The Cancer Thread

[fenwaypark]

Good man Phil, always one of the decent lads on here. Best wishes

[johnnysachs]

I wish you and your family the very best @Phil_Leotardo. Sounds like you’re locked in and know what you have to do. There will I’m sure be many twists and turns but keep that positivity you have now and it will get you through.

[gilgamboa]

Glad to hear that pal

[artfoley]

@Phil_Leotardo

Signing in.

Was diagnosed February 2023. Grade 4 Brain tumour. News was broken to us in a small room like you see on TV. Wife broke down(my kids were 6 and 4 at the time). I just stared at the wall. Not sure when I first talked.

My odds weren’t good.

Anyway long story short. Did 6 weeks of extremely tough radiology treatment and then chemo up until Christmas.

Mad thing i kept working away during most of it. God bless WFH.

My 2 recent scans look good . Especially the last one 2 weeks ago. All clear but still have to go back every 4 months for another while as this thing can come back. But I’m young I think (45!) and consultants reckon while next 2 or 3 years are crucial, I should be good.

I know this thread can be depressing so I decided to post this as not all stories are bad.
I got loads of advice etc but every diagnosis is different and every person is different in how they handle it. So I won’t preach here. But anyone ever wants to dm me then happy to help.
The bit I would say is try and have private health insurance. It was literally a life saver for me.

Now signing the fuck out👍. Fuck you cancer

Great news for you and your family. It’s so rare to read this thread with a smile, congrats bud

[briantinnion]

The very best of luck @Phil_Leotardo. Like @Bandage my heart skipped a beat when I started reading your post.

[johnnysachs]

Very sorry for you loss @Achtungbaby
There are no words to describe the loss of a father to 2 kids so young.

[Mac]

Wow that’s amazing Phil. Delighted to read the good news. Mind me asking how it got uncovered or what led to it being checked for? Everyone seems to preach about early detection but how do you even know what to be looking out for?

[ciarancareyshurlingarmy]

No words

[Phil_Leotardo]

In my case, every time I bent down i felt a pain. With young kids i did alot of that. Car seats, picking up toys, shoelaces etc.
Everyone thought it was a sinus infection. My GP did a NCT on me and he thought the same. But it didnt go away. I knew i had to go for a scan.
Thats where the Beacon were amazing. They had me on the operating table within days and the best brain surgeon in Ireland operated on me. I have heard from many medical people that he is one the best brain surgeons in Europe.
1st opp was to investigate and second opp with him was to try and take the tumour out completely. Nobody could be sure until this year though as the scarring in my skull can impact the scans for year 1.
P.s. steroids are great!!!
I was flirting away with the cute nurses after my opps and my wife looking on shaking her head. I didnt care i was so drugged up

[Arthur]

Sounds like it wasn’t rocket science

[Little_Lord_Fauntleroy]

Amazing @Phil_Leotardo

[Juhniallio]

Amazing. Just a fantastic amazing end to a horrendous story. Delighted for you.

[flattythehurdler]

I couldn’t actually believe it starting that post. Great stuff Phil.

[TheUlteriorMotive]

That’s great to read @Phil_Leotardo

A great Christmas present for you all

[carryharry]

Spooked but delighted for you all @Phil_Leotardo

Mind yourself

[Ralphie]

Great news @Phil_Leotardo look after yourself

[Gman]

Delighted to read that. Best of luck to you and your family.

[caulifloweredneanderthal]

Great to hear things going well @Phil_Leotardo. Hopefully I’ll get to have a few pints with you again some night. It’s unlikely that Tipp will be in an All Ireland anytime soon so it’ll probably be when @Kyle is on the second time around and we can get another stag out of it. Take care pal.

[Locke]

Legend! An inspiration.

[Massey]

Jesus I feared the worst when I seen the thread bumped.Well done lad,you must be fairly relieved.