Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Anyone had a Endoscopy

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Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 06-05-2008, 01:57 AM:

I have just had a recent medical due to poor health lately
The cause has turned out to be anemia as a result of internal bleeding.

Monday I am being sent to the city for an Endoscopy and colonoscopy. Not looking forward to this. I am keen to here from anyone that has endured this exam.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-05-2008, 03:52 AM:

Yep, if you're over 50, it's best to have a colonscopy esp.if cancer runs in your family. It's the best exam to have.

Endos and related scopys are required for any G.I.tract exams.

I had my colonoscopy done 3 yrs ago and they found 2 polyps-small ones-and the colonscope tool cut them out, was sent to biopsy for cancer tests (I've had two cases of cancer..) and these were not cancerous.

Prior to the colon (and prob the Endo) test, a 12 hr fasting regimen (laxatives and total watery liquid diets are required by your G.I. doctor - you're living in the WC most of the night) is taken - meaning you'll need to be cleaned out completely so the (colon)scopes can see all what's inside.

Only nice thing about having any scopys is that you're heavilly sedated (they don't want you out completely and some are awake enough to witness what is going on being presented on the monitors) so the discomfort of having that long black "snake" being the endoscope going into you isn't totally experienced, even though with my exam, when the "snake" wanted to make the turn, it poked hard into the bend of the colon and it suddenly woke me up like my appendix exploded - but I fell asleep shortly after the sharp pain left my side.

Not a fun test to have, but a necessary one for us that are approaching the age of risk.

Good luck with this and hope that you'll be okey.

-Monte

Posted by Charles Greenlee (Member # 3856) on 06-05-2008, 05:35 AM:

Okay, good. That means I have 21 more years to be scope free. I got a message for that thing. [fu]

Posted by Jeff Stricker (Member # 224) on 06-05-2008, 06:05 AM:

Phil, good preventative medicine. You'll do fine as they give you drugs to put you nearly to sleep. The worst thing about the procedure is the prep. the night before. Good luck, I know you'll be fine.

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 06-05-2008, 06:28 AM:

There is no prep required for the gastric endoscopy. I had one last month after upper GI showed some abrasions. Results were normal so that's one less thing to worry about. I've had routine colos since passing age 50. As stated earlier, the worst part is the prep. During each procedure you'll be sedated enough that you won't even know what happened. Good luck.

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 06-05-2008, 06:53 AM:

Endoscopy is a very easy procedure. I've had a number of them due to some severe hiatal hernia issues (now all repaired!). With the medicine they give you, you just don't remember anything. It is painless and you will walk out feeling fine. Do have someone drive you though, in case the medicine comes on a a bit too strong.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 06-05-2008, 11:02 AM:

Just be pedantic, you should change the title to say "gastrointestinal endoscopy." An endoscopy just refers to looking inside the body using a camera (and endoscope). Visually inspecting, say the lungs, would be a pulmonary endoscopy.

[/nerd]

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 06-05-2008, 12:59 PM:

It's a pretty routine exam these days Phil. No worries. [beer]

Not to put the scare into Phil or anyone else, but get a load of what's been happening here since about the first of the year. The local press is all over it, but there hasn't been much mention of it outside the state. "What happens in 'Vegas stays in 'Vegas" right?

Several endoscopy clinics here (all owned by the same group of apparently third-world doctors) have been shut down due to poor medical practices like reusing single-use syringes and medicine vials, resulting in months-long waits for exams at the remaining handful of open clinics.

So far a total of 60,000 current and former patients of these clinics have had to be examined for hepatitus B and C and AIDS. And so far out of the 80 or so preliminary hits, eight new cases of hep C have been confirmed to have originated at these clinics. My barber was one of the ones called in for testing - fortunately she tested out just fine.

[rant]

What's disturbing is that the state board of medical examiners has refused to do much about the situation, since some of the members have business ties to these clinics and their owners. Instead the shutdowns have been carried out by city business licensing departments or the county health district.

All of this shouldn't mean much to the tourists though. After all, what happens in 'Vegas stays in 'Vegas, right? At least as long as none of these patients are cooking your meal or serving your food or busing your table or mixing your drinks (not all former patients have been identified yet - the 40,000 number initially reported just went to 60,000 - the slow pace due to medical records being seized by the police for possible criminal prosecutions).

