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

[Cois]

I have to be at Steve Biko next week Thursday to see a surgeon.

18 December I have to report to the oncology department. So things are getting to a point.

One doctor could not believe that the specialist did not prescribe pain meds. I have not have a solid night sleep in the last two months due to the pain, and the normal meds does not help at all.

 

So will get the meds tomorrow, so hope for a good nights rest tomorrow night

['Dale]

Cois

 

A few supportive ideas:

 

Stay active and ride your bike consistently, shorter and less intensity, and use your rides as meditation to unclutter that racing mind

 

Spend time with your loved ones and best friends. It is a powerful immune booster - love and connection

 

Sit regularly with someone who’s been down this road before. There’s strength in that.

 

Sterkte. Sterkte.

[BigDL]

Thanks MadMarc

 

The symptoms was baffling. Sorry for the overshare, but maybe it will help someone else to see the warning signs.

 

I had a prolonged time of stomach problems. Runny stool, but I did account that to stress as I started a new job in April this year, and the problem started in July.

I took an antibiotic and that helped, but as soon as I stopped drinking the antibiotics it returned. The other curve ball was that the city of Tshwane or (however you spell that) sent out a notice of problems with the water supply so that was a bit of false hope. I started seeing some blood after cleaning, but with the amount of times that I had to visit the loo, bleeding was prone to happen.

 

I was feeling weak and at the height of it, I could not cycle more than 20 km without having to make a dash to the nearest loo.

 

I started showing blood and mucus in my stool, and that was when warning bells started sounding. I could not get to a Dr as we were busy with a huge project at work, but the one Tuesday morning, I could not take the pain anymore. We did not have water at the office, and I thought I injured my bladder holding out to take a wee, and then bumping into a table.

 

So on the visit the doctor pressed here and there, and I told him of the blood, and he pressed some more and I almost pooped his table from the pain. He found some blood in my urine, but it was nominal. Gave me some antibiotics and pain meds (the pain meds does not help for the pain) and off I went and was to see him on the Thursday.

 

So Thursday breaks and there is a crap load of blood in the loo. So decided not to skip the doctors visit.

 

Get there, he asks me a few questions and gives me a letter to go for a colonoscopy.

 

Few other details that pissed me off at the doctor, but went for the colonoscopy last week. While I was still in recovery the Dr spoke to my wife and scared the **** out of her (I do not have medical aid) and his first words were, "it is going to cost a lot of money"

 

So if you see any blood, where there is suppose to be no blood... GO SEE A DOCTOR. Do not take a chance with it!

Thank you for sharing. Strongs Edited December 1, 2018 by wahoofish

[Cois]

Have been a very up and down week this far.

 

I know a lot of people are not religious and the following link is what I can only state as YHUW helping hand in the situation.

 

https://www.facebook.com/100023870225378/posts/363949957744009/

 

Just had one thing today that caught me off guard... Prostate exam... did not expect that event, and still feel a little violated

[TheJ]

Have been a very up and down week this far.

 

I know a lot of people are not religious and the following link is what I can only state as YHUW helping hand in the situation.

 

Just had one thing today that caught me off guard... Prostate exam... did not expect that event, and still feel a little violated

Personally, I am not religious. There have been over 4000 different Gods and religions during the age of man on earth. At best I find it arrogant that people assume or even insist that their pick from those 4000... is the "right" one. More often than not, their choice was often made on their behalf by their parents when they were young and impressionable. Each religion claims to worship the one true deity. As Matt Dillahunty said... they can't all be RIGHT... but, they can all be WRONG.

 

For instance... doctor fixes a kid injured in an accident. Parents go "Thank G*d!". Firstly... doctor thinks... um yeah... I did that. I studied 10 years to get these skills. Its insulting and disrespecting the doctors skill and commitment. Secondly... the Doctor might be Hindu... or Muslim... he doesn't bow to the deity of the happy parents. So how does that work then? People with illnesses sometimes heal in ways that science can't yet explain. People then implement the "God of the gaps" fallacy (Google it) to explain what they can't yet grasp. Basically... injecting religion into the gaps of our understanding. Religion is the safety blanket that adults wrap themselves in when accepting that sometimes life is unfair is too difficult. Its easier to just switch your brain off and accept "the plan".

 

So my dude... I'm not gonna pray for you (studies actually show that prayer actually had a negative impact as you feel pressure to improve because you know people are praying, putting more stress on you). What I am gonna do is hope as hard as I can that you can kick this things butt. Fight fight fight!

Edited December 6, 2018 by TheJ

[Harryn]

.

Edited December 7, 2018 by Harryn

[ChrisF]

......

 

I was lucky as I think I caught it early. 3 nodes in neck and 1 in stomach. None too big yet.

 

My suggestion, not sure what the lump is. Go get it tested.

 

Today was my final treatment. Now to see if all clear !!

 

My mom worked as a nurse and matron in the X-block cancer ward at Tygerberg for 25 years.

 

The ONE constant :  EARLY detection is KEY to treatment !!

 

 

The other constant : Some patients come in with a super positive attitude and fight for survival, they simply do BETTER on treatment.  Others, even a dear friend, goes in already defeated and believing chemo wont work and and and ... she gave up on treatment after the 2nd or 3rd try and went home to say her goodbeys (and she did have a real shot at health)

 

 

 

PS - GP's unfortunately must follow a set of pattern of elimination before referal to a specialist or oncologist ..... When the patient has cancer these initial pills and treatments dont help.  OFTEN patients then go to another GP, without telling the whole story, and the ultimate diagnoses is delayed.  Rather stay with your trusted GP, share the gory details, and keep going back when the treatment does not work - remember early diagnoses is KEY !

[Eddy Gordo]

https://m.pinkbike.com/news/video-alf-the-82-year-old-cancer-survivor-who-still-rides.html

 

Video: Alf - The 82 Year Old Cancer Survivor Who Still Rides Edited December 9, 2018 by Eddy Gordo

[Stretch]

 

https://m.pinkbike.com/news/video-alf-the-82-year-old-cancer-survivor-who-still-rides.html

 

Video: Alf - The 82 Year Old Cancer Survivor Who Still Rides

 

 

came here to post that...here'd a direct link to the video

 

[TheJ]

came here to post that...here'd a direct link to the video

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqqJKwW5YH0

Couldn't make out... was he on an ebike?

[Cois]

Feeling a bit down.  Posting this out of Steve Biko.

 

I knew the cancer was aggressive but got a little shock.  

 

I am waiting for treatment to avoid infection.  I will be losing part of my liver, due to a "spot" on my liver.  That is not to bad.  

 

They will be removing my spleen at the start of next year and the tumour in my colon.

That is the delay in treatment to get me resistant to whatever.

 

My wife had to go and find two vials of injections as SBAH did not have stock.

 

So will keep updated as things happen

[Bloukrans]

Sterkte Cois!!

 

You and your family are in our thoughts.

 

Sending healing vibes

[Eddy Gordo]

All the best!!

[Harryn]

Cois, so sorry to read your distressing report. I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through. Keep on posting here for support.

 

I am thinking of you, and wish you strength and comfort.

[Escapee..]

Thinking of you Cois.

 

Stand strong

[thebob]

Strongs Cois! You can beat this!