I thought long and hard prior to writing this, this is after all a forum dedicated to MB, however, after being a member for over twelve months I have came to realise that it is more than a collection of petrol heads. There are real people on here with real problems, some minor, some more serious, they air their problems on here in the hope that other members can help, and in the main people try to help.
People also issue cautions about a plethera of subjects. This is a tale of comlacency. Earlier this year we received (as everyone did)what we term 'Poo Sticks' you know the ones, designed to scoop a small sample of 'poo' that is then sent away (free post) to be tested for blood, blood can be an early sign of the bad C word. This year the sticks languished at the bottom of a pile of junk mail. On being uncovered I almost threw them away, I decided that as I had them, I along with my wife Irene should complete the test. Less than a week after sending them off my wife received a letter stating that an appointment had been made to have an colonoscopy. This was performed on the 7th of this month, the specialist nurse said she had taken biopsy samples of some 'very suspicious looking tissue' the results came back within days, cancer cells had been found. Irene then had an MRI scan followedby an enhanced CAT scan. These were to see if the cancer cells had spread to other parts of her body.
Today we went to Crosshouse Hospital to see specialist nurses and a consultant surgeon, and to get the results of the scan. My wife Irene has stage three cancer of the bowel. The surgeon said the scans showed NO signs that the cancer had spread. He further stated that a colostomy and a hyterectomy would be performed within the next two weeks, with a fair wind and a bit of luck this will be an end of this odious thing that has invaded my beloved Irene.
Please, I know it has been said more than enough by famous people, take the tests, look and feel your bits. If I had not insisted that Irene completed the test this open letter would have been compiled 12 months hence but with a sadder end......
People also issue cautions about a plethera of subjects. This is a tale of comlacency. Earlier this year we received (as everyone did)what we term 'Poo Sticks' you know the ones, designed to scoop a small sample of 'poo' that is then sent away (free post) to be tested for blood, blood can be an early sign of the bad C word. This year the sticks languished at the bottom of a pile of junk mail. On being uncovered I almost threw them away, I decided that as I had them, I along with my wife Irene should complete the test. Less than a week after sending them off my wife received a letter stating that an appointment had been made to have an colonoscopy. This was performed on the 7th of this month, the specialist nurse said she had taken biopsy samples of some 'very suspicious looking tissue' the results came back within days, cancer cells had been found. Irene then had an MRI scan followedby an enhanced CAT scan. These were to see if the cancer cells had spread to other parts of her body.
Today we went to Crosshouse Hospital to see specialist nurses and a consultant surgeon, and to get the results of the scan. My wife Irene has stage three cancer of the bowel. The surgeon said the scans showed NO signs that the cancer had spread. He further stated that a colostomy and a hyterectomy would be performed within the next two weeks, with a fair wind and a bit of luck this will be an end of this odious thing that has invaded my beloved Irene.
Please, I know it has been said more than enough by famous people, take the tests, look and feel your bits. If I had not insisted that Irene completed the test this open letter would have been compiled 12 months hence but with a sadder end......