Nevada has always been known for having the best government money can buy.

[/rant] Whew! Back on my meds now.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 06-05-2008, 05:26 PM:

Basically, this puts my -ss on TV, right? Louis

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 06-05-2008, 07:33 PM:

quote: Louis Bornwasser
Basically, this puts my -ss on TV, right?

Now, THERE'S some 'alternative content' for your [dlp]

big screens!

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 06-05-2008, 11:13 PM:

Pass. Sorry and no offense, but I'm not paying to see that "alternative content." [Moon]

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 06-06-2008, 08:24 AM:

I just had an endoscopy done a month or so ago because I have acid reflux and they wanted to make sure there was no esophageal cancer. I told them that I gag very easily. They said I would be in "twilight" and wouldn't feel a thing. BS! [bs]

I woke up several times gagging and dry heaving on that probe they had down my throat. They kept telling me to relax but that thing kept tickling my stomach and I kept feeling it touch my esophagus. I'm glad most people on here had no problems but I won't be doing that again anytime soon. [puke]

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 06-06-2008, 08:50 AM:

Sounds like the guy who did the anesthesia sucked.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 06-06-2008, 09:00 AM:

thanks for the input guys , I am apparently suffering from alot of internal blood loss so i guess the important issue is not so much the exam but what the cause is.
anyway i now have a good idea of what to expect on the day now, just very worried about what they might find, in situations like this we alway seem to think the worst, now sure if i should book the flowers or order the coffin first.

thanks everyone for their input

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 06-06-2008, 10:01 AM:

An endoscopy is no sweat- - assuming they sedate you enough.
Same goes for a colonoscopy. (I've had both)
I'm not sure what drugs they use, but whatever it was, I had almost no memory of the proceedure afterwards.

What I < DO > remember though was just before they gave me one of the shots that knocked me out someone said "You're going to feel a small prick"
AGGAGHHHHAH! - That's not a phrase you want to hear when someone is poking around that part of your anatomy!

As other people here have pointed out - - the worst thing about a c-oscopy is not the proceedure itself, but the "prep" you must endure the evening before.

(For those who don't know- - the prep basically involves force-feeding yourself over a gallon (yes, a GALLON!) of very nasty tasting laxative over a 2 or 3 hour period and the resulting consequences thereof. )

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 06-06-2008, 10:52 AM:

I had a lot of both these and other procedures a few years back and it was pretty routine. One of the procedure was to pass an endoscope all the way through the common bile duct. Amazing stuff!

Some doctors put you all the way out, some only part way. The best of these doctors said "Alseep is Good"

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 06-06-2008, 12:45 PM:

The doc who did a colonoscopy on me a few years ago said that with few exceptions if it's done correctly you shouldn't know it happened.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 06-06-2008, 08:35 PM:

Reminds me that a couple I know had (because of their age) gotten a colonoscopy done and since they're in the midwest went to the Mayo Clinic for it (since it's one of the best places for anything medical). They got a hotel room for a couple days before it. Obviously, they did their "prep work" but didn't realize that having only one restroom would be a disaster. [Eek!]

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 06-06-2008, 09:33 PM:

I had one ten years ago Phil. There was no night-before prep. I went in, laid down, they gave me a shot and the next thing I knew was the doctor was saying "Everything looks fine Robert". My wife drove me home after a couple of hours as the med hadn't completely worn off. It was a breeze.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 06-06-2008, 09:45 PM:

That's strange. They usually want you to "evacuate" your colon using the aforementioned laxatives.

Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 06-06-2008, 10:17 PM:

I've had several endoscopy's and one colonoscapy.
Don't recall a thing about either one. [beer]

Posted by Jon Miller (Member # 163) on 06-06-2008, 11:47 PM:

FWIW, several years ago I endured a sigmoidoscopy (similar to a colonoscopy except it covers only the last third of the bowel) under no sedation, standard procedure for this kind of 'scopy. The procedure involved pumping some air into the bowel to facilitate the process.

