Almanac Life: That escalated quickly
On reflection, perhaps my question enabled the response: “And did the scan tell you what it is?” I didn’t see the piece of 4 be 2 to the back of the neck delivered by doctor I have met once before: “testicular cancer.”
That escalated quickly, from a possible urinary tract infection take these pills two weeks ago to the c word. Wow, I wasn’t expecting that.
Last time the c word was mentioned to me in serious hushed tones like that was over 40 years ago when my mother came into my room, sat on my bed and delivered the news that sent our family into turmoil for nearly four years, and ended badly.
I’m in disbelief but hold it together, ask some more questions, my job for last 18 years is to ask good questions. I was told once never to ask a question you don’t know the answer to, but I’ve never subscribed to that theory. But the final answer could sway my views.
“Do you know what the treatment is?” The following words may not be accurate as I was not thinking too well afterwards.
“Surgery to remove it”.
Well that escalated quickly again.
I follow the hallway to where I am having some blood tests, the nurse is unaware and far too friendly, “And how’s your day been?” Good thanks seems inappropriate, not being real. I numb my response a bit, by saying I have received some bad news. I add that I have a strong faith that will sustain me, and then apologise for a few tears. Back in the car I sit and genuine tears flow, not so much for myself as remembering the torment my mother endured.
I may have previously mentioned on these pages that my faith is important to me. Actually, it’s more than that, it defines my life, since becoming a Christian nearly 40 years ago, it is my life. Now this is rubber hits the road, life defining stuff where I’m either fair dinkum or not. I go home, I pray, I thank God, I tell Him I love Him, I ask Him for help, I remind myself of a special couple of Bible verses I memorised not so long ago.
“Noel, Noel, Noel, would you like a drink of water?” Why is she yelling? I’ve never had a general anaesthetic before, never been in hospital before. Wow, I’m back in recovery, the job’s done. A surgeon I’d only met over the phone has chopped it out, what he saw on the scan was enough to book me in quickly.
I’m down a path here I never envisaged. What’s next?
Life’s going on around me, as it must, children are playing at the park, people are buying their petrol,…I’m not the centre of the universe and countless others have trod this path. My life is going on too, I’m buying a roast chicken for dinner; I get half a tank of petrol because I think the price might go down; I take the veggie scraps to the compost bin and leave a few bits and pieces in the worm farm.
In another room nearly two weeks later, with a caring oncologist, my wife is near. More stuff I didn’t want to hear, another c word, chemotherapy, “you might lose your hair”. I like my hair, 60 and not even half grey. (I was reasonably fond of my left testicle too). “You may go off your food” [now this is getting too far…].
I make a lame joke that seems to fall quite flat. The treatment cycle runs for three cycles of three weeks. Week 1 of each cycle is five days and Week 2 and 3 are just one or two days. I ask if I could skip Week 1 of each cycle. He’s probably heard it before.
So I’m further down a path, the doctor wants to hit the chemo pretty hard, starting next week. Plans all awry, no election work, another couple of trips away cancelled. He’s confident the nine weeks will cure it.
My faith is real, hard times develop your Christian walk, suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. And hope doesn’t disappoint.
The journey continues….
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About Noel McPhee
Noel's background is in statistics including 13 years at the ABS. More recent employment has been at Deakin University and Services Australia. He has worked on every State and Commonwealth election this millennium plus a few Local Government Elections. His weekly article, 'The Stats Bench' appears weekly on the Eastern Football Netball League's website. Noel's legacy as a sportsman is that he tried hard; two cricket fielding trophies, a tennis premiership and boundary umpiring about 80 EFL senior games. He has completed over 35 parkruns in quite slow times in the last three years.
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Thanks for sharing Noel. I wish you well over the coming weeks.
Same from me Noel. I was quite fond of my prostate, but at least I’m still here. All the best for the next few months and beyond.
Wishing you the best for your journey Noel. Your faith is inspiring.
