tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post4582677046712322831..comments2023-09-15T00:54:12.524-07:00Comments on CANARY ARCHIVE: Journeys...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-61523312466491714842010-07-04T05:11:26.172-07:002010-07-04T05:11:26.172-07:00Hello!
Just a quickie - here's an email I sen...Hello!<br /><br />Just a quickie - here's an email I sent my kids. Wer'e expecting a visitor now, so must rush, but will be back here later. :-)<br /><br /><br /><i>Hello Kiddos,<br /><br />I’m sorry that we have been so uncommunicative since we returned from Tenerife. Our first priority when we arrived back in England was to go to Canterbury Hospital for the annual check-up on Kathy’s face. As you know, the doctors there were concerned by the appearance of small brown flecks in the scar below Kathy’s right eye. They took an immediate biopsy, which confirmed the emergence of a malignant melanoma that was highly dangerous.<br /><br />So over the past few weeks we have been preoccupied with multiple visits to hospital during which Kathy has been through a series of tests and consultations that led up to her operation last Friday. She is back home now and recuperating.<br /><br />The good news is that neither MRI nor CT/PET scans have shown any spread of the cancer from Kathy’s face. And the other good news is that Kathy is as bright and cheerful as ever. But her face has changed.<br /><br />She has temporary staples and stitches running up from the side of her neck to behind and in front of her ear, and then continuing on just fractionally below her eye across to the top of her nose, then down the side of her nose, finishing just above the corner of her lip. It is a very, very long wound. The surgeon had to remove a lot of cheek tissue and some bone, and had to cut through several facial muscles and nerves. The effect is that her cheek is now depressed and she has lost a lot of feeling and control over her cheek and the top right hand side of her lip.<br /><br />As she says, her cheeky grin is now definitely lopsided and very wonky indeed!<br /><br />This week we will be at home doing everything we can to help the wound mend. The staples and stitches are due to come out next Friday, by which time we hope to have the biopsy results on the tissue that was removed during the operation. What we are hoping and praying for is that the biopsy shows a good margin around the edges with no evidence of the cancer. <br /><br />Well, that’s the news. We are definitely out of circulation for a while, but I will let you all know how things stand after next Friday.<br /><br />Cheers!<br />Dad xxx</i>Canary Islanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559374655320416333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-39128135914102983502010-07-03T01:17:12.987-07:002010-07-03T01:17:12.987-07:00How are you Kathy and CI? Hope the op went smooth...How are you Kathy and CI? Hope the op went smoothly and the post-op is not too uncomfy.<br /><br />Good luck for a gentle trip to perfect health now.<br /><br />love and warmest wishes, karen<br />xxDolores Doolittlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01943844193688789171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-64196212888295341382010-07-01T15:43:36.840-07:002010-07-01T15:43:36.840-07:00In my thoughts and my heart. Bon chance, mes amis...In my thoughts and my heart. Bon chance, mes amis!Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-88801218796985691602010-07-01T12:32:52.204-07:002010-07-01T12:32:52.204-07:00Kathy and CI - Strength and Courage and Joyful Res...Kathy and CI - Strength and Courage and Joyful Results to you tomorrow<br />warmest wishes to youDolores Doolittlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01943844193688789171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-86851763877911872542010-06-30T14:50:52.306-07:002010-06-30T14:50:52.306-07:00Fingers, toes, and anything else that it is possib...Fingers, toes, and anything else that it is possible to cross.<br /><br />Disappointing that you could not get the scan results before the surgery. Keep the faith. You are both in my heart.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-17952375974349356112010-06-30T12:44:11.300-07:002010-06-30T12:44:11.300-07:00Chris - that's such good news. In fact, it'...Chris - that's such good news. In fact, it's brilliant news! :-)<br /><br />Yes, I'm really smiling for you. And I could have gone nap on you being a fellow napper.<br /><br />Alas, I've no news. Our surgeon couldn't attend our pre-op briefing today, so we will have to wait for the PET scan results. And the operation is on Friday.<br /><br />Keep fingers crossed...<br />:-)Canary Islanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559374655320416333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-68040355371073145482010-06-29T09:31:24.316-07:002010-06-29T09:31:24.316-07:00I am feeling great! The tirerness (from the anesth...I am feeling great! The tirerness (from the anesthetic, I think) has passed though I will take a nap if I feel like it. I love naps. It's quite remarkable that I had no pain and the discomfort (minor anyway) is virtually gone. Incision areas are nice and clean. <br /><br />You and Kathy are in my thoughts, as always.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-19806682352824332882010-06-29T05:57:14.201-07:002010-06-29T05:57:14.201-07:00Chris - how are you feeling now?
