Author Archives: Ren

About Ren

I have been diagnosed with stage 4, metastatic colorectal cancer in October 2012, 3 days after my 44th birthday. There is no cure, but I am determined to go down the road less travelled to find one. I have setup this blog to document my journey and hopefully help others in the process. My view is that if there is a cure, it does not lie with traditional chemo, but with the immune system. Time will tell.

See you in 40 years or so…

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Ren

My best friend, my brother, we will all miss you. Ren passed away just after 2pm 27th October 2013, age 45, surrounded by family. Words fail me, its hard to see through my tears. Rest In Peace! Ren’s work is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 22 Comments

12 Months and Still Fighting

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Ren

Update on Ren’s condition. For those that have been following this blog will know that Ren has a will that is not surpassed by many. He was always extremely determined (some would call it stubborn) to achieve any goal he … Continue reading →

Posted in Treatments | 8 Comments

ALPPS Non Event

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Ren

On Wednesday I woke up in intensive care. I was sore, but I was alive was my first thought. My second thought, something is not right as I looked at clock and the time showed only 1pm. Also I did … Continue reading →

Posted in My Journey, Treatments | 5 Comments

ALPPS Surgery Update

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Ren

The fluid buildup due to ascites is becoming unbearable, so I decided to go to hospital a day early in a hope of a solution. I got none. I was told that draining the fluid would do more harm than … Continue reading →

Posted in My Journey, Treatments | 4 Comments

Lifelines

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Ren

Last month I was thrown two potential lifelines. Firstly I found a surgeon willing to do a colon resection using Dr. Karel Fortyn’s devitalization/devascularization method. I blogged about this procedure in the past where I went into a great deal … Continue reading →

Posted in My Journey, Treatments | 7 Comments

Hallwang Week

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Ren

This is a long story and I am starting at the other end, but Its the the most current and if I feel up to it, I’ll fill in the significant events leading up to this week later. I arrived … Continue reading →

Posted in My Journey, Treatments | 1 Comment

Removab #4 Saga

Posted on September 28, 2013 by Ren

After the last Chemoembolization disaster, my scheduled Removab treatment was put on hold. Hallwang refused to offer the treatment till I recovered from the last TACE and resulting complications. Hallwang wanted to send me home for 3 weeks, but considering … Continue reading →

Posted in My Journey, Removab | 2 Comments

Defeat

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Ren

At some point you realize that there is no point fighting the inevitable, and that the only sensible option is just to give up. I reached that point last month. If you have been following my blog, you know of … Continue reading →

Posted in My Journey, Treatments | 15 Comments

TACE #4 Aftermath

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Ren

I have not updated the blog for quite some time and when this happens, I usually have a good reason. The reason is however almost never good and this time was no exception. TACE #4, although initially quite painless, was … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemoembolization, My Journey, Treatments | 2 Comments

TACE #4

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Ren

Due to my liver pain and swelling I brought forward my next TACE (Trans Arterial Chemo Embolization) procedure and last wednesday I found myself yet again on Prof. Vogl’s (a.k.a. Dr. Pain) operating table. But I get ahead of myself. … Continue reading →

Posted in My Journey, Removab, Treatments | 2 Comments