tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23660586354312792782011-11-29T04:11:25.671ZThe ramblings of a testicular cancer patient, 2nd time re-lapsed....3rd time (un)lucky?Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.comBlogger571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-15253386392430653892011-09-16T10:10:00.002+01:002011-09-16T10:10:30.285+01:00

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Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-46412505840825821002010-11-23T22:07:00.008Z2010-11-26T22:02:50.450Z

Well, its not been much of a blog of late, but that because thankfully there had been little to report.  My check-ups at the Royal Marsden had slipped to every 4 months.  My last visit was a couple of weeks ago and despite the usual slight trepidation and sudden conscious niggles and aches that always seem to appear in the couple of weeks beforehand, my tumour-marker blood-test and chest x-ray

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-28959604513408673392010-01-23T09:59:00.000Z2010-01-23T10:00:35.573Z

This week has seen the awkward few days wait between having a CT scan and getting the results. I trundled over to the Royal Marsden this morning to receive the news from Professor Dearnley that my scan was clear and the 'lump' which was visible on my lung from my last scan has actually shrunk slightly, which backs up the consultant's original view that it was probably scar-tissue from my last

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-60762844553092031432009-07-24T19:07:00.003+01:002009-07-24T19:12:05.951+01:00

I had my follow up CT scan on Monday with the intent of checking whether the new 'thing' in my right lung has grown at all. I met Prof. Horwich at the Royal Marsden today and he confirmed that everything seems fine. My AFP tumour marker is still normal and the scan shows no apparent abnormalities in my lungs. They the believe the slight thickening on the edge of the lung picked up on the

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-26594496491021523862009-07-16T09:58:00.009+01:002009-07-19T10:09:24.183+01:00

I was shocked and sorry to hear the news that John Hartson, the ex- Arsenal, Celtic and Wales footballer, has been diagnosed with testicular cancer that has spread to his brain and lungs. I understand he has undergone emergency surgery to the brain and remains in critical condition.I would like to wish John and his family my best wishes at this difficult time and hope they can remain positive

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-52919735683312632952009-05-22T20:37:00.006+01:002009-05-27T18:48:57.789+01:00

Back to the Royal Marsden today to find out the results of this weeks PET scan. When the consultant popped his head round the door and said "I just need to pop upstairs and see the radiologist, I can't make head or tail of his comments!', I immediately feared the worst. How difficult could "all clear" be to understand? Clearly its wasn't, so I was left hanging for a few more minutes. When he

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-80638645588384434812009-05-07T21:23:00.005+01:002009-05-20T20:48:15.531+01:00

My latest meeting with Prof. Dearnley at the Royal Marsden was to review my recent CT scan and blood test. When he started with the words "It's mixed news..." I knew there was something not quite right. The blood test showed my AFP tumour marker to be normal, however the CT scan showed a nodule on the bottom edge of my right lung. This is slightly unusual in that each previous re-occurence of

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-40106357515985416642009-04-17T17:19:00.003+01:002009-05-06T21:52:01.402+01:00

My consultants appointment has been put back to the 6th May, so I'll need to wait a little longer to get the results of my latest scan and blood test. Reckon I'll get cramp in my fingers if they are crossed for that long!

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-31965224132595418162009-04-08T12:31:00.003+01:002009-04-08T12:34:29.679+01:00

Haven't posted for a while as all's been well and I've been concentrating on my other blog.I'm due my first post-remission CT scan on Thurday, back at the Royal Marsden.  As usual there's a little trepidation ahead of getting the results (which won't be for another week), but fingers and toes are crossed as ever!! 

