2007-09-24 — Newsletter — Back in hospital plus David’s unpleasant week

Dear All

Am sending a group letter as you're at different stages of the 'knowledge' (hence the detail) and all of you have been so kind with help and well wishes

I was released from hospital last Monday (17th) having completed the week of chemo and radiation together. There were minor side effects but from then it all went quickly downhill. I think I can safely say that this was been one of the worst — almost certainly the absolute worst weeks of my life. Every day the symptoms got worse. Ulcers sprung up in my mouth. Some going away after a day or so but always some new to take its place. Saturday it was difficult to speak, Sunday it actually hurt to do so. Sore throat came and stays. I registered the problem Thursday and got a useless painkiller...

I couldn't eat much at the beginning but by Sunday it was impossible to even drink.

I spent quite a lot of each day just huddled up in bed.

Anyway today I had an appointment with 'my Professor' at the hospital and he whisked me back in as in-patient. I was put on two drips (one in a vein, the other a tube down my nose into my stomach — I have an elephant trunk nose, albeit an thin elegant one). My evening meal was chocolate pasta down a tube if I heard right.

Anyway I am really happy to be under safe hands here. At the worst point I was considering close to begging them to take me back. This not needed as the Prof said immediately I must come in — at which point I burst into tears which shows how far from the normal Strong-Silent-David you all know I'd gone

I'd hoped this would happen and so had made piles and lists for Margaret (for those who don't know of her, she is my ex-wife who lives in the same block of flats and who has been an enormous help throughout all this) for packing and Chris (son and another tower of strength) brought it all in tonight — including my laptop hence this message.

A pain specialist has been to see me and I'm getting a morphine based paste to use.

The Prof says that reaction varies from virtual none to extreme like mine. Those who have the least reaction have the downside that the tumour also ignores it. Mine tumour has apparently got significantly smaller.

So the radiation goes on (my blood work has gone haywire and there is a small chance this may make them stop the treatment which they are really hoping not to have to do) but I stay as an in-patient.

I still have the pain but the infusions and the fact I can now just press a button for help has improved my spirits greatly.

Many thanks to all of you for the help you given me with all your thoughts and prayers and emails of support

David