Suffice to say it was a very strange experience, feeling the bowel being inflated like a balloon... [Eek!]

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 06-07-2008, 02:34 PM:

When my time came after that half century mark, my HMO doc sent me up for a sigmoidoscopy, but a friend of mine who is a doctor said, screw that....if you are going to go in for the procedure, make them give you a colonoscopy instead. If they are going to stick a camera up your ass, it makes no sense stopping halfway up -- do the whole nine yards (so to speak) and have then look at everything.

BTW, you probably have heard all about this new "non-invasive" virtual colonoscopy where they just do it with some type of MRI imaging technology. Problem with that is, unlike a colonoscopy, they can just look at what's in there. If there are polyops, then you have to go in and do the colonoscopy anyway to cut them out. Much better to do the real thing so if they do encounter polyops, they can remove them right then and there. With the virtual thing, you are only ahead if there are no polyops at all, which they say is a 60/40% gamble that you will -- if they find them, then you've got to do the colonoscopy anyway and it will cost you for both procedures rather than just the one.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 06-07-2008, 03:10 PM:

Phil,
Hopefully they will do the Upper GI Endoscopy before they do the Colonoscopy... OR at the very least, use a different endoscope! (Seriously, they are different devices and they do not use the same instrument) [Smile]

When I had both procedures a couple of years ago and being a "top" gay man, I was totally surprised to feel like a "bottom" with THAT THING put in places that I'm not used to! YIKES! [Wink]

As others have mentioned, the worse part of it all is the "milkshake" they give you the night B4 to clean you out. Be prepared to visit the porcelain goddess ALL night! [Razz]

Oh, and do have someone drive you there and back...sometimes one may be drowsy when released and shouldn't drive.

It's a very important diagnostic procedure and you'll do fine.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 06-07-2008, 05:51 PM:

Very easy and painless...the painful part is my doctor looked like the spitting image of the actor, Alec Baldwin; I checked my Doctor's medical licenses in his office to make sure he was not moonlighting [Wink]

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 06-14-2008, 04:18 AM:

well i may it through, everyone was right, the night before was the worst lotta hours in the small room.

I was put to sleep for the test never knew a thing.

The results found some ulcers which may have been the cause of bleeding however they decided to go one step further and examine the small intestine with a "pillcam" This was quite amazing they had me swallow a large pill with camera inside , then strapped a wireless video recorder to me to capture signals, this explores and videos the small intestine .

I wont have results from this back until next week.

3 days with no food was probably the other nasty point of this. by day three i was thinking about searching an abandoned bus in the bush.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 06-23-2008, 07:17 AM:

today I got the results back from the pillcam, not good , they have discovered bleeding coming from something unusual on the intestine wall.

Looks like back to the big city for a scan to see if they can work out just what it is and what they can do about it.

the weakness from constant blood loss is getting worse , the stairs to the booth are becoming a real task.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 06-23-2008, 03:51 PM:

Phil, I hope things go well for you. There have been great advances in the treatment of these things in the past several years.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 06-24-2008, 06:25 PM:

Phil, ditto to what Bill said. I wish you well.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-25-2008, 12:34 AM:

Ditto as well from me-hope things will turn out for the best for you. Glad you went in now to get it going than being too late.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 06-25-2008, 08:17 AM:

thanks for the support guys , I am booked in for a CT scan on Tuesday , will know more hopefully after that.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 07-06-2008, 07:35 PM:

Hi everyone,

Well back from the CT scan and consultations from doctors etc.
They have found about 12" of badly ulcerated small intestine which has to come out. They are not talking cancer at this stage.

They will be calling me back to the city in about a week for surgery to remove that piece of intestine. Must say I am not really looking forward to that one bit , but it has to be fixed.
I would guess that I wont be throwing film prints around for a while after that.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-06-2008, 08:53 PM:

Hang in there Phil!!! Just do what the doc says. Three years ago I had surgery the old fashioned way for my hernias. They were so bad the surgeon refused to do it orthiscopically. After the surgery he told my then girlfriend that they were the worst ones he had ever corrected. It was done as out-patient and within an hour of waking up I was back on my way home. Didn't end up using any of the pain killers they gave me and was up and around the next day for a couple of hours gradually through the week to being up all day. I was back to work the next week. Surgery seems like a daunting thing to go through but its not. The only part you'll remember is the beginning and the end!

