@john-richardson John, based on your past experience, can you think of any questions that you wished you had asked on your way home 🤔.
Come on BORO.
@exmil My consultant was very open and if anything I had an overload of information at the beginning. I asked how long the operation would be and he thought about eight hours. It turned out to be twelve and half hours. I asked what they (he) would be doing and he detailed how much of my tongue would be removed and why and without being asked he told me all of the possible ramifications. I asked about how the side effects and results of the operation would affect me, no matter how trivial your question may seem just ask. My wife would give you another perspective on events too.
I was told what could happen as a result of the surgery and whilst it was hard to comprehend how radical it would be once the team new I was a questioner wanting to know about things the level of communication was fantastic. The two plastic surgeons were brilliant too and they came to see me every day while I was in the ICU and HDU and spent time talking to me. I couldn't talk afterwards until they put a voice box on the Tracheostomy after about a week. My feeling was that once they knew you were interested in their work and how it affected you far more was explained than if you just lay there.
So my answer would be to ask about anything no matter how trivial you will find that the post-operative consultations are more involving for you and informative. When think back at he and they did it's horrifying but the important part is that it gives a greater perspective for you and it does help you to cope. I would add that nothing prepared me for the six weeks of Radio Therapy but you may well get Chemo.
If you want to ring me at any time just go to my print blog and ping me an email.
All the best
John
Â
www.johnrichardsonlinoprints.blog
@exmil - If you have any questions worrying you before you see the consultant, write the questions down and take the note/aide memoire with you. I doubt you will ask anything the consultant hasn't been asked before! Good Luck!
   (Sounding like Granny here!)
@exmil All the best wishes for your appointment. Let's hope all goes well and you could be back at the Riverside as soon as possible. We and the club need you as a fan! Up the Boro!
@exmil As Forever Dormo says write your questions down, I should have remembered I was warned that because speech would be difficult for me, as in I couldn't speak, I should have a notebook to write questions down. I still use it when I visit the Consultant and Specialist Nurses to write down easily forgotten questions. Well done Dormo for reminding me. Early on my writing looks like I've dipped a drunken spider ink and allowed it to run about on the page.
UTB,
John
Middlesbrough are among a number of clubs plotting bids for St Johnstone striker Adama Sidibeh. (Football Insider)
OFB
@original-fat-bob. Â Probably fits the new recruitment model if there is any truth to the report; that being said I would prefer another striker with a bit more of a track record than 15 SPL games. 😎
Burnley, Middlesbrough and Derby County are among a number of clubs plotting bids for St Johnstone striker Adama Sidibeh, sources have told Football Insider.
Sidibeh, 25, is currently at the centre of a tug-of-war between The Gambia and Senegal, with both countries keen for him to pledge his international allegiance.
The St Johnstone forward has also attracted interest from French side FC Metz, after EFL trio Burnley, Middlesbrough and Derby County registered their interest in signing him.
After moving to the Scottish Premiership from non-league side Rylands in the January transfer window, Sidibeh proved to be a sensation, scoring five goals in 15 games.
His goals helped the Saints to secure survival in the SPFL, while attracting watching eyes from England and across Europe.
But as ever, this is just a rumour. In most leagues in Europe they open the transfer window on July 1st, while the general deadline for closing is slightly earlier than usual -- on Friday, Aug. 30 2024.
Up the Boro!Â
I have heard that Aaron Danks is leaving Boro to join Vincent Kompany at Bayern 🤔.
Come on BORO.
@exmil Yes, I found out why this might happen.
Middlesbrough coach Aaron Danks is wanted by join Bayern Munich to become part of Vincent Kompany’s backroom team.
Danks was previously assistant to Kompany at Anderlecht and is on course to reunite with the Belgian.
Kompany has been named head coach at Bayern, replacing Thomas Tuchel, and has identified Danks as the man he wants by his side in Bavaria.
Danks has developed a reputation as one of the best emerging young coaches in England, with his expected departure arriving as a blow to Boro head coach Michael Carrick.
He has also worked under Steven Gerrard and Dean Smith at Aston Villa.
Still a rumour, but there is a Kompany connection in there. I hope Danks will stay, though.Â
Up the Boro!Â
Just out of James Cook, it is confirmed it is NSCLC cancer stage 3a, I have just had a blood test so they can check my Pancreas, I will then within the next couple of weeks be sent for a CT scan of my head, then within 2/3 weeks I will start chemotherapy up to 4 cycles (lasts max 12 weeks) within a couple of weeks after chemo, I will go for surgery, into HDU (ward 32) but could be out within a few days, cannot drive for 6 weeks but back to normal everyday activity within 2 months, then a follow up program for 5 years 👍
Come on BORO.
@exmil That is some positive news, well it as bad news goes, and it sounds like the machine is starting to move for you. Welcome to the Machine!
Stay positive and remember the support you have. Sleep well!
ATB,
UTB,
John
So sorry to hear of your diagnosis.
You will have the support and best wishes of everyone on this blog to which you have made such important contributions over many years.Â
Keep fighting, keep us informed of your progress, and continue to give us the benefit if your insights into the Boro.
With all good wishes.
@exmil Your close season is certainly over and the preseason is on. I hope you get through it well and strong. And that you can attend the Riverside from the very beginning again. All the best, mate. Up the Boro!