Hope you are comf...Chris - how are you feeling now?<br />Hope you are comfy and feeling better and better!!!Canary Islanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559374655320416333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-34532464406578348412010-06-29T05:53:24.548-07:002010-06-29T05:53:24.548-07:00Ahh Dolores! - the smoked bacon joint was unbeliev...Ahh Dolores! - the smoked bacon joint was unbelievably yummy, and next day there was enough left over for late brunch toasties, BLT style.<br /><br />The joint had been cooked in water, thyme, bayleaves, peppercorns, onion and carrots, with two cubes of Knorr chicken stock.<br /><br />Afterwards we added some remaining bits of bacon joint, potatoes and frozen peas to the stock, liquidised, and cooked up a superb Pea Soup. Scrumptious!<br /><br />Thanks for your good wishes! Will report back tomorrow!<br />:-)Canary Islanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559374655320416333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-32295790785467990842010-06-29T03:41:56.819-07:002010-06-29T03:41:56.819-07:00Kathy and CI - Good Luck tomorrow for more pre-op ...Kathy and CI - Good Luck tomorrow for more pre-op consultations, and Tons of it for the op on Friday. <br /><br />(How was the bacon joint)?<br /><br /><br />Chris, how are you doing? Hope you're feeling a little revitalised after those naps and not too sore. best wishes to John,<br /><br />and love and strength and Best of Health to you all<br /><br />xxDolores Doolittlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01943844193688789171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-64396341645886711012010-06-27T15:18:49.923-07:002010-06-27T15:18:49.923-07:00Kathy went off today at 6am with her elder daughte...Kathy went off today at 6am with her elder daughter to a boot fair. I was asleep and woke up to find a “Post-It” note by the kettle. This is what it said:<br /><br /><i>“Have a nice morning! Will be back 1 or 2 ish, I guess. Could you take a bacon joint out of the freezer (in bedroom) and put it in a bowl of cold water please. I did not want to wake you!<br />Lots of love x x x x <br />PS Chewy ?”</i><br /><br />PPS “Chewy” is our pet name for the calcium tablets that I’m supposed to take.Canary Islanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559374655320416333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-62614957086469105962010-06-27T01:52:48.440-07:002010-06-27T01:52:48.440-07:00Chris - this is such good news! I can hardly beli...Chris - this is such good news! I can hardly believe that you are home so soon, in such good spirits, and so evidently back in tip-top writing form. What a huge relief! I’m delighted for you and for John, and indeed for all your family. <br /><br />I guess the most important thing for you right now is R & R – rest and recreation. And maybe this is also a good time for another “R” – reflection. That old saying about today being the first day of the rest of one’s life keeps coming into my mind. I wonder if you are thinking along the same lines, and will be setting your sails so that everything you’ve been through will have a new and positive effect on your life.<br /><br />Gosh, I’m amazed I just said that. I’ve just remembered how differently I reacted immediately after my operation in 1974. It wasn’t anything nearly as serious as what you’ve been through, but like you, I was lucky in that my job involved a huge amount of work from home, writing. So I just carried on as normal. One shrugs things off so easily when one is young and carefree.<br /><br />And Kathy is like that too. She shrugs things off. The operation two years ago left her face with a really nasty scar, and it didn’t affect her one bit. She just carried on as normal, and she’s the same now – totally matter-of-fact and realistic about the future.<br /><br />You ladies are heroins. Ouch! Must be all that talk about good and bad drugs! I mean heroines!!!<br />:-)<br /><br />PS. Yes, it is bizarre. These coincidences do astonish me. Sometimes I think the gods are looking down, and mischievously pulling some invisible strings that connect us all together...