Cancer

[Keith Bowler]

Thank you once again for all the supporting comments - they really are much appreciated right now.

Damer - please bars worked out OK.

Maneesh - I am a Project Engineer for a large Pharma Co. too - plus I did 7 years managing new product introductions to EU and ECE - small world !!

Geoffers - thank you for your message too.

Best regards to all

Andy.

Just picked up on this thread.

Wish you all the best Andy, you seem to be a fighter and you will see it through and beat it.

All the best and good luck.

[Fidgits]

get well soon andy!

[peter026]

Well done Andy on fighting the Cancer. I hope this stem cell transplant works and eradicates the Cancerous cells.

My Brother in law was diagnosed with Lung Cancer three weeks ago (He does not smoke), but the specialists say that it's secondary, we are awaiting results from a CAT scan to find out where the primary cancer is.

[Pip]

All the best dude.

Its a subject very close to me because of my ex-girlfriend. At least now i am no longer ignorant.

[Justin p]

Keep you head up mate and get well soon.

[Continunity]

My thoughts are with you and your familly.

get well soon

[Wosket]

hi andy,

i havent been on the boards much either lately cos im going through the same kind of thing, slightly different symptoms but im told there is more chance it is crohn's disease. im having a colonoscopy, barium meal follow through and ultrasound in the next 3 weeks. i've never felt so ill and weak in all my life as i have been doing for the last 6 weeks.

try and be as positive as you can mate and look for some forums where you can absorb info and get support from peeps who know exactly what it is like to be going through the same thing.

good luck mate and keep ya chin up!

[peter026]

hi andy,

i havent been on the boards much either lately cos im going through the same kind of thing, slightly different symptoms but im told there is more chance it is crohn's disease. im having a colonoscopy, barium meal follow through and ultrasound in the next 3 weeks. i've never felt so ill and weak in all my life as i have been doing for the last 6 weeks.

try and be as positive as you can mate and look for some forums where you can absorb info and get support from peeps who know exactly what it is like to be going through the same thing.

good luck mate and keep ya chin up!

Lifes a bummer, hope you're well soon John

[Gord]

Any up-date Andy

I was with Geoffers and Anees the other night, and we got around to talking about you.

Hope all is well :D

[Dave-Ellen]

Had an email exchange with Andy 3 weeks ago.

His treatment looks to have worked and he was very chipper

[Gord]

Thats very good new then :D

[janey]

Had an email exchange with Andy 3 weeks ago.

His treatment looks to have worked and he was very chipper

Thats excellent news :D

[Anees]

Yep.....Great News :)

[dazz32]

Thats good news about Andy....keep on fighting mate.! :)

[aido]

That is fantastic news, hope things keep improving fella :)

[Purvesh]

Excellent news, be nice to see him here again once he's upto it...

[Geoffers]

Absolutely brilliant news.

[DJ Wozza]

I don't know you fella, but add my best wishes to a fellow LOCer.

Keep going mate :D

[Steve]

nice one mate ;)

[AMH]

Hey Folks

I am seriously touched by you all remembering - in fact gobsmacked - thank you.

Yes I do seem to be doing OK so far - in fact yesterday was my 2 year post bone marrow transplant anniversary (PBSCT to any Docs out there).

The story following on from my last update on 11 June 06 is that the transplant went well - in fact it went so well I even avoided any of the infections or complications that normally occur - I was in isolation for just over 5 weeks - totally white environment with minimal visitors etc - it was pretty odd coming out into the crowded hospital corridors, seeing bright outdoor colours and the traffic after that long I can tell you.

Went through loads of post transplant tests and wierd diet stuff whilst I was neutropeinic (no immune system initially) - if someone as much as sneezed near me I ran a mile !!

I am now disease free though the Docs don't call it "remission" in my case as there is no known cure - just hopefully a very long stay of execution. They decribed the prognosis as "if you survive 2 yrs you are doing OK", "if you get to 5 yrs you are doing great" and the classic one "if you survive for 10 yrs there is a good chance you will die of something else" ... hey - nothing like looking on the bright side - I've just reached the 2 yr ribbon

The NHS (Southampton General and QAH Portsmouth) have honestly been fantastic throughout the whole process - but you do need to enter into it all as a very educated patient (self researched via web etc) to ensure you are not fobbed off with lame info or not given all the options that do exist as opposed to those recommended by the bean counters etc.

I am now back at work full time (Project Engineer for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) who were also fantastic in my time of need - full pay and job held open for the 9 months I was off in total - can't ever ask for better than that ... B)

The support I have received from all friends and family has been overwhelming - and I include all you guys in that - it has all been very much appreciated and I can honestly say - having seen it from the other side as it were - that it does make the world of difference hearing some words of support. :D

Perhaps the biggest effort throughout the whole experience so far has been the continual aim to remain positive and drive myself through the crappy times with the end goal of proving to myself that I can be a survivor - so far so good - just another 8 yrs to hit my next target.

Although the Lexus has gone I am still kinda in the fold with an 04 RAV4 and 06 MR2 - hence my recent contact with Dave - you guys got me into modding on the Lexus now I just can't stop - lol.

Be good one and all and live life to the full - you just never know what is round the corner.

Will keep an eye on the next southern meets - would be great to see you all again - even if I will trail in a slower car !

Once again - thank you so much for all your support - and long memories :P

[Purvesh]

Excellent to hear your progress...keep up the good work :)