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Post by geoffthebeard on Dec 23, 2015 22:09:46 GMT
The news is worse than I thought.
The biopsies confirmed that the cancer type is the one they suspected. The PET scan showed that the cancer has spread, and whilst it doesn't at the moment affect any of the major organs, there is no way that surgery would be able to remove it. They won't now attempt any surgery at all.
Because of that, they are going to dilate my oesophagus with a stent, and follow that procedure with chemotherapy, initially for three months. Every 21 days I will have an IV drip of oxaliplatin followed by a 14 day course of capecitabine tablets then 7 days rest.
The bottom line is they can't cure it, all they can do is manage it. My life expectancy is now 12 months.
Obviously there is a lot of uncertainty about everything - different people react differently to chemotherapy - but one good bit of news is that my beard is unlikely to drop out!
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Post by bamber on Dec 23, 2015 22:23:53 GMT
Hellfire Geoff. I can never think what to say to such news. You have my sympathy and prayers.
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Post by manzy on Dec 23, 2015 22:29:21 GMT
OMG I am without words I'm so very sorry
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Post by squirt on Dec 23, 2015 22:57:57 GMT
we love our silver linings, don't we? that you can keep your sense of humor says a lot about you, Geoff ... and we all know laughter is the best medicine! *wrapping you up in prayers and love!*
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Post by geoffthebeard on Dec 24, 2015 0:09:31 GMT
Thank you, guys. I'm glad I don't have to change my name to Sean!
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Post by muchtrouble on Dec 24, 2015 2:20:28 GMT
Remember, Sweetheart, "It ain't over until the fat lady sings", and right now she isn't even in the building. Cancer is one of the most unpredictable diseases we know. Some people who are "supposed" to die, live another 20 years and there are those who are supposed to be "curable" who are dead in 6 months. According to those who know, attitude plays a HUGE part in the final results. Meanwhile, we are here to hug you, pray for you, and even bully you into recovery!
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Post by squirt on Dec 24, 2015 2:35:25 GMT
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Post by King Homie on Dec 24, 2015 4:06:42 GMT
Geoff I am shocked to hear of this and know I am a two time cancer survivor so I know you can be a survivor too. Hang in there my friend, I need someone to point out my posting errors,,
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Post by LMP on Dec 24, 2015 5:58:05 GMT
I too never know what to say on such news or can even find the right words......but I hope that you know how I feel... But hey.....I like the name sean.....it kind of sounds a bit like my name....so it can never be bad. I am no doctor and can't even imagine how people must feel at times.......but I've heard people say that it is indeed about attitude.......it has to stay strong to fight back. You know what I said...and the offer always stand.
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Post by goodgrief on Dec 24, 2015 6:10:14 GMT
Oh, Geoff, you are a survivor. Never the less, you have a big hill to climb. You know you have friends in here, that includes me.
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Post by geoffthebeard on Dec 24, 2015 6:43:29 GMT
Maybe you all need to persuade Mary to come over and kick my butt into shape! I will certainly be fighting to get as much out of life as I can. However I massage the statistics, there is no doubt that I have less life in front of me than I had imagined (my mother shows no sign of going soon at 95 and my father survived skin cancer and several heart attacks before succumbing to old age at 90). I intend to keep smiling and laughing - you guys will help me by giving me lots to laugh at!
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Post by bamber on Dec 24, 2015 8:32:38 GMT
We'll give it a damned good try anyway, Geoff.
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Post by geoffthebeard on Dec 24, 2015 10:07:49 GMT
They are moving quickly - the stent will be done this afternoon. They want me there at noon and will keep me in overnight, but there is no reason to doubt I will be home by lunchtime tomorrow, able to swallow at least soft foods.
I will give a further update tomorrow.
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Post by squirt on Dec 24, 2015 15:45:44 GMT
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Post by Dreamer on Dec 24, 2015 17:34:58 GMT
hope all goes well for you, keeping you in my prayers...
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