The big C

[MEB]

A couple of years ago one of my best buddies got diagnosed with cancer of the aesophagus(spelling?) and underwent extensive chemotheraphy, radiotherapy and surgery. Recently it appeared the fight against big C had been won. We were all very pleased and Andy tried to resume his normal life. Unfortunately, about a month ago he started to get back and rib pains and lost his voice. So back for a scan and it has now come to light that he has six lymph nodes by his kidneys that are cancerous. Which are untreatable and it seems cannot be removed by any surgeons here. :cry:
I've just got off the phone to him. Apparently the oncologist isn't prepared to do any more radiotherapy as Andy underwent the biggest dose that could be given, any more would seriously damage the nerves to the extent that his body will no longer function. But the oncologist seems to think that it may be 'controllable' to a certain degree. Either way he is going to die. I'm a bit upset about this-I've had some of the best times underwater with him-he was the only dive buddy i was prepared to trust my life with. He has been a great friend to me, someone i could always rely on and someone i utterly respected and admired.
I have mixed feelings at the moment-anger, confusion and sadness. Gonna get a brew done this evening so he has some Porter to drink, that is his favourite brew of mine :)

Why is it that the people who you care about the most about in life are taken from you far too soon and the less important ones just won't go away?

 

[tubby_shaw]

I am really sorry to hear about Andy MEB

 

[damfoose]

:shock: Sad thing to hear mate..... saddening to be brutaly honest :cry:

 

[A T]

Sorry to hear about your mate

 

[Oblivious]

Really sorry to hear.

 

[Wez]

Sad news

 

[falafael]

Sorry to hear your news meb, went through that situation years ago.....

 

[MEB]

Thanks guys, it's kinda sinking in now.
Andy is flying down to Wellington this weekend for some more tests and to see his Oncologist about combination drug therapy, also to be told of the costs involved and his life expectancy :cry: . Then he's coming up here to stay with me for a while to get his head together and have a drink. We've decided that as it's by his kidneys we are gonna try blasting the beasties with alcohol. Can't make it any worse really.

He's really keen to catch a trout-he's been out with me a few times and hasn't had any success as yet, I always seem to catch HIS trout, so he tells me. So i've arranged a day on a friends stream near me which is packed with rainbows up to 4lb. As he can't travel due to the pain he's in the doctors have given him lots of Morphine to take as and when. Also a friend of ours who's a chopper pilot(so is Andy) has got permission from his boss to fly Andy up here in a chopper.

It's still all a bit unreal..

 

[Smod]

Sorry to hear it mate. Hope it turns out to be your best brew. :drink:

I also seem to wonder why it's the A***holes that get to stay around and cause trouble while the good people suffer.

I'm sure he'll catch YOUR trout this time. :thumb:

 

[Vossy1]

Sorry to hear that MEB, tell Andy I'm thinking about him from this side of the pond.

My mum died of the same thing. She underwent surgery but unfortunately the stitches failed after she was released back home.

I hope you have a bloody good drink and catch a big trout :

 

[russt1969]

Just read this and my thoughts are with you MEB.

I'm doing my best to try and raise money for Cancer Research. I got to the point where I was hearing about so many friends of friends and a couple of my family members who have got this mother f*cker of a disease that I felt I had to try and do something. Raise money was all I could do as work gets in the way for being some sort of support to people in hospitals who haven't got any friends / family to help them while there suffering.
We've raised over £700 at the moment which is great. The guys on this forum have been outstanding in letting me advertise on here and some have donated £'s. Any small amount helps. Large amounts are better
Keep your chin up MEB and enjoy the time as much as you can with your buddy.

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

So sad that MEB.. Cancer has nasty habit of touching the good people of the world causing unimaginable grief to loved ones and seemingly avoiding the evil and wicked! Is there a God?? sometimes I wonder!

Send my best wishes to your friend and others from THBF :)

John

 

[Wez]

My mother has been suffering with cancer for a while now, since the the early part of 2003.

So far she has had 5 bouts of treatment - some of it frankly awful for her and she has been a real trooper.

Unfortunately we found out on Friday that it's back again, they want to let is grow again to a point where the treatment isn't wasted - that means that Mom & Dad can fit a 2 week holiday in soon, which is nice.

In 2005 I cycled the Coast-2-Coast for cancer research and raised £1500 - If any members here don't know of one of our members Russ or of the challenge he has set himself - i'd like to think that you could wander over to his just giving site and give all you can :thumb: Every little bit really WILL COUNT!

Wez