Words to live by

“Life isn’t measured by the amount of time you’re here, it’s measured by your achievements”, words by Stephen Sutton, before his early death from bowel cancer.

Now, you can look at this in many ways; you could compare yourself to Stephen's great achievements which, by any standards, were amazing. You could feel daunted or, like we did, ponder on it and think that this is actually a great maxim for life in general. Achievements don't have to be big or considered too small but really about getting through life with a sense of regular satisfaction at what you have achieved. Now, for some people that may indeed be great physical feats but for others it may be just getting through the day and feeling ok. Life, after all, is not a rehearsal.

Thinking about these wise words, it made us think, actually, it is so easy to forget how joyous those simple things in life can be and our sense of achievement in seeing them, feeling them, having them and so on. Of course, it depends on you as an individual; we thought about our simple things and listed them. For each of us, as we expected, it was different, but things that we can so easily take for granted, whether we are fit or not, can mean so much.

We will not forget Stephen and, indeed, thank him for making us stop and appreciate the good things in life, however hard it may seem. Sometimes it is good to stop and sniff the roses when we are endlessly rushing along the treadmill of life. Sadly, a new diagnosis is often the first time we do this.

So, whether you are going through treatment, are newly diagnosed or indeed have come out the other end; take some time to stop and enjoy the little things in life and your achievements - they are so vital to our wellbeing and so easily lost in the rush and tumble of every day.

Food and nutrition

Trying to maintain your appetite through treatment for cancer can be a bit of a struggle at the best of times; the after effects can play havoc with your appetite too. For loved ones struggling to tempt you it can also be a difficult time. That is why it is good to have such a wealth of free information available to try and help guide both patients and carers alike.

Macmillan Cancer Support have a really good section on eating well including  some recipes for which I have attached the link;

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Livingwithandaftercancer/Eatingwell/Eatingwell.aspx

Beating Bowel Cancer also have a very good section on diet after bowel cancer that is really worth taking a look at;

http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org/diet-and-bowel-cancer

It was whilst reveiwing various sites that we stumbled across The Chemo Cookery Club website and the free downloadable cookery book called "Around the Kitchen Table". Just click on the link at the bottom of their page that states the title of the book and you can download it.
It has testimonials from a number of leading bowel cancer teams in the U.K.and cancer charities, as well as chefs, nutritionists and many more - we have attached the link here; 

http://www.chemocookeryclub.com/

Rarely in life is anything free but this advice is perhaps one of the more important things that are; so if you or a loved one need a little help, take a quick look at some of these sites - they really do offer some very good information to help you.

Thank you....

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to the 70 plus people who attended the AGM today. What a lovely time it was and how lovely to see so many of you. It is always such a joy and a time for us to chat, catch up and generally support each other.

As we discussed at the meeting this morning, it has been a big year for the Somerset Bowel Cancer Support Group with a change of chairperson, a new patron, new logo and the inception of this blog, as well as our own T-shirts, re-usable bags and lapel pins being printed.

Our outgoing Chairperson has held a position as co-founder, committee member as well as latterly, Chairperson, for the group over a number of years. The group, and particularly committee members, are truly grateful for his commitment over the years. He was an eloquent speaker at the Annual Events and AGM, and indeed would make a particularly fine after dinner speaker should you require someone with a vast and knowledgeable wealth of experience and information on the subject of bowel problems and surgical treatments.

We were able to welcome our new chairperson who is taking over from the outgoing chair, who is very much looking forward to his three years of tenure with us.

As well as this, we heard about the opening of the new surgical build at Musgrove Park Hospital with state of the art facilities that include en suite rooms for each patient.

Once again thank you for your attendance and we look forward to seeing you at our next event.

If you were unable to make today's event or indeed would like to be added to our mailing list, then please ring 01823 342452 and speak to the team, Mon-Fri 9-5 pm or leave a message on the answer machine with your name and address; we would be delighted to send you details of further events.

Exeter University research

The average age for a bowel cancer diagnosis is said to be over the age of sixty. Here in Somerset the age range for bowel cancer at the local District General Hospital is 16 - 102. Whilst the largest majority are in the older brackets, there are an increasing number under the age of 50. It is with this in mind that the recent news regarding research in to bowel cancer diagnosed in the younger age bracket to be undertaken at Exeter University, in conjunction with Bowel Cancer UK, is so welcome. They have been awarded £120, 000 by the Department of Health to  undertake this research with the aim of improving the pick up of vital symptoms by GP's.

The research is a direct result of Bowel Cancer UK's "Never Too Young" campaign that highlighted serious delays in diagnosis which can, in turn, result in poorer outcomes. This research aims to improve upon pick up rates in this age range. 

We have added the link below for Exeter University should you wish to read more.

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/research/title_378473_en.html

Something to watch.....

Further to our post earlier this week about Stephen Sutton, we have added a link to the Make-A-Wish Foundation film that was released  to share his story. It is very emotive but well worth watching for anyone who has or has had cancer; indeed all of us can learn a thing or two from this short film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvG3ifEd0t0

Here is a young man who thinks differently because he has to.

Watch it and see what you think.

It certainly made us.

Survivorship

You may have seen or heard in the headlines that the ten year survival rate for cancer has doubled since the 1970's. This is really positive news for the UK. Early detection is vital and the screening programmes such as the "poo test" that was rolled out here in Somerset in 2008 has an important part to play in picking up those  early cancers. The next step to catching the disease earlier is the introduction of the "one-off" flexible sigmoidoscopy test offered to people at the age of 55 years. This is in addition to the "poo test" that is currently offered and is said to increase the chances of survival from colorectal cancer. This government has committed to providing this programme by 2016/17; here in Somerset there will be a slow and gradual roll out across the county. This means that from the age of 55 to 75 you are actively being encouraged to be proactive about your own health by attending screening. 

We thoroughly recommend that you take up these offers - they may save your life.

An amazing young man

There is no doubt that the story that has created a huge amount of media interest over the last week is that of Stephen Sutton; a young man who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the very young age of 15. At just nineteen he is facing incurable cancer in a way that it hugely inspiring. If you have not read his story then here is the link;

https://www.facebook.com/StephensStory

As part of a "bucket list" to achieve before he died Stephen aimed to raise £10,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. He has smashed this target by raising in excess of 3 million to date.

There is no question that Stephen is an amazing young man, bearing his disease with fortitude. He shows the world courage in the face of adversity as well as tenacity.

We are thinking of you and willing you on; in the words of Shakespeare
" Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon 'em". Stephen, you are one of those rare people that perhaps embody all three sentiments. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Long may you be great.