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- Опубліковано 18 січ 2024
- PLEASE NOTE: the icanhelp email address has now been deactivated.
This update was filmed on Friday, the 19th of January, 2024 at Caroline's home in Western Australia.
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A Discussion on EPIC when used with CRS + HIPEC
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ST GEORGE PERITONECTOMY AND LIVER CANCER UNIT
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SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING
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Fentanyl
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FOLFOX and FOLFIRI use in Stage IV Colon Cancer:
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My husband had a pulmanary embelism after surgey , was put on blood thinners , and complained many times about feet / hands being cold ( it was the middle of summer ) .
Ah! Great! And did the symptoms dissipate once he was off the thinners?
The fact that you don't know your life expectancy makes you exactly the same as every other human being on the planet. As a cancer survivor living with the knowledge of a finite timeline to going back to not knowing was one of the hardest things to get my head around.
Amazing comment, that must've taken a bit to get to that mindset. So proud of you and your fight! G-d bless you, Alan 💚🙏🕊
So true..no one knows when their time is up. We choose whether to fixate on that or enjoy each day as a gift...which is what the "present" is.
I worry every day that it will return. The survival rate from date of my diagnosis to five years is only 20%. God bless Alan.
@@richardhutchison3123 God bless you
I feel this 100%. Im NED now but when I first found out thinking I have limited time to be with my kids ect was the hardest thing to wrap my head around. Even now with my doctors basically telling me im cured , you cannot escape that reality hit of how limited your life and potentially short it can be.
Omg give yourself some Grace. You got close to death then had life changing surgery. It’s massive. You are incredible. Surviving is hard. You can do this just go slow xxx
👍!
Hi Paul as a breast cancer survivor. Don’t think about what the survivor rate is…just live your life 😊. Over thinking just is not good for you. You have been given the chance with surgery for a better quality of life…take it and run with it 💕🌸🌸
You look really good Paul. So proud of you. And as a cancer person who is still here 3 years longer than was given, you can never be who you were before the cancer. But you and I can be grateful for what we have been given. God bless
Lol! Re: you having a hard time falling in love with your colostomy bag and it's name is Pouchy. Lol! I love your sense of humor. Good way to put it. " your colostomy bag works for you" Such a great idea to join your ostomy association. I'm so happy you are gaining weight and walking more and more- albeit slowly but surely.
Paul, you are going through some unpleasant side effects, but do try to be patient with yourself! You went through a lot from the surgery and complications! It's only been 3 months!! I'm a Nurse, and I think you are doing really really good! You are a survivor!! ❤ From 🇨🇦
🇨🇦❤
I agree! He looks good btw. But baby steps...
Paul no one knows their life expectancy! Anyone of us could walk out the door and not come him. Embrace everyday like it’s your last. We all should do that because none of us are invisible.
It’s so good to see you Caroline.👋 I’m sure you will have no trouble finding employment Paul. You are such a smart and intelligent person. 👍💜🙏
Morning Paul, here in Michigan, United States. Stage 3B Hodgkin's survivor, from 2008-2009, and still going strong. Keep the strength, brother, and keep fighting, never give in to negativity, I did not, and it paid off I think. Blessings, and I am praying for you. If you do not believe, then still keep that strength dude, wage WAR on your disease. Peace, and good to see you hopefully well and in good spirits.
Good Lord, Paul, you have had your entire middle removed. And not that long ago. Take your time,mate. You are doing SPECTACULAR !!!! You are home and living on your own again. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I don’t know too many people who would be doing as well as you are at this point in your recovery. I feel like you are a miracle to be sitting here talking to all of us with that signature BIG SMILE on your face.
Paul, I'm in the uk. I had rectal cancer. Lad in 2022, colostomy reversal in 2023. Suffered PTSD. Dizziness and anxiety. Almost two years since diagnosis, still fighting the psychological effects. Don't rush, focus on small nice things. We are alive, today. Go slow. That's all we can do. You are doing great xxx
You look and sound amazing from where you were before! I’m a couch potato trying to get fitter and I think you’d be surprised at how out of puff I am and how bad my muscles are from too much “resting.” Just wanted to mention it so you know even just from not exercising a person can find it pretty hard going on walks. I honestly can’t believe your transformation! It’s amazing!
A shout out to any employer who Paul approaches, "GIVE HIM THE JOB". I have never known a more articulate, educated, dedicated person who is also kind and a wonderful human being. As for being over qualified, he would pass on his knowledge to anyone that needed it, nobody knows their life expectancy. He has looked the devil in the face and come back still wanting to work. He is my superhero and should be a companys aswell.
