Good news....Bad news

[skiprat]

On Thursday (yesterday), I had two appointments with both of my oncologists.
Both of my chemo treatment courses ended a couple of weeks ago. I also finished the vast majority of the tabs I had to take at home last week.
First appointment was with my Myeloma doctor. She is very pleased that I have responded as well as could have been hoped for.
Next appointment , with bowel cancer doc, was cancelled due to CV19....I was told I'd get a phone consultation instead.
Well, I got the call this morning from a team doctor I've not even met.

Anyway, the short story is that the Bowel cancer has spread to my liver and both lungs.....
Ive been told what my new chemo will be and it will probably start next week, hopefully.

On top of this, my sick pay ended this month and now it's just SSP. I mistakenly thought that sick pay was for a year.
I have to confess that it's getting a bit tougher to keep a smile on my dial. But neither my wife or I are ready to give up this fight.

Lol, our 32nd anniversary is next week and as we are under virtual lockdown, we are planning what delicious nosh we will have at home.

 

[howsitwork]

Just sent you a pm but the. this popped up. For the anniversary, well you're not likely to get disturbed so do whatever you fancy..... Chocolate body paint was all the rage a few years back

Sorry you ve been hit , indirectly , by your doctors being changed due to covid but on the brighter side YOU haven't got it and you definately don't want it so keep isolating. Make the neighbours jealous by playing that serge gainsborough hit from the 70s at full volume??

Plplease stay as isolated as possible Skip, the whole point is to try to reduce transmission to susceptible individuals and you do come into the category so misbehave privately

 

[skiprat]

Haha Ian.....I think you may have caught something yourself.....!! Sexy French songs and chocolate sauce stuck in places that haven't seen direct sunlight in years??
We'll probably settle on something a little less decadent though

I've practiced holding my breath and keeping my hands in my pockets from the moment we enter the hospital till we reach the the chemo department....it's about a damned mile and I have managed it yet.

 

[Dalecamino]

Steven, I wish you the best outcome. You are a fighter. I know this. Get well!

 

[Tripletmom]

Steven:
As long as there are treatments to keep trying you are in the fight. Please know there are others across the world (like me) who will say a special prayer tonight for you and your wife to keep up the fight !! You got this!
God Bless you from a fellow Stage IV fighter

 

[magpens]

Keep up the valiant fight, Steve !!!

 

[dogrunner]

Good luck hopefully all goes

 

[lorbay]

Just sent you a pm but the. this popped up. For the anniversary, well you're not likely to get disturbed so do whatever you fancy..... Chocolate body paint was all the rage a few years back

Sorry you ve been hit , indirectly , by your doctors being changed due to covid but on the brighter side YOU haven't got it and you definately don't want it so keep isolating. Make the neighbours jealous by playing that serge gainsborough hit from the 70s at full volume??

Plplease stay as isolated as possible Skip, the whole point is to try to reduce transmission to susceptible individuals and you do come into the category so misbehave privately

All the best to you Skip. Thinking of you.
Lin

 

[Dieseldoc]

Our prayers for you and family.

 

[mbroberg]

Prayers for your healing!

 

[Jim15]

Keep fighting. You will remain in my prayers.

 

[leehljp]

Praying for you Steven. Praying for you and your family! And I won't stop!

 

[jttheclockman]

Just another obstacle in your way. Hang in there and you will beat this entire thing. keep smiling and keep us informed. Sure would be good to see some of your creations too as I try to keep myself busy. Will say a prayer for you but will have to be long distance. They shut my church down too. This virus has created a worldwide set of problems and yes we will recover but when that is the big ??? Take care my friend.

 

[johncrane]

Steve! keep up the fight mate! will be thinking of you.

 

[SteveJ]

You remain in our prayers.

 

[wolf creek knives]

Sorry if I offend but here goes Steven. Kick it's ass, spit in its eye, give it a bloody nose, kick it in the huevous. The worst thing you can do is give in...don't. From what I've read your a fighter, you have the knock out punch, use it. You're in my thoughts.

 

[PenPal]

Just received my instructions,we have brought your visit forward to next week,its Saturday here,instructions are:

Check your weight and blood pressure if you can
Have your pathology complete
Have a list of scripts that you need
Have a list of new symptoms if you have any.

Renal Specialist

Four yrs out now for me and ten years for Wilma. Enjoy your anniversary,chin up mate we pray for you and trust for you.

Peter and Wilma

 

[Displaced Canadian]

Take care of yourself.

 

[skiprat]

This place is pretty special..
it's almost 2am and I just woke up to visit the littlest room and to see the support from here is great.
Many many thanks for all the well wishes. I can assure you that they DO help..

Thank you.

 

[bsshog40]

Prayers are with ya my friend!

 

[KLJ]

Praying for you

 

[studioseven]

Skip, Keep your chin up. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Seven

 

[Ironwood]

Just caught up with this thread. Wow Skip, I knew you had some medical problems from reading one of the other threads. I know you are a fighter, so have confidence that you will beat this.
I am only 55, but have beaten one cancer, so have felt the toll this can have on yourself and family. Will be thinking positive thoughts for you Mate. Stay strong.

