2007 Dec 21st - Feeling Better! Looking Forward...

Friday, December 21, 2007

Ho Ho Ho Category: Life Hmmm. I've not got much to say for myself lately have I? Chemo all done, still waiting for a follow up oncology appointment to discuss where I go from here with regard to checking for new tumours that the evil chemo cocktails may have missed. Instead I get Christmas cards and parcels and nice things, can't complain really! I was thinking about looking back over recent blogs and trying to pinpoint exactly when and what combination of events triggered the recent upturn in my fortune and general mood. Then I decided - that would be silly, don't question it, just bask in it while it's here. So I am. I've finally been awarded the benefits I claimed for months ago and because I scrimped and saved during the months I was waiting for an outcome I'm reaping the rewards and so are the kids. They've never been spoiled by me at Christmas, or at any other time, but always got something they wanted. This year for the first time I can give them some presents and some cash and we're off on a jolly shopping trip in the county's capital to bag some bargains in the sales! I can't wait to come back loaded up with bags of clothes or whatever they decide to buy, that's the best bit about shopping - getting home with it all and spreading your goodies all over the living room/bed. 2007 wasn't all bad. I discovered who my real friends are, those who can cope in a crisis. I discovered that people you think really care about you sometimes remain selfish despite everything and that I don't need to allow people who have made and continue to make me unhappy into my life. Sounds simple but it's a big thing to get your head around when you're staring down the barrel of cancer's gun. Most importantly I've realised just how strong I am, and more surprisingly how strong my little Umpalumpa is. Some bonds just can't ever be broken, only strengthened and ours is one of them. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I LOVE YOU SIS AND THANK YOU. I've also made some fantastic new friends, brought together by a common disease. Never underestimate the power of shared pain, concern and goodwill. The support we've shared, and it has been shared I believe, must have helped with our recoveries I'm sure. Just knowing there are other people out there having sleepless nights, sharing your fears, hopes, concerns and thinking up the same questions. 18 months ago I ran the Race for Life in memory of June Urry. For most of the time since I've been running a different kind of race for my own life and mental health. Thanks to the Macmillan forums I've not had to run it alone. The Bum Bandits are always on the sidelines cheering me on, some of them have already reached the finish line and some are way behind me. Every so often someone takes a tumble and needs more than a little TLC to get up and carry on but it's always there, almost on tap. My children seem to have come through this year pretty well. There haven't been many tears, which has been a worry in case they've been bottling things up. I'm pretty sure that because I've been mostly gung ho about this whole cancer thing that they've either gone along with it by following my example or I've managed to play everything down sufficiently to allay their fears. I think Santa really did read my letter you know, because he sent me a very special early present on top of the magic blood results for my last chemo. It feels so good to smile. 15:51 - 9 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

	janey jane jane	HERE, HERE...a magical end to Christmas for you...may it continue for years to come. Love you lots cousin...xxxxx Posted by janey jane jane on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 23:14 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala	Yay! No Bah Humbugs from me this year - We'll be over to see you all VERY soon! xxx Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 23:19 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Umpalumpa	I always read your blogs, and often feel 'teary eyed' but it's happy tears this time, happy because you didn't let evil Tyson get you down and happy because I have you in my life. I don't feel strong but agree totally about our bond, it's something i'll always treasure. I'm sooo proud of you Sis xxx P.S. Your pressie from Santa is fab!! Posted by Umpalumpa on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 23:14 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala	I don't think heroes think they're being brave, so just cos you don't feel strong doesn't matter ;o) Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 23:20 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Caroline	Lisa - so happy that your smiling that beautiful smile hun - i'm certainly smiling with you. A very merry christmas to you and yours. Caz xx Posted by Caroline on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 23:14 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala	It's a long old journey Caz my friend but it's been made a lot easier having people like you along for the ride Hope to see you again soon in the New Year, meantime I'll be jealously imagining you sipping cocktails on a beach in the sun! xxx Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 23:23 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	carol	Now I feel all fuzzy and warm, good for you Lisa! Here's wishing you and everyone who is important to you a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year. Posted by carol on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 23:15 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala	Oh good! I'm pleased I finally managed to write something that makes people feel good and not sad! Jolly Seasons Greetings to you and yours too Carol xxx Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 23:22 [Remove] [Reply to this]

Mandy

So glad to hear that you're smiling at last, wishing you a fab Christmas and a brill New Year! Mandy x Posted by Mandy on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at 12:51

