A man in a red coat

Yesterday we attended Louse and Andy's wedding. Anna was the chief bridesmaid and I was volunteered to be the Master of Ceremonies.

It was a super day. The wedding was held at an old country house and the weather was lovely.

To view photos of the wedding click on the following link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lawrencew616/LouiseAndysWedding?authkey=Gv1sRgCKu3zIqX4biIgwE#

Chemo continues to go well - I have had 4 out of 12 cycles - yes - one third of the way through.

Chemo, Golf and Jane's New Car

Jane's New Car

It was our 30th Wedding Anniversary last week and coincidentally we collected Jane's new car. Her old one failed it's MOT and so we used the scrappage scheme to get a new cheap one - which will last for many years

It is a very special car - a new prototype that is fuelled by an new environmentally friendly fuel source - fairydust!!

And the car comes with a fairy driver!! (Spot her wings)

Chemo

Well, I am in my second week of my third cycle and all is going well. The side effects have not changed - just feeling a bit "yuck" for the first week with slight nausea feeling - but then improving to feeling fully well by the end of the second week.

Golf

I am still walking, going to fitness classes and playing golf. My last two rounds were 92 and 93 - perhaps I am getting better!!

CT Scan shows lungs are clear

I heard today the results of the CT scan that I had on Monday. This was to check out a small lump that was found on my left lung during my first scan 12 weeks ago.

The good news is that this lump has disappeared and was therefore not in any way linked to the cancer. He did say there was a small inflammation on the right lung but this was nothing to worry about and not cancer related. He said that I should have another routine scan in 12 months time.

Jane and I are very relieved to hear this news.

Other good news - I went round in a very creditable 93 this morning - as compared with the 103 yesterday!! It was all very strange I had one birdie, bogies and double bogies but no pars. (Boring say the non-golfers!!)

Second Cycle of Chemo Starts

My second two week cycle of twelve started last Wednesday and I was hooked up to my pump again for 48 hours.

The first cycle went well with only minor side effects of slight nausea early in the cycle, diarrhoea for two days mid-cycle, a bit of numbness in the lips and tingling in the finger tips when handling frozen food. There were no problems with fatigue and I kept up all golf/fitness activities.

Yesterday we had an appointment with the oncologist to review progress. He said that "I have had a good launch" and as the side effects were minimal there was no need to change the drug regime. We asked a number of questions:

Swine Flu - He said that the drug regime would only marginally reduce my immune system and therefore I should not be unduly worried. If I did contract the flu then I would be OK taking "tammi-flu" and also I would be offered the vaccine in the Autumn when it came out. Otherwise just act normally and take precautions like the rest of the populace.

Diarrhoea - I asked him whether it would be wise to take the tablets to reduce the problem. He asked what colour carpets we had at home. I said light beige. He said that I should take the tablets.

Tingling fingers when handling frozen food - He said that I should wear gloves and give up the part-time job at Iceland! (This is a UK frozen food supermarket for US followers)

What about the end of the 6 months - He said that if all went well then my last cycle would end just before Christmas and then it would be OK to go out to Florida in January. Yippee!!

Golf - I played golf on Thursday with my pump attached. It was a lovely day and I wore tee-shirt and shorts. It was quite a posh club and they have "dress rules" one of which is that shorts must always be tucked into shorts. However I had to have my shirt loose to accommodate the line from my pump to my upper chest. When I went to pay the man politely asked me to tuck my shirt in - but I explained that I couldn't - and he was OK about it. Anyway, a mixed game of golf 103 but good fun.

CT Scan- On Monday I go back to the hospital for a follow up CT scan. I should know the results by Friday of next week and I will update the blog with the result.

Another busy week ahead - Playing golf, going for walks, and keep fit classes.

Chemo good - Golf not so good!

I am doing very well during my first cycle of chemo. Today is day 12 of the first 14 day cycle.

The pattern was as follows:

Day 1 to 2: Drug pump fitted with drugs going in over 48 hours.

Day 3 to 5: Slight "off" feeling and nausea feeling in the evenings. (I took anti-sickness pills for the first 5 days)

Day 7 to 8: Very bad diarrhoea - but just about manageable - I even played golf on Wednesday and scored 96. I didn't dribble but the ball did! (Perhaps I should have worn some waterproof plus fours with elastic bands around the legs!!)