So happy that you are finally addressing how you really feel. Thank you for being honest. We are all here for you Paul.
About the colostomy bag, I watch a UA-cam channel called LetsTalkIBD and she has some great tips on the ostomy bag which I think applies to all types of ostomy bags but I am not 100 percent sure. You don’t have to love it, but you probably need to learn to accept it as a part of you now.
Electrolytes are fantastic for helping with blood volume. I have POTS and can faint when standing. I have Voost and Nuun tabs in my water.
I have had neuropathy for years, long before my cancer diagnosis. I haven’t got much advice about that since mine was not caused by cancer treatment, but I have learned to adapt to the pain.
Taking care of your mental health will also help you cope with these challenges. Going for walks is a good start. I have spina bifida so most days I cannot walk, but I try to walk with my walker on my good days. I do art and photography in my wheelchair when I can as well. Keeping the mind and body active is good… just do the best you can. ❤
From your comment to Paul's ears, I hope. Your attitude is exactly what Paul needs.
@@helengarrett6378 I am sure Paul will get there. We were both diagnosed with cancer around the same time but the difference between me and him is that he doesn’t know what his life expectancy is, whereas I have got a good chance of survival at this stage. Also I was born disabled, made even more disabled at 3 months due to hospital negligence. Lived with pain my whole life, developed chronic health problems along the way and started to get very ill with autoimmune disease after breaking my neck at 17. Cancer is just an inconvenience at this point. I have had my whole life to get to this point of accepting and adapting! 😁❤️
You are doing amazing Paul after all you have been thru. I know you probably do get bored so hoping you can find a job you really enjoy. Hi to Caroline. She sure is a Sweetheart. Take care my friend and it is wonderful to see your videos again.
Yes the girl who runs that channel is a real inspiration !!
Maggie is nice , she has an ileostomy
The psychological aspects post surgery can be so difficult Paul. Friend had open heart surgery for an aneurysm nearly 2 months ago (successful) but is really struggling mentally about his mortality and also the limits his body can now tolerate. I believe it is a common after effect after huge surgeries. Just know you are not alone in that. 💞
Paul, you blow my mind. Your spirit is unstoppable. Your heart is boundless. I wish you continued recovery. And, Caroline, you dear woman...all my love to you. ❤
I had a malignant tumor and a section of my large intestines, lymph nodes, gallbladder, and other things removed in October of last year. I followed all of your videos. I am so glad that you made it through the surgery and that your recovery is progressing nicely. I am doing better too. I don't know what kind of job that you would enjoy, but I think you'll be good at whatever you try next.
Paul ..you look marvelous! Only 3 months out and you are looking for a job! Omg.....you are amazing! Glad to see that smile!
Any of us who have been touched by cancer and survived can not truly know what our life expectancy is. Isn't it a laugh that our first thoughts include going back to work. We all want to be productive and contribute. Dealing with survivorship is a struggle as crazy as that sounds.if looks are any indication, you will be around for quite some time. You are my HERO! ❤
You are fantastic communicator, educator, heartfelt, problem solver, detail oriented, and as they say, the list goes on!! 🎉
Turn the figures around - 80% chance of making it to 5 years also means only a 20% chance of NOT making it to 5 years. And any of us could get hit by a bus tomorrow so none of us knows our life expectancy.
Fingers crossed for the job - it could be that part-time stepping stone you need for now to ease you back in, but even if you don't get this one, you are one step closer to the one you WILL get, and they may keep you on their files for future openings.
Never thought about the bag filling up with gas but I guess just like the rest of us, it has to go somewhere!!
Love to you both from 🇬🇧. And you're looking truly amazing. ❤
Dear Paul, I have been living with an ileostomy for several decades. The phrase I read shortly after surgery was “you can manage your ostomy or it can manage you.” I haven’t let it stop me since. There are challenges to learn what foods and or drinks affect the output, but I know you will learn. Am glad you made contact with the Ostomy Association!
Pouchy…. Meet Stella. She’s gonna be 4 in May. She is a colostomy, not an ileostomy. I had one of those before too in 07. I’m still with you Paul! New grandbaby, named Caroline!
😊 congratulations!
Hi Paul. Glad to see how much stronger you are! Your voice alone says so much- I remember when you struggled to get out a sentence, let alone walk .8 mile. It’s hard to see the forest through the trees. ❤
I’m an RN who works in cardiac care. Blood thinners can cause you to be cold. Certainly your feet. So that might be the reason. Take care my friend.
Definitely on the cold thing . My mother is a cardiac survivor and the beta blockers do cause this.
