It was great to see the following interview with John Hartson who at one point was only given a 50/50 chance of living.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8376988.stm
I must admit I was beginning to wonder what was going on with John, and I was pleased to see how really well he was looking in this interview. (I remember the bald head and loss of eyebrows !).
A great interview and well worth a listen, another inspiring story to people out there. Interestingly John says he could have avoided this had he done something about the lump 4 years ago when he felt it in his testacle.
I can't emphasis enough what I have seen about early detection !!! PLEASE GO TO THE DOCTORS, AND IF NOT HAPPY GO BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN !
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Patrick Swayze
Sad news today at the death of Patrick Swayze at the age of 57 who finally succumbed after a brave and dignified battle with pancreatic cancer.
Despite past rumours of him being about to pass at anytime, Patrick went on a little longer than perhaps some people thought, and with a loving family around him lets hope it was a peaceful send of for the great man.
Tributes have started to pour in from all over the world which says everything about a man who was a TV legend during my formative years.
RIP Patrick and thanks for the memories.
On another sad note the TV chef Keith Floyd has also passed away following a heart attack.
Oh how I love watching his old flick backs on James Martin of his times in Sardinia stoking up a boiling pot and putting everything and anything he could, along with a fair bit of grog if he hadn't already drunk it ! A true one off, maverick and TV legend and another one who will be forgotten.
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Check Up Day Looming !
Must admit it never phases me anymore, in a way and quite wrongly I regard it as a bit of hassle going to be honest for my 6 monthly checkups !
It is only a 25 minute drive there and back and takes 2 hours out of my life whilst I wait to see the consultant and have my bloods taken, it is not a lot out of your life really to ensure all is still good.
So 30th September is my latest checkup date as I zoom towards 5 years since I was first diagnosed in January 2005.
I actually believe now that I am in better care than I was before I was ill, as whenever I call the doctor (not that I do very often) but I seem to get star treatment. Straight in at times that are good for me, and I always seem to be called in pretty quickly too. I am sure it is just coincidence.
The look on the doctors face when I have been is nice, he always looks really glum like I am going to tell him my lump has come back or something, so it is kind of nice to see his relief when I tell him it is something totally unrelated.
Anyway back to my theory of being in better health shape now than before, and that is simply that I am now getting regular MOT's on my health with these checkups and blood tests, that I would not have had before. It is amazing what can be diagnosed from a simple blood test and therefore the 2 hours I lose, are really priceless.
It is only a 25 minute drive there and back and takes 2 hours out of my life whilst I wait to see the consultant and have my bloods taken, it is not a lot out of your life really to ensure all is still good.
So 30th September is my latest checkup date as I zoom towards 5 years since I was first diagnosed in January 2005.
I actually believe now that I am in better care than I was before I was ill, as whenever I call the doctor (not that I do very often) but I seem to get star treatment. Straight in at times that are good for me, and I always seem to be called in pretty quickly too. I am sure it is just coincidence.
The look on the doctors face when I have been is nice, he always looks really glum like I am going to tell him my lump has come back or something, so it is kind of nice to see his relief when I tell him it is something totally unrelated.
Anyway back to my theory of being in better health shape now than before, and that is simply that I am now getting regular MOT's on my health with these checkups and blood tests, that I would not have had before. It is amazing what can be diagnosed from a simple blood test and therefore the 2 hours I lose, are really priceless.
Sunday, 16 August 2009
New Cancer Advert
Following my treatment I felt compelled to give to cancer research and I do every month, a great cause which several family members helped with too.
It is only when cancer strikes your family you feel compelled to get involved.
I do though take exception to getting mails every 2 or 3 months asking me to increase my payments !
Now I am sure it may work to get extra funding, but I find that a bit rude. Don't get me wrong, once a year maybe, not every quarter.
I do love the new cancer advert though which is appealing for people to get involved, it opens up with the guy saying he has to tell his mum and dad he has cancer, how does he tell them that ?
I very much remember when I had to do the same, this was the most traumatic experience of the lot for me, far harded than having 9 lumber punctures and 4 months of intense chemo and radiotherapy.
I feel for everyone who has had to do this, family members react in so many different ways.
It is only when cancer strikes your family you feel compelled to get involved.
I do though take exception to getting mails every 2 or 3 months asking me to increase my payments !
Now I am sure it may work to get extra funding, but I find that a bit rude. Don't get me wrong, once a year maybe, not every quarter.
I do love the new cancer advert though which is appealing for people to get involved, it opens up with the guy saying he has to tell his mum and dad he has cancer, how does he tell them that ?
