Had the call from the nurse at 9.00 this morning, then got a call from hospital about 11.00 offering an appointment on the 8th of January, accepted it but felt disappointed that it wasn't that much earlier than the original. 

Just received another call, the original oncologist has a cancellation for tomorrow, did I want it?

Too right I do!!!!!!

Excellent - remember the squeaking wheel always gets the oil!

Hi Tony,

If there ever was a good time of the year for reminiscences, the run up towards New Year must be it. Over the past year I've revisited a lot of places from my past - I'm not sure whether that's down to the cancer or my time of life (56) but it has been an interesting experience seeing how things have (and haven't) changed. 

I'm writing this looking out at a wall of thick freezing fog, so I don't think I'll bother going anywhere today :-)

We also live in a former mining area (between Wigan and Warrington) but there's nothing remaining above ground, apart from one mine which was made into a museum which we can see from the bedroom window. Even most of the *** heaps have been taken away and used for building motorways - which is quite surreal. 

I'm so glad that you've managed to get an early consultation with your oncologist - I hope that goes well for you. As others have said - don't forget to write down the questions and the answers you get. Apparently, most of us forget about 60% of what we're told in a consultation because of the stress and anxiety levels.  

All the best 
Dave

PS the software on here obviously thinks that 5 l a g is a swearword lol

Dave,

To some people a *** heap is a swear word. I'm from the 'soft' South where people didn't even realise that we had coal mines in Kent, even people living in Kent. They were the deepest, hottest, wettest and lowest coal faces in the country.

I know the questions that I have got, but with your experience, maybe you could give me a definitive list.

Tony

Hi Tony,

I'm not sure there is a definitive list but the most obvious are what type (squamous or adenocarcinoma), stage (for confirmation), grade (and what that means), exactly where the mets are, the size of your primary and the mets. The last two will be useful later in the care pathway when you can compare the size before and after chemo.

It would be worth discussing the things there has been confusion over during recent phone calls, how many chemo cycles they plan you to have and exactly when they will be scanning to check on progress and perhaps when a decision will be possible about whether surgery is an option and how long after chemo you would have to wait for an operation - the chemo attacks new growth and can't distinguish between cancer and scar tissue.. 

I'm sure you and Sue will think of lots more.  

Good luck

Dave

Thanks for all your help.

For the first time for weeks I have watched AND ENJOYED some television, have eaten because I'm hungry, not because I've had to and enjoyed a nearly normal day with Sue.

We always go out with friends on new years eve and Sue has said she's not taking me this year, but, today she talked about whether I wanted to go. I might look like a wimp, being dictated to by Sue, but she would never have got away with it 6 weeks ago!!!!

Just hoping that the 'black dog' of depression doesn't come back after meeting thr oncologist. 

It is inoperable, stage 4, offered chemotherapy to reduce and contain, but no prospect of surgery. Consultand did say I could ask for second opinion, but on questioning her I asked if the second opinion  would be just carried out to humour me, and although she didn't answerib those terms she confirmed what I thought. 

Tony,

Thanks for letting us know - I'm sorry the news was less hopeful than you'd hoped.

Have you decided whether or not to go with the chemo option? If you have, did they say which regime you'll be on and when you are due to start it?

Best wishes
Dave