Best wishes Noel. When I was in my early 20’s I played golf at Mt Lofty (now Stirling) golf club in the Adelaide Hills. One bleak winter day with rain pouring I headed up the freeway on the off chance the weather would clear. No chance. Leaving the clubs in the boot I wandered over to the pro shop verandah behind the first tee. A foursome of blokes in their 60’s and 70’s (my age now) got straight out of their cars; grabbed their clubs and headed straight to the first to tee off. “Jeez you’re keen” I queried the first to hit in my callow incomprehension.
“Son when you’re our age you’ve got mates in the cemetery who’d give their left testicle to be out here playing in the rain”.
Having already donated I feel confident you have many rounds with mates still to come.
Mickey, Swish, Damian, Peter – thanks. I’ll give an update in a couple of months.
All the best Noel from everyone here at the Almanac.
That’s a much quoted verse. As trivial as footy is, it does alert us to the things which I believe are important, hope being at the heart of that.
Noel best wishes big time !
Go well Noel.
Thanks for writing this.
Wishing you strength and laughter and much noodling around on wandering paths of joy.
Cheers John, Rulebook, ER.
Although I have not met too many of Almanackers this is an important community for me.
Noel, thanks for sharing these sobering but important words on here. You sound in a good place despite the circumstances, all the best for what’s ahead.
Thank you Luke, sobering is the right word
All the best Noel. I hope your faith sustains you. You’re on a journey that no one wants to go on. Travel well.
Brave of you to share your story, Noel.
Best wishes to you.
Cheers Dips, Smokie
An update on my journey.
The chemo was bearable for 5-6 weeks but the last 3 weeks really whacked me. I did lose my hair, I went off my food. Only last week, a couple of months after the chemo finished did I venture to eat a curry. I was so tired but often couldn’t sleep.
I feel it has changed me, I drive less hassled, I think I am more empathetic to those going through a hard time, small things that used to annoy me are now just small things.
We had some positive news a couple of weeks ago, the scan where they loaded me up with radioactive liquid did not light up on the MRI so that is a good thing. If something lights up it is growing. So I have avoided the next step which is an operation ‘with a high mortality rate’. They will scan again in 3 months.
I’ve tried to start running again (not many people would call it running).
Thanks to my wife who encouraged me when I wasn’t going so well.
And I must again acknowledge that my faith in the God of the Bible and support from people in His Church sustained me.
It’s a joy to learn of your progress, Noel, and I can only hope that it continues. I’m touched by your reference to the adjustment in your assessment of what is really important and your ability to “not sweat the small stuff”. Good luck with your resumption of normal life, normal diet. Running is my passion, so I’m delighted that you have been capable of resuming it. You’re not competing against anyone else but (I hope) triumphing over an insidious opponent. I’m not a believer, but I’m certainly not cynical about the role of your faith in giving you strength to endure this ordeal.
Every Good Wish,
PF
That’s great news Noel.
That’s excellent Noel. Pleased it’s heading in the right direction for you. Best wishes.
Thanks for the positive update Noel. Your journey reminds me of Churchill “if you find yourself in hell, best to keep going”. My work in addiction recovery constantly reminds me of the centrality of faith. “Faith is an oasis in the desert that will not be found by the caravan of thinking”. Or as I tell people “it doesn’t matter what your Higher Power is; so long as it’s not you”. Onwards.
Thanks everyone.
Peter Fuller I shamelessly parkrun stalked you after reading your Carlton Rd 23 report. Your time was still excellent. I am many weeks from approaching my pb of 32:59.
I live on The Bellarine, big surprise that Barwon Heads won the GF so easily.
Positive territory Noel. Well done.
Perhaps the getting of wisdom?
I admire your redoubtable tenacity Noel. I can only hope my own faith and perseverance are as resilient when the need arises. The Book of Job comes to mind here comrade. RDL
I have been following this with interest. Best wishes Noel and thank you for sharing.
Wonderful news Noel. And much to admire.