18 March 2019.
Things are getting real.
OK kids, I've been diagnosed with cancer at the base of the tongue in my throat. Not a good thing, but every medico I've spoken to has been extremely positive and told me it is totally curable with treatment.
I'm not shopping for sympathy, but I'm not much of a talker about private stuff (much to Suzanne's dismay) so I'm writing this the keep family and friends up to date, and save you all a bunch of phone calls and emails. Maybe this will also help out someone who might go through the same thing somewhere down the track. It's always good to get the story from the horse's mouth, even if his tongue is a bit munted. 😃
I thought I was doing so well. The weekend was OK. My throat was sore and felt like I had a a pea sized piece of gavel stuck in it, but nothing a few Panadol couldn't sort out.
Today though...My throat was really sore, and I think a whole string of things have just caught up with me, formed a viscous circle, and given me a big shove.
I think it's been working like this for the last twelve days:
Take the necessary medication. Some to attack the cancer, some to stop nausea, which is a side effect of the other meds taken to kill the cancer, and so on. What a cocktail.
The medication stops me sleeping (I go to bed at 9 pm and get up between 12 pm and 2 am).
I get tired.
I get angry because of the medication side effects, and because I'm tired. (Sorry Suzanne).
Throw in the fact that I have been drinking way too much for far too long, but have pretty much had no alcohol for that last few weeks, and I'm probably suffering from alcohol withdrawal as well.
I'm exhausted. We got home from the hospital today and I crashed on the lounge for a few hours. Out like light. Now life goes on and things need doing, and when I can't do them (I have a HUGE to do list) I get more frustrated and angry. I let a mate down yesterday because I was asleep on the lounge. Sorry Lawrence.
I'm not a huge fan of medication because they all have side effects that are undesirable. I try and avoid them if I can, but I might have to bite the bullet with this and look at options.
The good news today was that I managed the whole mask encounter without too much drama. I even did it without the "Get me outa here" bell in my hand. I'm still only about 90% OK with it, and definitely not comfortable, but it is improving.
Oh yes, another side effect of the Radiation is I'm getting itchy skin. Ha! Who ever thought I'd have to come to Melbourne to get a tan?
On a much more positive note, I went for a quick drive this morning to pick up some auction goodies I bought. The drive took me in a direction I hadn't been before and made me realise just how bloody lucky Suzanne and I are to be living here in Cockatoo. It is a beautiful part of the world. Come over for a visit.
Things are getting real.
OK kids, I've been diagnosed with cancer at the base of the tongue in my throat. Not a good thing, but every medico I've spoken to has been extremely positive and told me it is totally curable with treatment.
I'm not shopping for sympathy, but I'm not much of a talker about private stuff (much to Suzanne's dismay) so I'm writing this the keep family and friends up to date, and save you all a bunch of phone calls and emails. Maybe this will also help out someone who might go through the same thing somewhere down the track. It's always good to get the story from the horse's mouth, even if his tongue is a bit munted. 😃
I thought I was doing so well. The weekend was OK. My throat was sore and felt like I had a a pea sized piece of gavel stuck in it, but nothing a few Panadol couldn't sort out.
Today though...My throat was really sore, and I think a whole string of things have just caught up with me, formed a viscous circle, and given me a big shove.
I think it's been working like this for the last twelve days:
Take the necessary medication. Some to attack the cancer, some to stop nausea, which is a side effect of the other meds taken to kill the cancer, and so on. What a cocktail.
The medication stops me sleeping (I go to bed at 9 pm and get up between 12 pm and 2 am).
I get tired.
I get angry because of the medication side effects, and because I'm tired. (Sorry Suzanne).
Throw in the fact that I have been drinking way too much for far too long, but have pretty much had no alcohol for that last few weeks, and I'm probably suffering from alcohol withdrawal as well.
I'm exhausted. We got home from the hospital today and I crashed on the lounge for a few hours. Out like light. Now life goes on and things need doing, and when I can't do them (I have a HUGE to do list) I get more frustrated and angry. I let a mate down yesterday because I was asleep on the lounge. Sorry Lawrence.
I'm not a huge fan of medication because they all have side effects that are undesirable. I try and avoid them if I can, but I might have to bite the bullet with this and look at options.
The good news today was that I managed the whole mask encounter without too much drama. I even did it without the "Get me outa here" bell in my hand. I'm still only about 90% OK with it, and definitely not comfortable, but it is improving.
Oh yes, another side effect of the Radiation is I'm getting itchy skin. Ha! Who ever thought I'd have to come to Melbourne to get a tan?
On a much more positive note, I went for a quick drive this morning to pick up some auction goodies I bought. The drive took me in a direction I hadn't been before and made me realise just how bloody lucky Suzanne and I are to be living here in Cockatoo. It is a beautiful part of the world. Come over for a visit.
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