Day 9 onwards until today: Feeling better each day - diarrhoea cleared up. Feeling 100% well!!

It is very likely that the next few cycles will be worse but an excellent start.

So I have had a very quiet week:

Monday: Jogged in the morning, hit 70 balls at the golf range and then went on a 4 mile walk in the countryside in the afternoon and attended a step class in the evening.

Tuesday: Went for a 6 mile walk during the day and attended a pilates class in the evening.

Wednesday: Went for jog in the morning and played golf in the afternoon - scored 96 - right on my handicap of 24. In the evening attended an aerobics class.

Thursday: Washed the car and then hit 140 balls at the driving range and went to a keep fit class in the evening.

Friday: Witchford Golf Society day at Oundle Golf Course. I was in the last group and we were rained off after 16 holes. Good fun though. I played poorly despite all the practice and probably would have scored about 103 for the full 18 holes.

Saturday: Watched The Open Golf - how do they do that?

Chemo - so far so good

Today is day 5 of my first dose of chemo - and so far there have been no real side effects at all. I had the pump disconnected on Saturday - and so I just will wait and see what happens over the next few days - which according to the advice may be the "low point" in the cycle.

I have felt just a little unwell but not anything to stop me . I went jogging yesterday and plan to go to keep fit classes and play golf this week.

What's in the pouch?

Yesterday I had my central venous catheter put in my upper right chest. It all went well under local anesthetic - all very easy and painless and we were back home by mid-afternoon.

This morning I was put on a drip for 2 hours and then I had my portable pump fitted which I have to wear for 48 hours. I have been given some anti-sickness pills to take over the next few days and we will see what side-effects materialise. It all went smoothly and the all the staff at the hospital were excellent.

We came home mid-afternoon and went for a brisk walk - so far so good! So we return on Saturday to have the pump unplugged.

All is revealed!

Chemo starts on Thursday 9 July

Well it feels a little strange - just waiting for the start of chemo. I am walking for over an hour each day and keeping very busy doing social stuff with friends and enjoying a spell of summer weather and watching Wimbledon.

On Wednesday 1 July it will be 6 weeks after the operation and I will be able to lift heavy weights (like a golf bag) and start high impact exercise (keep fit classes with a room full of young women in leotards - well some-one has to do it!).

I will have a week to start playing golf and keeping fit before Wednesday 8 July when I am due back in the hospital to have a "central venous catheta" inserted in my chest near my shoulder bone. This is a small pipe that runs into a vein and is inserted under a local anesthetic. This will stay in for 6 months and will be the pipe through which the chemicals are pumped and (I think) all the blood samples are taken - so not many too many needles!!

Then on Thursday 9 July I go back into hospital and they will connect up a pump with a reservoir of drugs and send me home for 2 days while the drugs drip feed into my body. I then return to the hospital on the Saturday to have the pump removed.

This will be the first of 12 cycles of treatment and we will have to see how we go with any side-effects.

I will post more news after the 8 July.

6 months of chemo to start in July

Yesterday we went to see Charles Wilson, the oncologist, to discuss my chemo treatment.

He offered a choice of two programmes: one involving a 3 week cycle comprising tablets and injections and the other was for a 2 week cycle which involved the fitting of a permanent line in my chest connected to a vein through which a drug is pumped for 2 days every 2 weeks.

He said that the side-effects vary but most people had about 5 consecutive days of feeling yuck every 3 weeks compared with 2 days of yuck every 2 weeks. So we decided to go for the 2 week programme which we thought would less disruptive and easier to plan my golf!!

The start has to be delayed for 2 weeks to allow my wound to heal up. The good news is that it has stopped leaking and so the wound just needs to seal up (granulate). Then in early July I will have the "central line" (a small plastic pipe) inserted into a vein near my collarbone which will stay in for the 6 month treatment.