I very much remember when I had to do the same, this was the most traumatic experience of the lot for me, far harded than having 9 lumber punctures and 4 months of intense chemo and radiotherapy.
I feel for everyone who has had to do this, family members react in so many different ways.
Friday, 14 August 2009
John Hartson's Battle With Cancer
Good to see that John Hartson has been well enough to thank fans for all of their support during his recent battles with cancer.
Although still early days the signs are promising as he announces that he is 'feeling well'.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/scottishpremier/celtic/5988450/Former-Celtic-striker-John-Hartson-thanks-fans-for-their-support-during-cancer-battle.html
I recall my time in hospital when first diagnosed and despite everyone assuming you were on deaths door, I actually felt pretty well in myself for most of my treatment.
Yes I had the odd bad day, but I still get those now I am feeling better ! (Maybe too much beer at the weekend).
Lets hope the treatment is working for John in his battle back.
My next 6 monthly checkup is looming in September, and I have to say I never ever feel nervous going. I know it is different for other people, and I always end up with a call from my mother checking everything is ok, but it really never crosses my mind that they may find something. My feeling is that they would have been in touch by now if they found something, and I just regard it as an MOT. I know an ex-work colleague who has similar and she was petrified the first few times and contacted me to seek some assurances. Hopefully my words of comfort were able to help here and I think she is much easier with things now.
Anyway off for the weekend, a healthy game of golf scheduled in tomorrow !
Although still early days the signs are promising as he announces that he is 'feeling well'.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/scottishpremier/celtic/5988450/Former-Celtic-striker-John-Hartson-thanks-fans-for-their-support-during-cancer-battle.html
I recall my time in hospital when first diagnosed and despite everyone assuming you were on deaths door, I actually felt pretty well in myself for most of my treatment.
Yes I had the odd bad day, but I still get those now I am feeling better ! (Maybe too much beer at the weekend).
Lets hope the treatment is working for John in his battle back.
My next 6 monthly checkup is looming in September, and I have to say I never ever feel nervous going. I know it is different for other people, and I always end up with a call from my mother checking everything is ok, but it really never crosses my mind that they may find something. My feeling is that they would have been in touch by now if they found something, and I just regard it as an MOT. I know an ex-work colleague who has similar and she was petrified the first few times and contacted me to seek some assurances. Hopefully my words of comfort were able to help here and I think she is much easier with things now.
Anyway off for the weekend, a healthy game of golf scheduled in tomorrow !
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Hope On Breast Cancer !
My gran was diagnosed with breast cancer approx 20 years ago now, and underwent a mastectomy. She is still alive and well and at the ripe old age of 89 and looking very well on it !
Breast Cancer has always been high in the cancer news, and obviously has been a devastating form of the disease for many people and families. So it was great to read this article from the Australian press in relation to recent research that identifies the problem cells.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25873592-24331,00.html
It was also great to get a post on my site to one of my articles from Harriet Penhey (www.harrietpenhey.com) who has a great site with some great articles related to a host of health issues. Harriet has kindly added me as a follower and I hope to keep in touch and be able to follow her very interesting site.
Breast Cancer has always been high in the cancer news, and obviously has been a devastating form of the disease for many people and families. So it was great to read this article from the Australian press in relation to recent research that identifies the problem cells.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25873592-24331,00.html
It was also great to get a post on my site to one of my articles from Harriet Penhey (www.harrietpenhey.com) who has a great site with some great articles related to a host of health issues. Harriet has kindly added me as a follower and I hope to keep in touch and be able to follow her very interesting site.
Monday, 27 July 2009
Sven Comes To Town !
Well been a few days since I posted and what a whirlwind we have in Nottingham at the moment.
Sven Goran Eriksson has finally arrived in Nottingham to join Notts County FC for a staggering £2million per year as Director of Football.
The local Hooters girls have already put a sign up welcoming him to Nottingham, and he even showed up at my friends wedding on Friday when staying at Hearts in the City Centre for a few photos with his sidekick Tord Grip.
His first came at Meadow Lane saw a local derby with neighbouring Nottingham Forest, with the Pies winning 2-1. It is a game with split loyalties for me, as I am a mad Forest fan but on the other hand I did put a bet on Notts County to win the league this year at 33/1 so I stand to make a very nice return if the Sven factor can turn this ailing club around.
Despite a few sneezing fits in recent days, it looks like my Hay-Fever and not Swine Flu so not chance of me resting up for 5 days whilst the 3rd Ashes Test starts I am afraid !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