<br /><br />I’ll be back later, to chat some more.Canary Islanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559374655320416333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-57313555870451275702010-06-26T20:49:35.603-07:002010-06-26T20:49:35.603-07:00Another nap...I have been napping all day. I gues...Another nap...I have been napping all day. I guess the anasthetic takes time to get out of the system. It's now 11:35 pm and I am wide awake. Time for some Tylenol and then back to bed. But first some thoughts...<br /><br />It's bizarre. We happy few have been so happy-go-lucky and then Wham Bang, two of us are hit by the proverbial lightning bolt at the same time. Statistically, that's off the charts. But I have recently become friends with two ladies, sisters of a good friend, who were both diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time. One had DCIS with no positive receptors, had the lumpectomy and the "internal" 5-day radiation and is fine. The other had invasive cancer, mastectomy,chemo and full radiation followed by reeconstruction and is still in recovery. How strange, though that sisters, within weeks of each other, and living now hundreds of miles apart, they should both have been diagnosed with BC and with no family history to boot.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-39557778079553035252010-06-26T15:57:37.744-07:002010-06-26T15:57:37.744-07:00I have been thinking about you and Kathy all day. ...I have been thinking about you and Kathy all day. Whatever the MRI results, the actual surgery on her face will be traumatic simply because of where it is. No matter how much reassurance she receives, she is still going to be very frightened inside. That you will love her regardless goes without saying. Nevertheless, the psychological efffect of all this on her will be as difficult as anything else. My heart goes out to you both. Thank god you have each other.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-5536564438257130542010-06-26T04:52:43.889-07:002010-06-26T04:52:43.889-07:00I was home two hours after surgery. It's an ou...I was home two hours after surgery. It's an outpatient procedure here, but done at the hospital in a full operating room under general anesthetic. The sentinal lymph node (that's the first node any invasive cancer cells would meet) test is done at the beginning and tested straight away. This determines what happens next. A negaive result means no other lymph nodes are taken. Now hopefully the margins of the tumor were clear.<br /><br />I am in no pain but I am sure there will be some soreness and achiness as the healing progresses. I have the good drugs if necessary but I prefer to avoid anything stronger than standard over-the-counter meds if I can.<br /><br />All my thoughs are now focused on Kathy and you, Ian. You will be held close to my heart on Wednesday, and particulary on Friday.<br /><br />By the way, the dye used for the biopsy has made me pee a very pretty blue color!!<br /><br />XXXXChrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-86284095428581033512010-06-26T00:26:18.722-07:002010-06-26T00:26:18.722-07:00Absolutely Joyous news Chris! Hope you're get...Absolutely Joyous news Chris! Hope you're getting hugely spoiled, and that they let you out soon for a run round the park! <br /><br /><br />Kathy, hope your op will be similarly successful -keep being strong and fun-filled, you and IanDolores Doolittlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01943844193688789171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-27653392868838246922010-06-26T00:02:49.997-07:002010-06-26T00:02:49.997-07:00Yippee! Absolutely splendiferous news! I hope you ...Yippee! Absolutely splendiferous news! I hope you are comfy as well as happy. Are you home yet? How do I send lots of flowers, chocs, and smiley cards?<br /><br />PS Your typing is great when you are dopey!<br />:-))Canary Islanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559374655320416333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-58936278654523012842010-06-25T15:54:48.963-07:002010-06-25T15:54:48.963-07:00Aargh! i wrore a long post and it didn't get p...Aargh! i wrore a long post and it didn't get posted. here's the synopsis:<br /><br />Good News<br /><br />Sentinel lymph node biopsy NEGATIVE<br /><br />This is huge good news<br /><br />surgeon thinks he got everything out.<br /><br />Will know mre when get full path reportChrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-17186833341797371702010-06-25T15:48:05.779-07:002010-06-25T15:48:05.779-07:00GOOD NEWS TODAY!
