Torch's Counselling Thread (8 Viewers)

[Otis]

Yes. Only just picked up on this.

Hopefully some good news real soon.

 

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[torchomatic]

Hoping for the latter in terms of results, Torch, hope all is well too.

Have to see the consultant 3pm on Monday, so even if I go back in it won't be on Monday, so I'll have one more day than I thought I would have.

 

[skyblueinBaku]

Have to see the consultant 3pm on Monday, so even if I go back in it won't be on Monday, so I'll have one more day than I thought I would have.

Every little bit helps, Torchy! I was surprised about the amount of pain inflicted getting the marrow sample. Can't the give you anaesthetic?

 

[torchomatic]

Every little bit helps, Torchy! I was surprised about the amount of pain inflicted getting the marrow sample. Can't the give you anaesthetic?

They do, a local. However, they go really deep and basically chip a bit of your bone away for the sample. The local is fine for when the needle goes into the skin, but not when it goes so deep. They take two samples, bone marrow fluid which isn't too bad but the bone marrow sample is the worse. Wife described that needle as a "skewer"!

 

[Monners]

I have to have injections in eyes occasionally - rather that than what you have to go through (no pain by the way)

 

[torchomatic]

I have to have injections in eyes occasionally - rather that than what you have to go through (no pain by the way)

Jesus, that sounds horrific.

 

[RegTheDonk]

Feel for you mate (and Monners) that must be absolutely awful. Look at it this way, this time next year you'll be feeling happy, health is good and the city are pushing for L2 promotion....it'll all be just a bad memory.

 

[clint van damme]

They do, a local. However, they go really deep and basically chip a bit of your bone away for the sample. The local is fine for when the needle goes into the skin, but not when it goes so deep. They take two samples, bone marrow fluid which isn't too bad but the bone marrow sample is the worse. Wife described that needle as a "skewer"!

my brother in law had cancer years ago, (hodgkinsons), it has a high survival rate but they battered him with chemo, really put him through it, but he still says that taking the bone marrow samples was the worse part of it all.

 

[torchomatic]

my brother in law had cancer years ago, (hodgkinsons), it has a high survival rate but they battered him with chemo, really put him through it, but he still says that taking the bone marrow samples was the worse part of it all.

Yeah, it's a bitch. Out of all the things I've been through that has been the worst. Still, others go through a lot more than I ever will, so I shouldn't really complain too much. I'm luckier than a lot of cancer sufferers. So far anyway!

 

[robbieray]

Good news

 

[Otis]

They do, a local. However, they go really deep and basically chip a bit of your bone away for the sample. The local is fine for when the needle goes into the skin, but not when it goes so deep. They take two samples, bone marrow fluid which isn't too bad but the bone marrow sample is the worse. Wife described that needle as a "skewer"!

You need to tell your wife she is giving you too much information!!

 

[torchomatic]

You need to tell your wife she is giving you too much information!!

She also said the nurse was shaking her head to my wife as if saying she couldn't get a sample. She tried three times - agony each time - and after every time said sample wasn't good enough. In the end she got one of the consultants in who said it was ok. Such a relief. I'm still traumatised!

When i had my Hickman line in, the surgeon was showing a student the procedure and he was giving a running commentary; "cut here", "see where the blood is oozing there..." I wanted to shout "shut up! I don't want to hear that!"

 

[oakey]

Sound so nearly as bad as giving birth!
Keep your chin up and don't forget we're all sending you Sky Blues passion,
which means we fight til the game is won!

 

[mrtrench]

Best wishes Torch, hope it all pans out OK. My wife just the all clear after radiotherapy and chemo ending in December - the cancer has completely gone. They can do great things now.

 

[Otis]

Best wishes Torch, hope it all pans out OK. My wife just the all clear after radiotherapy and chemo ending in December - the cancer has completely gone. They can do great things now.

Yes indeed.

So pleased to hear.

 

[Nick]

She also said the nurse was shaking her head to my wife as if saying she couldn't get a sample. She tried three times - agony each time - and after every time said sample wasn't good enough. In the end she got one of the consultants in who said it was ok. Such a relief. I'm still traumatised!

When i had my Hickman line in, the surgeon was showing a student the procedure and he was giving a running commentary; "cut here", "see where the blood is oozing there..." I wanted to shout "shut up! I don't want to hear that!"

Can't really imagine something going in like that into bone Is it still sore/

 

[torchomatic]

Can't really imagine something going in like that into bone Is it still sore/

I had bad back ache for a couple of days, now just tender where the needle went in. I'm a big girls' blouse.

 

[Nick]

I had bad back ache for a couple of days, now just tender where the needle went in. I'm a big girls' blouse.

Should have got your wife to slap your face at the same time so you didn't realise

 

[SkyBlueZack]

Your handling of it all is incredible. I don't think I could do it. I struggle with blood tests. My brother had testicular cancer, he got through it. He tried to remain calm and positive as possible, like you are. He had moments that were hard like I imagine you have. Your handling of it will help those around you deal with it and support you. You will beat it.

If you ever want any food smuggling in, let me know :emoji_stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:

 

[Otis]

I had bad back ache for a couple of days, now just tender where the needle went in. I'm a big girls' blouse.

I'd have wee'd like a baby and screamed for my one-eyed teddy bear and my dummy. I can't even stand pine needles.

 

[Sick Boy]

Best wishes Torch, hope it all pans out OK. My wife just the all clear after radiotherapy and chemo ending in December - the cancer has completely gone. They can do great things now.

