Cancer Free

“The cancer is now gone. We got all of it out”.  The words spoken by my consultant surgeon at my follow-up visit on Thursday 16 May 2024.  How I was praising God for His goodness!

I have always had good health, had no need to trouble the NHS once I had gone through more or less all the childhood illnesses that were around in the 1950’s, the usual checks throughout phases of life, and flu and Covid jabs of course, as time went on.

Back in July 2023, whilst on holiday, I seemed to have very little energy and was unable to walk far. Later I became aware of aches and pains in my upper back and over-the-counter painkillers had no effect.  For this reason I went to see the doctor, explaining the problem and that I was losing weight without trying to. He suggested that I see the Physiotherapist for some exercises but prescribed no medication.

At first the exercises seemed to help. Then I began to get aches in my lower back and found I was having difficulty walking up slopes, even very slight ones.  I had my usual annual blood test in January, and was surprised to be telephoned by the surgery the next day to come and see the doctor that afternoon. The doctor made a telephone call to refer me to Medway Hospital to be seen immediately for treatment in the Same Day Emergency Care ward, telling me that I may be there overnight.  I was indeed there overnight and most of the next day, receiving two units of blood, and was told to return the next day for more blood, and an ECG.  I was brought back again the for a CT scan.  Later that day I was seen by a consultant who told me very gently that I had a tumour in my bowel, which was taking all the haemoglobin out of my blood, and that was why I was anaemic.  They discharged me with a prescription for stronger painkillers, telling us that I would be referred to the Multi-Disciplinary Team, who would discuss my needs and arrange further appointments as necessary.  I must admit that at this time I was in some sort of a daze, not fully understanding what was happening. But God was by my side, encouraging me on.

Over the next two or three weeks I had an iron infusion, and 2 MRI scans, one on my spine, which highlighted problems with a couple of disks in my lumber region, and other problems further up my spine, and another scan on my abdomen. Then followed a consultant visit at which it decided further tests were needed and a biopsy was taken. Tests proved that the cancer was malignant and I had an appointment with the consultant surgeon a few days later, followed the next day by a pre-operative assessment, as surgery was arranged to take place on the following Monday. Except that it was cancelled at the last minute because although my blood levels were better, the surgical team thought it wise for me to have more transfusions and iron infusions to bring my levels up higher to make the operation safer for me. So over the next six weeks I had more blood transfusions and also an electro cardio gram, all as an outpatient, until I was finally admitted for surgery.

Although the surgeon had told me previously that I would not be able to have keyhole surgery, because of the size of the tumour, I was told just before going to theatre that it would be done robotically.  The surgery had been arranged for a Sunday (God’s provision) because there was no room on the surgeon’s list to fit me in, as it was going to be a 3 – 4 hour procedure and I needed the operation carried out as soon as possible once my blood levels were high enough not to cause a problem.  On my way into surgery I felt that whatever happened I was in God’s hands, that He would look after me. I went to surgery about 9.30am, and woke up at 4.20 pm, with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger keeping watch over me on the recovery room wall.  They had put me in the Paediatrics bay (God’s sense of humour?).

I spent one night in HDU then was moved into Victory Ward into a side room, with a view of Gillingham from the window, something other than blank walls to look at (God’s goodness).

Lots of blood tests and blood pressure checks were done, including antibiotics when they diagnosed a problem with my white cell count  (God’s goodness again). I was discharged late Saturday afternoon, God wouldn’t let me go home until the infection was clear (His goodness again). Some of the nurses and support workers were Christians, and though not permitted to talk of their faith they gave a hint by humming songs as they worked.

The staff were very caring and explained everything that needed one. There were rules I had to adhere to now I was home. I had to wear wonderful white stockings 23/24 hours a day for three weeks more, couldn’t lift anything heavier that a full kettle for two weeks, or vacuum the floor (Shame!).

"At my follow-up visit I was informed that they had removed all the cancer..."

At my follow-up visit I was informed that they had removed all the cancer, even scraping the muscle wall which had been affected by it, and that I was strong (God’s strength, not mine) to withstand such major surgery, as there were some who had not survived such an operation (Praise to You, Lord God).  I was referred to the Kent Oncology Centre, Maidstone for assessment for a mild form of chemotherapy to ensure that every last vestige in lymph glands and blood vessels is cleared.

I was recommended an infusion treatment which would consist of 12 cycles, two weeks apart, at Medway Maritime hospital.  My first treatment began on Monday 17^th June, where I had saline flushes, plus the treatments themselves.  I was sent home with a chemotherapy pump attached to my arm through a PICC line, which was giving me the medication over the next 46 hours to complete the treatment, so I needed to return to the hospital on Wednesday at a pre-arranged time to have the pump disconnected and the line flushed.  Working out how best to wear the pump in its little bag, carried on a sling, and how to sleep with it under my pillow took a bit of experimentation.

I completed 6 cycles of the treatment and then that all came to a halt because it was discovered that I had a blood clot in my leg, and the treatment for that caused another blood clot in my arm. I was in hospital for three weeks while they sorted that out.

I am still being monitored every six months to make sure everything is ok.  Meanwhile I praise God for His provision, His goodness, His love and His care, and I thank our church and many outside our church, for their prayers.