I will then be rigged up with a small electric pump (on a belt/holster) which will have the drugs in it which is connected to the line. I can then go home and the pump drip feeds the drug over the next 48 hours. I then go back to the hospital to have the pump removed. This is then repeated every 2 weeks. The doctor said that I will be trained to remove the pump myself so eventually I will only have to visit the hospital once every 2 weeks. So with some clever diary planning I should be able to put together a reasonable social life, keep fit and golf!

The side effects when listed look scary - but most people have very few or none of them.

The most common side-effects are: lower resistance to infection (from within - not from others), tingling in the hands, tiredness, hair becoming thinner (hair loss is very rare), sore mouth, taste changes (red wine could taste like mud), diarrhoea , itchy skin.

For those who want to the know the treatment in more detail I will be having the OxMdG treatment as detailed on the web-site page on the link below:

http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Treatments/Chemotherapy/Combinationregimen/Oxaliplatin5FU

Yesterday we went to a wedding service at St Mary's Church at 3 pm - then drove to Cambridge for the appointment with the doctor - then drove back to Mepal for the reception - we just missed out on the soup - but had mains and dessert. It was a lovely wedding in a tent (no I did not loiter). There was plenty of food, dancing and wine. And yes I had a few glasses! We left about midnight - we had a great time.

Race for Life - my girls do me Proud!

On a glorious sunny day in Cambridge, Jane, Anna and Charlotte completed the 5 km (3.3 miles) and raised over £600 for Cancer Research UK. Over 4,000 ladies took part - it was quite a spectacle!

Charlotte and Anna walked and ran the event but fit Jane ran it all (despite the heat) and completed the route in a 30 minutes and 30 seconds - a record!

To see more photos taken today just click the link below and then click on "Slide Show" button.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lawrencew616/RaceForLife2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCNCQrtbKuY2PlQE#

I Can Drive!!

We went to see Mr Miller today - the surgeon who did my operation. He gave me the all clear to drive immediately and he also said that I can start doing normal exercise in another 3 weeks - (6 weeks after the operation.)

This is great news! - Getting my life back together.

On Friday 19 June I will see Charlie Wilson, the oncologist, who will plan my chemotherapy. Mr Miller said that he may well offer me some choices - for example - pills or intravenus - also strength of dose versus duration - eg higher dose over 3 months or lower dose over 6 months. We will have to see.

In the mean time - I can drive and then in 3 weeks time I can do some REAL DRIVING - yes you've guessed - hitting a little white ball until it disappears down a hole!

Charlotte visits her Dad

Jane Runs Race for Life

On Sunday 14 June, Jane will be running in the Tesco 5 km "Race for Life" to raise money for Cancer Research UK. This will be the 4th year running that she has entered and on most occasions she has just managed to run it without stopping! Anna is also running - it is her 3rd year.

Jane would be grateful for any sponsership donations that you might wish to give. It is very easy to do - just follow the instructions on her sponsership website:

www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/janewilliams14

Many thanks

Doctors Appointments

This morning we heard that my first appointment with Charles Wilson, the oncologist (chemo wizard) is to be on Friday 19 June at 5 pm. We should then learn the type and duration of my chemo.

Also I have a follow up appointment with Richard Miller (the cancer colon specialist who operated on me) this Thursday 11 June at 5.15 pm. This will be an opportunity to find out when I am allowed to drive again and lift weights (eg a set of golf clubs).

The District Nurse came today to massage my tummy. I am still leaking but the "hole" has now transformed into a 30 mm long gorge about 4 mm wide and 7 mm deep - much easier to tend and treat. There is no infection - just a slow healing process.

Anna found a website called www.cancerbuddiesnetwork.org which I have now signed up for. An online support group for cancer sufferers and carers - it looks a really good site,

Waiting for Chemo - a quiet period

Not a lot to report - so my postings will be more sporadic - only to report the newsworthy stuff.

Yesterday, Jane and I went for a walk - I managed 30 minutes of brisk exercise - and then we went for tea and a cherry scone at a garden centre. I have lost some weight - so I am in the delightful position of being able to succomb to my gluttony!

The District Nurse came yesterday and today to change my bandage. Today she got her special probing stick which had measures on it. Seemingly by "hole" is 1.5 cm deep and then runs horizontally towards my belly button for about 4 cm. So seemingly quite a large cavity to heal up - it could take one or two weeks. She shoved in some more seaweed and put a fresh bandage on.