Keep us informed as to how you do.

Mark

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-06-2008, 09:59 PM:

Phil, I agree with Mark... hang in there!

When I had surgery, the only thing I remember while being wheeled into the OR is the surgeon saying "I'm not a doctor but I play one on TV" and then the nurse waking me up saying "hello cute boy!" I was really impressed until I realized she was talking to the kid in the bed next to me! HA!

Seriously, I know it's scary; you'll do fine and it's great they caught it and are able to correct it.

Sincerely,

>>> Phil

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 08-09-2008, 10:46 AM:

Well my number has been draw finally I head to the city on 17th for surgery how long I will be in hospital is not know at this stage, depends on how big the slice the surgeon makes is.

I was quite scarred about it all but now I am just so tired of feeling like crap I just want it over the road has been too long.

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 08-09-2008, 04:17 PM:

Best of luck with your surgery.

I had 18" of colon removed in January '06, and it took me a good long time to heal up enough to start doing normal things again. Just dont try to start moving around too fast too soon. Let us know how everything goes.

In my case, I was out of work for 9 months. Also, I had a colostomy to deal with. It's gone now, too.

You probably wont have that, since it is in you small intestine. You will be eating some really bland foods for awhile after you heal for a day or two.

Posted by Ken McFall (Member # 845) on 08-09-2008, 04:32 PM:

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 08-12-2008, 07:41 AM:

Thanks Bruce , I guess I won't be wolfing down T bone steaks afterwards , it will be astronaut food for some time.

Will be back in touch after.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 08-12-2008, 09:03 AM:

Phil, best of luck; we are all routing for you. I know it sounds like a scary proposition, but at least you know what it is NOT. The fact that cancer is not part of the equation is a very good thing. The mechanical stuff they are pretty good at fixing now-a-days. Putting pins in bone, grafting, splicing -- very good success rates. And hey, a little bit of intestine missing isn't going to stop you from eating T-bone steaks...just give it time.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-12-2008, 06:43 PM:

Hang in there Phil!! PLease keep in touch with all of us as you are able to.

Mark

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 08-13-2008, 08:56 AM:

Hope all goes well Phil, all the best.

Posted by Andy Frodsham (Member # 4061) on 08-13-2008, 09:52 AM:

Like Frank has said, I understand that such surgery is highly successful these days. Do give yourself a few weeks before you start lifting or eating anything too heavy!

With every good wish.

Andy

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 08-13-2008, 03:24 PM:

Just don't do what a coworker did after similar surgery several years ago. After the surgery Linda started out on very soft foods and over the next several weeks progressed to pretty much normal diet. When the Doc. released her to eat anything within reason she was delighted and said she was going to celebrate by getting her favorite snacks to watch TV with that night. The next morning she called from the ER [scream]

. It seems that eating anything within REASON did not include an entire large jar of dry roasted peanuts. She was out 3 days and on soft food for two more weeks.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 08-13-2008, 07:11 PM:

Good luck and God bless Phil.

Posted by Stephen Jones (Member # 16) on 08-14-2008, 02:54 AM:

I

Posted by Stephen Jones (Member # 16) on 08-14-2008, 02:58 AM:

I am sure all will go well and you will be up and about soon.All the best mate.Mentioned to Vince at Atlab that you were not well said he was going to give you a call.
Steve [beer]

,
From over east

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 08-17-2008, 06:23 AM:

Thanks once again guys , I head off on the early flight tomorrow monday 18th they are operating on Wednesday 20th.

This will be my last post until i return . will be in touch then.

thanks again everyone for the support.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 08-17-2008, 11:07 AM:

Good luck Phil.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 08-28-2008, 04:25 AM:

Hi everyone, back on line again , I was released from hospital yesterday.
There were no problems with the surgery althought the results have been terrible.
Upon opening up my stomach they were to only discover a nasty cancer growing on the outside of my small intestine. with the aid of a camera a search of the area showed that there was a mass of small cancers spread out through this area. Today I consulted with a cancer specialist , next step being further scans to see exactly just how much is there and then arrange some sort of treatment.