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-80545062057157995762009-01-17T18:09:00.011Z2009-02-12T23:01:03.223Z

I've been contemplating the direction of the blog for the past few months. Conscious that as remission is progressing the posts have become less frequent.Inspired by others blogs, I've re-discovered my passions for the mountains but rather than skew my cancer blog off in another direction I've decided to create a new blog, 'A Mountain High' http://www.amountainhigh.blogspot.com/ to chronicle my

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-39528813860181841662009-01-17T17:24:00.010Z2009-01-17T18:20:42.327Z

On Friday I popped back to the Royal Marsden for a 2-month check-up which primarily relies on checking the AFP levels (a tumor marker which is used as an early indicator of cancerous activity in the case of my cancer-type) in my blood and which were again normal. There is always that awkward few seconds when you realise that the consultant hasn't actually checked you results before he comes

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-24822631383143496222008-09-25T22:13:00.003+01:002008-09-25T22:27:00.058+01:00

For those who were there and those who couldn't make it we have a selection of photo's online athttp://picasaweb.google.co.uk/nigel.maplewood

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-79354312376754466992008-09-17T18:40:00.002+01:002008-09-17T18:43:14.333+01:00

...and to cap off a memorable month, my latest check-up which I decided to defer till after the wedding was clear - tumour markers all normal!! Back to the Royal Marsden in November.

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-91716606912145155502008-08-30T21:31:00.001+01:002008-09-15T21:43:51.697+01:00

Well we had a wonderful day wedding day. Michelle did a fantastic job organising everything down to the last detail, including an Aston Martin v8 Vantage for me for the weekend! The only thing that she couldn't control was the weather but I kept telling her it was going to be just fine and low and behold it was a glorious summers day. It was great to see so many family and friends join us

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-74847319248939328812008-08-04T22:06:00.005+01:002008-08-06T19:18:09.834+01:00

I know it's the wrong way round but I decided to retrospectively drop in a post about our wee trip to Monaco to get engaged (see below if you scroll down). Actually, it was just an excuse to show a picture of me driving in a Ferrari!

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-14942959073110465952008-07-02T19:47:00.006+01:002008-08-06T19:18:38.729+01:00

Ok, I know I've been remiss in updating, but the fact there is little to report is good news. Back to work, back to normal and haven't had cause to think about the 'c' word until the week before my check-ups. Had two more bi-monthly checks and tumour markers have been normal each time. The trudge over to the Royal Marsden does remind you of what you've been through and importantly is a visible

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-60337628783753149172008-05-06T19:11:00.010+01:002008-08-06T19:19:43.628+01:00

Well I had to do it somewhere other than Scunthorpe, so off we jetted for the weekend, complete with diamond ring straining my pocket (and credit card!). Michelle had no idea where we were going. At Heathrow we headed towards a few gates. 'Are we going to Edinburgh?" she asked as I just ordered couple of coffee's. "No, why?" "Well the only other flight is to Nice and thats closing....". Mmmm,

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-69105193472881127522008-01-20T19:43:00.000Z2008-01-21T17:14:11.265Z

Back to the RM last week for my first tumour marker blood test since the op. With the recent fire at the RM in Chelsea the Friday clinic, which is not well known for punctuality, was even busier than normal. Frustratingly, I never get my tumour marker results back on the same day, so seeing the consultant was largely irrelevant. He was impressed by the matching scars and sent me off for a

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-32020816335414082162008-01-03T17:10:00.001Z2008-07-31T20:04:20.032+01:00

"Do you know which bit to take out", seemed a reasonable question (if it were not for the fact that the Royal Marsden were involved). In May I had been aware of two lumps in my right lung - one appeared to be a nodule which had been there sometime, never grown and never appeared active and hence was presumed to be benign. The other had appeared recently and was the focus of my treatment. The

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-78308292167704050802007-11-28T21:19:00.000Z2007-11-29T08:48:31.930Z

..my brain that is. The MRI scan confirmed that I do (contrary to some people's misconception perception) have a brain - a remarkably well formed one at that! Oh, and from a tumour point of view the scan appeared to be clear, which leaves the small nodule in my lung as the only identified/visible active tumour. As it stands I'm still waiting for a date for surgery. Normal Royal Marsden

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-75032034444530088482007-11-19T08:32:00.000Z2007-11-19T11:17:53.570Z

