Today is the 22nd of December, the shortest day of the year, but for me the start of a long and scary road to recovery. I’ve been ill for several weeks now with a range of different diagnoses including appendicitis, chron’s syndrome, colitis, and more. On Friday (just on my way out to get a hair cut and go Xmas shopping with my Dad), I had a phone call from the hospital telling me that they’d like me to come in urgently due to a review of biopsy results.
Until this point, I’d been told by a number of people that being young and healthy, it’s not likely to be anything serious, that the risk of Cancer was low, and what ever it is will be treatable.
Although not panicking at this stage, I was now beginning to think that it was something more serious.
I wanted to track the events of the coming days for two reasons:
- To help people in a similar position as me to understand the process and prepare themselves for this technically complex, whirlwind adventure that I’m about to face.
- To act as a diary of events for my own posterity and to help me keep my sanity.
I hope that not only friends and family but others who are also affected by this condition can find something useful in this series, and if I’ve made a positive impact on one person, I have achieved my goal.
Diagnosis and Symptoms.
As far as I can tell, for these kind of tumours, the symptoms generally present themselves as physical swelling. Due to the location of my tumour and the fast growing nature of it, it was restricting my bowel movements which meant that I was struggling to digest food, open my bowels and a general feeling of sickness.
One strange symptom which occurred but only for a couple of days was night sweats. I initially thought I’d wet myself as the sheets and duvet were sodden. I then realised that I was dripping with sweat even though I was cold. Since having steroids, this symptom has gone.
In my case (being fit and healthy) the diagnosis was a fairly slow process. I first saw the GP about the swelling, who suggestive it could be my appendix due to the location. I was then referred to a gastroenterologist who again felt my stomach and suggested that as I was in fairly good health otherwise and the pain was not too severe, it could be something like Chron’s disease. So he referred me for a CT scan so they could get a better look.
While waiting for the CT scan, I became a little more unwell and pains, cramps and discomfort were getting more severe. I reached the point where I couldn’t eat any more and was being sick. At this point, I phoned 111 who sent me to an out of hours GP at 11:30 pm Friday 12th December. He decided to admit me to the hospital for safety. I spent about 5 days there where they kept me under observation and pulled my CT scan forward. The scan results were inconclusive especially noting that I had no visible signs in my blood tests, so they then performed a biopsy of the mass to determine it’s nature.
By Wednesday I was feeling a little better and the pain had been brought under control using pain relief and eating a purée diet to help food pass through my system. They decided to send me home over Christmas so they could identify and plan my treatment over the break with a view to starting in the new year.
The biopsy results came in on Friday 19th, and I was called into Worcester Royal Hospital which has a specialist oncology team who have been looking after me ever since.
robinbtaylor 
Robin, we are sending you all good wishes and will follow your blog with interest and compassion. You are one brave dude. Love from all the Anscombes xxx And Merry Christmas x
Thanks, and merry Christmas to you all too.
wishing you BIG get well wishes Robin, glad to hear they are looking after you xxx
Thanks both.
Robin,
We are all thinking of you and praying for recovery. Please do continue this blog of your experience. I think it will help many people better understand what you are going through as well as help us feel a bit closer even though we are on the other side of the world.
Sending healing prayers and thoughts to you and support to your family.
Take care!
Rosie, Paul and the kids.
xox
Thanks Rosie, good to hear from you. Hope you all are having a great break.
very brave think your doing with this blog my thoughts and prayers are with you xxxxxxxxxx
Appreciated, thanks.
Hey mate very sorry to hear about this. If there’s anything I can do to help re medical translation or anything at all give me a shout
Best wishes
Dave
Thanks Dave, good to hear from you and appreciate the offer, please feel free to make corrections if I’ve missunderstood something- I’m finding the technicalities really interesting.
Hi Robin,
I’m sorry that you’re going through this and I’m sending you best wishes. The blog is really interesting and you should definitely keep it up, I will be following with positive thoughts.
Vicki xx
Thanks Vicki, hope all is well with you.
Sorry to hear the news Robin. All the blakes are behind you. Truly inspirational that you are doing this to benefit other people. I know your strong so keep fighting mate.
All the best
Martin
Cheers Martin, glad to hear you’re ok.
Hi Robin, hope you’re keeping your spirits up, best wishes.
Cheers Dave, my target is to be back on form ready for Pilton 2015!
Happy New Year Robin, hope you are managing to enjoy today with your family and loved ones. Best wishes from the Anscombes x
Happy New Year Robin.
Well Robin I hope you get better soon. Sorry to hear about your current situation, I have no doubt that you will pull through.
Lots of love
Martyn & Ash
Cheers both, hope you had a good one, speak soon.
Hi! Robin, Don’t know if you remember me? I’m Anne Hill who used to child-mind your younger brother Daniel. So sorry to hear about your illness, we (the hill family) are thinking of you and send our best love and wishes for a speedy recovery. Be strong and keep smiling!
Regards,
Anne and Mike Hill.
Hello Anne, thanks for your thoughts, regards, Robin.
Thinking of you Robin.. Stay strong u can fight this Cus xxxxx