Fantastic news, delighted for you both.

 

[clint van damme]

Best wishes Torch, hope it all pans out OK. My wife just the all clear after radiotherapy and chemo ending in December - the cancer has completely gone. They can do great things now.

that must have been tough, glad you got some good news in the MT.

 

[torchomatic]

Consultant rang this morning. Good news is thanks to the chemo i am now officially in remission, no sign of leukemia. However, bone marrow transplant won't be ready until mid/late April as they had already said so i have to go into Cov on Tuesday for another month for more chemo. Couple of weeks at home again afterwards, then onto heartlands for the transplant. Chemo shouldn't be as strong this time so hope to recover and get home more quickly.

 

[wingy]

Let's hope so torch!
Ready for the new season then.B-)

 

[duffer]

Consultant rang this morning. Good news is thanks to the chemo i am now officially in remission, no sign of leukemia. However, bone marrow transplant won't be ready until mid/late April as they had already said so i have to go into Cov on Tuesday for another month for more chemo. Couple of weeks at home again afterwards, then onto heartlands for the transplant. Chemo shouldn't be as strong this time so hope to recover and get home more quickly.

Sounds like brilliant news to me mate. Remission, the word has a nice ring to it.

I don't doubt there are still some tough things to get through, but it sounds as though there's light at the end of the tunnel now. Chuffed to bits for you Torchy, best bit of news we've had here for a while.

 

[chiefdave]

Sounds about as good as you could hope for the news to be. Would echo the comments about how you're handling this, don't think I'd be that strong.

 

[Nick]

Consultant rang this morning. Good news is thanks to the chemo i am now officially in remission, no sign of leukemia. However, bone marrow transplant won't be ready until mid/late April as they had already said so i have to go into Cov on Tuesday for another month for more chemo. Couple of weeks at home again afterwards, then onto heartlands for the transplant. Chemo shouldn't be as strong this time so hope to recover and get home more quickly.

Amazing news.

I might be thick, but what is the bone marrow transplant for if you are in remission?

 

[duffer]

Amazing news.

I might be thick, but what is the bone marrow transplant for if you are in remission?

Adamantium?

 

[clint van damme]

great news Torch and puts the football doldrums into perspective. Pleased for you and your family mate. Hopefully the next round of chemo wont knock you about as much.

 

[torchomatic]

Amazing news.

I might be thick, but what is the bone marrow transplant for if you are in remission?

Well, basically the bone marrow continually renews our blood cells. I have a genetic disorder which means the cells created are "bad" and the white cells in particular go a little haywire, this is the type of blood cancer I have, which is classed as a type of leukemia. The chemo blasted the bad cells so everything was basically incinerated from my bone marrow. Eventually, the bloods start to recover (which is why I wasn't out until five weeks after chemo ended). The bone marrow biopsy the other day showed no leukemia in the system (hence remission), however without treatment it would eventually return. As what I have can be aggressive, they can't risk me waiting another six to eight weeks for a transplant, so they wll destroy all my cells again, I will recover and by then the transplant can go ahead. The transplant if it is successful is a cure, that should sort out my cells permanently and I will be cancer/leukemia free.

 

[bawtryneal]

Just catching up with the thread.
Great news you are in remission. Really delighted for you and hope the next bout of chemo goes okay.
Keep smiling and think of summer in the garden at home and watching the Sky Blues promotion push next season.

 

[oucho]

Torch, while you were in hospital did you have enough energy / ability to concentrate to use the time to do the sort of things that you wouldn't normally have time to do e.g. start to learn a new language, study stuff e.g. chess moves, history, physics etc?

Also what's the rule on sick-pay? You've been signed off but what's the deal with being paid by your employer?

 

[torchomatic]

Torch, while you were in hospital did you have enough energy / ability to concentrate to use the time to do the sort of things that you wouldn't normally have time to do e.g. start to learn a new language, study stuff e.g. chess moves, history, physics etc?

Also what's the rule on sick-pay? You've been signed off but what's the deal with being paid by your employer?

Well most of the time - first three weeks anyway i felt rubbish so slept a lot. Worst times are when i felt well as the days dragged. I read most of the time.

I work for WCC so am luckier than most. I get six months full pay (ends April) and then six months half pay (ends October). I'll worry about money then. As long as transplant/recovery goes to plan i might be back at work - at least part time - by November.

We have unemployment/sickness insurance with our mortgage. They've paid out 4.5 grand so far, which covers my sick note until the end of June. In theory, if I am signed off again, which i will be for recovery, i should get another couple of grand in July, which covers until October. They only pay out for twelve months. The max rate is £550 a month.

 

[oucho]

Nice one - if I was ever unlucky enough to be in your shoes, and if I had the energy to do so, I'd spent a lot of time watching films and reading (also requires the ability/inclination to do so i.e. accepting the boredom).

Not sure I'd have the patience to learn Spanish or start playing a musical instrument, although I'm sure they wouldn't stop you from playing a keyboard or something you were able to get one brought in for you?

 

[torchomatic]

I am going to do that. I've created music since i was 14 in 1979, so I am taking in a laptop (loaded with plenty of VSTi software and FL Studio, plus a tiny USB/midi keyboard) and once the sickness from the chemo has passed i hope to get creative and write some instrumentals. For years I've dreamt of writing a soundtrack to a 60s spy TV series or film and have done many pieces over the years so may do some more stuff. According how i feel, of course.