Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer - the long winding road it has become

[Cois]

I have not used CBD in two months time now.  Orders of the Oncologist. BUT, I got some brownie mix at Bakers bin.  And yes they will get THC and some CBD treatment.  For some reason the oils do not last.  The edibles work much better than the oils.  Something to do with the absorption rates.  So will take some of the oils in a test and bake it into the brownie.  If it works will be glad to send you some.  I know the sugar is a bad idea, but so is waking up every day as well.

 

And the other reason I get up every morning even though the pain kills me, is my wife.  I have to keep on a brave face no matter what.  I do not want to be one of those cancer pics of a person sulking and blaming everyone for the illness.  I want to be a normal person and want to be treated as a normal person.  Not a cancer patient.  

[Hairy]

"the ass hole doctor scared the crap out of her by telling her first of my diagnosis and with 0 tact and in a full waiting room. So the other patients knew even before I knew!"

 

Yes, they are not generally the most sensitive.

​My first Surgeon looked me in the eye and his first words were : "I hope you don't have a wife or children"

​In shock I asked him "Why?"

"Because you'll be dead in 2 weeks"

 

I fired him on the spot and found the guy who saved my life.

a firm and well placed kick in the testicles is what that "dr" deserves!

[Chris_]

I've actually wondered when (I assume its when, and not if) a doctor loses their humanity (?) personal'ability (?) not sure the word, but with regards telling people its looking grim and just treating these talks just like a job. Same as any of us - good day, bad day, luckily only my keyboard catches a klap when it goes wrong ... and not someones diagnosis reveal....

 

I wonder the same with cops and shootings, does it ever become 'normal', paramedics and mega gory scenes, all those kind of areas that are pretty tough to deal with.

[ChrisF]

Just to bring a bit of balance to the thread ....

 

 

YES, some doctors lack bedside manners !!!

 

But there are some BRILLIANT doctors out there as well !

 

I have been walking a 21 year long road with my specialist.  "Gruff" might be the first impression.  But over many years you get a clearer picture of what these specialists go through ....  Then you get to the point where you get a call at night to give feedback on bloodwork, purely because the day is totally overloaded .....  And over time you get to realise that she is an angel in disguise !!!

 

 

 

I mentioned previously about my mom that worked in a cancer ward for 25 years.  OFTEN you (the medical staff) see a patient over years, you get to know the family.  All too often I have seen my mon in tears when a patient lost the fight.

 

Might add here, one of my mom's tasks was to assist family of terminally ill patients, or at least of patients at great risk of passing away.  Somebody has to look the family in the eye and ask some hard questions ..... all too often people are so intent on winning cancer that they dont get their affairs in order.  This just puts more stress on those left behind.  Getting your affairs in order is NOT a sign of defeat !!  It is something each and every one of us should do in any case.

 

 

 

 

same as any industry, some doctors are a disgrace to their profession.  But I dearly want to believe the vast majority of medical staff are brilliant at their jobs !!

[Cois]

I've actually wondered when (I assume its when, and not if) a doctor loses their humanity (?) personal'ability (?) not sure the word, but with regards telling people its looking grim and just treating these talks just like a job. Same as any of us - good day, bad day, luckily only my keyboard catches a klap when it goes wrong ... and not someones diagnosis reveal....

 

I wonder the same with cops and shootings, does it ever become 'normal', paramedics and mega gory scenes, all those kind of areas that are pretty tough to deal with.

Dr Durandt is one of the best doctors, and a human being. He is the most compassionate surgeon I have ever met. There is a saying... what is the difference between God and most surgeons... God doesn’t walk around thinking He is a doctor.

 

My house doctor is the most caring doctor who thinks about what she prescribed and the effects it might have on my liver. So she prescribed meds that does not load the liver. The old house doctor was just lets try this and then this and this, oh and maybe this as well.

Even the chemist was shocked as some of the meds interacted with each other.

 

My cousin (Captain in SAPS) is still haunted by shooting the people that tried to kill her.

My brother (Paramedic) is also haunted by some of the things he saw, and things like accidents involving bikes still gets to him.

He once had to collect parts of a biker that hit a car that skipped a red light

[Blackheart]

Just to bring a bit of balance to the thread ....

 

 

YES, some doctors lack bedside manners !!!

 

But there are some BRILLIANT doctors out there as well !

 

I have been walking a 21 year long road with my specialist.  "Gruff" might be the first impression.  But over many years you get a clearer picture of what these specialists go through ....  Then you get to the point where you get a call at night to give feedback on bloodwork, purely because the day is totally overloaded .....  And over time you get to realise that she is an angel in disguise !!!

 

 

 

I mentioned previously about my mom that worked in a cancer ward for 25 years.  OFTEN you (the medical staff) see a patient over years, you get to know the family.  All too often I have seen my mon in tears when a patient lost the fight.

 

Might add here, one of my mom's tasks was to assist family of terminally ill patients, or at least of patients at great risk of passing away.  Somebody has to look the family in the eye and ask some hard questions ..... all too often people are so intent on winning cancer that they dont get their affairs in order.  This just puts more stress on those left behind.  Getting your affairs in order is NOT a sign of defeat !!  It is something each and every one of us should do in any case.