Well I know it's been a little quiet this end - symptomatic of the fact that I'm currently playing the waiting game. My original date for the PET scan was delayed due to the scanner breaking down, which put me back a week. I finally had the PET scan last Wed and met with my consultant to review the results on Friday. The PET scan re-confirms the small tumour in my left lung is showing some

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-49913425786297108342007-10-29T17:27:00.000Z2007-10-29T17:34:42.186Z

Well I crossed my fingers but should have crossed toes as well. The CT scan showed the tumour in my right lung unchanged and my tumour marker has started to increase. The upshot is the high-dose chemo has not had the desired effect so they see no benefit in going through high-dose again - its back to the surgery route. I'm due to have a PET scan in the next two weeks in order to check there is

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-18521572700140815602007-10-24T18:22:00.000+01:002007-10-24T19:09:00.987+01:00

Back to my favourite place today - The Royal Marsden for post-transplant check-up and a CT scan. The blood-test showed my blood has recovered remarkably and its essentially back to normal following the high-dose chemotherapy, which means they can schedule me in for the second lot - 2 weeks today! Thats dependent upon the results of the CT scan and tumour markers, which I'll receive on Friday.

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-37705205784744430342007-10-13T14:40:00.000+01:002007-10-13T14:55:51.427+01:00

Well, a bit of a surprise. The doc came to see me this morning, confirmed my blood counts had risen again and then he casually mentioned I can go home today!! They must need the bed or something!Have felt much better over the past couple of days. The Urology consultant came to see me yesterday - he was surprised to see me looking so well - it's not normal. He'll arrange tumour marker and CT scan

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-21942830480298025592007-10-11T20:45:00.000+01:002007-10-11T20:56:30.751+01:00

...well, just anyway. Past week has been a blur of sickness, diaorrhea (can anyone spell it?) and excruciating stomach pains as the chemo side effects took hold. As well as my mobile giving up he ghost a week ago (apologies to those messages I havent responded to) I've been too unwell to even sit at the PC. I was basically in the position whereby of I didn't eat, didn't drink and didn't move

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-27824979323595280272007-10-05T11:15:00.000+01:002007-10-05T11:27:24.752+01:00

Well it was rather uncomfortable to say the least. Sticking a bloody great big yellow tube up my left nostril with the intention of then threading it down the back of your throat and down into my stomach. And all so that they can drip-feed me if they need. "Give me some decent food and I'll eat it!", I say!. After two attempts on my left nostril and my eyes already streaming they give up and

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-62549885369633255712007-10-02T18:26:00.001+01:002008-07-31T20:02:47.733+01:00

The 'big' day arrived as somewhat of an anticlimax. The perception of a transplant sounds rather grand but in fact involves one nurse wheeling in a Dusty-bin type contraption in which my frozen stem cells (which were a lovely salmon pink colour) are stored, a defrosting bath in which the stem cell bags are then immersed at 40 degrees , before they are transferred to about a dozen large syringes,

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-27255551181741683392007-10-01T12:26:00.000+01:002007-10-01T12:32:26.781+01:00

Hope no-one was planning on visiting today! I'm not here (or there). I've been allowed out on bail for 24 hours. Finished the 4 days chemo on Saturday night and seeing as though it hasnt hit me yet, they've allowed me home for 24 hours. Due back Monday afternoon in time for my stem cell transplant on Tuesday.Haven't been too bad after the chemo. Bit tired on Friday, but even managed to do some

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-1935586620070995452007-09-27T16:52:00.000+01:002007-09-27T17:08:52.498+01:00

Day one and nothing unusual. Been here 8 hours and still waiting to receive some chemo - a record for even the Royal Marsden. Didn't get my PICC line in my arm till 5.30pm after trying both arms, but still waiting for doctors to sign it off as ready to use.Oh, as I speak (sorry, type) , my chemo has arrived. Due to have Carboplatin for an hour, Etoposide for 2 hours, then another 2 hours of