Hi Trish, that's a relief to know. Hopefully when I go off the blood thinners then my feet will start to feel normal. Can blood thinners also make you feel faint if you go from lying to standing really quickly?
Sounds to me that what you're experiencing is orthostatic hypotension.
Feeling lightheaded is your body's way of making sure you get enough blood to your brain. Think about it- if you pass out, you'll be lying down, and it's much easier to pump blood to your brain when your heart doesn't have to work against gravity. So feeling lightheaded is an indication that your BP and HR (heart rate) haven't compensated for the change in body position. I can think of a few reasons why you're experiencing this.
You could be dehydrated. Make sure you're drinking lots of water. Your heart has to work harder to pump your blood around when you're dehydrated.
The other reason might simply be that you're deconditioned (out of shape). Think about that - you spent a really long time in that hospital bed. So there are receptors (barroreceptors) in your carotid artery that tell the brain if there is enough pressure in your vessels. Your brain in turn can tell your heart to increase or decrease pressure. This happens in a split second. Being on bedrest for a while, or just being deconditioned, can affect the barroreceptors and delay that message to the brain. So basically, your blood pressure doesn't rise quickly enough to compensate for gravity (now you're standing) and you get lightheaded. The remedy, as you have discovered, is to get up more slowly in order to give this receptors more time to tell the brain to increase your blood pressure and heart rate. In my experience, it's temporary and it will go away as you get stronger. Plus, make sure you're getting in those fluids.
See? You're not the only geek out there! (I used to teach anatomy and physiology 😀) @@PaulinPerth
@@trishwhitehouse6536 It may also be complications from the blood clots he had too.
You would excel as a patient advocate or motivational speaker. You’re articulate, empathetic, extremely bright and likable! Maybe helping people would give you that smile that you desire and fill your cup in a way IT can’t.
I’m so glad to see you looking so healthy. One day at a time, Paul! Hugs from Oakland, California, USA!
Yes, yes, yes, exactly!
I was 28 when I started having terrible abdominal pain. I kept going to the doctor and honestly so many of them just dismissed me; I kept getting told to try talking to someone or take up a hobby. It turned out to be diverticulitis. I ended up in the hospital needing iv antibiotics and the morning after I was admitted my bowel perfed. It was the worst pain I had ever felt and I kept telling my doctors something was wrong and begging for help. I yet again got met with “it’s probably just anxiety.” I was dying and knew it. After while I started praying to die faster so the pain would stop. I was left laying in hospital bed like that for a day and a half. I woke up to a colostomy. My colostomy reminded me of what they did and of the pain. I hated it. Seeing my own intestine was a horrific reminder of the worst days of my life. All of that truly messed with my mind and I feel so broken after it. So I can understand hating your ostomy and the mind f**k of it all.
I was 28 and perfectly healthy and then almost died. Try not to think you have an expiration date because you might actually live longer than most of us. You are doing well. I hope you look at your ostomy and remember that your doctors fought along side you and remember that you do have years and years left to live.
As far as the gas. Do you have filters on your bag? You lost a lot more of your gi tract so that might be why it is harder but if you don’t have filters make sure you switch to a bag with one. Also try using the lubricating deodorant because if stuff sticks on the filter air won’t escape. Your output will thicken as your small intestine gets used to doing more of the work of your large intestine. Just because you can’t drink beer now doesn’t mean you can’t in the future. Also just think of all the people in the world that have to drink milk of magnesia when constipated but you can go drink a beer instead.
I stopped apologizing for the embarrassing things my ostomy did because it wasn’t my fault and it’s not your fault when yours makes a noise.
Your surgery was a lot bigger and more difficult than mine and I was still healing and stuff for about 4 months. Just be patient it will get better. You will get stronger.
I didn’t have much appetite either and that got better.
I know 3 months seems like a long time and that you should be fully healed but it is hard getting split like a baked potato. I wasn’t fully healed at 3 months either.
You got this! Stay strong!!!
As far as the hypotension try increasing the amount of water you are drinking and you can try compression socks as well. I get very low blood pressure after basically having to starve for so long. I just drink a bunch of water and if that fails then I call someone that I hate; that gets my blood pressure up. Also don’t take hot showers.
Hope you're feeling a lot better mate ,you've got some bottle lad
You are a very brave and wise young man who has had to go through a lot. I am truly sorry that your doctors were not supportive when you were begging for them to help you. No one should be ignored by the professionals who are supposed to be there to help you. Despite what you have gone through, your attitude is amazing, and I wish you a long, happy, and healthy life. ❤
I LOVE that: call someone you hate. It's much easier for me because all I have to do is think about, or, god forbid, listen to the abominable DJT and my blood pressure goes up! Best of luck with your struggle. Hard to tell how long ago your surgery was. I truly wish you the best!!!
