h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yes he was told to attend nil-by-mouth for that, so that must have been it, thanks 2legs

I hope your health is progressing well and you'll soon get the all-clear!

well I'm in remission now, for over a year I think... turned out the cancer was the easy bit, this weird hormone condition I now have is making me more ill than the cancer - tablets for replacement cortisol and thyroid hormone, testosterone injections every eight weeks, and soon to start daily self injecting with human growth hormone ... I think thats all they're replacing at the moment, and I react very badly to the medication, but if I don't take the medication ... constant sweating, weight gain etc...

thanks Just getting used to feeling so suboptimul now its becoming the new norm I guess

GB, so desperately sorry to hear this. Cancer is indiscriminate but why is it so often the people who least deserve it?

Go somewhere private and quiet and have a good scream, shout and cry, it does help, for a while at any rate.

I hope the prognosis is good, and as previously said, take one day at a time and make the best of every minute.

I am glad someone spoke to you, and is presumably at the end of the phone if you need advice.

It goes without saying that like Frenchbean, been there, done that, I just hope you don't get the T-shirt. Also here or on email if you need a listener not TOO close to it all.

Much love and

Websailor

Heard and understood

I am not at screaming point yet, I feel like I am made of eggshell so I am holding on to normality to prevent shattering because I will not put it all back together again. I confess I am not looking forward to the downward path my father trod, that was a different kind of love and as he was my parent, it was the way of life. Ian has been through this, with his first wife. He's told his daughter he's not sure I need "all this" but he's not said that to me. He's also visited a funeral director, again, I was not informed by him but by his daughter. I am half carrying on as normal, half holding my breath for the latest bad news. I have read up on oesophageal cancer and wish I hadn't

Sometimes it is best to know even if it hurts and things are often not as bad as they seem. Ian sounds like me, be prepared for the worst, and hope it doesn't come to that. I know people thought I was cold and controlled but they didn't see the inside of me, but it was the only way I could cope. On reflection I was probably shell shocked for a long time, but my friends on h2g2 were a very precious help and support.

to you and Ian and everyone close.

Websailor

~ ~

Ian had his endoscopic ultrasound scan at Castle Hill on Wednesday, Caroline & I went with him in her car. It was lovely seeing the Humber Bridge on a beautiful sunny day, sun shining on the water. After we got him booked in for his procedure, Carrie & I went to the shopping parade at Cottingham. I'd never been but Carrie remembered it from when they were visiting her Mum 4 years ago. It was lovely to have that girlie time. I feel a mother/daughter bond with Carrie which is an incredible bonus. I really enjoyed the new shops, Waitrose? I wondered if I was well-dressed enough to go in there and wondered if I'd bump into Stephen Fry. A charity shop called Sue Ryder, I got myself Tutankhamun jigsaw for £1.50, a butterfly top for £3 and a couple of other bits, total bill less than £8. There was some drama which we're laughing about now, like the maniac table cleaner who sprayed Carrie with his squirty bottle because she was downwind, and as we were sat waiting to exit the car park, we watched in horror as one lady was almost mowed down as one elderly motorist chose to completely ignore the zebra crossing that the pedestrian was on...

When we collected Ian he said it was more painful than his first camera-down-throatand he was glad it was over. Results next Tuesday at Diana hospital. Then we will know when they are going to start his chemo sessions. On Thursday we went to the support group and Ian reported his total weight loss so far () Helga said he can apply for a grant to get some new clothes (he's on the last notch of his old belt and his jeans are hanging off him)

When we got back to mine he slept for 3 hours solid, which is unlike him, and he has other things going on which I won't mention here.

He cried off our datenight (last night) on account of being too tired. I have a nice weekend to look forward to, Allan & the boys are coming over today to see me & great grandma, and Helen is already here but I am in her diary for Sunday, all being well (she doesn't get too pissed tonight while out with all her homebuddies)

Off to get Mum up now, thanks for all the and

Thinking of you both. Have a nice weekend in spite of everything.

Websailor

Thanks very much

It's results day

Absolute best of luck... fingers crossed here, for you both

Thank you 2legs

I had a lovely morning, saw a sundog on my way to do Mum's shopping and then bumped into an old friend on Tesco's car park so had a lovely chat, hug & kiss.

Just waiting for Caroline to collect me, it's such a nice day that Ian is walking from his house to the hospital, so we're meeting him there.

Be back later with the results

thank you

The cancer hasn't spread, so Ian is meeting the chemo doctor tomorrow afternoon, we'll go with him. Chemo starts next week.

GB

oo... good news Here's hoping he can get off lightly with the chemo side effects

What he ^ said