Christmas is coming...

Well, it has been a good week. In the toilet department, Brian finally produced something worth shouting about!! He was keen to post a photo on here, but we persuaded him that you would take his word for it, so we've spared you all!

On Thursday he went to see the surgeon who assisted Mr. Abulafi, and at least HE celebrated this news with Brian. He did an examination of the wounds and remarked that he had forgotten how big the final cut was! He was delighted with the healing thus far, though. The tumour was in the transverse colon, (left side) just before it becomes the descending colon. The surgeon assisted Mr. Abulafi in the theatre, and reassured Brian that it had been completely removed. The chemotherapy will just clean up any remaining cells.

Brian is happy that he told everyone about his cancer. He is a great fan of "Mistresses" on BBC1, and he agreed with Jessica when she said "Every time I tell someone else about the cancer, it's like hearing it myself all over again for the first time."

To occupy himself this week, he has been writing Christmas cards - (I know, and even Tony commented "Well, it IS August!"!!!) - but as Brian explained at the Royal Marsden Hospital this week (when he went for his second CT Scan on Wednesday), he doesn't know how he will be feeling later in the year with the chemo, and it is a productive pastime while he is still restricted. He told the doctor that he thought he had a good stash of cards, but not so - he will have to stock up for Christmas 2011!! The doctor replied that it's this spirit that makes Brian who he is - there are many who would not be thinking about this Christmas, let alone being around for next year!!

Time for some news...

Brian has been at home resting and recovering. He has been showered with cards, gifts and messages of support. All of this is FABULOUS, and just what is required to maintain the positive attitude Brian has had from Day One!

He has had very invasive surgery, which of course takes time to heal. The outside scar is healing well, but the inside stiches are still pulling and painful. The post-operative consultation is on Thursday 26th August and we can establish exactly what took place on the inside (i.e. what was removed from his bowel), and we will post this information once we have it.

Brian takes a short walk every day and is eating well, small and often.

On Wednesday 18th August he went for his registration and consultation at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton. The offer has been made for him to begin Chemotherapy, providing all the necessary tests are okay. They took blood samples and ECG. He must also have another CT Scan, scheduled for Wednesday 25th August, before his next appointment on Monday 6th September, when he should begin treatment. This is likely to be tablets only, and all the possible side effects have been explained to him.

His holiday in Turkey has to be cancelled, but he says that when this is all over there will be lots of opportunity to travel.

Scarred for life

Well, Brian had his staples removed from his wound yesterday. Attached are two pics, before and after. The little points you see around his belly-button are from the keyhole surgery that was meant to take place, and the large transverse scar just under his left ribcage is the open surgery scar, which is why it is so large.

Fortunately, the removal of the staples was fairly painless, although Brian said he felt strangely more vulnerable without the plasters. Progress each day is getting better, he's able to do a little more than the previous day. He even managed to sleep on his right side in bed last night. And this morning he had his first proper shower, which has pleased him greatly.

We're still on the strict diet regime, and fruit really isn't good for him at the moment. But things are starting to improve as his system starts to mend, but it will be months before he's back to normal.

Home at last!

The title of this entry refers as much to me as to Brian. I've been away at Lulworth in Dorset since Friday morning until early evening yesterday, camping in a field at Camp Bestival. It was fun, and we did 3 performances of Acts I and II of "La Boheme", in which I sang both Benoit and Alcindoro. This is part of the OperaUpClose performances which are on till 4th September at the Soho Theatre, but enough plugging for them, on with what you came here to read!

Brian came out of hospital on Saturday, and is doing very well indeed. After arriving home, he ate a large meal which caused him some severe discomfort, so he is now on a strict regime of little and often, which consists of porridge in the morning, a piece of fruit or a couple of biscuits around midday, then a main meal at 2pm (small in size, one course), dessert at 4pm (again small, usually yoghurt or pot-based dessert), then soup and a slice of bread at 6pm and finally a tuna mayonnaise sandwich at 8pm. He's drinking plenty of fluids, and he is also moving about the house a lot, up and down the stairs at least twice a day. He is very sore, but not in too much pain, in fact he is not taking any painkillers as the ones he's been prescribed have made him feel nauseous.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) he is off to the GP Surgery to have his staples removed from his wound. Tony and I had to collect the implement from Mayday Hospital this morning, as the surgery don't have them, and Brian was not given one in his discharge pack. He's not looking forward to that, but at least it is another step in his recovery.

He managed a celebration on his birthday with his brother Ian, wife Amanda, and two nieces Joanna and Francesca bringing along fairy cakes, each with a letter that spelt out "Uncle Brian" and in the centre was one with a heart shape, which he managed to eat (see picture!).

Anyone who wishes to visit the house to see Brian is more than welcome to bring fruit-flavoured drinks, wine gums or a DVD. Please call us to arrange a time first, as we are waiting for a follow-up appointment from the hospital to discuss the results of the biopsy on the tumour. Brian requests that you don't bring fruit, as it's not too good for him to have too much at the moment. If you want to know what DVD's to bring contact me at iandpope@googlemail.com and I can send you the list of DVD's he'd really like. But there's no pressure for anyone to bring anything at all, either, just if you would like to.

Anyway, that's all for now, will keep you posted as to progress over the next few days. Take care and all best wishes,

Ian xx