Allan

Starting Treatment

Wednesday, 4. February 2009, 16:34:50

Today I visited the hospital where I was examined from head to toe, blood samples were taken and EKG was made.

After that I had a meeting with a nurse and a doctor, in which we agreed on what sort of treatment I will be undergoing - how and when.

I will be given a sort of mild chemotherapy with very few - and soft - side effects. Goes like this:

Once a week in seven weeks and pause one week. That repeated twice.

After that a new CT-scan to see if the cancer has become smaller and to what extend. After that there will be a new plan made.

There are two good things to bring back home from today's examinations.

1. The most important thing is, that my liver is not at all influenced by cancer. It's all clean. That's really, really good.

2. The way I have recovered after the grand surgery in the beginning of January indicates, that my immune-system is working better than anyone could have expected.

These two factors combined suggest, that the chemo will do it's thing on me in a very effective way. Looks like I have better chances than most when it comes to fight back the cancer.

Still, I will probably not be cured - but we're talking about significantly more time than statistics would indicate. That sounds nice to me

More bonus time coming up, ladies and gentlemen. I am grateful. Now, let's see what the next 16 weeks will bring.

We, The People, Demand Summer In The CityOn The Other Side Of The Fence

Comments

1 2 Next »

Kay Four # 4. February 2009, 16:36

I am thinking about you!

José Torres # 4. February 2009, 16:39

They are great good news Alan, I'm very happy for you, soon you will be there in Algarve beach resting and drinking a fresh

PainterWoman # 4. February 2009, 17:26

Bless you Allan. We're all thinkin' and whishin' and prayin'.

Anonymous # 4. February 2009, 18:06

Anita writes:

you´re a tough guy Allan,......but what you tell is that you´re chances for more years are much better....but that you will probably never be cured...and that must be tough to think about....I can only hope it will change and you will be cured of course.....and hoping is a good thing...probably we will always hope anyway...despite we are told our chances......nice to know that your immune system is much better than thought...great.....and I hope all these thoughts here on flickr can send positive energy to you and help you when you could be down in mood ( that can happen for the best).....

Martin K # 4. February 2009, 18:20

Hopefully, your system will accept the chemo. It's quite an ordeal. As you know my mother went through the whole thing some years ago. Unfortunately she didn't make it. My best advice would be for you to get as fit as you can possibly get. Physical shape, I mean. In the psyche department you are very strong, I know that, but you can always get in better physical shape. Especially if they decide to operate, physical shape is essential.

But I guess you already know that.

You are in my prayers, friend. Always.

Julka # 4. February 2009, 18:25

I am happy to see you feeling better than statistic person would.
And I am proud you're doing so well.

Hugs

Angeliki # 4. February 2009, 19:00

I am delighted to know that you liver is not in any danger,
and that your immune system works very well!

I always said
"men that are sexually active,
boost their immune system big time!!
I am glad you kept Mrs Ricewood busy all these years!"

I love you Allan and I wish you

Lois # 4. February 2009, 19:12

That's good news indeed Allan, it sounds very positive and encouraging. You and your family are in my prayers, I'm sure that things will go very well for you and you'll outlive the cancer!

Richard # 4. February 2009, 19:21

Excellent news, Allan. Hopefully you will get this thing licked as soon as possible! As you say, you have a number of favorable factors working for you.

Stardancer # 4. February 2009, 19:44

Great news! Congrats to you, my friend.

You're in my prayers.

Asgeir # 4. February 2009, 20:57

That is great news. Great advice from Aqualion, A guy I know at work has gone through similar stuff - he went to the gym as often as he could, said it really helped him

I wish you the best of luck

Darko # 4. February 2009, 21:01

Ok, these are all good news. And, what is more important, waiting time is behind you - sort of - and now a time has come for action. Stay well and in good condition, time will show statistic is just a bunch of numbers

Allan # 4. February 2009, 21:14

Oh, thanks so much all of you nice and important people. I wonder if you understand what it means to be spoken to, greeted, wished good luck, prayed for and asked questions here on the Internet - just as well as among friends in what we usually refer to as "the real world".

