So it’s now
8 weeks to the day since my second MOAS (Mother of all Surgeries) and a great
deal has happened on the last few weeks.
My recovery
from the operation continues to go very well and I feel pretty good! My strength
and stamina is returning and I find myself being able to do more and more.
Every week that passes you seem to notice an improvement or that an ache or
pain that you had is no longer there anymore.
The area that seems to be taking the longest to heal (not surprisingly)
is along the line of the scar. The abdominal muscles below soon start to
complain if I overdo things and are a reminder that it’s only been eight weeks
since my surgery.
I am doing
well with my eating and the volume I can eat is returning to pre MOAS II
levels. That’s to say that I can eat a main meal but starters and dessert are
out of the question. In total I lost about a stone in weight after the
operation and I’m sure it won’t take me long to put it back on again,
especially as physical exercise is still a bit difficult and will be for some
time.
With my recovery going so well, we decided
last weekend to take a trip to Clevedon for a family day out. The girls took their
roller blades and skated along the sea front for a while and then we made the
most of the late September sunshine and sat outside a small cafe and ate lunch.
With full bellies I persuaded the family it was time to walk it off so we
headed along the cliff path towards Sand bay. We walked for around an hour and
a half and took in the views of the Severn estuary, both Severn bridge
crossings and the hills of Wales in the distance. We laughed and joked as we
walked and I took the opportunity to take some photos with the new camera and
hone my photographic skills! Once back in Clevedon we found a quiet spot and
ate ice cream!
With things going so well I have recently met
with my employer and decided that I’ll return to work on the 22nd
October. I’ll do a phased return over a two week period to make sure that I’m
fit and able to cope with a busy days work. Luckily I have a desk based job and
will be sat down all day but it is very busy and can be very tiring mentally!
Before my
return to work I have a final X-ray booked for next Wednesday to check that my
Pneumonia has gone. Previous X-rays clearly showed the fluid on the lung but I’m
hopeful that this has now gone as I feel much better and can once again max out
the Spirometer.
I am also
pleased to say that the official launch of The Cancer Survivors Club book by
Chris Geiger has been announced in Bristol as the 14th November. The
Launch will be held at 18:30 at Foyles in Cabot Circus. As you are probably
aware My Story features as one of twenty four inspirational stories from cancer
survivors of various types. Tickets are still available but there is limited
space so if you’d like to come then please book a ticket at-
Finally I
have some sad news. I recently found out that unfortunately Dr. John Sime or “Biocat”
as most people knew him lost his battle with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei on 14th
July. John or Biocat was a valued member of the Christie’s Pseudomyxoma forum.
John died at home with his wife Julia. John and Julia supported me during our
Snowdon Horseshoe fundraiser with a donation for which we are very grateful. Our
condolences go out to Julia and the family and we will all miss John’s input on
the forum.