This was very bad news indeed , trying to stay as positive as I can , flying back home tomorrow to be with family until i can be booked in for a scan.

Will be back intouch as I know more.

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 08-28-2008, 07:44 AM:

I have quite a few friends who are dealing with various cancers. Each has maintained a positive attitude and all are doing well. Keep up the positive thinking and you will do just fine.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 09-05-2008, 09:03 PM:

Hi Guys,

Just returned again from city , more exstensive testing , more bad news but at least we now have a plan of attack happening .
A full CT scan has revealled quite alot of cancer through intestines and some in lungs , I will start Chemo in 2 weeks , as my health is still reasonalble and aged at 46 they are giving me a 40% chance of recovery.

Yes Rick I will try to stay positive , probably the best advice anyone can give.

I want to remain working as long as my health permits , I dont think sitting around idle is very productive in these circumstances.

Phil

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-05-2008, 09:26 PM:

Wow Phil, I'm sorry to hear that. Definitely stay active. Sitting around will only bring you down.

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 09-06-2008, 06:25 AM:

Hi Phil, I just tuned in, best wishes and good luck

Posted by Stephen Jones (Member # 16) on 09-07-2008, 01:08 AM:

Hi Phil,

Bad news mate, but the best thing is to remain positive and as you said keep busy,and cocentrate on getting well.Do you have to go to Perth for teatment or can it be done local?
Take care.
Steve

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 09-11-2008, 05:18 AM:

Unfortunately the treatment will have to be done in Perth. The specialists up there want to have full control of my case. Still its only hour and a half on the plane and they are using Fokker 50's on the run now so its a reasonable trip.

I head up on Wednesday for my first dose. Spent today going through the cinema sorting things out it was a good distraction.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 09-11-2008, 06:40 PM:

Phil, each time you get treated with good response your odds get better, also sometimes it takes a couple of tries for them to determine which therapy works best.

Here's a worse to good story. My stepson John was diagnosed 2 years ago with stage 4 colon cancer. The cancer was determined in a colonoscopy to be 10 cm. When they did surgery to remove it they found it to be more than twice as big as they first thought. It had also spread to several places. They removed about 85% of his colon and began chemo. It took 3 tries before a therapy that worked well was found. The chemo went on for 8 months and after each successful bout they said the next would be more effective than the last. Finally he was cancer free about a year ago. He gets checked every 3 months and everything is still OK. They now say his chance of living a typical life expectancy is very high---around 90%. I hope you are this fortunate. Bill

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 09-11-2008, 07:32 PM:

Not to imply that you're old by any means, but as you do get older remember that if the disease comes back you'll want to consider NOT doing invasive things like chemo as they take out your good cells along with the bad.

If you still have a strong body constitution, then stuff like chemo and radiation will be tolerated by your body. When you have a weak constitution (which happens to everyone as they age), those things can do more harm than good.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-12-2008, 03:22 AM:

I'll have to chime on cancer on this end - and the survival situation as well:

1986, I was diagnosed with testular cancer (a form of carcinoma cancer that is slow growing, yet it was malignant), that if I hadn't gone to the doc in time, I wouldn't be here typing all of this.

I went thorugh the post treatments of lymphangiograms and strong radiations treatments since the doc wasn't sure they got all the cancer.

2004 I was attacked again by skin cell cancer (a basel cell cancer) on my back that after all of the affected skin was removed, I looked like I was peppered with "00" buck from 10 yards away.

Yet, with my two experiences, I didn't worry on the outcome - just get me taken care of. Thus, I healed quickly and both cases are okey - even though I still see my oncologist for the first one on a yearly basis and the urologist for the same durtation.

Yet, sadly on the opposite note: my father had prostate cancer and the operation was a complete success - all cancer removed and no post treatments needed. But, the poor fellow worried himself to horrible sickness to where that really affected him for quite the long time.

Thus, put some faith in yourself that "It's going to be okey" "Everything's going to be Okey."

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 09-12-2008, 04:56 AM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
But, the poor fellow worried himself to horrible sickness to where that really affected him for quite the long time.

