AN EXPLANATION

Hello Byters and Readers.

I believe that I should give you an explanation for my absence, so this is a brief summary:

• For the last 3 years I have been battling squamos cell carcinoma or, to put it more simply, cancer of the lymph node in my neck.

• I am fortunate to be a patient of Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and have had extensive radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. I am still undergoing immunotherapy.

• To allay your concerns, the prognosis is positive.

• My recent admission resulted in more detailed and extensive tests which disclosed some further conditions, including infections in my lungs, a blood clot in my lungs, pneumonia and the fact that food and drink were going into my lungs instead of my stomach.

• As a result, a PEG feeding tube has been fitted, whereby a tube goes from the outside into the stomached and feed supplement and water are fed into the stomach via that tube, bypassing the mouth and throat.

I was discharged after 2.5 weeks in hospital feeling week and tired, but am getting a little stronger each day. I am not yet back at work.

I don’t know if I will be up to posting Bytes each day but will see what I can do.

Stay well, people.