Journal Entries
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Cancer
Posted Jun 15, 2000
There is so much more information available on the internet today about cancer than there was 2 1/2 years ago. It's really been very useful to read about the different types of cancer, the treatments and the support groups that are available.
Didn't realise until yesterday that there are over 200 different types of cancer, each requiring a different treatment. There are at least 48 different types of chemotherapy. 300,000 people are diagnosed as having cancer each year in the UK. 1 in 3 people are expected to get cancer at sometime in their life.
Phoned several of the support groups yesterday and they are going to send literature to me about Gastrointestinal Cancers, Carboplaitin Chemotherapy, dealing with hairloss, diet for the cancer patient, and how to talk about cancer. I have to get my mum talking about it this time. Talking is apparently one of the best theraputic treatments for cancer.
A few useful UK links that I have found are:
http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/index.shtml
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/
http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/cancerhelp/indexs.html
http://www.icnet.uk/
http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/
I have a friend that works for pharmaceutical company and she told me that they have a long list of cancer drugs that are just going to clinical trial and that the outlook is very optimistic. Fingers crossed the treatment that mum will be getting over the next 4 months will keep her well for at least another couple of years, and by then the new drugs will be available.
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Latest reply: Jun 15, 2000
Cancer - Bugger
Posted Jun 14, 2000
Went to the hospital with mum yesterday for the results of some tests she's had recently. The cancer has returned, this time in her bowel. It last turned up in her ovaries 2 1/2 years back, and 5 years prior to that it was in her breast.
They are going to give her Chemotherapy again, and they have a new drug that wasn't available 2 years ago that they will be trying. She didn't loose her hair last time, but she will this time because of the new drug. That seems to be the one thing that she is worried about. The NHS will provide her with a wig though. I've told her to look on the bright side. At least she can have a different hairstyle each week, will never have to have a 'blue-rinse' and if she feels like she missed out on the whole punk experience, then she can get a pink mohican and easily change it if she doesn't like it 
She was admitted to hospital at the beginning of April for a week, and then two weeks later she was back in for a further 10 days. She has abdominal pains and the consultants thought it was probably a hernia or adhesions caused by the hysterectomy she had to have last time. It may sound strange, but in a way we are relieved that it is cancer because we knew it would be back. At least now we can start the 2 year clock counting down again without worrying at each quarterly checkup that it has returned.
After her last scare 2 1/2 years back her doctor told me she wouldn't make it into 1999, and she surpassed their expectations by almost 18 months. In two years time they will have another new drug available, so all is not lost.
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Latest reply: Jun 14, 2000
Vending Machines
Posted Jun 9, 2000
Why do people who go to the vending machine always take 5 minutes deciding what they want and then get what they always get, feeding in 35 1 pence coins.
I get there, know what I want, put in 10p, 20p and 5p and it's all over in seconds.
On the same lines, and I'm not being sexist, how come a woman will not begin looking for her purse in her bag until the assistant has told her the amount? this is invariably a 5 minute task and holds up everyone behind. It's not as though it's a total surprise that she is going to have to hand over cash is it?
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Latest reply: Jun 9, 2000
Oh mi god - Toffos
Posted Jun 8, 2000
Oh my god, I just went to the vending machine to get a Go Ahead Cherry Bake bar (I am trying to loose weight) and what was in position A2? A 200g bag of Toffos. I haven't seen these since I was at primary school. Bang went the diet. Contentedly munching away on original, banana, chocolate and strawberry flavour toffee.
Now if only they would bring back Farmer Giles' salt n vinegar animal shaped crisps.
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Latest reply: Jun 8, 2000
Contract Working
Posted Jun 8, 2000
4 months ago I took the plunge and left the safety of the company that I had known since 93. I was sponsored by Siemens through university and took up full time employment with them in 96 as a Computer programmer. In January I worked my notice period so that I could become an IT contractor.
I have been in my first contract, with Phones 4u, for 3 months now, and the one thing that I have discovered is that people dislike contractors. Why is this? Sure, we may be on a higher hourly rate, but we have to pay our company NI contributions, as well as personal contributions, corporation tax, and we easily make the 40% personal income tax band. In total I pay 52% of my gross salary to the government. I also have to pay more in pension contributions as there are now no company contributions. I have to take out liability insurance, pay accountants and there is no company health scheme. I don't get holiday pay, sickness pay or have any rights to unemployment benefit should I be out of contract.
Why then do permies detest contractors? Why am I not allowed to go to this evenings company party just because I am a contractor?
Discuss this Journal entry [2]
Latest reply: Jun 8, 2000
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Sheriff Fatman
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