I'm so sorry for all that you have been through. I hope that Paul and many others will benefit from your advice.
@@laurabergang 1 JOHN 3:15. " Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him".
This is the second comment you've inserted your hatred of Donald Trump. I'm not sure why you felt it necessary to insert politics in this conversation, but I will pray that God softens your heart, and that you'll come to know the Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever given mankind. Call upon Him, and He will change your heart.
Paul. you are an amazing warrior!!!! I just smile from ear to ear seeing you look so healthy and more fit all the while maintaining a sense of wonder at your progress. As a cancer patient myself, I know that learning to live my life in smaller time chunks, for me it's three months between MRI's and Cat Scans, is a real challenge. Some days, I'm hesitant to make any plans beyond breakfast, while on others I throw caution to the wind and research plans for trips in the future. It is an unsettling way to live, only understood by those of us in this cancer community. I don't have a solution for the mental strain of time limits, but, at least trying to accept it as a wellness challenge, will help hone more of those warrior skills that make for an armor of mental strength to accept the new normal. Continue to be powerful !!!!
You gave an amazing comment Eileen! It's so honest and real about the mental anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis. I'm somewhat familiar with that anxiety, as several years ago I was FALSELY AND MISTAKENLY diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The three months following that wrongful diagnosis were filled with mental anguish, until further testing by my PCP showed that "pancreatitis" was the reason for my bouts of excruciating abdominal pain ... not cancer.
I too am a breast cancer patient. I never once cried over my diagnosis. I have decided that ALL of us are dying and NONE of us know for sure when we are crossing that bridge, so my hope is to die on vacation. Grim reaper is going to have to chase me down. 😊
Hi Eileen, this is exactly how I feel. I find myself not wanting to make plans beyond the current week. I've also been Swedish Death Cleaning - throwing out/selling/giving away possessions that are only of value to me in order to make it easy on my executor (my brother Noel) after I pass. I am careful when I do this as I do not know if I have six months or five years left to live.
I think I will be a lot better if the foot pains go away, and one other commenter has suggested that once I go off the blood thinners then my feet should come ok.
Paul.
Good luck with the job hunt Paul. I hope you find the perfect position ~ whoever employs you will be acquiring an exceptional person onto their work force🧡
hi paul,
Your question reminds me very much of the emotional state of many of my HIV+ friends who, with the long-term effective AIDS medication, suddenly had a treatable chronic illness rather than a fatal one. It took new goals in life and the confidence that life could last longer. that can be scary. For some it was very good to officially take a sebatical year where you don't have to do anything meaningful or make any plans. In any case: only the best for you and greetings from potsdam, Germany 🙋🏻♀️
Paul nobody knows how long they are going to live, enjoy every day. 😊
Hey Paul, you taught me to remember the three legged dog and how this pooch endures and excels with life challenges.
I love that you are looking for new challenges.
❤️🌹🐶xxxxxx
Three months is not long Paul I'm not surprised you're struggling sometimes. Try and enjoy every moment you can remember that we are all here for you ❤
You are looking healthier every time you post a new video. I hope you continue to get better.
Paul, you look fantastic. You sound fantastic (remember when you could only whisper?), you’re getting so much stronger (remember when getting to the bathroom was a big trek?). And being in the mindset of wanting a job is fantastic, so good for your mental health. Glad you’re in touch with the Ostomy support group, I think it will be a big help. It’s a huge adjustment to your body image and it does have some impact on lifestyle (remember when they listed all the deficits you might suffer with the surgery and you felt grateful to only have one bag, not two?). Give yourself time to learn the new rhythms of your body, all your parts are working for you. You are strong! You can do it! Good luck with your job search. ❤️❤️🇨🇦
I want you to know how very important you are in my life. I have watched your journey for a while now, and I have thought that if anyone can beat this thing, it's you. Anyway, you can't believe how much I have talked about you and thought about you in the last 24 hours. Yesterday we found out my brother has last stages, liver cirrhosis and asiaties. They have given him 6 months to live. All my questions have already been answered by you. So I want to tell you thank you for sharing your journey and just know that if all you wanted to do is touch just one person on this earth....you just did! You have made all the difference to my life at the moment. I can't thank you enough. God bless you, Paul. You got this friend!
You are welcome. I'm glad my vlogs are helping others.