It is now planned for a District Nurse to visit every day for the forseeable future until my hole mends.

I would expect that we should receive a letter for an appointment with the oncologist in the next few days. I will do a new posting then.

Best wishes to all my followers.

Getting Stronger

Today I found that I was walking at normal speed and my stamina is returning faster than I thought. I am eating well and feeling so much better.

My stupid wound is still leaking and it is now arranged for a District Nurse to visit Saturday and Sunday to change the dressing. The lengths I go to arrange for pretty nurses to massage my tummy!

Jane and I went into Ely today and Cambridge this afternoon. I still cannot drive. I will have to seek advice as to exactly when I can resume driving as it is annoying having to rely on others.

Chemo - another challenge

The consultant rang at 6 pm to say that the histology report confirmed that I have Dukes C cancer. This means that the cancer has spread into some lymph glands in the section of colon that was cut out. So there is a risk of cancer cells being spread elsewhere in my body and therefore chemotherapy is required to kill off these rogue cells.

I have to wait until my wound heals before I can start the chemo programme - perhaps 2 to 3 weeks. The chemo could last up to 12 months but 3 to 6 months may be more the norm. My consultant has referred me on to Charles Wilson, the oncologist, who is the chemo expert. He will call me in for my first appointment to discuss the way forward presumably in a week or so.

All a bit of shock, but it is just a matter of getting used to the new challenge ahead.

For those who wish to learn more there is a web site which is very good and easy to read.

I list below a number of links:

General introduction: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=2786

Top Menu: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/menuforthistopic.asp?page=2786

What is Dukes C: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=5912

Chemo for Dukes C: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=2930

A Chemo Success Story: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=42780


In the short term my stupid wound is still leaking serous fluid. I went to the nurse yet again today to have the hole plugged and a new dressing put on. I have an appointment tomorrow and arrangements are in hand for the District Nurse to visit me on Saturday and Sunday to change the dressing. I have made further daily appointments for all of next week.

On a plus note I have felt even stronger today and this afternoon Jane and I drove down to the river in Ely and we went for a short walk and then had tea at The Maltings. I coped well and wasn't very tired at all.

An even better day

Because the good news:

• I finished a crossword without cheating.
• Jane was working and Don came round and entertained me.
• We went into Ely and I walked (without getting too tired) into Argos to buy a new wireless router
• I went to the surgery and the nurse changed the dressing - the infection looks as though it has gone. She clogged up the hole with seaweed (no joke) and put a smaller dressing on
• Lorna came around to deliver my missing dressing gown and slippers from the hospital (a long story)
• I stopped taking my painkillers (paracetamol) with no problems (so far)
• The window cleaner is coming tomorrow (so??). Well a bulb went in the eave floodlight and I am in no state to climb ladders - but (cunning plan) get the window cleaner to do it!

Marginally bad news:

• I tried to rig up the new router but it didn't work - I will take it back
• Still await news about the histology report about whether or not I will need chemo.
• The sunshine has gone - cloudier and cooler - was that the summer over?

You cannot be serious

It has been a quiet day and I have felt stronger. Jane was called in to teach and so this morning my good friend Chris, drove me to the local surgery to have my wound redressed - it is was still leaking a little.

The nurse said that the fluid was only serous and not nasty stuff like before.

I said, you cannot be serious, when you called it serous.

But she was right: "In physiology, the term serous fluid is used for the various bodily fluids that are typically pale yellow and transparent, and of a benign nature, that fill the inside of body cavities."

Of course it would be so predictable of me to make some further humerus (bone in the arm) comment just for cheap laughs - or just to mention the funny bone (a point on the elbow near the ulnar nerve) - so I won't!

Don joined me for lunch and we played sequence - a good day.

Movements Galore!!

I am relieved to report that action took place down stairs at 8 pm last night and again this morning.

I appreciate that some of you maybe totally browned off with the whole sordid detail of this aspect of my recovery.

I now promise not to refer to this matter again.

A poem from the throne room

So here I sit upon the loo,
Waiting for a very large p...........!

Countless visits in the last two days,
And still no relief for my malaise.

