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Archive for 2007

Reconciling Reality Author: Jan 18
Wow, the last two days have a been a bit of a mind f&^%. I thought on Tuesday that I would be having a blood test with results to say all fine; instead I walked out of the clinic with a decision to be made. To do either ‘Watchful Waiting’ or to have adjunct treatment. With the waiting option there is a 20% chance of the cancer coming back, with treatment that reduces to less than 1%. The reason for the waiting option is that if the cancer comes back they can still cure it really easily. So what would you do.

I’ve just covered a couple of points as it’s a bit deeper than that but you get the jist. What has affected me is that I was under the mistaken impression that ‘hey I’m cured and its all done, just a few follow up blood tests’. This has opened up a full can of worms on the whole subject and it all got too much. To be brutally honest I spent most of Wednesday morning crying my eyes out, sometimes for no apparent reason. Well all for a reason, but just at unexpected times. Its now Thursday and things are much better, I feel that I’ve reconciled the ‘why’ is this happening me, and my choice of fighting this all the way now.

Let ya know the next steps.

d

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I don’t hear no fat lady? Author: Jan 15

I should have known it wasn’t going to be over. Just back from the doctors (both of them) and am completely confused as to what to do next. Well not totally, one is that I managed to pop on an entire kilo since my last visit to my routine doctor. One could say with all the sleeping and christmas festivities thats not bad, so its diet and gym calling.

The urology doctor is not quite so cut and dried. Yes you did have cancer and now here are the options.

1. We do nothing but you have to blood test, chest x-ray and CT scan every 3 months for the next 2 years (the golden period its called here!). If the cancer takes hold in either the other testicle or lymp node then they ‘salvage’ the situation – his words, not mine.

2. We either have radication or chemo (and I think the preference they have here is Chemo). This will reduce the chances of it occuring.

So the choices are mine to make. This doctor has a preference of ‘Watchful, waiting’ as they call it. This is also a ‘new’ protocol for treatment and I need to find out what the jury currently thinks. I don’t like the idea of just leaving the thing to grow and risking more surgury. Family history is that cancer has killed some of us.

No choices made yet – so I guess the stout lady is just warming up!! d
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A Pain Free Day Author: Jan 13

In more ways that one! Morning was spent putting the apartment back into order which didn’t take to long, and the always annoying domestic chore of Laundry! I’m toying very much with the idea of getting someone in to do a few hours cleaning and laundry each week. Terrible I know, but wow, how nice to come home to everything spotless.

Afternoon was taken up with a leisurely trip to check out Johns new place which is within shouting distance, or at least, the lights are on – who nobody home – distance. Then on upto Shibuya for some quality HMV time. Picked up a couple of new CD’s and then ah, SegaFredo time with Di for hours catching up with everything. Nice was to mellow into the late afternoon. It wasn’t until I got home that I realised it was the first day that I’ve not taken any pain medication for the groin or the bung knee. So a great day in fact!

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Dissecting Dinner Author: Jan 12

Had another really lovely dinner party, with Roast Lamb featuring as the central guest as per normal! The new little oven did a fantastic job of roasting the potatoes and kumera really well, and the normal oven once again outdid itself on the roast lamb, which had just a few pink juices running out when rested and carved. I think it hit a nice 70C in the centre, will have to look that up and check if it was right.

(just checked that 70C is totally perfect – well we could all have told you that after the meal).

Started the dinner off with some more of the Asian Tapas from my still very favorite book of the same name.

Garlic/Rosemary Olives – which goes so well with Anchovy Stuffed Olives – still working on texture of this mix.
Ceviche Scallop – No contest
Kashmiri Prawn Kababs – taste was lovely, but I think I can improve on texture.
Caramalized Mango and Octopus – WARNING Don’t use baby japanese squid as found in the market, unless you love the taste of squid bait – got with the octopus – it works really well.
Rainbow Quail Eggs – note to self, use a milder chilli. Choking ones manager with too much spice is not recommended.

Was thinking there was something else but that may have been the bubbles! What birthday dinner is complete without Moet Chandon!

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Mounting Tension Author: Jan 11

I’m on the countdown to the first blood test to see if the cancer was all removed and had not decided to take a little wander to other locales.  Unfortunately as the days countdown the tension mounts up, I realised this morning coming to work that I’m terrified that it will be a bad result and I’ll have to have chemo-therapy.  Currently I cannot even confirm a ski-ing holiday in two weeks time.  I’m really starting to resent life having to be put on hold like this.  Okay some would say just book it, do it, don’t let it rule your life.  I’ll take a wild guess and say those would people who haven’t had cancer.  

Its not the cost of possibly having to cancel, its letting people down who are also going on the trip.  Anyway one component of my life that has resumed in full force.  Meetings so gotta go.

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Back in Tokyo Author: Jan 06

After a wonderful holiday with my family in some not so seasonal weather I am back in the massive smoke and on my way back to work after a month away. I wonder if they still need me?

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