I was diagnosed with cancer a year ago this month. I've been keeping a private journal of my treatment and experiences ever since. But it crossed my mind today that it might be more constructive and even interesting to bring that journal online.
I'm inspired by Deborah James, or Bowel Babe, to do it. She went public with her cancer diagnosis, very public, and in so doing she inspired and encouraged a lot of people going through the same thing. I'm also inspired by Adele Roberts, the Radio 1 dj who, after her own diagnosis, changed her stoma bag on national television to destigmatise that most undiscussed aspect of cancer care.
We lost Deborah James this year but Adele Roberts is now, mercifully, cancer free. Long may she remain so.
I am still in the middle of my treatment. I was pronounced terminal last year, but the doctors at Northampton General Hospital are still working on my behalf. They took a large growth out of my bowel in June. Now I'm waiting to hear whether they'll treat the cancer in my bladder with radiotherapy or an operation.
It is a strange between-state, this waiting for word. But I am well, so far; I feel well, and people tell me that I look well. I can't ask for much more in the circumstances.
I have five wounds in my torso from the operation on my bowel and it's been confirmed today that I have a second infection in one of them. Luckily, it's not like a urine infection. I've had a few of those and they made me absolutely crazy. I don't feel any different with this infection; the infected wound just produces more gunk.
Michelle, my partner, will be bringing home antibiotics from the pharmacy later and I can start getting on top of it. The only pain in the bum thing about antibiotics is the way you have to co-ordinate when you take them with the time of your food consumption. Even during chemotherapy I liked to raid the cupboards on a whim and eat everything I could find that was sweet and easy to open.
Bruce Hodder
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