Another One Bites the Dust!

[speedbird591]

Who is Ian.. who is

The swivel-eyed loonies, Dave - that's who

Ian

[Tomliner]

The swivel-eyed loonies, Dave - that's who

Ian

Hellooo,thought I heard my name.Did somebody call? EricT

[Paul K]

Ian, I'm so shocked and saddened to read your news. This is profoundly moving. Can you give us an idea of the treatment you will receive, and how long we can all hope to have you here with us ?

[TSR2]

How did you get on today mate? Hope it wasn't too uncomfortable.

[Garry Russell]

Hi Ian

Sorry mate, I'm in Helsinki so not been following the forum.

Well, what can I say..as someone else mention...that's been said already

If it's any consolation while your still here there is no reason not to carry on

Four and a half years now since St. Peter decided not to let me in...must have been knocking on the wrong door.

I took the piss out the cancer and laughed at some of the situations I got into...show it who's boss.

I just hope all goes well for you and we are always here and if things get too much you can always come here and realise whatever it was won't seem half as bad after you've read our jokes.

All the best mate...as been said you are very fit in an underlying sense and that will keep you going for a while yet

Take care

[speedbird591]

Hi Paul - nice to see you back! Hello Ben.

Well, in answer to your questions. No procedures today, Ben. I saw the consultant just over a week ago and using his experience, the results of a myriad of tests and mainly the CT scan, he said that he is in no doubt that it's mesothelioma. What happens next is some blood tests at my GP's on Tuesday in preparation for a procedure which I've just heard is on 05/06 at Royal United Hospital in Bath. That will be a 'CT guided biopsy'. It means that I'll go in the CT scanner with a local anaesthetic while somebody takes a sliver from one of the lumps in my right pleural membrane. They do it in the scanner so that they can see exactly where they're going. This is just an outpatient procedure although I do get a lay down for a couple of hours afterwards

When this is examined I suppose they'll know more about how advanced the cancer is. A week or so after that I'll see the consultant again for the final assessment and diagnosis and will have some idea of time and whether there are any treatment options. He said that his colleagues in oncology may suggest some chemo to help but it wouldn't be a cure. I've already had a chat with one of the lung cancer specialist nurses who are there on a direct phone as a first point of contact for me and the family. Eventually my care and treatment is handed over to the local hospice nurses. That's all I know at the moment. I must say, everybody I've met in the NHS including the doctors, the consultant and the nurses have been wonderful. Very kind and considerate and given me all the time I need. I've been very lucky.

My GP has prescibed some fairly mild painkillers for the annoying pain in my ribs. They're like ibuprofen but the first level of prescription-only and I just take 2 a day and it keeps me comfortable. I'm keeping busy with solicitors and financial projects which are going well and spending my afternoons strolling through town and sitting in the coffee shop reading the paper on the iPad. There's plenty to keep me busy but the urgent stuff is done so I can just do a bit of clearing out and paperwork at a time. Once I have the final diagnosis and a rough time scale I'll retire from work (well, I already have - I just haven't told them yet ) and get my pension benefits and I start my state pension today with a lump sum to come from having deferred it for 18 months.

So I'm in a sort of limbo for 2-3 weeks but there's not much doubt about the outcome so I'm just enjoying relaxing while I can.

Thanks for asking, guys. I'm fine talking about it but I hope it's not too detailed for any squeamish wimps on the forum

Only joking - we're all macho on here, aren't we?

EDIT: Hi Garry Just seen your post. Helsinki? Surely things can't be that bad that going to Helsinki is an option

Many thanks for your encouragement and thoughts - and for allowing me to join the select club! I realise the main benefit is that you can say what you like here and nobody can be rude to you without looking bad

Ian

[VEGAS]

Hi Ian,

Sorry to come in late also. Things been extremely hectic at this end so not read any of the posts lately.

Got to say I'm shocked and saddened by the news mate but I have to salute you for your strong positivity and amazing courage.

There's nothing I'd add to the previous remarks but what I would say is your a fit fella who'd put some youngsters to shame in terms of activity.

I suppose no one truly knows when its their time. Try and forget the future for a while and enjoy the present.

I'm not really a religious fella but I will pray for you and your on-going treatment.

[Garry Russell]

Hi Garry Just seen your post. Helsinki? Surely things can't be that bad that going to Helsinki is an option

It's my partner trying to Finnish me off

[Scorpius]

Hi Ian,

Sad, so sad. Are you able to stay at FGW although 'off track'?. There are some advantages.

Nev

[speedbird591]

It's my partner trying to Finnish me off

Oh no!

Hello Eddie. Did you have a good holiday? It's a pity the weather wasn't better for you. Did you get to Cornwall? I suppose you've just got the weekend to relax and then start your new career on Tuesday? Exciting, eh. Oh and thanks for your thoughts - I don't know if praying for me will do a lot of good now. If there's anybody listening he'll have given up on me long ago When the lung cancer specialist nurse was having a supportive chat with me she said 'You're being very calm about it. Is it because of your religious beliefs?' I laughed and said 'No, I do my own thinking. But if I'm wrong perhaps it's god's punishment for not believing in him!' That brought a smile to her face

Nev - I know where you're coming from. You're thinking of the death-in-service benefit from Railway Pensions. I've made several calls to them to find out if there's a critical illness aspect to it and various other questions. It's a bit of a minefield but worth looking at because Mrs Speedbird could get quite a few handbags for £91k! The problem is that you 'have to die in service'. As soon as you're off the payroll you don't get it. So it's good if you have a heart attack or get run over by a train. As soon as one has a terminal illness confirmed, however, then the TOC is within it's rights to terminate your employment on the grounds of ill health. i.e. you're not going to get better and do any work for them again. It's possible that if I get a short-time prognosis they may consider paying out under the ill-health termination but because I'm over the state pension age, ill-health retirement is not an option. It's just 'retirement'. So it looks unlikely that she can get that but she'll be OK without and I haven't told her about it anyway. The RMT haven't shown much interest despite the LDC man pressing them. I'll have a word with the boss and HR when I've got the word from the consultant and see if they've got any thoughts on it.

Cheers for now

Ian