As a wiser man than I put it:
You bring about what you think about.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 09-20-2008, 06:37 AM:

well i had first dose of chemo yesterday , so far i am going ok with no real bad side effects, hope it stays that way, and most of all hope it dose some good.

Posted by Stephen Jones (Member # 16) on 09-20-2008, 07:30 PM:

Good to see that treatment has started Phil.How many courses of Chemo do you have to have?Hope the side effects don't get to bad for you. Keep positive as that is very important.
[beer]

Steve

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 10-06-2008, 06:23 AM:

well i am back home again , had 2 courses of chemo , been struggling a bit with it , but coping. results from the last blood test showed the cancer markers have fallen , this is good, shows that i am benefiting from treatment. they will keep the treatment up until it wins over or loses out. At this stage i am on a 2 week treatment plan.

tomorrow i head back down to work , see if i can remember how to lace up a vic 5.

Posted by Stephen Jones (Member # 16) on 10-06-2008, 07:38 PM:

Thats good news Phill.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-07-2008, 09:54 AM:

Excellent Phil! Glad to hear its going well!

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 10-07-2008, 06:13 PM:

Hang in there, Phil. We're all rooting for you!

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 10-07-2008, 07:12 PM:

Oh, this is good news! Glad to hear the positive outlook, Phil!

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 10-08-2008, 01:24 AM:

Phil, my well-wishes and prayers are with you.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 10-09-2008, 03:52 PM:

Really good news, Phil....you give em hell! You know you've got a cheering section here for you.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 10-22-2008, 11:35 PM:

Back from my 3 dose now , feeling a little second hand this week but battling on.

Appreciate the positive comment and support from everyone here . Next week They are going to give me full body scan and i will know how effective the treatment has been over the past weeks.

Phil

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 12-04-2008, 05:18 PM:

Hi everyone, Just back from my 6th chemo treatment, going ok so far , the tumor markers in my blood have come right down to almost normal, which will help in stopping the cancer cells spreading.

side effects have not been too bad , i still have hair and the nausea is tolerable.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 12-04-2008, 05:46 PM:

Glad to hear some good news from you Phil, and hope that there is more to come.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-04-2008, 09:46 PM:

Hang in there

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 12-05-2008, 04:31 AM:

Phil, that's teriffic! I am sure this good news will be one fantastic present for you and your family during these holidays.

All the best and even better yet.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-05-2008, 08:19 AM:

Glad to hear the chemo is helping! Keep doing what the docs say...

Mark

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 12-05-2008, 09:25 PM:

I am also happy to hear that all is going well,
Phil you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Cameron

Posted by Stephen Jones (Member # 16) on 12-06-2008, 06:14 PM:

Thats great news Phil,keep being positive.

Steve

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 06-04-2009, 07:27 PM:

My cancer treatment is still on going , I have now had 20 doses of chemo. The treatment is definitely worse that the disease i will say that.

I am due for a CT scan in July I am hoping this will show further positive results.

My health has stabilized , I am still continuing to work and well I still have hair !

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-04-2009, 07:37 PM:

Glad it's working for you Phil. [thumbsup]

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 06-05-2009, 09:20 AM:

Stay strong and keep a positive outlook Phil. You can beat this.
Keeping busy keeping your mind off this is a good thing. Your doing all the right things. Best of luck.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 01-27-2010, 05:04 AM:

well my fight with cancer has been made a bit easier, the specialist i was under is now comfortable to let me have chemo therapy at my local hospital under control of a new doctor .

this will now mean i don't have to make 500 mile flights to the capital city every second Sunday and fly back 500 miles feeling sick as a dog every second Monday night.

I can now just go home to my bed and wait it out. The biggest tip with fighting cancer is the treatment is worse than the problem .

My latest scans showed no improvement which was dissappointing but is also showed nothing was getting worse.

I think staying busy is the best way of staying mentally sound, the cinema a passion from a kid, kite flying and model aircraft flying keeps me very distracted from this curse.

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 01-27-2010, 08:04 AM:

Keep fighting the good fight Phil! You will be in my prayers.

