Good News

My grandfather’s operation went well. He doesn’t have a bag which is a huge bonus. The bad news is that the spots on his liver were caused by the cancer and he will need to have chemotherapy for 6 months. The doctor said that should clear everything up though. I don’t wish chemotherapy on my worst enemy. The way I understand it they literally pump poison into your body to kill the cancer and it makes you very sick. He is strong though. He will get through this. I’m just really happy that the operation went well. I was very nervous about him being under anaesthetic as he’s not young anymore and there can be complications.

I was feeling really rough last night. I was sore all over. My uterus feels like it’s blowing up. Apparently it’s the size of a grapefruit now and I can really say that I can feel there is something swollen beneath my skin. There’s no more denying it. Over and above the nausea I now FEEL pregnant. I really feel sorry for Rudi at times. I’m sure I bite his head off over trivial things and moan about him moving in bed next to me because I’m afraid I’ll throw up or my breasts are really sensitive. Good times.

I’m so tired of working it’s not funny. When I came in this morning I noticed I had 3 irate customers in my list. They can all really just kiss my ass. I’m not in the mood for know-it-all customers shouting and swearing at me and not taking “no” for an answer. The customer is not always right. Sometimes they are just downright unreasonable and full of crap. One of said customers is complaining about a product he doesn’t use and is singing the praises of our competitor. He’s not even really asking a question. So I should phone him and explain the business rules, etc. to him? Why? He doesn’t seem interested. On the other hand, this is my job and I get paid to do it. I think I get paid well to do it too. So I guess I should just be grateful I have a job which grants me opportunities that others cannot dream of.*

*This little bit of perspective came after me getting breakfast and mulling it over. I really should watch my mouth. I run it off in the heat of the moment.

Operation

So today is the day my grandfather goes in for his operation. We went to see him last night in the hospital. They were making him drink 2 litres of stuff called 'Clean Prep'. It flushes out your system, cleaning out your bowels. Apparently it tastes really salty. My grandfather says it's like drinking sea water. *shudder* He threw up while we were there. I felt so bad for him. He's really suffering and he hasn't even been cut open yet.

He'll be in ICU for a minimum of 24 hours after the operation which may take place as late as 16:00 today (maybe even later). He's the 5th patient on the doctor's list for today, so we probably won't be able to see him tonight. It's a rather common surgery, but it is still major surgery. They have also measured him for a bag in case they need to put one in for him.

He has a lot of prayers being said for him and we are hoping for the best.

Bad News

My grandmother called me at work today to tell me my grandfather has been diagnosed with colon cancer. He will be going in for an operation next Wednesday to remove about 10 cm of his colon.

They say they've caught it in the early stages. We'll have to hope for the best. He just finished his ordeal with the skin cancer and now this.

My colleagues had me sent home from work. I came to my grandmother to come and be with her. My grandfather is out working.

My grandfather might as well be my father. I've always looked up to him and he's been the constant male role model in my life.

Please spare a thought or a prayer for him and for us.