January 15th 2019 second PSA test now at 9.
February attended cancer consultant. He ordered an MRI for me.
August 7 MRI.
September 8 Biopsy and blood test PSA now 13.
September 11 CT scan.
September 16 Bone scan.
September 27 consultation and diagnoses.
On a scale of 1 to 10 I was 9 for Prostrate cancer with spots in my Lungs and Bones.
September 30 treatment begins nine months after first alert.
I've met men of all ages, young and old, in St James. So my message to all men get tested. It could save your life. We, men that is, need to talk more about MENS health issues.
It is now mid November and I'm two months into my treatment. I had a CT scan on November 14 and blood tests. My PSA has dropped to 0.4 and the spots on my lungs have reduced in size. At the moment I am receiving monthly hormone injections, I've changed my diet to plant based, given up all alcohol and taking Rick Simpson Oil, 70% THC, small amounts three times daily. I started the oil on October 23, One month ago today.
My experience with St James Hospital has not been a good one. My care is being transferred to Tullamore hospital. I am seeking a second opinion. My confidence in my current care team is very low.
The farce continued in St James when on November 8 I received a call to confirm an appointment for the next day. An appointment that was never made with me. My final appointment with the Oncology consultant in St James was on December 6 2019. Finally everything was explained too little too late.
PSA 0.45
My first appointment in Tullamore was on December 9 2019. A breath of fresh air at last I'm treated like a human not just a number. As we sat and spoke to the consultant I realised that they were as much in the dark as us, St James had passed a minimum amount of information.
I met with my GP on December 11. He had very little information from St James, what a surprise!
I attended Tullamore on January 3 accompanied by all of my family. We received a very detailed explanation of the treatment ahead. After the consultation I was shown around the hospital by a very kind porter. All communication is on a first name basis I am not just a number. No questions asked were left unanswered. A different world from St James everyone I meet from receptionist, Nurses, porters, doctors and consultants a friendly smile "how can I help " not why are you bordering me.
I start Chemotherapy on Monday January 6.
I attend Tullamore Hospital today for my first Chemotherapy treatment. All went very well the staff are very helpful, tea or coffee and scones on arrival, sandwiches and soup for lunch, Spring water on tap free. St James rapid treatment service could learn a lot from this local community Hospital.
On November 8 I applied for a second opinion. December 23 Second opinion consultant has received my notes form my GP nothing from St James. Today January 6 I received mail from second opinion consultant no records from St James why am I not surprised.
I've had a very rough week of side effects from the Chemo but all seems to be settling down. Days three to six were the worst. A lot of pain in my body raised temperature and flu like.
January13
To top it all now I have a chest infection been treat aggressively with antibiotics as if I'm not taking enough Tablets. I had a weird nightmare b]caused by the fever I'm guessing. Still it's not going to bring me down.If the infection has not cleared within three days then it's hospital. Thats not happening.
Chest infection is clearing today is January 15. The antibiotics are working another couple of days and I'll be good.Looking forward to a good nights sleep.
When I was too ill to call the Hospital myself , my daughter phoned Tullamore oncology unit spoke to a nurse on my behalf. She treated like an neighbour, friendly and as if the nurse was talking to me, what a lovely comforting feeling knowing that they have my back.
Chemotherapy Side effects
Jan 6 Day 1 received Chemo
Day 2 a Little Pain
Day 3,4,5 Very strong pain
Day 6 Chest infection, Doctor AntiBiotics
Day 7,8 Chest infection
Day 9,10 Antibiotics
Day 11 Back to normal all good
Day 12 back walking first walk of 2020 5K.
Day 13 5K walk
Day 14 January 20 Back to Tullamore for blood tests all perfect. 3K walk.
Day 15 3K walk
Day 16 8K walk
Day 17 7.41K walk
Day 18 10.25K walk
Day 19 7K walk
Day 20 rest day take drugs in prep for tomorrow.
Day 21 all good 27 January 2020 Tullamore today for the next round of Chemotherapy.
Chemo went well. Again I have nothing but praise for Tullamore Oncology and the staff. They listen and acted to improve the side effects going forward. I met a doctor and she gave me plenty of time to explain and show her the spread sheet recording my daily symptoms.
