Monday 8 September 2008

IS IT MIGRAINE OR MADNESS?

When OG has a migraine coming on he can sometimes become discombobulated and forget words. As soon as he suspects this is happening he tests himself by remembering certain things, like the children’s names, before taking a migraine tablet.

So … in the car on the way to the oncologist he blurts out “What’s the name of this car?”

Drat, I think, he’s got a migraine coming on. “Opal”.

“No it’s not” he said with attitude (bad attitude can be another sign of an impending migraine)

“OK, tone it down. Don’t get shirty with me.”

“I’m not, but I’m just telling you that it’s not an Opal”

“Well what is it then, smart ass?”

“I don’t know”

“Well you don’t know, and I don’t know so get off my case – hang on a minute I’ve just remembered it’s an Audi”

“I knew it wasn’t an Opal”

“Well, I was close. It’s got four letters and starts with a vowel”.

The visit to the oncologist was pretty much a mixed blessing. He said he was not going to continue with the chemo because it was knocking OG about too much for a very limited benefit.

The prognosis is that there was a 50% chance of the cancer returning and as the result of chemo this has been reduced to 45%. If the lymphatic system is affected it could return anywhere including the lungs and if cancer is in the pelvic region it would be inoperable. Pretty bleak news but in fairness this is what he has said all along.

We thought that being told the chemo was over would be a relief, but strangely enough it has left us with feelings of fear again. I guess while the chemo was being administered something was happening but now we are back to the waiting game.

He is having a CT scan on Thursday followed by an appointment with the oncologist on 17th October. We should then know more. Hopefully it will show that there is no cancer present or it maybe that a course of radiotherpay is recommended.

And finally …. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

18 comments:

marymaryquitecontrary said...

It is a nasty disease. I hope Thursday brings good news.

aims said...

Did you happen to catch that hour long special on Friday called - Stand Up 2 Cancer? I was so cheered by it. They said that they are very close to the answer. Hopefully it comes in time for many.

Thinking of you and yours. The waiting game is fraught with anxiety - yet anxiety and worry change nothing in the end don't they?

If I have one recommendation - it is go out and enjoy every single minute that you can. And why not? You both deserve to!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy what you have , we never know when the curtain falls, whether its cancer or a rogue car
Be positive and silly
get purple hats and laugh a lot

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Thanks Mary. It certainly is a vicious disease.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

They are doing great work with cancer aren't they aims? We have been living "one day at a time" for many years now and it has been a life saver.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

I haven't got a purple hat but OG has a cowboy hat. Will that do VM?

Maggie May said...

Sorry to hear that Ann, it is a similar thing with Harry. I range from being optimistic & extremely pessimistic about it. Blasted disease. Isn't tomorrow the day we may all be sucked into a black hole?!
I think Valleysmam has a wonderful attitude. Purple hats and a good laugh. Cos we might be sucked into a black hole!!!!!

Anonymous said...

hmmm, when life throws you lemons. DON'T make lemondade...stick em down your bra and make like you're a double d ...

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear the prognosis. They're not always right, of course, and we can only hope they're wrong now.

I get like that with migraine. Can't string a sensible sentence together, and I forget the names of my own children, which is rather scary.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

So sorry you didn't get better news RAC - but keep hopeful.

We have friends who are going through similar experiences at the moment and it certainly makes us count our blessings. Hope it helps you a little to know that many good wishes are speeding OG's and your way. And definitely keep that sense of humour of yours - its wonderful.

A x

Lindsay said...

Hope OG gets good results. Love your last paragraph - very thought provoking.

I suffered thyroid cancer 10 years ago and just seemed to accept my fate - I am still here! I think with highsight it is worst for the nearest and dearest to cope with.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Your news of Harry always gives me heart Maggie.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

A DD with a purple cowboy hat? Sounds good to me because anyone that knows me knows that I'm a 19 year old cowgirl inside!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

OG was interested to hear that you have the same migraine symptoms and tests that he has Jay. I didn't ruin your street cred by telling him that you are a Johnnie Depp groupie though!

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Thanks for your good wishes SJAnne and have a great holiday. By the way, I haven't forgotten my award. I had trouble figuring out how to collect it since they changed blogger but a young man in my offer gave me a masterclass this morning and now I'm sorting it out.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Thanks Lindsay your words give us great hope.

Anonymous said...

Good post.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Why thank you kindly Normandy.