But wait - I feel one about to start,
A rumble below - but it's just another f..........!

A short little thing - not a puff - more a piff,
But boy oh boy what a noxious whiff!

Next time, perhaps, I'll wait a bit,
And in the meantime write a poem about my awaited.........

In the garden sunshine

I'M HOME!!!!!

Well here I am at HOME!

When I came out of the hospital this morning and drove home in the bright sunshine from Cambridge the "cacophony of colours" hit my senses - quite a contrast from the interior walls of a hospital after 10 days.

Jane made me a nice lunch - oh to be able to feel the sensation and taste of real food in my mouth - a joy!

My tummy is rather distended - I haven't quite "performed" as much as I would have liked - if you know what I mean. My wound is holding up well - Nurse Jane has been shown how to change the dressing - scheduled for Monday with a visit to the nurse on Tuesday to check it out.

My dos and don'ts - I mustn't lift any heavy weights for several weeks (no touching my wallet then) so this afternoon Jane successfully mowed the front and back lawns under my guidance without cutting the cable. I must take exercise to build up stamina - walking as much as possible - but in stages.

But it's good to be home - glorious weather - sat in the garden. More tomorrow - when I hope to report more on my performances!!

I'M GOING HOME!

Op Day + Eight

Hi

This is Lawrie writing - yes two problems have been solved - firstly my bowels have started working properly for the first time and the wireless network in the hospital is back on!

Health Warning - Do not read the following paragraph if you are eating!

Yesterday I had a CT scan that showed no blockage in my bowels - just a delayed restart. I also had a PIC inserted into my arm which is a small tube that follows a main artery up my arm and into my chest. So overnight they fed me liquid food through the tube - the most expensive meal I have had!! This may have kickstarted my bowel which performed regularly through the night at 11, 1, 3 and 6 am. I slept in between - which is good - I hadn't the previous night.

So today I am feeling much better - I had rice crispies and tea for breakfast and I have lunch and dinner ordered. So on the bowel front all is going well!

However, I have another complication - my incision has an infection and it has swollen up and is painful. This morning I had a puss bag fitted to it to drain it off (sometimes it goes miaow!). I am on antibiotics and the doctor is not at all worried about this. This makes it a bit painful to move about - but I much prefer this than all the bowel wind/cramps that I have had.

It is lunchtime now so I plan to post another blog later.

Op Day + Seven

Hi again, Anna here.
Apologies for the lack of any blog post yesterday.
Dad's news is that having had a really promising day yesterday, when he was walking around a bit, and he had the tube taken out as the doctors thought that his intestine might have finished going on strike and started up again, he had a bad night last night. Gripping stomach pains kept him awake, and when he reported this to the doctors this morning, they weren't sure why this was happening, and why he'd had another setback in his progress.
So today Dad is going to have another CT scan to try and find out what the problem is. It is disappointing as, once again, we were hopeful that yesterday's progress had been a sign that he was on the way to recovery again.
I'll keep you informed of any news as it happens.
Best
Anna

Op day + Five

Anna and Jon here again

Although Lawrie's digestive tract still isn't fully operational, the tube up his nose meant he had a better nights sleep and is feeling better toaday. Hopefully everything will begin to sort itself out in the next day or so and the de-tubing process can commence!

Op day + four

Hi this is Jon and Anna doing todays post.

After a rough night, Lawrie is taking it easy today, catching up on some sleep. His intestines are still in the process of re-booting themselves, so the nurses have put a tube up his nose into his stomach so they can remove any fluids that build up in the mean time. This should give him a better nights sleep tonight and let him concentrate on getting better tomorrow.

Today was a bit of a set-back in the way of progress, but nothing too unexpected apparently. We're hoping a good nights sleep will do him good.

Op Day + Three

Hi there
This is Anna, giving you the latest news about Dad.
Today he escaped from his room and explored the outside world for the first time since his operation! We wheeled him into the lovely gardens here at the hospital for a while, which was good. My aunt (Dad's sister) and family came to visit him today, along with myself and Jon (and Mum of course) so it was a busy day, visitor-wise.
Dad is making some, slow progress each day. Today he has managed to start eating a small amount of solid food and walk around a tiny bit, unaided, which is good.
As expected his feelings of comparative well being come and go. His consultant came in this morning and was pleased with his progress. It looks like he might be allowed home in a day or two if he continues to progress in this way.
Anna

Lawrie makes a friend

Op Day + Two

I am doing well and I have had all my tubes and drips removed - ouch! I have started to eat solids and the doctor says I am one day ahead of schedule for recovery so he is very pleased.