I had the surgery this morning. ...GOOD NEWS TODAY!<br /><br />I had the surgery this morning. The all-important sentinel lymph node biopsy was NEGATIVE. This is huge and indicates that the cancer had not escaped outside the immediate duct. My surgeon - not usually given to predicting anything - says he thinks he got all the lump. But we shall have to wait for the full path report of course. <br /><br />Now all my attention and good thoughts are focused on Kathy.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-34837464187042815512010-06-25T02:58:08.909-07:002010-06-25T02:58:08.909-07:00Hello Chris and Ian and Kathy and John
The courag...Hello Chris and Ian and Kathy and John<br /><br />The courage of you all shines through the ghastly array of symptoms you're suffering.<br /><br />I send pitifully inadequate wishes for joyous post-op post-test results.<br /><br />Please post news when you can<br /><br />Interloping Karen<br />xxxDolores Doolittlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01943844193688789171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-74900224932056894622010-06-24T14:46:19.097-07:002010-06-24T14:46:19.097-07:00You always uplift my spirits! Thank you. See you a...You always uplift my spirits! Thank you. See you after the surgery. I may be on the good drugs and therefore a bit incoherent, though.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-51258277407991471502010-06-24T01:15:37.710-07:002010-06-24T01:15:37.710-07:00And I'll be Ian!
You'd chuckle if you coul...And I'll be Ian!<br />You'd chuckle if you could see me now. I'm not allowed near the CT/PET scan unit, so Kathy suggested I spend the time outside the hospital in the sunshine. Which I am, typing away on my laptop whilst listening to Radio 4.<br /><br />We won't get any immediate news after the scan. Kathy has a pre-op meeting next Wednesday, and hopefully we will know more then.<br /><br />When she comes out of the scan, she will be slightly radioactive! No visiting pregnant daughter until Sunday. Crikey! I always knew Kathy was red-hot!<br /><br />Best, best, bestest of good luck for tomorrow...<br /><br />XXXXXCanary Islanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559374655320416333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-21200419994073359072010-06-23T23:14:07.129-07:002010-06-23T23:14:07.129-07:00No, no! I was not suggesting the pains were psycho...No, no! I was not suggesting the pains were psychosomatic...just that every pain takes on an importance in one's mind and creates a fear that it might not have BC. <br /><br />I am thinking of you both right now. It's 2 am here...7 am there. I hope that you can at least get preliminary results right away. I will be watching this blog closely for news.<br /><br />You're right. The fear will never go away. One must be constantly vigilant and proactive. Remember my mantra...<br /><br />"I have cancer. Cancer does NOT have me."<br /><br />I have decided to be me, Chris, for this blog.<br /><br />XXXXXExpat now Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-45115238954082025372010-06-23T21:21:41.408-07:002010-06-23T21:21:41.408-07:00Just woke up after another restless night. Five am...Just woke up after another restless night. Five am! We'll be off to the hospital in two and half hours...Canary Islanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559374655320416333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792852194533466735.post-43129319939020058492010-06-23T16:53:25.785-07:002010-06-23T16:53:25.785-07:00Hi Expat - two years ago the brown patch that had ...Hi Expat - two years ago the brown patch that had appeared below Kathy's eye was diagnosed as a lentigo melanoma that was not malignant, but had a propensity to become so. So the operation at that time was intended as a pre-emptive action.<br /><br />The brown spots that recently appeared on her scar are diagnosed as highly dangerous and potentially fatal. I don't know what the name for the cancer is - when the surgeon said it could kill her we were more concerned with what action was to be taken.<br /><br />Yes, all this has hightened concerns about neck and shoulder aches and pains. But the pains were ongoing well before we arrived in England for the check-up on Kathy's face. So they definately are not psycho-sematic. The surgeon is concerned too, and that's why he has ordered the CT/PET scan for tomorrow.<br /><br />I'm reminded of an old business motto - "Test, test, and test again". After the coming op, I'm determined we will do just that. I now know the fear will never go away, but at least we will be active in managing it.<br /><br />I guess that you too, will have a forward plan for after your op. We can share that journey too!<br />:-)Canary Islanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559374655320416333noreply@blogger.com