I'm sorry for your brother's situation. I hope that he is able to find love and peace in his last 6 months.
Paul.
Bless you and your brother.
@@phylsaeger thank you, that means a lot! Bless you too
In a week it will be 5 years since I got the numbers for life expectancy for 5 years. First half a year I was cross with myself for not being able to do the things I felt I should be able to do. I learned to listen to my body, which is a very important skill. I figured if wounds take a while to heal on the outside then wet wounds on the inside of my body take longer. I went through the cold phase, where I would just feel cold for no reason at all. I still get it from time to time. As for the depression, well firstly the body has been sliced and diced a bit and its going to take a while for the mind to heal too. It will heal at an imperceptible rate. Then of course being given an 80% chance of being here in 5 years time takes a bit of readjusting to. If you are like me I was preparing for the end. I had to learn to re -live. I went on a survival course 8 months after my op in the depths of winter for a week! I just needed to know I was alive. I did have a waiting period to get the all clear and like you I decided that cancer had robbed me of enough time and I wouldn't let it rob me of anymore and that worrying wasn't going to change the outcome. I got gentle sunlight on my external wounds to help them heal and have learned to love my new scarry body. Is every day easy now? Nope. I have to adjust to the needs of the new me, expert knowledge. :) All in all Paul I think you are doing brilliantly. I judge peoples health by one criteria, If they were a fish would I buy it. A fish that's worthy of being bought has bright eyes and good skin. You are doing well!
what a great comment ❗️❗️❗️❗️
Hi Paul, it must be so hard to go through this slow recovery process! It is absolutely fantastic to see how much better you are doing already, but living it is something quite different. I can only try to imagine.
Getting light-headed while standing up can have multiple reasons (it's called orthostatic hypotension). If your blood pressure is somewhat low, due to your ordeal and weight loss, it may get better with gaining back some weight, too. All the best from Holland!
💪🤗 it may be slow, the recovery may be slow, and that could be due to your age not saying you’re old or anything! I’m just saying, but there’s one fact, for sure, you’re still here with us!!!! 👏👏👏🙌 and that’s the greatest thing ever who cares of recovery slow or this or that you’re alive! You’re here on earth still you can make choices and you can get up and move so God bless you and your health and what you’re doing is great to helping people in the future so don’t worry about that when anybody says just live, live life💪👏👏🙌 thank you so much for paving this way for people in the future for scientist to help bring us one step closer to finding a cure for cancer👏👏👏🙌🏆
🙏🙏 God bless you, Paul, and for all you go through and for your continued videos to let us know, go through this journey with you, you deserve 100 medals!🙌 On the bright side!❤️🤗
👋👋 hello Caroline❤️ hope you are doing well. You are an amazing amazing wonderful person.🤗❤️
👍💪 you been to hell and back and if you wanna have a beer once in a while, you have a beer! I have some wine once in a while well more like champagne🥂😂
I was thinking about IT Project management for you, since you have great communication skills, and after that, you said you have a few certifications for it. I am a software developer (from the other side of the planet) and a I know that a good project manager is gold. I don't know about Australia, but here in Europe, there are way more vacancies than people. So getting an IT job is easy here. And someone with your optimism, your skills, should be hired the same day. :)
Mate, look how far you've come! I can't imagine such a tough surgery, you're strong and will continue to progress. :)
Your smile, your courage, your inspiration to us all is so beautiful. I know you want to be vital and live life, and you are. But you are just such an amazing gift to us all. You look and act so strong. Keep it up, day at a time, our sweet Paul. And we love you Caroline.
Bless you paul and thanks for sharing ..you are a amazing man and I admire your strength.
Great to see you have put on weight and improving everyday xx
I stumbled on your channel a few months ago and I’m glad I did. Your sincerity, honesty and courage are something to behold. Your channel is not for “show”; it’s obviously created to disseminate inspiration to others, whether they have cancer or not. You have no idea how much you are contributing to the world. Thank you.
Paul that’s very normal for those that have had cancer and gone into remission to have those thoughts and wondering if and when it may return.
It will ease over time but the best thing is like you said get back into work otherwise you will drive yourself insane if it’s only you and your brain everyday
Or find hobbies like astrophotography.
I can't believe how vibrant and lively you seem compared to a few weeks ago. It's a joy to see. You look like a man who is LIVING. xxx
Pouchy is a great name -right out of the Godfather. Your communication skills are superb. You always say everything clearly and, most importantly, just enough. I wait till the next installment. I also don’t know how long I will live. I’m 82 my next birthday. How brave you were to seek out that risky surgery. it’s been a great success. You are brave.