2007 May 23rd - Doing the "To Do" List

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

To do list - updated! Category: Life Make will appointment made for Wednesday 30th Ring dentist to cancel appointment for three days after operation (obvious reasons) sorted - they can't book me in for anything before my op so me and the kids will have to wait til I'm recovered enough to climb on the dentist chair! Write list of "things to take to hospital" list has been started! Write list of "people for mum/sis to update on my progress whilst in hospital" basically my phonebook and anyone who reads this will be updated, so that's sorted I think (plus sis will take dictation ) Remember to put all provisional social arrangements in diary to avoid forgetting all about them until I've already slept past the arranged meeting time......oops. I'm getting better at this! Get appointment with GP for sicknote and note allowing reflexology woohoo a really lovely lady on reception, explained I could ring repeat script line and request renewal, but as I asked about note for reflexology she looked and has an appt tonight just after Reiki! Fantastic, I'm on a bloody roll today! Finish weeding stupid horrid nettle hedge that is choking my boundary fence grrrr Ahem, sorry what was that..........say again? say again? summink about curry? Finish weeding the drive (stupid rain ruined all my hard work encouraging previously unrecorded growth spurts in existing weeds) as above...... a nice madras? Do the bloody ironing, it's ridiculous having clothes I've not worn in months just for being lazy does not compute......... Take printer back to shop can't do that today as I'm waiting for decking to arrive Also done today - purchased a new mobile phone with a fabbo 3.2mp cam on it, instead of my current 2mp for a bargain. I've justified this on account of I'm selling my last free upgrade which I decided I don't prefer to Sony Ericsson and should make most of the money back, also put a pair of shoes on Ebay and my son's old phone, scouting the house for more stuff to cover the costs - but basically it's like a free camera innit.........? And it's not shoes. Or clothes. Or jewellery it's like a proper erm...investment, yes that's it it's an investment (cor those shopaholic books are an inspiration). Managed to get stupid man's thread (advertising iffy cancer cures via MacMillan) REMOVED! 14:16 - 3 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

	Deborah	by god i really fancy a curry now.... i have sony ericson (the one with orange bits) and love it. And like you say, it is practically free! bargin! Posted by Deborah on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 17:02 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala	Mmmm curry............. Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 17:51 [Remove] [Reply to this]

janey jane jane

Flippin heck I want one now too...chicken tikka dansak (love lentils) garlic and tomato naan bread and mushroom rice...lovellllllllllyyyyyyyyyyy. xx Posted by janey jane jane on Thursday, May 24, 2007 at 16:22

2007 May 23rd - Being Sued!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Oh dear I'm being sued.............! Category: Life Below is a copy of a thread on MacMillan share forum (thread since deleted, I for one reported it)- this is a place where cancer sufferers, carers of cancer patients and their families can go to share their hopes, fears and troubles and gain support. It has been, and will continue to be my main source of support throughout my diagnosis and treatment. I've met some truly amazing people on there who I think about daily and hope for their recovery along with my own. Having had a few hours sleep last night (kept awake with some kidney pains). I checked the site, as usual for new posts - and apparently I'm going to be sued!!! I've removed some identifying parts of names/ids to protect those who don't wish to be published anywhere other than MacMillan. Triamazon - an alternative that got my NHL into full complete remission. An**** H****s said: Hello my name is A***** H*****, i had NHL B type Follicular cancer TWICE ! having gone through a total of 14 lots of combination chemo + Retuximab, i tried a non toxic natural alternative that does not have nasty side effects and it knocked my cancer for six, i am now in full complete remission from stage 3 NHL, the alternative i used is called " Triamazon " go to google and search the word triamazon and you too can learn all about this product that wipes out 12 different cancers, it certainly saved my life, thanks for reading and god bless you. Post 1 posted on 23 May 2007 at 04:39:36 I said: Please be advised, Andrew Harris is the founder of a website called www.******.com A***** H***** is the founder of www.t****r.com His strong entrepreneurial background in business, marketing, research and management is combined with his personal experiences in having gone through 14 lots of conventional toxic chemo therapy to actually surviving cancer through an alternative natural, non toxic, immune system boosting, cancer killing miracle. I also found it advertised on youtube after searching - voiceover by English bloke who is a BNP member - bnp4eva (user named Andy) He has some rather NASTY posts and it strikes me this could be funding the BNP. It costs £500 for a full course of 200 tablets. Things like this make me nervous Now I have no idea, this could obviously be genuine, or it could be yet another scam. I am actually using complimentary alternative therapies alongside traditional treatment but on the advice of a trained nutritionist, so I'm not totally averse to "alternatives" but I just worry. Please be careful. Post 2 posted on 23 May 2007 at 08:22:45 F said: Good for you Loopy. I have a healthy cynicism for anything which claims to "wipe out 12 different cancers"....it's just preying on the sick and vulnerable. Post 3 posted on 23 May 2007 at 08:34:32 A***** H***** said: HELLO AND THANKYOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS REPLY I am A***** H***** the owner of www.t*****r.com L(me) states to be wary and that an englisman has something on youtube advertising, well if this person wishes to give me free advertising then he has my consent, as for l's remark about a legal bonafide pollitical party the BNP i believe that this party is branded with all manner of bad labels, mainly from a government who is involed in a criminal enquirey such as the cash for peerages scandle, i unlike most sceptic have an open mind and do not let my judgements be directed by bias or propaganda from anyone, this is a genuine cancer killing therapy and if it were not so then i would be obtaing monies by criminal deception namely sec 15 of the theft act... i have pubmed references along with my own hospital records for proof and evidence that the vital ingredient in Triamazon does kill 12 diferent cancers, if you the reader, or L (me) has a concern that people may be ripped off ,then this slanderous bias toward me can only give me more incentive to ask anyone to do their civil duty and inform the appropriate authoraties, who upon taking the personal details from the informant will then conduct enquiries into me and the product Triamazon, upon which i have medical evidence and pubmed proof of the 20 indepenent lab reports that prove the vital ingredients in Triamazon do live up to the website claims, as for L (me) i will be furnished with the details and beleive me i will sue for damages and defamation of my good character. Post 4 posted on 23 May 2007 at 08:46:45 e***t said: A*****, Surely you can understand as a cancer patient why people would be nervous by reading your claims. It is not unheard of on this site for people to appear with so called "cure's" we even had a lady not so long back that claimed she was cleared of having cancer not in remission. It's nice to hear your story and I am glad that your health has been improved, but please remember this is'nt the case for everyone and I really don't agree with you taking a swipe at one of our members who is trying to protect many vunerable people. People will always look into any hopeful information and make their own decisions about what they read. Stay healthy. E*. Post 5 posted on 23 May 2007 at 09:29:19 J**** said: A***** - I can't believe the last line of your last post ! As E** says, people on here do get nervous of anyone claiming to have been 'cured' or in remission. I find your threat of suing for damages quite sad. Do you have no feeling for what people are going through on here? I'm pleased that everything worked out well for you, for others unfortunately it doesn't. JB Post 6 posted on 23 May 2007 at 09:49:56 L(ME) said: I have stage 3b rectal cancer - statistically a 35 - 42% chance of being here in 5 years time. I have a 5% chance of not surviving surgery in three weeks time. I am a divorced parent of two children 12 and 14. A****** if you believe the right thing for you to do is sue me for suggesting caution that the claims for the mentioned tablets may not be 100% true, having also stated that they could be genuine, then I hope you find this a suitable outlet for the anger you obviously are struggling with. Hopefully I shall live long enough for you to persue your claim. Post 7 posted on 23 May 2007 at 10:00:55 Now, I could point out the obvious that he was on lots of chemo and his tumours were shrinking, yet he claims all that cured him was this £500 a treatment drug which he is selling in the UK and the US. I'm not losing any sleep over this, people like this are everywhere in every area of life, I feel sorry for him to be honest. The one thing cancer has given me is a better outlook (funny that since it threatens my life). I considered ignoring it, and just complaining to the website manager - but then worry that other, more desperate and less suspicious people might actually spend their money and it have no effect. £500 is an awful lot of money when a large percentage of cancer sufferers lose their homes, due to no entitlement to mortgage interest help from the government until 29 weeks. Spouses also give up work to be full time carers. I think I'm going to manage, despite being a single parent with a mortgage. I know thousands of people won't and I can't sit by and risk even one of them being swindled without putting another point of view forward. 10:31 - 4 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

