An Unwanted Journey: Day 1023 - Making the Most of It

• I'll be getting out of hospital much earlier than expected.


• I walked at least ten cycles of the ACOU ward on my first time out of bed, getting guidance and help from the physio-therapist.


• There are no plans for anymore surgery.


• Epidural pain killers are absolutely fantastic.


• I'm having great conversations with medical staff.


• SlingPlayer is saving me money watching television while in the hospital.


• I've already had two "real" meals and two clear liquid meals.


• Ian wrote a great blog post for me yesterday.


• Did I mention the wonderful pain killers?


• I have a telephone and my computer again.


• While using epidurals, I have private room care with the "cream of the crop" nursing staff in the acute care observation unit.


• The hospital bed is better than anything we have at home.


• Family, friends, acquaintances and colleagues have been unbelievably supportive.


• Unlike the last time, I've already had bowel movements starting again (OK, that was probably more than you wanted to know.)


• I've got more reading material from friends than I can handle.


• Friends are going to be grandparents of twins soon.


• I get to see my friend's "girls" soon (his three Belgian horses).

Having listed some of the wonderful aspects of the past couple days, there is clearly some very disappointing news too.

Just to clarify a little, the malignant growths that were too small for the CT scan were scattered throughout the abdominal wall and probably elsewhere too. There were too many to even consider a surgical option.

So, no more talk of a cure now. Our goal is life extension and making cancer a chronic condition with as few side-effects on quality of life as possible. Unfortunately, to do so, we will have to use brutal chemotherapy methods as the primary treatment option. Ironically, I feel great right now, but the treatment will make me feel quite sick.

Day at a time, day at a time, day at a time - my new mantra.