Hi Paul. I don't often comment, but if you are out job hunting, maybe think about working in a nursing home, as a physical therapist. You have the people skills. Patience and compassion, humor and kindness. It's not for everyone, but for those who choose that field, it looks quite rewarding. Good luck and God bless 🍀
❤❤❤❤ Paul as a nurse, I can tell you even though it’s been three months, you are doing amazing, you had a huge surgery with many challenges alongside that will take time to heal, emotionally a colostomy bag is a huge change and it takes a while to just take it in your stride, please be kind to yourself and please tell Caroline that we hope she is doing well and hope the both of you have a lovely weekend ❤❤❤❤
Hi Paul, I know life expectancy is a hard one to cope with. I know everyone says none of us know how long we have but I can tell you I have a time accepting not knowing how long. I understand your frustration. It haunts me. Thanks for updating us & carry on with walking. I am up to 4 miles a day. I’m 62 . It helps as I struggle with anxiety & depression. I feel your struggle because when I started out I could barely walk a few feet to my mailbox. Good vibes 😎 ❤
Looking so good Paul. 💗🌟🙏
Just a thought... the chemo you were on has neuropathy as a possible side effect. Thanks for the update!
Hi Paul. I hope you are getting stronger. I have AML and am still in remission! Happy New Year from Nashville, Tennessee, USA!
Paul, you’re a trooper! Expressing your downs is just as important as reporting your ups. I’m really happy to see Caroline is still with you and such good support!!! All of those troubles and concerns are understandable and also, easily managed- 1 life expectancy, nobody knows their life expectancy… the trick is to live each day one day at a time try not to ruin today thinking about if there’s no tomorrow. Most important… dance like nobody is watching! 2 Pouchy- This sounds somewhat childish but Iv seen it online and it works- a pouch for your pouchy! Think of it as a book cover or a drawstring bag, Having these makes it a bit easier on the eyes for you! I’m thinking you may see something like this at the convention you go to next week, Iv seen them handmade online too! A job- that’s a great idea, a purpose always adds quality to your days! Is volunteering something you would consider for the immediate while you’re searching?
One lap around Lake Monger is 3.6km, that would be an amazing effort.
Thanks for the update! Glad Caroline is back in her home!
One of the side effects of blood thinners can be, that they lower your blood pressure which can cause dizziness and, as the blood circulation does not work optimum, also cold hands and/or feet.
However this should not be painful.
If I remember correctly you were on the oxaliplatin/5 FU chemodrug. These drugs in many cases cause at least slight nerve damage.
Cold triggers the nerves, which can be extremly painful. I was on FU years ago, but still today, if my feet get cold, it really hurts.
So you should get rid of your pain when you are off blood thinners.
I hope that makes you a little confident.
❤Bettina/Germany
Paul, made it to #100 congrats. I've been worried and wondering about all aspects of your recovery and how's it coming along? I can tell you my favorite thing ever has always been to walk. It always made me so well mentally and physically. Last two years a lot of medical issues came about a botched back surgery and lung issues. It breaks my heart U can't stand straight up! I walked 5 miles per day. Now nothing. I look like I'm from planet of the apes with this. I'll keep trying I sure do miss it. Sending prayers and well wishes.
Walking is really a type of magic: I am so sorry you can’t get back to it……yet!
My Nana was diagnosed with a terminal lung disease. 5 years, max. That was 15 years ago. She's 93 and still lives alone. Nothing is certain!
I’m happy and delighted you are doing well 👍 Amen 🙏
I’M very impressed with your attitude, your bright smile, and your energy to find a purpose. I think you are an encouragement and a blessing to me. I keep you in my prayers everyday. Debs
If you are bored why don't you write a book about your life before cancer and your cancer journey? With all of the things that you have been through and survived in spite of what you were told, your story could give a lot of hope and help to people just starting their cancer journey and also to those that have been going through it for awhile. Just think about how much help you could give. That would be amazing! You look fantastic but don't expect to get back to 100% in such a short time. Your body has been through a lot. Give it time to heal. Just do a little more each day. You have come so far. Still sending prayers your way. 👍🙏👍🙏👍🙏👍🙏👍🙏
So funny to see Caroline’s little tiny head looking over the couch! 😅
I think you are doing really well for just 3 months in! I don’t know about ostomy bags, but I do know there are several different types and there may be another kind that works better? Try not to think about what the length of your life will be but try to just live in and enjoy the moment. I hope the neuropathy will just be a temporary thing during recovery. I think a part time job would be really good! It would give you a distraction from sitting and thinking about negative possibilities, and make you feel productive and have purpose.
