Let battle commence

Here goes for my first blog……

First of all a massive thankyou to everyone for all the support so far, it has been very overwhelming. With the support of family and friends I know we can overcome this battle…

Thankyou to the Gahagan’s for setting up and suggesting this blog. We will be writing updates on here as it is an easy way to keep everyone updated. Also if my story is shared and can help just one other person through a similar situation, I would be very happy.

Today we went to see Dr Waller who is one of the “Top surgeons in the UK if not the World” (quote from oncologist) for mesothelioma. He has carried out over 400 of these operations in the UK. He advised:
– 2 pathologists have said my biospy and CT scans are “compatable” with mesothelioma
– he has only treated a handful of cases with people my age or younger (positive!)
– mine is potentially stage 1, but could be stage 2 as symptoms could have started in 2013!
– Due to my young age and very healthy body (don’t laugh!) that he would recommend surgery to remove the lining between chest & lung, diaphragm (muscle to help you breathe- any medics please correct me if I’m wrong!), and also to remove my left lung.
– We have the option to keep the lung, and only remove the affected tissue, however he would recommend full removal to try and ensure cancer doesn’t grow back into the lung or spread. Amazingly recovery is quicker if you remove all the lung rather than part of it!
– The operation is pencilled in for Wednesday 25th November at Glenfield Leicester hospital. I will be in for 7-10 days (7 – I hope). Prior to that I need to go back for CT scans, and the surgeon is going to get one more opinion from a pathologist who deals with mesothelioma cases world-wide.
– He has had 2 cases out of 400 that have gone though the operation and it turns out it’s not mesothelioma. He has cases of people who have survived more than 5 years and one living 13 years. I am going to be one of his success stories, without a doubt …….

Today allows us to plan and focus on next steps. It has answered a lot of questions, and I feel at ease, and ready to do battle!

I feel very lucky to have the private medical cover through work, which allows me to get access to the best treatment very quickly. I know I am an unusual case, which is another positive as it gets my case reviewed by many, and they are going to throw the best treatment my way….

Your support and prayers are greatly appreciated, and from the bottom of our hearts we thank you. Please do continue, as together with your support, prayers and positivity, we can beat this…….

Lots of love
Dave & Ali

P.s Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions, ideas below. I am also more than happy for this to be shared.