I am pleased to report that having seen Prof. Donde today we are in a very good place. The radiation therapy has worked, the tumour has gone and my mouth over the last two weeks has been healing very nicely.
I am beginning to get some taste back which is great, eating more and weight has remainded the same so not losing anymore. Had a bit of a dry nose and my mouth is still a bit dry but even that is becoming more bearable.
So had last week off work which really helped and feel much stronger, started going to the gym and have already noticed an improvment in my skin and muscles, on the verge of a six pack..lol, haven't seen one of them for many a year!!
I am pleased to say that I can now close this chapter of my life, put this behind me and move on and enjoy life once again. It has been really tough, don't let anyone tell you different, but you get through it and the great thing is you can look forward with anticipation and with a strong belief that you're fixed!!
I won't be looking back, I have always believed in living life for today and have a new mantra "Don't Fear Life, Live it!"
Thanks to everyone for the support I have had, it is truly amazing and very much appreciated.
So here is to living, enjoy it with a passion, don't make excuses, live every moment...and with that I will sign off on this blog...Best wishes to all
Steve
Welcome to my blog, my name is Stephen Sharp and this is the start of my journey to fight cancer. I will try and walk through the stages of my treatment and hopefully give anyone out there suffering with the same problem an insight into what I have been through or am going through.
Friday, 17 February 2012
Friday, 3 February 2012
What a difference a week makes!
From the way I felt over the weekend and Monday was monstrous, I have to say...Went to work to give a presentation to my team about pulling together and being one, how it was important that we build our success and show the firm what we are made of. I am very passionate about my work, my team, the challenges we have, but I have to say I was not in good shape, the stress of working through this really hit me on Monday to the point where I thought I would end up in hospital for a few days. So, I decided it was time to take a break, a few days off, some sleep, rest and get through this last week.
And having seen Prof. Donde on Monday afternoon, what a difference after seeing him, from being an emotional wreck to seeing the way forward, getting some better antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, painkillers that work, by the following morning feeling a lot better.
So I have taken it easy this week, sores have started to go down, mouth very dry though which is a pain, and starting to try different foods, antibiotics and other stuff has worked wonders and my spirit has lifted, although a bit of a knock back yesterday as my treatment got cancelled due the IMRT Scanner machine failing, so I now finish all treatment tomorrow morning at 08:00 - I CAN'T WAIT!!!
So saw Prof. Donde again today, he thinks I am in better shape although my weight is at 89kgs (or 14 stone) - I can't remember the last time I weighed in at that weight, but it was a long time ago?
So checklist:
Tumour - Gone, check
Mouth - No signs of cancer, check
Mouth dry - yes very, check
Mouth sore - yes, but improving at the moment
Skin - good, check
Weight, Not Good, check
Jaw, a lot better, check
I have to go and see the Prof. in two weeks for a further check and then it looks like I have to see them every 3 months for the next few years, I should hopefully have my mouth back to normality within a few weeks, when they can look to put my teeth in on my lower right side of my jaw, that should improve my eating I think. I should hopefully have my taste back in a few months and hopefully my salivary glands working at about 40% by the end of the year. He was right it's a year out of your life, but I guess I will live many more because of the work he has done. I would add the team at Sandton Oncology clinic are fantastic, as is my physio Ilke, Dr. Boyes-Varley my max-fax surgeon - I have been very fortunate to have a great team around me.
I can't tell you how much better I feel this end of the week, even went into work today, hired a new PA, had some good meetings and feel that I am coming out the end of the tunnel and the light wasn't a train steamrolling towards me, but, the reality that I am almost through this and I can start to think forward again. I knew there would be dark times, I didn't realise how dark or painful, but anyone out there suffering with this, you get through it, it's hard, you have to fight, stay positive and most of all believe in yourself, your family, friends, work colleagues, because as I have found they are all supporting and rooting for you.
I hope the next few weeks are getting easier, I am told they can be a bit dire as you come off the radiation so I am just going to stay strong over this period to finish the fight, I am taking next week off to relax, soend time with my wife, Lauren and Orlanda, oh and of course our new family member - Sherlock the Bassett Hound!! and on that note I will sign off until next time....
And having seen Prof. Donde on Monday afternoon, what a difference after seeing him, from being an emotional wreck to seeing the way forward, getting some better antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, painkillers that work, by the following morning feeling a lot better.
So I have taken it easy this week, sores have started to go down, mouth very dry though which is a pain, and starting to try different foods, antibiotics and other stuff has worked wonders and my spirit has lifted, although a bit of a knock back yesterday as my treatment got cancelled due the IMRT Scanner machine failing, so I now finish all treatment tomorrow morning at 08:00 - I CAN'T WAIT!!!
So saw Prof. Donde again today, he thinks I am in better shape although my weight is at 89kgs (or 14 stone) - I can't remember the last time I weighed in at that weight, but it was a long time ago?
So checklist:
Tumour - Gone, check
Mouth - No signs of cancer, check
Mouth dry - yes very, check
Mouth sore - yes, but improving at the moment
Skin - good, check
Weight, Not Good, check
Jaw, a lot better, check
I have to go and see the Prof. in two weeks for a further check and then it looks like I have to see them every 3 months for the next few years, I should hopefully have my mouth back to normality within a few weeks, when they can look to put my teeth in on my lower right side of my jaw, that should improve my eating I think. I should hopefully have my taste back in a few months and hopefully my salivary glands working at about 40% by the end of the year. He was right it's a year out of your life, but I guess I will live many more because of the work he has done. I would add the team at Sandton Oncology clinic are fantastic, as is my physio Ilke, Dr. Boyes-Varley my max-fax surgeon - I have been very fortunate to have a great team around me.
I can't tell you how much better I feel this end of the week, even went into work today, hired a new PA, had some good meetings and feel that I am coming out the end of the tunnel and the light wasn't a train steamrolling towards me, but, the reality that I am almost through this and I can start to think forward again. I knew there would be dark times, I didn't realise how dark or painful, but anyone out there suffering with this, you get through it, it's hard, you have to fight, stay positive and most of all believe in yourself, your family, friends, work colleagues, because as I have found they are all supporting and rooting for you.
I hope the next few weeks are getting easier, I am told they can be a bit dire as you come off the radiation so I am just going to stay strong over this period to finish the fight, I am taking next week off to relax, soend time with my wife, Lauren and Orlanda, oh and of course our new family member - Sherlock the Bassett Hound!! and on that note I will sign off until next time....
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