Day one after second round of Chemo. I slept well with no side effects so far.
Day two after second round of Chemo. No significant side effects unlike first. My PSA is now 0.3 great.
Day 3,4,5 all good very little side effects seems isolation is working.
Today is day seven of the second round of Chemo February 3. The week went well virtually no side effects. I went for my first walk , with Lenny(my dog) and Luke my grandson not yet a year old, yesterday. The plan is to walk every day for the next 14 days increasing distance every day until I achieve 10k. Then the cycle begins again.
Today February 6 I am back to normal with a 10k walk today. I've been asked about my daily routine so here goes.
I awake around 5.30am
Practice Reiki on myself cover 8 Chakras. Chakras are energy centres within the body.
Meditate for about twenty to thirty minutes. I practice Mindfulness meditation.
Eat a light breakfast
Go walking.
In the afternoon I meditate for thirty minutes.
This works for me it may not work for everyone but in some form it might. I have copied my Reiki story to give an insight into my practice.
Today February 17 2020 I had my third round of Chemotherapy. All went well no issues. If fact with some fine adjustments after the second round I had very little side effects. All good I'm looking forward to getting back on the river for the Mayfly.
I raised my morning regime to one hour @ 4am with Mindfulness meditation and Reiki
Today February 28 I had a CT scan looking forward to results.
Today March 1 2020 all good back to normal for more than a week now.
Today March 9 2020 I had my fourth round of Chemotherapy and CT scan results. Results are positive showing signs of healing no spread of cancer. Bones are now clear and my lungs improving signs. Roll on May I'll be back on the water.
March 17 2020 St Patricks day and we are all on lock down. No Pubs no Guinness what is the world coming to. Predicted numbers for infected from Coronavirus 15,000 by the weekend. We are all safe and together so far.
March 18 Out early shopping well done to all the supermarket staff there to help us. Supervalue, Dunnes and Tesco all catering for those of us with underlying medical conditions. I had to visit all three to get everything I needed but everyone was very helpful. Thank you.
March 21 This is my 76 day in self imposed isolation. I entered this on January 6 after my first Chemo round. Day one to six after each round I completely isolate. I learned the hard way as I got a chest infection after my first round. Day seven to twenty one I ease it off a bit but I'm still very aware and limit my exposure. What keeps me sane? Simple Meditation if I can't go out I go in.
March 25 eighty days in.
I will be travelling to Holyhead Wales in April to visit my long lost Fathers grave and meet my Welsh family. Unfortunately I've had to cancel due to this f***in virus.On March 27th Ireland officially went into lockdown. Over 70 are to be Cocooned whatever that means.
Today April 1st I enter day 87 of my self imposed lockdown. We have to keep a positive outlook otherwise we will fail.
Without my family I would not get through this. Unfortunately not everyone is as lucky as me. Some go looking for solutions in a bottle but it won't be found there. Others become bitter and lash out at all around this doesn't work. We must stick together love one another care and take care.
April 4th my 70th birthday. We had a virtual birthday party, my great grandson from London, My Granddaughter and great Granddaughter from Moate, My Grandson and great Granddaughter and great Grandson from Roscommon, My Daughter and Grandson from Athlone and my Grandson from Louth. All on line to sing happy birthday to me and help me blow out my candle.Also all my children and wife beside me.
April 6th fifth round of Chemo. We have moved from Tullamore Hospital to the Hermitage Clinic, there was a lot of confusion and a long wait but the nurses and staff were wonderful chatting and singing through what was a difficult day for them.
April 8th now day 95 in isolation, not total isolation but for 20 of the 95 I've had to total isolate to prevent in section. Stay home, stay well and stay safe.
April 9th on Monday I engage the Professional services the research company of BBC's Long Lost Families program. Already they have identified, a man who could be my father and two possible brothers in Holyhead.
| Owen Williams (Father) Born 1929 | Died 1997 | Married Glenys Lewis in 1954 | ||
| Peter | Born 1955 | Living in Holyhead | ||
| Eric | Born 1952 | |||
My Reiki Story
In 1988 I began to suffer from blackouts, dizziness, disorientation and heart palpitations. I went to my doctor and he referred to hospital for tests. Over the next eighteen months I was tested for every type of illness and condition. All the tests came back negative. Then my doctor began to look at my mental state to see if there was an underlying mental cause for my condition. He came to the conclusion that I was suffering panic attacks brought on by stress.