Paull and Caroli'ne, so glad to see you. Been out ofthe loop for a bit with broken wrist, Rehab and covid.. Wish I had a job for you. You have so many excellent skills. I'm enjoying that you're looking forward to getting one.. You could be an excellent teacher to students for IT or writers or book reviews. Or how you could do so many things.
Car repairs teaching car repairs so many things. I think you must do something that you absolutely will love. Wishing you the best always.
And hoping you too have a great future ahead of you!❤❤🎉
Hi Paul
You will indeed find a suitable job with your qualifications, I have no doubt about that, also you mentioned your life expectancy, well truly, we all
hope we live a long and happy life , but realistically we really don’t know how long we really have, why living each day with gratitude and love is important. Make each day count. Don’t think ahead too far, it is pointless.
Your be ok, carry on
💕💕🤟
Bloody Hell! You look marvelous! Recovery IS SLOW! You look so good! Your color is great, your eyes clear! Wow! So happy for you 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
As a former CA Patient I know what the fight back looks like!! Now recovering from heart surgery. exact same thing! One day and one step at a time! Way to go!!!!!
Ouuuu, yes life expectancy, I’ve got maybe 5 years with Congestive Heat Failure! So I get you! Rather have 5 years of wonderful than a lifetime of DULL. But we make it wonderful ❤️
Yeah, I see your point, about being in the unknown, that must be hard. I do not have a job for you but I think you would be a great Project Manager especially in the IT field.
Happy to see u good mate i wish u all the best u r a man
I wish I had the company you applied for and tell them how great you would be ! Best of luck to you !
You look so much better than last time I watched your video 👏🏻
Hi Paul, watching your update, I am reminded of a line I heard recently, in the musical 'Hamilton', it said "Dying is easy, living is harder".
You have been and are still going through, a life altering time physically, mentally and emotionally. Be kind to yourself, don't expect too much from yourself, don't think too far ahead, just deal in the moment, eat, sleep, breathe, tiny steps, a slow journey but you're on the right road. Sometimes, when I feel I can't cope with things, I say to myself "just get through the next hour", 1 hour at a time. Consider yourself hugged.
God bless you are doing well!
Glad you are doing a bit better all the time. I have a work idea you may not have tossed around. My understanding about your finances was that you are ok financially at this time. Paul you are a kind and compassionate man who needs to continue to recuperate but could work a few hours a week. As part of your life journey why don't you give back a little while you heal and volunteer to help those who are now walking in your steps with cancer like in a hospital or work with the homeless who need a hand up or even with elderly. This would allow you to pick and choose hours and accommodate any problems that may arise on your recovery journey. Just a thought.
You look so good Paul. You need to be fair on yourself. I had Lymphoma Stage 4 at 17 and I agree the scary part is actually after you've been treated. But you are already 3 months past someone who wouldn't be alive if they didn't get the opportunity you had. Go out and just be yourself. Anyone could be hit by a bus tomorrow. It all begins and and ends in your mind, what you give power to, has power over you. Also the jobs will always discriminate if you mention your health haha. I think you would be best fit in a job where you are empathizing and communicating with others. Is there not a part time gig where you could be a speaker, or a support person for something around cancer?
Oh my Lord are you looking good! You gained weight, spirit and a light in your face! 🤩🤩🤩😍😍😍
I don't have personal experience with a colostomy bag, but I remember seeing in a random UA-cam video that there was a woman with one who helped sew/design an outer cloth bag to sort of "dress up" the plastic bag. Maybe you could find a material that wouldn't agitate your skin and would help you feel better about it just being an extension of your body? Just like you dress up your feet with socks, you could dress up Pouchy?
Good luck on your journey Paul!
I believe that I have seen those handmade ostomy pouch covers on the Etsy website too.
Paul a young lady in uk 30 years old has had similar operation stage 4 cancer and has a bag too .she suffers with numbness and cold feet from chemo . Enougher lady in Sweden again 30 has had stage 4 cancer and again as a poo bag. She suffers with pins and needles and slight numbness in her hands . I am pleased you have been honest about how you truly feel. But I will say this 2 beautiful young ladies died from their cancer last year so now live for them and keep fighting .
Paul, you and your lovely lady are helping Meg in Fla whose world seems to be failing apart. Thank u for fighting and giving me hope. You matter!
Love this dude
One day at a time my friend! You have come SO far in such a very short period of time.
It’s ok to have no answers right now for the future beyond just “being” here today, but you have been given the most precious gift of more time alive and kicking!