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-20614453160510508082007-09-25T13:35:00.000+01:002007-09-26T19:23:55.324+01:00

Thanks to all who surprised me at the meal last night - great to see you all to celebrate (?) my birthday and spoil what I thought was going to be a quiet romantic meal with just Michelle and I - it felt like my last supper, though thats officially tonight. Lasagne, and I'm cooking!It's surprising how much rubbish there is to sort out when you realise you are not going to be at home for three or

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-51750547577689413912007-09-18T15:56:00.000+01:002007-09-18T15:56:25.470+01:00

....well I would be if I wasn't too busy with work!! (I have to say that in case Chris is reading this...)Having some pre-chemo tests on Monday - check if I have a heart and it has all the right bits and ditto my kidneys. I guess I'll omit to tell them I'm planning on hammering them at the weekend in honour of my XXth birthday. God knows what two pints will do to them!Then I've got to have a

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-35980349490650591742007-09-05T10:16:00.000+01:002007-09-05T13:47:07.536+01:00

My recent scan showed no real change (which with my history I took as good news!). Still two small nodules on my right lung, one of which I think is benign. No evidence of any new tumours or spread! Tumour marker has come down to 44 so the tumour is responding to my chemo.The 26th Sept (2 days after my birthday) has been scheduled for starting my transplant - I was offered the 19th Sept but didnt

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-10440712660522848012007-08-30T12:13:00.000+01:002007-08-30T12:31:47.687+01:00

Well looks like I had my last chemo (for now) last Friday. They (the 'experts') have decided that whilst the tumour is responding that its not responding as well as it could be (my tumour marker is coming down but slower than expected), so they want to press on with high-dose chemo sooner, rather than give me another cycle of the current stuff. They need to give me 4 weeks for my blood to

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-35777839172684254802007-08-21T09:21:00.000+01:002007-08-21T09:35:09.221+01:00

Well the Royal Marsden excelled themselves last Friday. Got there at 0930, waited till 1130 to see the consultant (well it was actually a doctor...I think the consultants have started to avoid me as I complain too much!), waited 2 hours for the chemo to be released but still managed to leave by 1730 - 2 hours earlier than usual!! Tumour markers are starting to come down a bit so looks like

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-4897431556283689442007-08-13T17:52:00.000+01:002007-08-14T19:23:34.178+01:00

We are top of the league, we are, we are top of the league!!By the votes on the poll (below right) only me and Pete have voted and I'm obviously correct in assuming Newcastle will finish highest. Rob, I'm sorry I couldn't include Sheff Wed but they're in the 6th division or something aren't they.Been on a wee holiday at the Royal Marsden since Wed. Popped along for my stem cell blood test and

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-90019308953648472652007-08-07T08:18:00.000+01:002007-08-07T16:03:48.666+01:00

Well Alton Towers was worth it just to see Michelle's face as she headed skyward towards Oblivion! Next time I'll take my extensive line of anti-sickness pills to peddle in the queues.On the Friday the Royal Marsden were up to their usual tricks. Despite being assured last week that me drugs would be pre-ordered, I arrived at 9.30 for a blood test, had to wait till 11.30 to see the consultant and

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-950006686688194432007-07-30T09:43:00.000+01:002007-07-30T10:08:16.994+01:00

Glad to see everyone's keeping themselves amused in my absence! Been away for a few days break inbetween treatment and before Michelle starts her new job. Originally we were gonna go up to my parents for a few days but with the crap weather Michelle needed some sun. After consulting the Royal Marsden about whether I would be OK to go abroad for a short break they were fine with it. I'd go for

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-51981741495087808582007-07-09T18:22:00.000+01:002007-07-11T16:45:08.920+01:00

Well, first chemo session went according to the Royal Marsden's usual efficiencies. Arrived at 10am for appt with the consultant, eventually got to see him by 12 whence he tells me that he need to order the chemo drugs, which will take another 3 hours to get ready, then about 4 hours to give. When the drugs eventually arrived on the ward they then realised no-one had gotten me to sign a

