Sunday 6 October 2019

Not very good news, again

Things take a turn for the worse, I fear. I meant to write up the blog about this earlier but just haven’t got round to it now.

After having a CT scan two weeks ago to find out why I’m having trouble keeping solid food down, I was seen in clinic last Wednesday. It’s not good news, I’m afraid. The scan showed no obstruction of the duodenum, but there are several hotspots in my liver and the tumour is compressing one of the arteries that feed the colon, the superior mesenteric artery. This means I’m in stage 4, palliative care only, too risky to attempt surgery or even chemo. I might have several more months or things could go downhill quite quickly.


I’ve been referred to the community palliative care team and have been left with an open appointment to see the oncologist. I’m not in any extra pain yet so the blood supply to my guts must still be getting through, but obviously the danger is of ischaemia (lack of blood supply) causing tissue death in there with serious consequences that I’m slowly getting my head round.


As always, we’ve had loads of support from the Mercian community with visits, transport and all sorts of offers of help. For example, it’s boat shuffle month in the marina for the residential boats, but we’ve not had to do a thing, our fellow moorers moved Sanity Again with shafts and ropes to her new berth. I just had to take the credit off the old electric meter and put it on the new one, an advantage of the new smart card meters now installed on our pontoon.


I’ve got a GP appointment on Tuesday to sort out some tangles with my repeat prescriptions and to discuss the Respect form I completed in the clinic. This is a new scheme being rolled out across NHS districts for folk in my situation to record their preferences about the balance of quality vs extension of life and to take the Do Not Resuscitate decision (no point of it in my case, when the end comes, it comes).


After a few days of feeling panicky and depressed, I’m coming to terms with it all. I’m still watching Strictly so my first milestone goal is to survive long enough to see who wins.

14 comments:

Carol said...

Bruce, what shocking news. Sending good thoughts to you and Sheila. Stay strong.
Carol and George, Still Rcokin'

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Oh, Bruce what a shock. We are so very sorry to hear about your illness. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to you and Sheila.
Ian and Irene Xx

Sally Ellis said...

Such terrible news.So sorry.

Ian B said...

Shocking news. So sad. Our thoughts are with you both.

Ian n Allison, ex Narrowboat Nobby


Anonymous said...

So sorry to read your terrible news. You are both in our thoughts.Carolann & Graham.

Anonymous said...

So sorry Bruce. Our thoughts are with you all. Take care. Paula

Lesley K said...

Terrible news for you and Sheila. Your approach of getting the best out of everyday is commendable. Fingers crossed for you both.
Lesley and Joe

Unknown said...

We were so sorry to read this Bruce. We are presently going through a very similar thing with a very close friend so fully appreciate how difficult can be. Sending love and prayers to both you and Sheila as well as all your family xx Les and Chris Herriott

Anonymous said...

So Sorry to read such terrible news, our thoughts are with you both.

Norwyn & Sheila ex narrowboat shell-bell

Sue said...

We are so sorry to hear this sad news Bruce, you are being so brave it must have been very difficult to write that blog and let your reader friends and of course us boaters know.

Our thoughts are with you Bruce and with you Sheila stay strong for each other.

Our love to you both.. Sue and Vic

Nev Wells said...

Holding you in our thoughts, you are a brave man and to blog so openly and honestly is a credit to you and Shelia and your outlook on life. Nev & Rachel

Tim Lewis said...

Desperately sorry to hear this, not very good at expressing my thoughts but am pleased that you are coming to terms with what is the worst kind of news. Tim Lewis

Ann Street said...

Oh Bruce, I am so sorry to read how things are with you. Although your earlier messages indicated how ill you were I kept hoping that things would take a turn for the better but sadly that is not to be. My prayers are with you and Sheila and your family. Big hugs, Bruce.
From Ann and Iain

heledd said...

So sorry to hear Bruce and Sheila. I've not been keeping up with your blog over the past few months due to the business of life, but was shocked to hear. I will keep myself posted more regularly to hear how things are. I hope that you are both managing ok and that you are not in too much pain. I still think about the start of my career in clinical psychology fondly and often discuss my first post as an assistant in the team with you. You certainly made quite an impact and continue to impact on my practice and teaching/supervision of trainees. Take care of yourselves. Heledd x