Big Al’s Fight Of His Life | Other

Big Al’s Fight Of His Life

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24.01.2022 Today, one year ago, my world changed. On the 11th of December 2018 I was in the emergency department at cairns base hospital looking down the barrel of a suspected stroke. As you all know, it turned out to be much more life threatening.... One year can make a huge difference in a persons life. Changes I was not prepared for, nor the gravity of the scope of those changes. The culmination of all my fears hit home all at once, I was unaware how ill I really was. On Saturday the 14th is December, it will be one year since I got the diagnosis of cancer, was told the odds, and knew I was up for the battle of my life.. Well this year I’m considering my birthday, the 14th of December, my First birthday!! I have, with the fantastic support of my family and friends, both near and far, made it through the toughest year a man can go through. My body is recovering, as is my mind. I feel that, after a year of self examination and reflection, I am a better person, more empathetic and understanding, and am happy to be me. So on Saturday, please spend a few moments thinking of your loved ones, reflect on who you are deep inside, and be grateful for the love that surrounds you. I have so many people that I need to thank, I’m not sure where to start. So I will just say to all, thank you for being there for me and my family and I send love from the deepest part of my soul. Sent with deepest respect and love Al.

19.01.2022 Guess what!!!! CT scan showed........ Bugger all they can work with! Apparently..... the medical team needs more data on what is growing, and now I have to await the arrival of a special camera/ ultrasound device and then have Channel 7 slide down my throat!! ... They don’t want to do a biopsy as the masses are too deep and in an area just full of nerves and god knows what. At this point they will not consider surgery either..... So...... More tests I wonder what IS growing in there... I’ve seen ALIEN

18.01.2022 I had a nice sleep at the hospital today, camera into my stomach looking for god knows what. Now we wait for the results.......

17.01.2022 Just an update. Al is back in hospital with high calcium again. Same as back in July. They are giving him IV fluids to flush out the calcium and doing some investigation into why it is high again.

17.01.2022 Well we had a scheduled checkup with the radiation doctor yesterday! He put a small camera scope through the right nostril to look at the nasopharyngeal area. It looks good, still lots of mucus and breakdown of tumour there, which make it sound like Al always has a cold, but no nasty red inflamed areas. So that’s it from the radiation doctors for 6 months. Yay! The latest PET scan shows no changes from the last one, 3 months ago. So that is also great news. ... Big hugs Big Al

15.01.2022 I think I might have some extra time to kill Boredom sux

13.01.2022 More tests and biopsy’s to come in January Stable at the moment, just need to look after myself in the heat...More tests and biopsy’s to come in January Stable at the moment, just need to look after myself in the heat...

13.01.2022 My radiation mask was a critical part of my treatment. It stopped me from moving more than a few millimeters, keeping the beam of radiation directed at the same point each time I had treatment. I got to take it home as a souvenir of the experience. But each time I looked at it I got scared and my thoughts would go back to the radiation treatment room.... not nice I’ve lost about 60 kg from my maximum weight. Today I’m 92 kg. The mask looks huge compared to my body shape now. ...Putting it on was a real eye opener, as I didn’t ever consider myself FAT, just large. In fact I hate the term Fat and never use it to describe either myself or others, as it is hurtful and disrespectful. You never know why someone is of a larger build. Medical issues, emotional dependence, even loneliness can all cause even the fitness people to gain unwanted weight. My feelings of apprehension, when I look at my mask, are now abating, as I decided to make it represent my survival and future good health. The simple act of attaching air plants to the surface changed it from a shell of my former self into a positive reminder of how far I have come. As the plants grow bigger and stronger with the passing months, I will also grow. My health WILL improve as time progresses, and like the plants, i can use the mask as a support, not something that brings feelings of fear and dread, but for the endless possibilities in front of me. Life grows.

11.01.2022 Great news, the cancer has shrunk and appears to be inactive!!!Great news, the cancer has shrunk and appears to be inactive!!!

10.01.2022 Al had an UES Endoscopy this afternoon. The doctor was able to obtain a needle biopsy from the lymph nodes in the coeliac region. We will get the results of this next week. Al has been keeping ok, his calcium is still fluctuating, he is down to 93kilos, but his appetite is ok, especially for roast vegetables for dinner and porridge for breakfast. He has been drinking between 4.5 and 5 litres of water every day to help his poor kidneys. We will keep this page updated as we get results. Big hugs

08.01.2022 Hospitals food is ok but nothing beats home cooked.

06.01.2022 I have spent the last year focused on surviving and getting stronger so I would be able to walk my daughter down the aisle. Her ongoing support and encouragement helps me achieve this wonderful milestone. Jesie Turner I’m so very blessed to be able to be there for your special day. It was so wonderful to see you married to such a fantastic bloke, Chris Turner. ... Thank you both for keeping me focused and strong.

05.01.2022 To all of my friends in Facebook world.... Due to the widespread and growing issues with the Covid19 virus currently ripping across Australia like a mad mother of 6 that sees the last packet of toilet paper at Woolies, I have been told by my Doctor that I should self isolate ASAP. So I did... with my cancer treatment and lung disease ( sarcoidosis) I’m in the hi risk category and am not willing to stroll down the Esplanade on my way to the Casino.... or to the above mention...ed Woolies.... So don’t worry if you don’t get an answer when knocking at my door, listen carefully and you will hear the angelic tones of me yelling Bugger Off Love to all and stay safe

05.01.2022 Yay. Home for a very silent sleep...... no beeps, ....or alarms... or nurses checking obs..... or other patients talking, snoring or making other such noises. But first a nice long hot shower.... as the air conditioning in hospital had me freezing Big Loves... Big Al

04.01.2022 Today a milestone of sorts..... 96 kg! I haven’t been this weight since I was teaching Karate!!!Today a milestone of sorts..... 96 kg! I haven’t been this weight since I was teaching Karate!!!

03.01.2022 I had my 6 monthly appointment today with the ENT specialist. The doctors are very happy with my progress, and have said I’m well on the road to recovery. The scope showed little activity, apart from a lot of gunk. It’s still a bit inflamed, but I have to get some spray to soothe the back of my nasopharyngeal cavity. Vonnie and I are so happy with the results from today...... look out world, Al’s Back!!!

03.01.2022 Well no news is good news. The biopsy that they took last week through the stomach wall, didn’t show anything. It was either too small a sample or from the wrong part of the lymph node. They will schedule another test to see if they can get a better sample. So more tests coming up. We will keep you all updated as we know more. Al had a wonderful birthday on Saturday, he had us out dancing until nearly midnight.

03.01.2022 Even though Al has lost a lot of weight since March when he finished his treatment, he has stabilised at between 96-98 kilos now. This morning he grabbed a pair of shorts out of the cupboard that he hadn’t worn since last year. The difference is amazing.

01.01.2022 4 days and 10 lt of fluid, must be time to go pee