 

 

 

 

same as any industry, some doctors are a disgrace to their profession.  But I dearly want to believe the vast majority of medical staff are brilliant at their jobs !!

Of course there are amazing Doctors and Nurses, in fact most are. We were just relating our own personal experiences of how we were informed of our situations in one instance, nobody mentioned anything about all medicos being inhuman/insensitive/incompetent. So not sure that calling for 'balance' was really necessary. I can relate many personal tales of encounters and experiences with the most caring and committed people I've ever met, and when the context arrives on Cois' thread and if I feel inclined, I'll share those too.

[Cois]

Got a call last night. My one Chemo buddy (we did most of our session together) was taken to hospital on Saturday due to a blockage. They had to do an emergency surgery.

He is in a coma since then.

His cancer spread to his liver and lungs. The brain is all clear.

So after 12 rounds of chemo his family is defeated.

Spoke to his wife this morning, they could not reach anyone because his phone is password locked and they only got my details on Facebook last night.

 

So I am a little pissed at cancer at this stage (more than ever) and started cleaning the house again. Cleaning the windows, washing the curtains and just keeping my mind busy.

 

It sucks to hear that someone started praying to die due to pain and this illness! And to know that again chemo failed!

[Chris_]

....

It sucks to hear that someone started praying to die due to pain and this illness! ...

 

This statement really hurts. 

 

Sorry bro, its not cool to lose a 'brother-in-arms' no matter the link. (My grandmother always says this kind of thing about living in a retirement village! You're just waiting to see who kicks it next, funny-not-funny) 

 

Keep cleaning. Keep your head straight.

[Cois]

First break in a very long time.

The tumor is giving me a bit of problems as I am not used to sitting so much, but it is such a blessing that my uncle flew us down to Cape town for this break

 

We are just outside Robertson, and the people of The WC is just other people. There is a kindness that we never see in Gauteng.

 

And the view out of our room...

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

First break in a very long time.

The tumor is giving me a bit of problems as I am not used to sitting so much, but it is such a blessing that my uncle flew us down to Cape town for this break

 

We are just outside Robertson, and the people of The WC is just other people. There is a kindness that we never see in Gauteng.

 

And the view out of our room...

 

That view must be so good for a hurting soul. Enjoy every minute of it.....

[Cois]

Arrived back in hate valley last night. Only a week in CPT made such a change. We are used to people obeying the law and respecting. We did not even leave the airport last night and you could see the reign of lawlessness here (guy standing smoking right under a no smoking sign)

 

The flight back home was a bit rough. Had a lot of turbulence.

 

This whole week was made possible by the owners of Roam Rooiberg. It is a guest house and bicycle shop with one of the best views I have ever seen.

The shop and guest house is located opposite the Rooiberg Wine Cellars about 10km from Robertson. The owner had a shop in Eloff (Omega Cycles which his son still operates) but moved down to this great spot.

 

https://m.facebook.com/roamrooiberg/

 

https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Hotel_Review-g469394-d13231436-Reviews-Roam_Rooiberg-Robertson_Western_Cape.html

Edited September 21, 2019 by Cois

[ChrisF]

Cois GLAD you enjoyed your stay in the Republic of the Western Cape. 

 

 

any MTB rides from this guest house ?

[Blackheart]

Glad you enjoyed your stay in Rooiberg. It's a great out of the way spot, good for the soul.

 

ChrisF - There are a few trails around there, maps available at the bike shop and the winery.

My favourite is from the winery to Saggy Stone Brewery and Restaurant, it's well marked but real wild riding. I've seen Honey Badger and Porcupine out there, plus fresh Leopard prints.

It's even better if you have non riding friends or family who can meet you at Saggy Stone for a few beers (go for the tasting paddle if you haven't been there before) and lunch. Otherwise it's about a 50k round trip, and a good workout.

[Cois]

Cois GLAD you enjoyed your stay in the Republic of the Western Cape.

 

 

any MTB rides from this guest house ?

I would say this is the MTB Heaven.

Well marked, and the places in Gauteng can learn how to make a bike path to ride on.

 

https://bicyclesouth.co.za/listings/roam-rooiberg/

 

Sad to say the tumor acted like a little child again, so could not go out on the bikes. And my uncle had an ebike ready for me to use there.

But the next time I hope to be able to ride there a bit. We walked some of the routes, and yearned to bike there. It was so beautiful there. Did not want to get on the plane to return and the goodbye moments was full of emotion.

[Cois]

Went and saw my friend in hospital today. He pulled through. Was in ICU for 10 days. Had a blockage where the oncologist did a procedure few days before, and not where the tumor was. They did a ostomy for him (at least he knew about it before going into ER)

He got an infection and was placed in isolation for the past few days. So just waiting for discharge.

 

Tomorrow is the last treatment with Avastin (that was approved) for me. Taking a bit of strain with my hands and feet. It is very painful to walk and move around. So will see what the doctor chooses to do, but going to request another oncologist.

 

I lost all my trust in the oncologist...

[MrJacques]

Not sure if it was posted in this thread or elsewhere but I saw a video about 'eating to starve cancer' in which Avastin was mentioned. It seemed promising.

 

Anyway, keep holding on and fighting Cois!