I have a swelling under my left jaw.Its on the mandible.Its on the opposite side to where my tumour was when I had base of tongue cancer.At first I thought it was a reaction to a temporary filling on a bottom tooth.I did have some toothache a while ago.

I noticed the swelling on the 8th Sept.Strangley this was on the way home from a Scotland football match where I had been shouting all day

I went to the dentist on the Monday(an already arranged appointment) and he did an X Ray ,he couldn't see anything but gave me a weeks course of penicilin,

The swelling is up and down but its enough to make me concerned.Five days into the treatment I was concerned enough to go down to my doctors who has sent to letter to my oncologist asking for him to see me in his next surgery.Hopefully this week.

Only to say I am depressed and paranoid.I hope to see see the oncologist this week.

Will be thinking of you Robert, hope all goes well.

Keep positive.

Mum

I hope they get you in to see your Dr as soon as possible, we let our mind play terrible tricks on us while we worry. I'm thinking of you and good luck. Tracey

Good news

I have an appointment on Monday with my oncologist and 10.45am

Hi Robert,
I'll be holding your hand if you hold mine!
Talk about living on the edge!
Will be thinking of you Monday.
Michelle

Yes Michelle

I am rooting for you and hope that all goes well

Hi Robert, Michelle
I guess it's Monday night over there right now. I hope everything went well for you Robert.
Chelle
I've been out of the loop and think I've missed something. Are you OK?
Trevor is in hospital so I feel I'm in a time warp, sleeping at all the wrong times ~ I probably have jet lag!
He went in on Saturday night after a few horrid nights with the old mucous episodes, losing weight (as everyone knows about), and vomitting. By Saturday he was so weak,not only did he not have the strength to do his feeds, he didn't want me to either. So, after one more heave I rang the hospital and down to Adelaide we went. We got the the emergency dept at 11.45 pm and he was finally admitted at about 2.20pm on Sunday!!!
Needless to say, by yesterday he was looking much better (re-hydration makes a big difference!) and back onto his feeds. They have upped his pain meds as well which is great. While I was there yesterday he was only awake for very short bursts and kept apologising. That is the trouble when he's home. He has enough pain med to knock the pain off, that makes him sleep and he thinks he should be socialising or doing something and doesn't rest. A vicious circle, so I'll be happy to have him in there for a few days. Oblivion has GOT to be good for recovery, surely.
So that's it from us. Love from Trevor and also from me.
Deborah

Dear Michelle,
I am pretty cool about your problem as I know nothing is going to happen to you.You've been through your quota of fun of playing and beating the hell out of cancer - let the bashing continue.
Lots and lots of love,
Ananth

Dear Robert,
I am sure your visit to the Oncologist went of well and it better have as you are my cricket partner and you got to open the innings for a long time to come. We are going to exchange a lot of notes on the upcoming series - so you better keep well.
Love,
Ananth

Dear Deborah and Trevor,
I hope things have settled down - you have had a breather and Trevor is comfortable.If one has been the socialising type its always tough to change ways suddenly as memories tend to come back and one really cannot blame anyone for feeling the way Trevor does. I used to love socialising but after this came around - I have cut myself off from a lot of my so called "society - page 3, Friends" and they do become a pain as they come over and hang around putting on the normal act they all do ( I used to do the same!!). When all these people come across or others who I know will just hang around without understanding that at times one wants to be alone - I just leave instructions not to let them into my place by informing them I am resting. Its not that I do not miss my outings but one just has to adapt to the limit one can go upto. At times memories come flooding back in such a wave that one almost wants to break down and cry, but just wipe the first tear off and get back into the present.
I am sure Trevor will be fine and after you have had your rest and he his outing at the hospital - it will be smooth sailing again.
Keep Trevor in good spirits (dont let him drink them though!!) and you take care and get totally refreshed over these few days.

With tons of love to both of you,
Ananth

Ananth

Nervous day yesterday

The oncologist has given me three potential areas of diagnosis

His feeling is it may be a congested or blocked salivary gland.The second is an infection and lastly the "c".He took and biopsy by inserting a needle into my neck

He also asked me to drink and lot more citrus based liquids and put me on a a further course of steriods

He said they will give me a thorough going over to make sure .I will be back there next week to get the results

I am feeling a lot more positive

Hello Robert
So glad that you have been given 'options'. Let's choose the best one and give the others the old heave ho.
Good luck with it all. Will be watching and waiting to hear how you get on.
Cheers
Deborah

Hi Ananth
Trevor looked like a new man when I visited today! He was quite alert and awake for most of my visit. He seems to be swallowing much easier today so I hope that continues and he even had a couple of sips of lemon cordial which he got down pretty well and thought that he may have even tasted something ~ here's hoping.
I think he might be released tomorrow. He was asking after everyone on the site ~ I think he's keen to get back amongst it all with you all.
Tell me Ananth ~ did Australia win against Pakistan last week?
Must away
Cheers from Australia
Deborah

Dear Robert,
Reading your post has convinced me(and I imagine all others) that everything is okay with you. That needle thing was done to me too and boy!! I would not like to go through that very often. I am pretty sure even if something different shows up -it would be an infection where we all tend think - this is it!! As long as you remain positive, which I see you are- then it is nothing a few antibiotics and vitamins would not solve.
There is no question of not feeling positive as the word "not" should not even exist in your vocabulary as you have always been positive. (well, it least since we started of on our chats).
Please do keep us posted about all the details as you are a great sport and guy and nothing can stop you from surging ahead and getting the best out of life.
Take care my friend,
... and a big bear hug,
Ananth

Dear Deborah and Trevor - Though I imagine its Deborah who is going to read this post first, I am really thrilled at hearing her news on the developments. Do tell me who did she think you were when she met you this visit? - She says you were a new man - Crocodile Dundee? Naw - thats lame and def. not Shane Warne!! But for her to have said this you must be looking great. Regarding the lime cordial that you are enjoying - I hope you have not got a bit of gin tucked away under your pillows. Where do you keep the olives so that Deb does not find them??
Deborah - The poor Aussies - They got trashed by everyone who came along and they were the only side who were playing their main players. I cannot even come close to describe the belting they got from India to enter the finals. Then of course - the war between India and Pakistan in the finals. These matches are always nail biting but then our guys had to win - so India has become the first twenty - twenty world champions ( HipHIP Horray ). There are not too many things I love about this place but cricket overshadows everything and another reason for my cricket phobia is all thanks to my Dad, who was a first class Player and passed on a few of his skills to yours truly which in turn gave me a chance to play for India in the Under 16 and Under 19 - Team India. I have played against some of the best players from both Australia and England.So now you know why cricket preceedes everything else in my life. My wife Sonya keeps moaning that she is a cricket widow and I can vouch for that!!!

Tell the new guy you met up with to come back home with you and flirt around with him and I am sure once you do that he will be okay and especially if you keep giving him lime cordial!!!

Have fun and both of you take care of each other. We folks are always around but its the two of you who have to live with one another.

Lots of love and a special hug to you and the new guy in your life.
Ananth