I am into model airplane flying also. What kind of planes do you have? I am in the middle of building my first trainer and I've also had the RealFlight Gen 2 simulator for the past few years. Those helicopters are pretty difficult to master. [Smile]

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 01-27-2010, 09:36 AM:

Phil stay strong and try to keep a positive mental outlook, you can beat this. Best!

Posted by Tony Gallimore (Member # 5358) on 01-27-2010, 06:42 PM:

Phil,

I just had a two year follow-up colonoscopy Monday. My colonoscopy two years ago detected a pre-cancerous growth. Monday went very smooth, although the cleansing agent "Halflitely" was pretty nausiating. I just zipped in that morning, they put me under and did the procedure, and an hour or so later I woke up enough to go home. Of course, I had to have a driver. They gave me a seven year break this time. Nothing out of the ordinary detected. I wish you the best! Just keep a good outlook.

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 11-08-2010, 06:33 AM:

Hi guys,

not traveling so well here, my chemo has stopped being effective and they pulled me off the treatment. at this stage they have nothing to offer me so the cancer is coming back and i am now very sick.

Last week i ran my last show, it nearly killed me, so i am now on sick leave but i don't think i will be ever returning back to the booth.

It has been an interesting voyage the past 33 years, from carbons to xenons, from 2000' reels to 6000' reels and then to platters, and now into the digital era.

It has also been really great trading info on here with you all.

take care
Phil

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 11-08-2010, 12:38 PM:

Phil I am so sorry to hear that, I do hope you can keep trying to seek other treatments. I send you all my best wishes and hope you can report back soon with better news.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 11-08-2010, 02:19 PM:

Oh, Phil...I'm so sorry to hear that.

Even if you can't be in the booth though, please keep stopping by here so you can hear some of us bitching about being in the booth and all that comes with it.

Please keep your spirits up.

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 11-08-2010, 02:32 PM:

Best Wishes Phil, I'm very sorry to hear your news [Frown]

Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 11-08-2010, 02:32 PM:

Take a look at THE BEAUTIFUL TRUTH, a documentary about alternative cancer treatment. It's available via Netflix streaming.

Posted by Bruce McGee (Member # 131) on 11-09-2010, 08:04 AM:

I wish you well. We're all hoping that the pain and nausea will subside for you.

Remember, you have friends allover the world now.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 12-26-2010, 03:27 PM:

I'm saddened to add that Phil lost his battle with cancer Christmas 2010. My condolences to his family.

RIP Phil.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 12-26-2010, 03:52 PM:

God now has a great projectionist. Enjoy Phil. May God comfort his family.

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 12-26-2010, 07:57 PM:

Sometimes life seems so unfair when so many of the really good people get struck down with terrible diseases and afflictions.

I will take Phil's battle as inspiration and try to live my life to the fullest.

I know you are in a better projection box now Phil, and we all know that you haven't died but just changed-over.

RIP Phil.

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 12-28-2010, 11:12 PM:

Condolences to the family and friends pf Phil.. I had not followed this thread and had no idea of his battle with Cancer....

God speed Phil... [Frown]

Posted by Cameron Glendinning (Member # 3516) on 12-29-2010, 12:56 AM:

Such sad news.
RIP Phil
My condolences to his family and friends.

Posted by Damien Taylor (Member # 4255) on 12-29-2010, 01:47 AM:

R.I.P Phil.

I lived closer to you than almost every other member here, it's a shame I never got to meet you in person.

From what I read here though, I know you were a great guy!

Posted by Peter Berrett (Member # 672) on 12-29-2010, 05:01 AM:

My condolences to Phil's family and friends as well. I hadn't logged into Film-Tech for some time and unfortunately this is one of the first posts I have seen. Such awful news.

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 12-29-2010, 10:07 AM:

RIP Phil. We will miss you. [Frown]

We have lost too many good projectionists this year. Let's hope that 2011 is much better.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 12-29-2010, 03:18 PM:

RIP Phil, and my condolences to your family and friends.

This has been absolutely the worst year I have ever been through, way too many people who I know and love or respect dying, loss of business and health problems.

To everyone I also add my hopes that 2011 will treat all of us better than 2010 has.