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-87181409194227561202007-07-05T22:32:00.000+01:002007-07-05T22:32:54.005+01:00

Well after arguing for 2 weeks and escalating the issue the health insurance company have finally backed down and will now cover my pending treatment, as well as the stem cell harvest I've already had. It pays to study the small print of exclusions - they were trying to class my stem cell transplant as 'transplantation surgery' which is an exclusion on the policy. Well, taking some blood cells,

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-11449022738409622712007-07-02T17:10:00.000+01:002007-07-02T19:10:57.406+01:00

Finally got the results from the histology report - which showed that the other bit of suspect tissue removed by the surgeon was also cancerous. The result from my PET scan last Thursday showed that my hip is clear but the nodule which first showed up on my pre-surgery CT scan is also an active tumour, which explains why my tumour marker is still rising.The fact that there have been 3 known lung

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-57003068730698212842007-06-28T22:29:00.000+01:002007-06-28T22:59:29.214+01:00

Just as I was about to consign the painkillers to the bin I think I overdid it and suffered.Been struggling sleeping the past few days - whether its morphine withdrawal or the excitement of Tony Blair's premiership coming to an end I'm not sure. Decided to break-out of the house and take Rufus for a walk (he's a dog, in case anyone wonders whether I do care in the community) - surely the exercise

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-1973610996012148702007-06-22T17:17:00.000+01:002007-06-22T18:22:56.682+01:00

Two bits of bad news in one day and I'm not sure which is worse?1) My tumour marker result is back up - it was up to 137 on Tues and I'll find out todays result on Monday. Scheduled for a PET scan next week but looks like I'm heading for high dose chemo.2) The insurance company won't cover me for the stem cell transplant, despite the fact that I've already had the harvest - which they didn't

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-59390162305854052402007-06-14T16:20:00.000+01:002007-06-15T14:28:24.099+01:00

Well feedback on the tag board suggests that some of my fellow northern pals are not too au fait with medical parlance and 'treatment by numbers' - which is surprising when they're still painting by them!Just got my most recent tumour marker result back. It's 109 - which for those who can't be bothered or just didn't understand my previous post is relatively good news thus far! It would appear to

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-32972194821768830002007-06-08T17:46:00.000+01:002007-06-11T10:34:38.214+01:00

Had an appointment at the Royal Marsden hospital on Friday to review where we are up to. I was aware that monitoring my AFP tumour marker is going to be a key indicator in determining what happens next and when. The first thing you always do when arriving at the RMH is to have a blood test. What is frustrating is the fact that they don't have the results available for when you see the

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-15654802798690883682007-06-07T21:01:00.000+01:002007-06-08T17:58:38.587+01:00

Been a painful week back home, but its good to be mobile once again. Its suprising how much more you move around being at home compared to being sat in a hospital room where your bed/loo/lounge-chair are within 10ft of each other.Still dosing up on painkillers - 40mg morphine sulphate twice daily, 1000mg paracetamal four times a day, gabapentine three times a day and Oramorph (liquid morphine)

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-30037242695614815572007-06-05T19:41:00.000+01:002007-06-07T11:13:32.553+01:00

A serious message to all you chaps out there. If only she'd checked mine, life would have been so much different......PS. Kylie's been relegated - type Kylie in search box top left

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-29555264997869796552007-06-04T11:23:00.000+01:002007-06-05T17:15:18.115+01:00

Well after being dosed up on morphine and paracetemal all week my pain was deemed bearable enough for me to come home. I've been asked to score my pain on a 1 to 10 basis all week. I noticed its always 1-2 if I dont breathe, 2-4 if I breathe and between 5 and 8 if I move. I decided it best not to breathe.The side effect of the morphine is that my bowels havent moved for a week, despite plenty of

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-25884732301241503472007-06-01T18:49:00.000+01:002007-06-03T21:01:33.457+01:00

