Derrick White

R.I.P Derrick White, 05/09/07.
He lost the battle and we have lost a giant.

CONFUSION ..CONT'D

As Les pointed out, even when a scientist makes a truly great discovery, it is often two or three decades before the Orthodox lobby accepts the breakthrough. From Galileo to Pasteur along with countless other scientists have all been pilloried by the Establishment, not unlike so many artists who have died penniless when not long after death their paintings are selling for sums they could only dream of.
The other aspect of treatments is the tendency to use euphemisms. There is something cosy about a nurse who asks you to 'take a wee seat' or offers you 'a wee cup of tea' or 'we'll give you a nice freshen up with a wee bed bath'. The wee makes it less imperious than the rather English 'take a seat'. However when undergoing treatments of pills (I have lost count) and radio therapy it is not all that helpful to be told, 'you might have a wee touch of diahorrea/constipation/stomach pain' whatever. Or metastasis (the spread of cancer to the bones) 'might make you a wee bit low in energy'. I know this is all well intended but take bone cancer for example. This causes decalcification of the bones, the calcium enters the blood stream pollouting the blood and reducing the oxygen content. The result is absolute exhaustion at the expenditure of almost any energy. Bernice and I went to another bullfight yesterday (she is now an incurable fan) we had to walk up the terraced seats -15 rows only - and at the top I was so utterly breathless I simply collapsed. Apart from the panic and pain, I felt such a prick, unable to climb some steps. The chivalrous Spanish - bless them- gathered round in numbers to help.
The O medical world is also remarkably circumspect in addressing the issue of what happens after all the treatments have been tried. As my pal Les points out, the world of oncology is devoted to extending the life of the cancer patient. None of them seem to be into the business of cure. When one reaches the end of the wire it is only reasonable to ask 'what next'. So far I haven't had a concrete answer. It may be my Spanish. However Bean and I are back in the UK for another wedding (we had to skip the last one for Bean's mother's funeral). I propose to confront either my GP there or the Oncologist/Urologist at the WGH.
Many thanks from so many well-wishers. Will aim for some cheerier stuff next blog.

CONFUSION REIGNS.

The physical side of cancer is bad enough but coupled with the mental stress you don't need any more. The third factor is confusion. Spend some time reading the web pages on cancer and the you will be exhausted just by reading. There is this also this awful rivalry between so-called orthodox medicine and the 'unorthodox'. My learned and loyal friend, Les, in Majorca acts as a filter for me. He devours information, weeds out the crap, and advises on what he believes could be a winning direction. He has great faith in a cancer specialist (non-O) Bob Dowling in the U.S. who seems to be be getting results outwith the normal treatments of radio therapy and chemo. I am yet to be convinced but keep an open mind. Then there are the health food paths from Graviola to Sodi Bicarb plus a few hundred more. The O's seem to be so superior and dismissive on any course of treatment which is not recommended by the medical authorities - almost a form of anxious jealousy. En passant, most doctors would not accept Chemo for themselves - reassuring or what?
I'll return to this shortly

BACK TO WALES

The blog should really be accurate, devoid of hopefullys and perhaps woolly dates, so here a bit more detail. We arrived at WGH edinburgh on 8 June and met with Dr Bolina (Hd of Urology). He has taken me off both Casodex and Zoladex and introduced Oestrogen which is the female hormone. On top of this I had many tests, blood (psa) tests, nuclear medicine, bone scan, chest xray and any other necessary tests.
Leaving me on Oestrogen for time being. Back to WGH Edinburgh on Monday 9th July for stent change and a report on other findings. Wont know till done.
Return to Spain mid-july if WGH consider progress is satisfactory.
One benefit is that we can spend time with Bernice's father. He is an old stoic but there are times when we can tell that his grief is overwhelming. So WGH or no we would have to have been here for quite some time anyway

FACT/FICTION OVERLAP

Don't know how many laws Sod put on the statute book but here's his latest. We packed up to fly SW19 to attend cousin Laura's daughter's wedding, but ended up attending Bernice's Mother's funeral just two days later.

As we were in the UK we decided to attend the Western General Hospital to sort out the litany of aches and pains associated with my prostate cancer. WGH good as gold and thorough as always. Downside they established a clear link between prostate cancer and the multiplicity of pains I had endured. Aches and pains as deduced turn out to be a spread of prostate cancer to various parts of the body especially the bones. Bottom line - it now looks like I have about 18 months to live possibly less. Next treatment is oestrogen which for all you cross dressers out there can make an Arthur a Martha. ( I am really looking forward to this one).

MARGARET - R I P

Beanscene : 11th June 2007

We laid my Mum to rest a week ago today. The day broke overcast but dry and warm. Despite it being a Monday we expected a good turnout of Margaret’s many friends but we were taken aback to find the Church full to overflowing when we arrived.

St. Ismael’s Church at Uzmaston is set in beautiful, remote countryside overlooking the Cleddau river – a peaceful haven rarely found in today’s crowded, busy world. The setting and the Service could not have been more serene.

Then followed the long twenty-mile journey to the Crematorium but as the sun broke through it lit up not only the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside but also the colourful Freesias atop Margaret’s coffin. It made Margaret’s casket seem to smile rather as she would have. Perhaps the most inspiring moment of the day was on arrival at Parc Gwyn Crematorium to find the Haverfordwest Bowling Club turned out in strength, blazer badges glinting in the sun. They formed two flanks of honour and stood respectfully while the coffin proceeded inside.

We filed in to the reciting of the 23rd Psalm. Again, such a gathering of so many folk they were standing at the sides and back of both upper and lower floors. Other than a brief prayer and the poignant drawing of the curtains there was little left to say and we proceeded into the courtyard where countless well wishers queued patiently to pay their respects to Peter and his family. Mum and Dad were married 3 months short of 55 years.

The final stop was Haverfordwest Cricket Club where many chose to join us for a more leisurely chat over refreshments.

In summary we could not have asked for a more perfect yet spiritual day and we express our warmest thanks to all those who made the effort to join us and to those who were with us in thought.

MARK OF RESPECT

It is only proper to record that Bernice's mother, Margaret Andree Thain, died this morning at 06.50 at one month short of her 84th birthday. Personal correspondences will of course be taken up with the individuals concerned. Margaret Thain RIP.