There is no chance that I will suffer loneliness here as well as there.

That's maybe equally important as being physically fit.

Darko # 4. February 2009, 22:46

There is a ballance and one supports the other. Good luck

Edward Piercy # 4. February 2009, 22:55

Statistical bonus time -- "rebirth" as I call it.

A very special time!

studio41 # 5. February 2009, 00:20

Praise God for this report! I am happier now!!! for you and for all of us here with you! To be glad for sure...

so glad to hear, too, that it will be a mild form of chemo, that is certainly desirable!

and Aqualion, I'm sorry to hear about your mother. To lose one's mother must be one of the hardest losses of a lifetime.

Cynthia # 5. February 2009, 03:29

Thanks for your update, Allen.

Sounds like you have a good plan set in action.

Léazz # 5. February 2009, 03:50

Glad about the good news Sir Allan. God bless you, we are praying for you.

Angeliki # 5. February 2009, 04:41

"I wonder if you understand what it means to be spoken to, greeted, wished good luck, prayed for and asked questions here on the Internet"

oh you have no idea how much so!
and even if we don't get an answer right away,
(if that ever happens),
when you are in the mood
you will find here waiting for you,
all of the above plus
beer ,girls, jokes and YouTube songs

and that's a promise from the heart!

Léazz # 5. February 2009, 06:00

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Dacotah # 5. February 2009, 06:05

You are in my prayers.
Glad to hear the good news.

Martin K # 5. February 2009, 06:58

Thank you, Jill. It is.

Allan # 5. February 2009, 07:46

"A friend in need is a friend indeed"

A statement of power and wisdom. I will bear that in mind.

Thank you so much, lovely people.

Léazz # 5. February 2009, 08:45

Nicolas Borgsmidt # 5. February 2009, 11:08

So far so good, my good man. Your attitude will carry you along, no doubt. Well done Allan

You´ll remain in my prayers.

dɹɐzılpǝkɔıw ɐʞɐ ɹǝɥgɐllɐg lǝbɐsı # 5. February 2009, 11:13

So far, that's really good news! My prayers that all goes well with you and that you enjoy life right till you're a cranky old man!

Léazz # 5. February 2009, 11:22

José António # 6. February 2009, 01:03

studio41 # 6. February 2009, 05:52

Dacotah # 6. February 2009, 06:44

"Still, I will probably not be cured" Allan, there is power in prayer and God can cure you.

Allan # 6. February 2009, 08:04

Thanks, all. Still my thanks reaches out to you concerning people.

Yes, there's power in prayer. But God in his wisdom seems to have decided that we will all die someday anyway - so my attitude has become that I value quality of life higher than quantity of life.

Léazz # 6. February 2009, 08:07

I agree with Lady Carol dear Sir Allan.

Allan # 6. February 2009, 08:10

When two women argee - who am I to argue

Dacotah # 6. February 2009, 08:27

Hi Allan, I agree with you too. It's up to God and His wisdom, of course He knows when are time is up.

Allan # 6. February 2009, 08:34

He's wiser than me, that's for sure!

Dacotah # 6. February 2009, 08:37

lokutus_prime # 6. February 2009, 09:33

"I wonder if you understand what it means to be spoken to, greeted, wished good luck, prayed for and asked questions here on the Internet - just as well as among friends in what we usually refer to as "the real world"."

