3 Feb 10 - Sore back went to Physio and Osteopath
Easter 10 - Aggravated playing cricket in Otematata and went to GP. lump in muscle identified
18 Jun 10 - Last day at Work
21 Jun 10 - Operation 1 initially was a biopsy but in the end they excised complete Tumor and some surrounding muscle. It was a keeper, 13 cm X 9 cm. Sent to Australia for testing.
1 July 10 - "Its bad news you have cancer, its high grade (high chance of spreading) and very rare its called a Synovial Sarcoma"
July 10 - Operation recovery and "get fit for next series of treatments", development of radiotherapy plan and initial discussions on next operation
15 July 10 - "Appears that the cancer is within the spine (just) adjacent to tumor location"; "No other secondaries detected"
More Detail of early cancer diagnosis here.
18 July 10 - Hit a golf ball 200 meters, used my chainsaw and went to a great party.
Aug/ Sept 10 - Radiotherapy and Recovery
Sept/ Oct 10 - Testing / Imaging work; planning for surgery
5 Oct 10 - Pre Operation Floating and Lying in Hammock Therapy in Savai'i, Samoa
21 Oct 10 - Operation 2 at Burwood Hospital, substantial additional back muscle removed plus back of 9 vertebrae excised and new fixed Titanium structure inserted across 2/3's of spine for strengthening. More detail here
2 November - Discharge from Hospital, back to Portobello
Nov & Dec 10 - Spinal surgery recovery. Detail on the long hard road here
29 Nov 10 - Checkin with Sarcoma specialist on pathology results and progress from surgery, positive NED histology results showing that I am responding and making good progress, More detail here
Late Dec - Start Rehab and Physio
Late Dec 10 - Target date to get back to work part-time
Jan 2011 - 18 week Chemotherapy Regime starts
Jan 2011 - Further positive NED results
29 April 11 - Last day in hospital on chemo
May 2011 - Final CT Scans to confirm NED status and sign-off completion of medical treatment
May 2011 - Broken Titanium rods in back create chronic and set back recovery
Sept 2011 - Start back work fulltime
Nov 2011 - Secondary metastasis spread discovered in lung following routine scan. I am longer NED :-(
Dec 2011 - Thoracotomy surgery to remove spot and recovery
June 2012 - Substantial metastasis (secondary) spread to both lungs , advised now terminal condition.. read here
June 2012 - Admitted to hospital getting on top of pain issues
June 2012 - Finished work
June to Sep 2012 - Chemotherapy
November 2012 - Positive Results post Chemo
Future
Ongoing monitoring of metastasis spread.
Goals
April 2012 - Scans clear and no further recurrence, things are looking good (Party) - Didn't achieve this goal :-(
July 2015 - Scans clear and no further recurrence, things are looking very good (Big Party)
July 2020 - Scans clear and no recurrence, I get discharged (Humongous Party)
Bur most importantly along the way and post - Enjoy life and fulfill my dreams!
5 Oct 10 - Pre Operation Floating and Lying in Hammock Therapy in Savai'i, Samoa21 Oct 10 - Operation 2 at Burwood Hospital, substantial additional back muscle removed plus back of 9 vertebrae excised and new fixed Titanium structure inserted across 2/3's of spine for strengthening. More detail here
2 November - Discharge from Hospital, back to Portobello
Nov & Dec 10 - Spinal surgery recovery. Detail on the long hard road here
Late Dec - Start Rehab and Physio
Late Dec 10 - Target date to get back to work part-time
Jan 2011 - 18 week Chemotherapy Regime starts
Jan 2011 - Further positive NED results
29 April 11 - Last day in hospital on chemo
May 2011 - Final CT Scans to confirm NED status and sign-off completion of medical treatment
May 2011 - Broken Titanium rods in back create chronic and set back recovery
Sept 2011 - Start back work fulltime
Nov 2011 - Secondary metastasis spread discovered in lung following routine scan. I am longer NED :-(
Dec 2011 - Thoracotomy surgery to remove spot and recovery
June 2012 - Admitted to hospital getting on top of pain issues
June 2012 - Finished work
June to Sep 2012 - Chemotherapy
Future
Ongoing monitoring of metastasis spread.
Goals
April 2012 - Scans clear and no further recurrence, things are looking good (Party) - Didn't achieve this goal :-(
July 2015 - Scans clear and no further recurrence, things are looking very good (Big Party)
July 2020 - Scans clear and no recurrence, I get discharged (Humongous Party)
Bur most importantly along the way and post - Enjoy life and fulfill my dreams!