Edit-, I will add that the forums were a big help to keep me going when I was at my lowest.
Post some pics of your previous works, I am sure it will help.

 

[greenmtnguy]

Steven,
You keep fighting and beat this so you can visit Vermont again. We will have lunch same as last time. I have a special pen from the last visit.

 

[magpens]

@skiprat

As Brad said ....

"Post some pics of your previous works, I am sure it will help. "

That should help both you and us; I know that I would like to see these again. . I often think of your work, including that "City Scape" you did in polished stainless ... pens and pen holders ... I think you donated that as a prize for some contest or charity auction.

 

[mark james]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

[keithbyrd]

Skip, You have been an encouragement to me over the years as I have grown in this pen making craziness - your creativity and talents are amazing. My prayers go to the Great Physician for you. "Be strong and courageous..."

 

[Bryguy]

Sorry to hear what you are going through. My thoughts are with you. Keep turning, your work is an inspiration.

 

[papaturner]

Still Praying !

 

[Argo13]

Thoughts and Prayers for you!

 

[howsitwork]

Haha Ian.....I think you may have caught something yourself.....!! Sexy French songs and chocolate sauce stuck in places that haven't seen direct sunlight in years??
We'll probably settle on something a little less decadent though

I've practiced holding my breath and keeping my hands in my pockets from the moment we enter the hospital till we reach the the chemo department....it's about a damned mile and I have managed it yet.

Skip

if you e got an air helmet or some wuxi the filters will reduce airborne exposure although you may look strange ( stranger than normal that is ! By the way anyone know what normal looks like anymore?)

 

[howsitwork]

General note to all, if you have a filtered helmet or mask it will reduce risk of airborne inhalation but that's not the major source of infection I am told. PHYSICAL CONTACT IS so if you wear gloves going out ( any sort of gloves) it makes you more aware of what you're doing with your hands. Cos you don't normally touch your face wearing gloves, you take em off.

If you do this it makes you THINK TO WASH YOUR HANDS before TOUCHING your face, blowing your nose etc simple tip but it could reduce spread.

We are all in this for the long haul and keep up the positive spirits. Boosts the immune system and helps everyone.

 

[CHARLES STOPCZYNSKI]

We're praying for you .

 

[WriteON]

Chin up. I admire your strength and attitude.

 

[skiprat]

General note to all, if you have a filtered helmet or mask it will reduce risk of airborne inhalation but that's not the major source of infection I am told. PHYSICAL CONTACT IS so if you wear gloves going out ( any sort of gloves) it makes you more aware of what you're doing with your hands. Cos you don't normally touch your face wearing gloves, you take em off.

If you do this it makes you THINK TO WASH YOUR HANDS before TOUCHING your face, blowing your nose etc simple tip but it could reduce spread.

We are all in this for the long haul and keep up the positive spirits. Boosts the immune system and helps everyone.

Thanks for the advice Ian. !!! Just to show how serious this is, I've just got my better half to take a quick pic of how you need to be if you really need to go out...........
PPE includes proper breathing mask, nitrile gloves, 2M social distancing measuring stick, bottle of 99.9% Isopropanol alcohol, couple rolls of quilted loo roll, blue shop towel if you run out of the good stuff, and of course some IAP regalia.....

 

[Cwalker935]

Is that TP? That stuff is worth a fortune! I hope you and your wife have a delicious nosh. Keep up the good fight. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[jttheclockman]

Yep looks like you are ready to face the world for the day. Keep that sense of humor.

 

[leehljp]

LOL. I have an old Triton forced air respirator full head mask. I got it out this week. The battery was still charged and I haven't used it since late 2009 when I was in Japan.

Went to two stores yesterday, wore my mask and gloves; got a few stares. There were several other people with masks on, and probably were nurses by the looks of the type of masks. People are too casual around here. Even if I didn't have on-hand masks, I most certainly would have made one.

Good to see your great sense of humor. Just wondering how deep it is - are you going to wear it to see the doctor?

BTW, before it became real prominent in my area, I went to 1 year checkup with gastroenterologist three weeks ago and wore the mask then. Got lots of stares.

Back when Sars was making its way around the globe, I cleaned my front fence (in Japan) of English Ivy the day before coming back to the USA. For some reason, the sap did its thing on me just like poison ivy. The day after arriving back in the USA, I went to a doctor here for a shot. My normal doctor was out. The lady asked what I did to get it so bad. I said: "Day before yesterday, I cleaned my fence of Ivy in Japan" . . . At that, she jumped across the room. "You don't have Sars, do you?" I laughed, "NO, just an aversion to ivy."

 

[Dalecamino]

LMAO Steven! Your sense of humor still stands. Good to see.

 

[darrin1200]

My thoughts are with you @skiprat . You have been one of my biggest inspirations here.
I am glad you still have your unique humour. My wife and I both wish you all the best and can't wait to get word of your recovery. Also, congratulations on your 32nd anniversary, I'm sure there will be any more.