@exmil Are you allowed a beer? I am now but only two or three and not every night. Stay off spirits said the man and have some wine with your meals at the weekend. Funny how much you look forward to a Landlord or Speckled Hen. When I retired our daughter bought me a bottle of whisky from every Islay Distillery including a 25 year old Port Ellen that is even older now by eighteen years. They're still in the wardrobe!
Tell us when you are going into the James Cook and we'll send you a card to cheer you up.
All the best,
UTB,
John
Â
@exmil - A Man with a Plan! Normal activities in 2 months means you'll be up and ready (after your pre-season as mentioned by Jarkko) in good time for the BORO's assault on promotion. Good Luck on the treatments you have lined up.
@exmil Good luck with it all. If positive thoughts help at all, you can be assured that everyone on this Forum is right behind you.
I have heard Alan Browne (Preston) could be one of the first through the door, but not substantiated yet.
Come on BORO.
Just had a phone call, my CT scan (Head) is on Wednesday 14:30, things moving quickly 👍.
Come on BORO.
He has played for Preston with over 400 appearances.I have heard Alan Browne (Preston) could be one of the first through the door, but not substantiated yet.
Come on BORO.
But at 29 he’s at a stage in his career where his next contract will be a life-changing one, with likely interest from clubs in England and abroad in the summer in Browne, who came close to a move to Italy in the January window as Salernitana made a bid which fell through.
“I would love to know, wouldn’t I? I am the manager of the football club. I need to know if I am with him or without him, or whether I can use his money or not. I am the same as everyone else," manager Ryan Lowe said when asked if Browne would be a Preston player next term.
“Unfortunately, these are the questions for Alan Browne, not me. But, I am sure, at some point, he’s got a deadline and once that comes we’ll hopefully know.
“What I will say is that Browney has been offered a contract that, in the club’s history, is the best you can offer anyone. I can say that on record. We have to respect Alan’s decision, whatever that may be.
“They will have a couple of recovery days and we’ll sit down with Al again. I am sure you will know soon. Everyone knows what a great player he’s been for the club and we want that to continue, but it’s in Alan’s hands.”
He seems highly rated at Preston and has played 35 times for Ireland. Cork's Alan Browne could be on his way out of Preston North End, despite being named Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season.
Up the Boro!Â
Â
@exmil. Â Good to hear that there is a definitive plan in place which is moving quickly. Â Fingers crossed you will be well enough and ready to attend games from the start of the season. Â 😎
Good luck with all the tests and treatment plan and the only advice I'd give is keep positive, avoid stress (hopefully Boro play their part in that) and remember it's the chemo making you feel below par not the disease - I had to undertake 8 rounds of chemo 16 years ago and the first 4-5 were manageable despite the obvious side effects but they do tire you out eventually and weaken your immune system - I caught a Clostridium difficile infection after the 7th, which left me weak and postponed the 8th for a few weeks until I'd recovered (by essentially drinking antibiotic shots that tasted like burnt rubber I recall) and then I eventually limped over the finishing line a relieved man. So be sure to take all the recommended precautions to avoid unnecessary infections during Chemo.
OK, I was quite a fit 44-year old back then and meaningful comparisons with different cancers and chemo's are hard to make as everyone's case is different and their bodies will react differently to treatment and the disease itself - plus you always need a bit of luck and you're certainly probably due some now!
Incidentally, just read this article in the Guardian this morning about a new treatment for lung cancer that you may want to file away for sometime in the future if it becomes relevant to your case. It's called lorlatinib and has had pretty spectacular results in clinical trials with 60% having no disease progression after 5 years.
Earlier, I wrote that the trasfer window would open today - apparently that was in incorrect.
The 2024 English football summer transfer window runs from 14 June to 2 September 2024. So around the same days as the Euro 2024.
Up the Boro!
The best transfer news so far this close season. And really hope this situation stays as it is. It will be essential for Boro.
I like Kieran Scott, a top guy. Up the Boro!
I forgot to add that the only thing I found a little disconcerting was that the name of the oncologist who was assigned to my case was Dr Grave and he always carried a pack of 20 Marlboro Red in his shirt chest pocket!
The surgeon who last operated on me was a Mr Butcher. There used to be a dreaded dentist in Middlesbrough in the 40s called Mr Flood. And when I went for the snip some years ago, the clinic on the Wirral was located in Balls Road. I made sure to confirm that they were actually only going to perform a vasectomy.
Thanks everyone for your memories and advice, it is greatly appreciated. I too, heard about the new advance in lung cancer, which is very encouraging. As regards the problems with my immune system during chemotherapy, along with the chemotherapy drugs I am also going to injected with Immunotherapy, which I understand help kill cancer cells and aid the immune system. Treatment of cancer has moved on dramatically in the past few years and seems to be gathering pace now, which gives me confidence. I see there is an international break in September for two weeks, I wonder if I can persuade the surgeon to operate at the beginning of it 😂😂😂.
Come on BORO.
I had a hernia surgeon a couple of years ago called Mr Pain.
For me it was a Dental practice in Newcastle. Mr De'ath and Mr Dagger. I'm sure they were waiting for Mr Hyde to join them.
Stay strong Exmil.
UTB,
John