Damn, damn, double damn!

Three months ago I wrote a blog that detailed the final stretch of my cancer treatment, and how I was feeling so much better. And I was. Much stronger but a little breathless.

I was back on the golf course, back at the gym. Strong enough to visit family, go out and about and so on.

I was coming off steroids; given the thumbs up to have a glass of wine or two, and to fly to foreign shores if I so wished.

And I did wish. I spent a week in Spain with my adopted family (thankyou The Pryers) and my mate Dave - and a jolly good time we had too.

Before I continue, let me just reassure those that are reading this that the cancer has NOT returned.

But, the breathlessness would not go away and in late August/September it just go worse. It was becoming more difficult to do aerobic exercises in the gym and a walk around the golf course was pushing my limits. It did not make for comfortable viewing for my playing partners.

My first port of call from a medical point of view was my GP. Bloods were taken and they showed I was still anaemic and my kidney function was low. This had nothing to do with the breathing.

Several months later both anaemia and kidney function have settled to the low side of normal.

Whilst they 'watched' the anaemia and kidneys with these regular blood tests, I was transferred to the Respiratory team at Bristol Royal Infirmary.

More bloods and tests taken. I was offered a seat inside a large medical lung testing machine - like a weird modern telephone booth - and ended up doing lots of breathing exercises including huffing and puffing so much I should have surely blown the house down.

I was also sent for a CT scan. The results of the huffing and puffing showed a reduced intake of oxygen into my lungs. The scan showed no significant lung damage other than the scarring from the pneumonia I had 4-5 months earlier....and this was expected.

I thought that was it. The reduced intake of oxygen would be the reason why my breathing was so erratic. But no. The Respiratory Consultant sent me for an echocardiogram which I had in October.

Those that have consumed this blog from the beginning will know I had an echocardiogram in December (22nd as my diary tells me) and my ticker was a happy little muscle.

This is, unfortunately, no longer the case. There is a 'significant reduction' in the power of the right ventricle (which, by the way feeds the lungs). What this means in real terms has yet to be decided but I am now under the care of the 'Heart Failure Team' at the Bristol Heart Institute.

At least we know the reason for the breathing issues.

I am now taking 3 additional tablets a day which will help my heart function and I am due to meet my Cardiologist in the next couple of weeks. I cannot see him until I have been on the drugs for a while. I have to have a heart MRI, more bloods and other tests. This will all take place in December and then I will be seeing them every couple of weeks for a while.

This problem, I am told, is likely a rare response to the Chemotherapy treatment.

I know! Rarity is my specialist subject.

I knew heart issues could be one of the side effects. I haven't been mis-managed in any way. I just did not expect anything quite so serious.

I am not fully informed yet. 'Heart failure' is a horrible definition for many heart related problems. It does not mean the dark days are looming. I am expecting to be told that this can be managed with drugs and treatment but I just don't know yet.

Whatever the result, I am cancer free. Having very recently attended a funeral for a life long friend who sadly passed away with cancer I still feel lucky. (Bless you Mark L).

And, of course, our family are still dealing with my brothers cancer diagnosis.

I am regularly asked about my health from friends here and overseas, and to be honest, the easiest way to provide an update is this blog.

So here it is.

I still have all the support I was getting when I was under the cancer care team and we will battle through this problem the same way we did with the cancer diagnosis - but hopefully without the same number of hospital visits.

And by the way, if it wasn't for the breathing thing...I feel great !