	GlitterGirl....	Lisa - BNPboy is one of life's nutters. I really hope nobody falls for it but you have to be one sick pup to post spurious claims like that on sites used by people sufferring/dying. He doesn't have grounds to sue you for anything. I bet he has a teeny willy too! ;o) Posted by GlitterGirl.... on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 10:37 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala	pmsl, yes in fact he's probably impotent too! I didn't like to point out the terrible spelling, grammar and just general WRONGNESS of a lot of his unpunctuated points/statments/wafflings because basically I don't hink he would have understood. It was quite nice actually to get angry at someONE rather than just cancer for a while and it certainly made me feel a lot better about myself knowing I'm not that sad or screwed up. This phrase size=2>His strong entrepreneurial background in business, marketing, research and management totally floored me, gosh with my knowledge of the English language and attitude toward (most of) my fellow human beings I could make an absolute mint!!! I also had a little chuckle that I know what you do for a living Hope you're not fretting too much, get out in that there sunshine Posted by Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 10:42 [Remove] [Reply to this]

	Deborah	what a TOSSER (him not you!) If he had any compassion for people with cancer (which he should do if he is a "previos" sufferer then he would not be causing you any angst. any association with the BNP i find highy suspicious as i believe their policies arfe trying to use technical terms to cover bigoted views (that is purely my opinion which i am free to express - Freedom of Speech-Human Rights-in case anyone wants to sue me!!!) Dont worry, even if he bothers it'd take years as the courts will not see it as urgent and i really dont think you have much to worry about - besides, like you say, you now have an "insider" xxx Posted by Deborah on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 16:58 [Remove] [Reply to this]

Hannah

Plus the fact, if he had nothing to hide and is totally genuine, why wasn't he upfront about having a vested interest in the drug and just give you the web address rather than suggesting you google it? Also I don't know about you, but if I found a cure for cancer after suffering myself, I would only ask for enough to cover the costs of production and not take advantage of people who are already suffering just to make a quick buck! Lastly his quips about you not having an open mind about the BNP and everyone being entitled to their own opinion is kind of hypocritical considering he is sueing you for simply expressing yours! If the idiot does try to sue you, I will gladly give you any spare cash I have so you can hire a solicitor to woop his ass! Luv ya, Hannah x Posted by Hannah on Friday, May 25, 2007 at 20:41