I had set up my business in 1985 and spent every waking hour working to develop it. This entailed working long hours, sometimes all night and over weekends. Also I had not taken a holiday since starting the business.
In 1987 I lost my father to cancer. During his last months I spent every night by his bedside. Grabbing whatever sleep I could in a chair. While my mother slept soundly in her bed. On the day he was buried I listened to my mother tell of her sleepless night. None of which was true. This caused great anger within me. I walked out of the house and got on with my life. I did not give myself time to grieve his passing. On January fourth 1988 I blacked out at a business meeting and woke up in the casualty department of a Dublin hospital.
My doctor suggested that I attend a Clinical Psychologist for counselling and treatment. I refused, I could not accept that my mind could be affecting my body in this way. After all I thrived on pressure. I struggled on for another couple of years but finally accepted that I had to get help. I attended a Psychologist for six months. She recommended some relaxation techniques and medication. I took the medication for about a week but I felt out of control on it and stopped taking it. She also recommended some reading material. Which included Louise Hay’s “You Can Heal Your Life” and “The Power Within You”. I also began to explore Buddhism. In these I read about the power of Mind over body.
I began practicing relaxation techniques and breath control. I studied various types of meditation and other complimentary medicine disciplines.
I thought I had my life under control. I continued to develop my business and take on more and more projects both in business and also in my leisure time.
In my leisure time I had joined my local rugby club and very soon after joining took on the role of Director of Youth Rugby. Within a year I was on the way to becoming President of the club. In 1999 I was elected President. Little did I realize the detrimental effect all of this was having on my health. My brain was writing cheques that my body could not cash.
Finally in 2002 my body gave up, I suffered a heart attack. While I was in hospital my children came to visit and informed me that I was about to retire. Reluctantly I accepted their decision.
Now with all this free time on my hands, having successfully completed cardio rehab, I went back to studying complimentary medicines. I attended a college in Dublin studying Anatomy, Physiology, Reflexology and Reiki.
I really enjoyed the Reiki treatment sessions. I would have two or three treatments a week. At first I used to fall asleep during a treatment but as I began to benefit from the treatments, I would totally relax while staying aware of what was going on in my body.
In order to gain a better understanding of Reiki, I attended a level one course. In this I learned about this ancient healing art. I received my Reiki one. I felt filled with an energy I had never before experienced or dreamed existed. The ease of doing Reiki and the relaxation and energy I experienced during treatments confirmed for me that this was the healing method that I had been seeking.
Not all so-called Reiki Master/Teachers are the genuine article. I found this out when my first Master was not available to take me for the level two course. I went to Dublin to another Master and found that she was only interested in taking money from people.
In her classes there were too many students. She focused more on selling her products than actually teaching. When questioned about feelings that arose during treatments her answers were vague at best and mostly dismissive. After the weekend long course and I felt that I had achieved nothing.
I waited a couple of months until my first Reiki master could take me for the level two course . Now I was back on track. I now had the Reiki symbols to work with. I practiced with self healing treatments and giving treatments to family members.
I continued to read and study this ancient laying of hands touch healing system. Which had been rediscovered in the 1800s by Mikao Usui in Japan. I say rediscovered because there are striking resemblances between Reiki and the methods used by Buddha of India and Jesus.
Don’t get me wrong Reiki in its self cannot heal. A Reiki practitioner should not diagnose conditions, nor prescribe, nor interfere with the treatment of a medical professional.
A Reiki session involves a natural method of energy balancing for the purpose of stress reduction and relaxation. I also used the Buddhist Mindfulness meditation and breathing awareness in my sessions.
After two years of practice and study I finally attained my Master/Teacher degree and in Reiki
A Reiki treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through you and surrounds you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit and creates many beneficial effects including relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well-being. Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use.
A typical session takes up to an hour. It involves sitting or lying fully clothed on a chair or treatment table. The Reiki master lays hands on the various energy centers of the head, body and feet. Sometimes heat or cold may be felt from the master’s hands. I also used relaxation-breathing techniques when giving a treatment .
Today February 7 Day 11 all going very well.
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