I vaguely remember drifting in and out of consciousness in the Recovery room. The nurses seemed prettier in there but it's probably the effect of the morphine - I guess it works like beer-goggles?Got lots of lines in me in varying places - 1 large chest drain, one small chest drain, 1 PVB line dispensing painkiller directly into my chest area, one patient administered morphine line (click to make

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-3980035404756995272007-05-28T18:53:00.000+01:002007-06-03T18:54:44.209+01:00

Steak for dinner - on the NHS (well it is a private ward). I'm nil by mouth after midnight, ready for 8am start. That means I'll be the surgeons first operation after the bank holiday - doesnt he need some practice first?!?!

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-70112889026587711762007-05-23T18:58:00.000+01:002007-06-06T10:55:54.934+01:00

Met the surgeon today. As ever they tend to exhibit a confident, almost arrogant, belief in themselves - something easy to loathe in anyone but a surgeon (and Stu), but its exactly the feeling you want from them!!Quick cut here, persuade the ribs to open up and your in. Whip out the tumour and surrounding tissue, have a rumage around for anything else while I'm in there and we're done!We reviewed

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-31032392038968104712007-05-21T19:03:00.000+01:002007-06-05T13:14:19.967+01:00

Who says the health service can't move quickly?After prevaricating for 6 weeks over which treatment to have I receive a call from Michael Dusmet, surgeon at the Royal Brompton hospital. "I've been asked by the Royal Marsden to take the tumour out of your lung, what are you doing this afternoon?" he asked.I liked his style but not wanting him to rush into things (and the fact that I didn't have my

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-2876231278724727072007-05-19T19:53:00.000+01:002007-06-03T20:02:26.663+01:00

In advance of High Dose Chemotherpay (HDC) I was prepared for a stem cell harvest which involved my giving myself nightly injections of growth factor for four days and then being connected to a centrifuge harvesting machine. Two sessions allowed them collect enough stem cells for one HDC cycle, but not quiet enough for two, but they can try and collect more after my first course of normal

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-54618291950143670412007-04-02T19:18:00.000+01:002007-06-03T19:54:33.435+01:00

Once again a routine blood test in February showed elevated AFP levels, which continued to increase with further tests. A PET/CT scan confirmed a 6mm tumour in my left upper lung with a further suspicion of a tumour in my left hip-bone.With the options for further treatment limited I was referred from my oncologist to the specialist team at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton. Options included

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-42677877488389891702007-04-01T16:11:00.000+01:002007-06-05T20:00:31.092+01:00

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-21585427584578008482006-09-30T20:08:00.000+01:002007-06-03T20:11:02.909+01:00

Started a more intensive course of CBOP/TIP salvage chemotherapy, consisting of 4 cycles of CBOP (Carboplatin, Bleomycin, ????, Cisplatin) given over 4 continuous weeks in hospital) followed by 3 cycles of TIP adminstered over a three 1 week in, 2 weeks off cycles.The CBOP element meant being on a drip Monday through to Saturday continously. Home by Saturday lunchtime and then back in first thing

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-926545193381009362006-02-28T19:05:00.000Z2007-06-03T20:08:48.960+01:00

Feb 2006:Arrived home from a weekend skiing in Morzine to open a letter advising my AFP level from my recent test was a little raised and suggesting I have another test. Further tests over the coming weeks showed AFP marker raised again. Subsequent CT and PET scans identified two metastases in my upper left lung. A more intensive course of CBOP/TIP salvage chemotherapy was prescribed consisting

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2366058635431279278.post-88946366417491255172005-10-30T19:02:00.000Z2007-06-05T17:48:45.724+01:00

March 2005:I knew what the doctor was going to say before he stuttered to ask "You do know what that is don't you?"....a tumour in my right testical. The next day it was confirmed by ultrasound and removed a couple of days later in a swift and largely uneventful operation in Reading.The expected shock was undermined by the fact that I has known there was something not right for some months. I

Nigel Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06814159056075588187noreply@blogger.com1