Hi dear Allan

Following on from what everyone here has already said, I add my words to tell you that you are in my thoughts and prayers. The Power we sense is with you my dear friend. And you are right about friendship here, in this medium that we all call 'The Internet'. Our collective prayers, our love, our thoughts, our wishes, reveal that we band together to support each other in times of triumph and in times of adversity. As Princess says "A friend in need is a friend indeed" ... we are your dear and enduring friends and we hold you close to us. God bless you dear Allan. There is much hope shining and you will come through all of this

Allan, brave soul - good man - enduring friend..
we who are here love you and we send
our wishes our thoughts and prayer,
to tell you we are here and share
your words, see your courage,
show you we are your loving entourage,
each and every day in each and every way

Angeliki # 6. February 2009, 11:46

I agree with the ladies and you too Allan

Léazz # 6. February 2009, 13:27

Anonymous # 7. February 2009, 02:35

Nurhanne writes:

Add me to the list of people thinking of you

Léazz # 7. February 2009, 04:15

Another candle lighted for Sir Allan.

studio41 # 7. February 2009, 05:28

thoughtful poem, Loku... Allan whatever God has numbered your days, you are a blessing that will be cherished a lifetime, however long that lifetime is... in that sense (that we cannot determine our days) we are all in the same finite boat, this side of things. And our experience in that boat is altogether different. Some of us are made privy to a sometime some time ending to this journey, some are not. I just am hoping you have very little pain, etc., and selfishly, that you do fully recover. But "acceptance with joy" was a phrase used (a name given) in the allegory by Hannah Hurnard, called "Hinds' Feet on High Places". You seem to have mastered this as you have already fully placed your destiny and days in the hands of your Creator. Thanks for setting a beautiful example of this.

Allan # 7. February 2009, 08:20

Thank you very much, Nurhanne.

Thanks for the candlelight, Leazz.

Jill, when I was a child of, say 6 or 7 years of age, I had a small intermezzo with my dad. It was November, it was my birthday and I had just got a new, very fast-running pair of sneakers as present. As I left the house to show my new sneakers to my friends - those shoes were highest fashion at the time - my father called me back and said to me that it was a cold day and that I should not wear those sneakers outside for show-off. He said that I should rather wear my boots and go invite some kids home and show them my new possessions in the house.

Of course I left the house in my sneakers.

The day after my throat was sore, I had fever and couldn't go to school - which was basically okay - but what was worse, I couldn't play outside in the street in the afternoon with the other boys. That was tough, and I did cry salty tears.

That's the way I see "my father in Heaven". I can do whatever I want - but he knows things I know nothing about, he's got the experience and it's not very difficult to find the place where he's put all kinds of good advice. Advice which are all given in the spirit of a loving and caring father.

I guess I've just stopped trying to be more clever than God. That's all.

studio41 # 7. February 2009, 08:32

Thank you for sharing this story. One is wise to understand this, and even more to accept it with grace. And in that grace for the moment, if ever there is the feeling of a lapse-- a wave of emotion that causes one to feel on the other side of the barb-- it is comforting to know that He would reach down and care just the same and guide with that good advice that only He can give...

Angeliki # 7. February 2009, 12:25

the only moment we can say we are coming close to Gods wisdom is when we love each other,
I guess I consider it as the greatest gift He gave us,
even when some take it for granded.

Childhood stories feel so wonderful to read when we are older,
the same stories that felt silly and annoying when we were young

Isn't growing older a fascinating thing?

Nicolas Borgsmidt # 7. February 2009, 14:49

Indeed

Allan # 7. February 2009, 15:34

Agreed

Léazz # 8. February 2009, 05:43

Hi Sir Allan, wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead.

studio41 # 8. February 2009, 06:28

Angeliki's comment prompts me to share the memory verse I'm working on through a Bible memory program. It's in a different translation than when I was a child, but the meaning remains poignant and true... it's a tall order, a challenge, and I'm not anywhere close to achieving these essences of the word. It's just the beginning portion, but I'll share nevertheless, it is beautiful and impossible to achieve without the One who is perfectly love and gives wisdom to those who ask. Unfortunately I have experience being the clanging gong that the opening of the chapter refers to, but enough about me...

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
ESV

God bless everyone here this week-end. God bless you, Allan.

Allan # 8. February 2009, 08:05

You're right. One of the most challenging parts of The Bible - particularly if you'd like to test yourself - what's love and what's not.

1 2 Next »

Showing comments 1 - 50 of 64.