In early 2002 my life became redefined permanently. There was a change point;
a line in the sand. My acronyms for it were simply bcdc and acdc. Im sure that the great rock band known as ACDC wont mind
me using this as I’m sure they employed some sort of punctuation between the AC and the DC so no copyright infringement
to chase me on! As for the other connotation of acdc lets just ignore that right now!
So what is bcdc and acdc. Logically they should be in alphabetical order but
that is not how our timeline works. The first, bcdc is an an acronym for “before cancer diagnosis confirmed” and
you guessed it acdc means “after cancer diagnosis confirmed”,
From acdc Day 1 I decided never to look back except maybe occasionally to
have a laugh with friends reflecting on some of the good experiences we had had, the fun times. From now on I look forward
and battle for my life,
So bcdc really is there as an acknowledgement that there was such a time,
I just do not want to dwell on it. So acdc was the way of life from then on.
My disease is bowel cancer. On diagnosis it was not staged. Immediately after
surgery it was; Stage III or in old money Dukes C. This of course is not good because it means advanced cancer-cancer that
has spread outwith the bowel wall, normally into the lymphatic system, but so far no distant metasteses.
As I write this my disease has progressed significantly.
What follows is a brief account of my experiences over the last four and a
half years. Nobody wants to be diagnosed with cancer. It is a dreadful disease. However if you accept your disease from day
1, don’t become bitter, don’t say “why me” and set out to battle it single mindedly you will find
that it can be a life-enriching experience.
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Thanks for your visit!
Acknowledgements and Thanks
I owe a debt of gratitude to the many people who have walked the trail and sometimes run the trail that is
my quest for survival over the past four and a half years:
Those closest to me who have lived the highs and lows every step of the way - you are my inspiration!
My oncologist who has treated me since Day 1 and who is simply fantastic, not only professionally but also
because she has always listened and tried to address my constant questions and my challenges to the status quo.
My colorectal surgeon whose skill and expertise gave me a real chance of cure and who continues to take an
interest in my case more than 4 years after my operation.
To the excellent teams of nurses who have cared for me over the past four and a half years, sometimes in very
difficult circumstances; particularly those in Wards 1,3 and 5 at the Western General Hospital Edinburgh; those in the HDU
and Wards 11 and 18 in Queen Margaret Hospital Dunfermline and those in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.