Hi forum friends, well, today's news was not as good as expected. The surgeon had removed the two nodules in my right lung and unfortunately, both were cancerous (we had hoped the non growing one was benign!) This news has meant that the non-growing nodule in my left lung, can no longer be assumed to be benign, so next steps are a CT scan and depending on the results, another lung op in the offing! :( (Trying to be positive, but struggling :( - sorry guys!) xx
Oh no! Dear me ! I am so worried for you now. What can we say? You are so kind and caring for everyone = and then you have to deal with this! Tell those doctors to get on with it! won't you Jo. We will be thinking and praying for you. We want good news for you = after all this time = only good news = you really deserve it. Your struggle is our struggle in every way dear brave friend
Hi Steven, thank you for your kind words. As I said to Jules, I feel less 'wobbly' today after yesterday's news! I spent the evening with some colleagues (they're keen for me to get back to work!) and it helped to lift my mood! So now it's another period of waiting (everyone on here knows what that's like) and depending on the scan results, surgery is likely to happen in early April. The surgeon has been so amenable and said it could be scheduled after my partner's daughter's wedding at the end of March! (Also gives my body time to recover from the last surgery.) In the meantime, I'm going to be kept busy with some woodwork ('wedding signpost ' to make!) I'll need to dredge up my woodworking skills from my school days (now that's quite a challenge! Haha!) Take care (I know you and Anne have lots to cope with at the moment.) love Jo xx
Hi Steven, thank you for your kind words. As I said to Jules, I feel less 'wobbly' today after yesterday's news! I spent the evening with some colleagues (they're keen for me to get back to work!) and it helped to lift my mood! So now it's another period of waiting (everyone on here knows what that's like) and depending on the scan results, surgery is likely to happen in early April. The surgeon has been so amenable and said it could be scheduled after my partner's daughter's wedding at the end of March! (Also gives my body time to recover from the last surgery.) In the meantime, I'm going to be kept busy with some woodwork ('wedding signpost ' to make!) I'll need to dredge up my woodworking skills from my school days (now that's quite a challenge! Haha!) Take care (I know you and Anne have lots to cope with at the moment.) love Jo xx
Sorry to hear your latest news but glad to see you seem to have bounced back today. I saddens me greatly that you and Max keep having these setbacks when you are such lovely people. It's one of the reasons why I commit myself to go to my cancer meetings.
I have had good news which I want to share with you, my PSA has only risen very slightly during the past six months. Up fron 0.72 to 0.89 so as for a man of my age it should be approx 3.5 to 4.5 it is still very low When I was at my cancer meeting on Monday I met my oncologist who was pleased to find out I was doing so well.
But enough about me. I am impressed you are going to make a wooden signpost. Well done you. When I have visited woodwork exhibitions in the past, it has been nice to see many items made by our lovely ladies. I have to say you ladies are more adventourous in the subjects you undertake whereas we men tend to stick to tried and tested subject matter.
Thinking of you and sending kind thoughts and best wishes your way, Brian
Hi Jo, the blooming time differences have me completely flummoxed. Have sent you an email. Can you pls pass on my email address to Max if she wants to chat directly. Thanks Kathy xxx
Hi Brian, thank you for your lovely message. I'm thrilled to read about your PSA levels, Brian. It must be very reassuring when you get great results - even though it does mean a visit to the vampire's den haha! I knew you attended Cancer meetings, but somewhere along the line, I've missed to glean what sort of things you do there. Do you give talks about your experiences, Brian? If that's the case, it must be very reassuring for others to hear of your positive outcome. (Hope you tell them how big a part a 'nutty' diet plays in your life! :) )
Ah, the wooden signpost! It's not really an original idea - I think lots of brides seem to want one - there's a site called Pinterest where my (sort of) step-daughter got the idea from! I'm not sure where it will be placed outside the venue, so I've got to put writing on both sides so it can point the right way from either side (if you know what I mean!) I'm doing lots of sample blocks as she wants it colour washed (watered down emulsion) with script style writing ! I bet you're wincing at the thought! Let's say it's going to be very rustic and not a thing of beauty like your wooden creations! (And if all else fails, I spotted a sign maker when we were driving back from the hospital yesterday! Hehe! ) if it's worthy of a photo when it's finished, I'll post one!
Well, it's dropping colder here (and sleeting and hailing!) so a good time to light the fire! (May have a fire next week with a signpost on it!)
Take care and thanks for the thoughts and wishes, love Jo xx
Hi Kathy, Yep I got your email this morning - thank you honey! Will reply soon (and be less of a moaning minny! ;) ) I'll pass your email address on to Max too. Xxx
Thanks for your reply and kind words. I have given two talks about my cancer experiance, One at the Amex Centre, Brighton footballs new stadium nearly a fortnight ago. It was to about sixty or seventy senior clinicains and medical people from around the south east area. They wanted to hear from someone what it was like to have cancer. The talk was only for about 15 min but I could easily have gone on for 30 min but have not mentioned the Nuts as they probably think I am nuttu enough allready. I also am a member of a few charities. These are all things I would never have done before my my cancer diagnosis.
I have also looked at pininterest for new ideas for my woodturning. Another one I have also visited is Etsy and have marvelled at the variety of turning on there. I am not wincing Jo and feel confident you will make a great job of the signpost and I look forward to seeing a photo.
Hi Jo, well - I was "down in the 'dumps" all day today over your news. But your message here has brightened me right up!! You are a truly amazing lady and I am not surprised at all about school wanting you back!! I am sure we have room in our supermarket for you if they change their minds. Don't worry - my intuitions are positive for you and it may not be so bad after all.
Anne has scared herself over the coloscopy thingee = I think she will turn it down. She had a bad reaction to the sigmoidoscopy thingee - so its put her off!! Mother spent the night singing = so there is life in the old duck yet - and she conforms to the family pattern of madness!
My heart goes out to you as you have so much going on with the wedding and wood working etc = I don't know how you do it!!
Hi Steven, glad your mood has lifted on reading my new message! :) A job in your supermarket sounds great! Though I'm sure I'd spend all my salary on treats!
I'm sorry Anne is so scared about having her next colonoscopy test - it's an unpleasant procedure at the best of times, but if she's had a bad experience with her sigmoid test, it will colour her view of this next one. Is there an alternative procedure she could have to check her colon? (Not sure there is) Would Anne consider having it done if she was offered stronger sedation to help her through it? Please send her a hug from me.
Your mum sounds a real stalwart! Your comment about family pattern madness made me smile (I'm sure every family has this tendency! Hehe!) The wedding (and signpost production) are very welcome distractions - helps take my mind of gloomier thoughts! But I'd better get on with it before I head back to work! Take care, Jo xx