Keep on keeping on and “chewing the fat” as they say where I come from and you will figure it out.
Thank you for the update Paul. We all love you 💕
thanks for the update paul!
It's so great to see both of you! Paul you look so healthy, and just like your old self. Just please be patient with yourself in your healing. I know when you're laying around the house all day for months, it feels like you could do so much more! But having a good few hours of work, might be as much as you can manage at first. Going back to work can be harder than you might thing. I know that Cassie will look after you though, and give you good advice. Love to both of you, from Nancy in Brighton, Ontario, Canada!
Love to you ❤❤❤
Oh Paul, that's so clever and beautifully light-hearted ... naming your colonoscopy bag "Pouchy"! You are such an inspiration to me and probably everyone who watches your channel! You are so resilient and so honest about your journey! Love you! ❤
I LOVE your honesty!!!
Super glad to see you looking so well. Love your positive, straight forward outlook on your cancer journey and life in general ❤
Paul! I think most of us can tell that you've been struggling with the psych side, which is absolutely warranted. You've gone through intense physical and psychological trauma, and that is going to expresss itself. The last thing I've wanted to do is to trigger you, and knew that you would talk about it when you were ready. Thank you for confiding in us, it's going to help so many others with their recoveries. Have you tried meditation? It can be an incredible tool for bringing yourself back to the present. And you are going to thrive in any job set before you - just look at what you've overcome! Who wouldn't want to hire a Superman with the heart of a three legged dog?! Love the crap out of you, Brother 💚🙏🕊
Paul before and after, patience is not your top characteristic. Give yourself some grace.
I’ve had 40 years of working experience at least maybe 50 and the fact is you are such a highly qualified person I wonder if you could parlay your career into a consultant role where you go and advise companies businesses, nonprofit organizations about their IT situations. Small and medium size businesses can’t afford to hire someone like you at your experience level but you know they would love to have an opportunity to consult with you and have some kind of opinion that you could provide regarding what they need to do and you might even become the referral person for certain people who could do it. You have so many years of experience and also if you take that kind of a position of a consultant for nonprofit organizations or small businesses, then you can schedule your work as you like and if you’re not feeling so well certain times you can say mom won’t schedule for this right now, but I bet in next week will be good or whatever and you can work just a few days a week and you can get paid quite a bit more than you would get taking a job, that’s part time for a company like you’ve described. The fact is also you have a fabulous marketing opportunity with your group of followers on your journey who were already there, and probably many are in Australia close to you, and who might hire you as a consultant for their IT problems in their businesses, and of course the nonprofit world. One thing about agencies. Also, you might think about is the fact they are often provided funds from the government to do things in the IT world, and you can get those short term consultant jobs with those government offices to help them sharpen up and fix up and reach good security levels, which is the number one issue today in IT for that matter it’s having people hold you hostage and demand ransom when they take over your companies, electronic systems and perverted, and then you get these ransom notes that you have to pay. I’ve had my own businesses since I was in my 20s and I figured out how to operate at a profit and make a good income while working about 2 1/2 days a week at this point and it’s been a wonderful career and now I’m at the point almost 70 where I’m starting to offer classes and lessons on how to do my specialty area and it has been very rewarding to start Giving back, however, getting paid well to offer my experience to people who really would like to know. I was close to you and I would hire you to upgrade my IT system in my businesses so I could feel comfortable about the safety and security, as well as understanding how to use computer systems to my advantage.. I hope this is helpful. You have everything you need with charm and positivity and presentation and intelligence and I know the people would just snap you up if you put this out here on this public forum and they hire you to do stuff for them..
You're doing amazing! You've been through so much... it's going to take time. I hope that you find a job that you enjoy. Prayers for you, as always.
thank you for the update. i wake up at 2 to 3 am for meditation here on the east coast of the u.s. and catch your posts. hoping you find a cool job the suits you. sending warm loving vibes to you both.
You are rocking this journey.🙏🏻💞💕
Paul, you look wonderful.
I am praying for you❤
So lovely to find this catchup video. Looking just great, I can’t believe it. Hi to Caroline! I think taking time convalescing together with making doable plans is the way to go! Much love
Wowwww, you look great !!!
I’m so proud to be part of your journey Paul ❤
Lovely to see you both again and Paul, you are looking really good ,i'm so pleased and wish you all the very best with you next venture.
Looking good. Thank God !🙏🙏🙏
Hello Paul & Caroline....so good to see you both. I cant imagine the mental aspect of dealing with all you have been through. Be gentle with yourself and please know we are all here for you.
Best wishes for your job search. It's so nice seeing you doing well.