However, I am still very weak and have difficulty sitting without back support and standing.I am also having a lot of problems with painful wind.The physiotherapist is going to come round later today and try and help me to move slowly around my bed -this should help to displace some of the wind and hopefully make me feel more comfortable.

Jane is with me and is looking after me - she is even managing to stay quiet for a while when I want to rest !

Bed Bath & Beyond

Looking Good

This is Anna: Just to say that as you can see from the video below, which Dad recorded about 11pm Thurs (about 8 hours after the surgery began), he's doing well. The 'happy juice' (morphine) button they gave him is certainly helping matters :)
Today (Fri) they are hoping to accomplish getting him sitting in a chair for a bit, during his physiotherapy session.
1 more thing: apparently some people have been having problems leaving comments on the site. I have changed the instructions on the right to be more specific, so hopefully that will help. And also, I think it is more complicated that we first thought, to become a 'follower' of the site, so probably the easiest way forward is for everyone to simply keep checking back to the site at intervals, so see if any new posts have been added. Sorry for the confusion
Anna

Post-Op Message from Lawrie

Post-Surgery Message from Anna and Jane

We are waiting for Lawrie to return from the Recovery Unit after his surgery. His operation went well. The surgeon says that the cancer had spread through the bowel wall and into an area of fat; he says he thinks he has managed to remove all the affected area ok. We will now have to wait about 2 weeks to get the pathology lab results back and find out more conclusive information. We will then know if he will need chemotherapy as a 'belt and braces' approach to ensuring it doesn't reoccur.
Thanks again for all your support
Anna and Jane

Lawrie always enjoys dressing up for an appearance in the theatre!

Lawrie Bares All

Morning Shave

My New Pyjamas

Hospital Arrival

I have arrived at the hospital and I have just been X-rayed. I have been shown my room - which is super with an en-suite. I am waiting to have a blood test and an ECG.

I have just tested out my webcam and it appears to work OK.

To view a video that I have just made please click below:

New Date for my Operation

I learnt this morning that my operation has been brought forward.

I will be going into the Cambridge Nuffield hospital on Wednesday 20 May at 2 pm and my operation (called a "right hemi-colonectomy" for the plumbers amongst you) will take place during the afternoon of Thursday 21 May.

I will be taking my computer laptop in with me and so if any of you are members of Windows Messenger then you could invite me to be a "friend" by emailing lawrencewilliams@live.co.uk

If any of you also have a webcam -I have one on my laptop - then there is the possibility of a Video Call and you would then be able to see my brand new M&S pyjamas - blue with yellow spots!

I should be in about 5 days. I plan to post a new message after I arrive in hospital.

The Story so Far

When we were out in Florida I caught pneumonia and when I had a blood test as part of the diagnosis it emerged that I was anaemic. The American doctor recommended that I follow this matter up with my GP on my return to the UK. My GP referred me to a specialist who decided to undertake a colonoscopy on me (a camera on a tube up my back passage - oooo - ouch!!) This showed that I have a tumour on the vertical part of my colon on my right hand side. I then had a CT scan and last week had a meeting with my consultant, Mr Miller who said that I needed an operation to cut out the tumour which is planned for Thursday 28 May.

Cancer of the colon is very common in men and the operation is a very straightforward bit of plumbing. Cut me open, cut out the length and stitch together the loose ends and sew me up again. I will be in hospital for about 5 days in order to allow time for my bowel to start working again. I will then be allowed home but it may take up to 2 months for me to fully recover my stamina.

When they cut out the tumour they will examine it and determine how far the cancer had spread. If it has spread then I will have to have chemotherapy as a precaution. I will not know whether I will need chemo until about 2 weeks after the operation.

So hopefully I will be back playing golf and earning some money some time in July/August.