pipework between mouth and anus.

Good luck, Pete. As someone who also recently had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy, for me the worst part was the day before. Boy, when they say they want you empty, the really mean empty! I can't recall it stinging like that before ever!
It turned out I had some polyps in my colon but all other tests came back OK thankfully. I had been having blood in my stools but this is possibly due to IBS. The doc wants to see me again in November for a check up or sooner if there's any more blood.
Again, good luck

[Breezy_Pete]

Ta Lee. Yes the prep for colonoscopy is not subtle. 😆

 

Funnily enough, for the op itself all I had to do was be on clear fluids only for about 32 hours pre-op.

[mac11irl]

5 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Ta Lee. Yes the prep for colonoscopy is not subtle. 😆

 

Funnily enough, for the op itself all I had to do was be on clear fluids only for about 32 hours pre-op.

 

ive not had the "pleasure" myself, but missus mac has had 2 Colonoscopies over the yrs...

its horrendous watching your partner go through that prep day... good god almighty it was rough.

[Gaz]

We were supposed to be up on the Wirral, visiting friends today. But we couldn’t go, because my mate Matilda hasn’t been well ☹️

 

This is Matilda;

 

 

And she’s just home from having spinal surgery;

 

 

Big ol’ plaster for a Dachshund.
 

Looking forward to going up to see her once she’s back on her feet. But she needs rest rather than mucking around with me right now!

 

Gaz

 

[Mickvrs220]

Hope all goes well for matilda gaz ,awfull when your dogs having a bad time 👍

[Gaz]

Thanks Mick - ‘tildy’s not mine, she’s up on the Wirral. We aborted going up coz she’s not up to me and her doing zoomies around the lounge, which she’d want to do.

 

We decided to still go away, and I’m currently in a B&B in Dorset. Have had a nice day at Lulworth Cove and on Portland Bill. Home tomorrow.

 

Gaz

[@Lee]

Sorry to read about Matilda @Gaz

It's always awful when an animal is unwell. More so when it's your own pet.

Hopefully she'll soon be back in good health and you can be reunited.

 

All the best for you all.

[Mickvrs220]

2 hours ago, Gaz said:

Thanks Mick - ‘tildy’s not mine, she’s up on the Wirral. We aborted going up coz she’s not up to me and her doing zoomies around the lounge, which she’d want to do.

 

We decided to still go away, and I’m currently in a B&B in Dorset. Have had a nice day at Lulworth Cove and on Portland Bill. Home tomorrow.

 

Gaz

Enjoy yerself mate lovely place is dorset 👍

[Aspman]

We finished watching the Big Bang Theory and Better Call Saul. It's always a bit sad to finish a tv show you've enjoyed for a long while.

[mac11irl]

gonna make a few other people sad too i think, Norn Ir'n lads in particular, such as @FUBAR

 

https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2023/0210/1355860-road-racing-northern-ireland/

 

ridiculous insurance costs ruining another way people can have fun and do what they love doing.

 

[io1901]

Lost of little dog Dinky yesterday a year after her being diagnosed with heart failure.  She was such a character, although had many health problems, was brave and stubborn. She will be missed.

 

  

[Breezy_Pete]

RIP Dinky, I think you brought a lot of joy to those who knew you. 

[OldTrilobite]

5 hours ago, io1901 said:

Lost of little dog Dinky yesterday a year after her being diagnosed with heart failure.  She was such a character, although had many health problems, was brave and stubborn. She will be missed.

 

She will be missed for a long time....

About 10 years ago we lost a little westie, that we had fostered for a while, also from heart failure. We buried her under an apple tree. We still have photos of her pinned up and still miss her.

[olduns]

Had to have our Georgie put down today, would have been 14 next Monday.

Arthritis in nearly all joints, advanced Kidney failure so not too much longer left but final decision made after she started collapsing with back legs giving way constantly.

Been off here for a while due to 'stuff and life' so hopefully I'm on the way back

 

3 months old.....

 

 

The house is so quiet now 😒

[Aspman]

Didn't get the job I applied and interviewed for.

I interviewed very well but someone else interviewed a little better, I was 2nd apprently.
Have been asked if I will be reserve candidate should #1 not go through with things.

Bit disappointed, was hoping to get out of the audits coming up at work 😁
 

[Breezy_Pete]

Kinda off-topic as I'm not really saddened by this, but I'll let myself off as the associated previous discussion of my bowel cancer has all been in here I think.

 

As expected; a little chemotherapy has been suggested at today's meeting with my surgeon. Details will be firmed up in a week when I meet my Oncologist, but likelihood is that it will be in tablet form, and of only 3 months duration. "As good as it gets", I'm thinking. 🙂

 

[skomaz]

2 hours ago, Breezy_Pete said:

Kinda off-topic as I'm not really saddened by this, but I'll let myself off as the associated previous discussion of my bowel cancer has all been in here I think.

 

As expected; a little chemotherapy has been suggested at today's meeting with my surgeon. Details will be firmed up in a week when I meet my Oncologist, but likelihood is that it will be in tablet form, and of only 3 months duration. "As good as it gets", I'm thinking. 🙂

 

 

If my FILs situation was anything to go by I'd call that a massively positive result!!

Edited 23 February, 2023 by skomaz