I'm back!

[stui magpie]

Good stuff and good call IMHO.

It's nice to see loyalty in decision making, it's rare these days.

[pietillidie]

Well done, Skids, for making the right call for yourself.

Taking that couple of weeks to model both possibilities in your mind was the right way to go.

[think positive]

[Skids]

Cheers peeps.

6 month scan next Tuesday. Can't believe how quick that has gone!

Feeling pretty good. Been hitting the gym here on-site 3-5 days a swing the last few and been back in the pool on R n R.

The area on my neck that's numb has decreased a fair bit. One issue I seem to have had since surgery is producing more phlegm. I have had a couple of cold/flus/whatever in the last couple of months, so maybe it's just taking its time clearing up... has been better this week.

I'm a tad apprehensive. I wouldn't say it's been keeping me awake at night, but just sitting in the back of my mind.

[think positive]

hugs. fingers crossed, xxxxx

[pietillidie]

Yep, every extremity crossed for you, Skidster. Scan is on the 28th, you say?

[Skids]

Thanks again. Yes 28th PTID.

A guy I know at my local TAB, 67yo, kept putting off a pain in his stomach. Went for an op, they thought it was a hernia. Opened him up and found stomach cancer. Put him on a course of chemo, did the PET scan and found his body riddled with cancer, gave him 3 weeks to live, he died 4 weeks later.

One positive that came out of my surgery was raising awareness amongst my work mates. More of the older guys are taking health issues a bit more seriously and are now more conscious of getting skin checks done and doing the bowel cancer tests. Jeff (52yo) was referred for a colonoscopy and had several polyps removed just a few weeks ago.

[stui magpie]

^

Good luck with it mate. I do that free bowel cancer check each time they send out the kid, all clear so far.

[Skids]

[stui magpie]

^

not a great typo.

[pietillidie]

^

[pietillidie]

Any word, Skids, or do you have to wait for tests to come back?

[Skids]

Just got told PET scan is clear
I have a CT scan in January and surgeon appointment end of February.

One small issue I have had is a kind of 'roaring' noise when I'm breathing during exercise when at high intensity, also noticeable when I'm swimming, more so when I turn my head to the right than the left.
Doc explained that this is due to muscle used for the 'patch' to my trachea isn't as rigid. This causes it to flex in a bit when breathing heavy. He's not too concerned about it but wants to have a look and see if any trimming up is required.

There's only a small number of people (about 70 now) who've had this condition operated on, the recurrence rate is 20%. He did explain that with only a small number of patients to go off that the % isn't really a clear indicator at this stage, most patients who've had the recurrence have been 70+.

If all is ok in February then follow ups will move out to 6 monthly.

I've mentioned it before, but my surgeon, Dr Chady Sader is one hell of a nice and genuine bloke. Explains everything in a clear way and if he can see I'm a bit baffled, he draws diagrams and explains things thoroughly. There's never any rush and he's just a pleasure to deal with. Kelly is also very impressed with him.

[stui magpie]

Good stuff mate.

[Pies4shaw]

Excellent news, Skids!