FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)

01 Jan 19 - 05:50 PM (#3969289)
Subject: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Rapparee

Post today:

First of all, a Happy New Year to all of you. I hope that 2019 brings you everything you would wish for yourself and others.

The rest of this post may be a little tiresome to read, but there are some things which I need to say so that friends and family know what is happening with me. I want to see you all again - and indeed there are plenty of folks here whom I have never met in the real world, whom I have been hoping to meet one day. This may not happen - and this is why:

I left Germany a few weeks ago, planning to move into a flat in Looe, Cornwall. From there it was my intention to build up work busking, gigging and translating. This plan collapsed almost immediately for various reasons. I am now living with my sister Debbie Hammacott, without whose help I might well be homeless - or possibly even dead.

To cut a long story short, within a couple of weeks of my arrival, she recognised that I was seriously ill. I was hospitalised with jaundice symptoms, which were very similar to those of the Hepatitis B, which nearly killed me thirty years ago. The medics quickly established that the cause was non-viral, but the next finding was little better. I have pancreatic cancer, which they suspected had spread to the lungs. If it has, then I will soon be going the way of Monty Python's Norwegian Blue Parrot! There is still enough doubt about the lungs (which could still be dashed) that surgery to remove the tumor appears to be an option. I will be returning to the hospital next week on the 8th to meet the medical team to hear what the options are. Surgery will not be pleasant - and not without attendant dangers either. If our hopes are not dashed by the next CT/CAT scan, it will probably go ahead and then there will be some sort of road map by the end of January.

For the time being, I am in a wonderful place, able to walk in my favourite place in the world. I am at peace with my family in Germany and the UK. I am in no pain and I have no fear of death. If it comes I will simply go to sleep and leave everyone else to do the work! My friends have been wonderful and a visit from my beautiful daughter last week calmed me more than anything else in the world. I was so impressed by her calmness and courage.

I will decline radio and chemo therapy if they are offered. Few people survive pancreatic cancer. It's the one you don't want to get, because the symptoms are so insidious that it can creep up on you before you know you have got it. I was attributing the stomach discomfort at night to eating too late and too much, the itching to dry skin and the sudden, inexplicable, overwhelming fatigue to my natural indolence. I also had the vanity to imagine that because I was a non-smoking, light drinking, fitness aware vegetarian, that I might somehow be granted a free lunch. That vanity has now gone up the Swanee!

I have no complaints and I have had wonderful people around me all my life, who have enabled me to do things most folks only dream of. I have all the support I need and I feel nothing but gratitude. If the surgery goes through, I have a good chance of surviving for some time yet. However I will not try to prolong my life with therapies (which are mainly inappropriate for this type of cancer anyway) just to give myself, the medical staff and those who love me a longer period of misery. I want quality of life - not quantity.

For those who have had the patience to read this far, thank-you very much. If I do have to go to that Great Busking Pitch in the Sky, please look after my family and comfort them. For the time being, I am going to try to live, to be my normal, annoying self and to have all the fun which this wicked old rascal possibly can. Love to all of you!

Blockquote formatting added to help clarify the post. ---sad mudelf

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01 Jan 19 - 06:08 PM (#3969297)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Big Al Whittle

so sorry to hear this, you are a wonderful creative person. Denise and I loved your company, and responded to your friendliness.

i will be 70 this year, so i don't suppose it will be all that too long before i am writing something similar.

i just hope i manage your grace and humour.

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01 Jan 19 - 06:26 PM (#3969301)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Rapparee

Remember, I am the messenger, not the subject. I am sorrowed by this, and it is reposted with his permission.

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01 Jan 19 - 07:46 PM (#3969311)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Bonnie Shaljean

So very sorry to read this, Alan. I’m thinking of you, hoping and wishing for the best possible outcome. Keep us informed, by proxy or otherwise. We’ll be here.

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02 Jan 19 - 04:18 AM (#3969333)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: GUEST,Pat Cooksey.

Sorry to hear this Alan, hope you respond well to the surgery, will be thinking of you.

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03 Jan 19 - 10:08 PM (#3969710)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: wysiwyg

<3 , Alan.

~Susan

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03 Jan 19 - 10:21 PM (#3969712)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Joe Offer

Alan, I wish good things for you. You're a good guy.
-Joe-

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04 Jan 19 - 07:37 AM (#3969761)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)

Sorry to hear this Alan. Best wishes for the surgery; I hope it goes well.

Mick

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04 Jan 19 - 02:34 PM (#3969840)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Bat Goddess

Sorry to hear this, but sounds as if you've got both your head and your life together...as best as can be.

All the best for the surgery and I hope it goes well.

Linn

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07 Mar 19 - 08:59 PM (#3980844)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: keberoxu

There's been an update for Alanabit.
But it was posted to another thread. (It's good news.)

Maybe somebody could post the update on this thread.

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08 Mar 19 - 12:48 PM (#3980954)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: alanabit

I was unaware of this thread, because I rarely check in these days. I was about to look for some advice about an old Irish folk song! Thanks to those of you who have responded with your kind wishes.
I am currently recovering from the Whipple Procedure, which removed the biliary duct, duodenum, gall bladder and other bits of my insides. I am in a lot of pain, but the wound has healed well and I can eat again. I have been able to resume practising my instruments. The Whipple Procedure gives you a one in three chance of surviving for three to five years. We shall learn more about the state of play at future scans etc after the follow up examination in ca. two to three weeks time.

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08 Mar 19 - 01:15 PM (#3980958)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: GUEST,keberoxu

Well, if you are checking the Mudcat Forum
for old Irish folk songs,
you MUST be feeling better.
Keep on keeping on.

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08 Mar 19 - 01:38 PM (#3980961)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Bonnie Shaljean

And keep us informed. Sending every healing wish I have -

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08 Mar 19 - 02:46 PM (#3980979)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: MudGuard

Although we never met: best wishes for your health, from Munich, Germany!

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08 Mar 19 - 05:12 PM (#3980987)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: wysiwyg

<3

~Susan

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21 Jul 19 - 09:41 PM (#4001492)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: keberoxu

Hope your birthday
was particularly heartfelt and happy in 2019.

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23 Jul 19 - 07:41 AM (#4001706)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: The Sandman

Best wishes for your health

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07 Dec 19 - 09:48 AM (#4022610)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: alanabit

I am rarely here these days, but I just wanted to check in again in case any old friends are reading.
We were expecting last Christmas to be my final one, but the Reaper seems to have been busy elsewhere and a lot of medics, support staff, family, friends and complete strangers have kept me alive. This is pancreatic cancer, so my chances of lasting for three years are 30% and for five only 7%. Still, I have been out of chemo for a couple of months now and I am as well placed as anyone can be to join the select few.
My insides still feel as if a medieval battle has just taken place there. Now that chemo is over though, the constant nausea has gone. The fatigue and stomach cramps are still there, but I am able to train a little, drive for short distances, go out sometimes and practise my instruments. No complaints at all. I have been sustained by extraordinary kindness from many people. It's been quite a learning curve.
My love to everyone who wants it!
(Alan Moorhouse aka alanabit)

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07 Dec 19 - 10:27 AM (#4022619)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Bonnie Shaljean

Still here, still sending love. I cannot tell you how overjoyed I am to read your post. Writing with every good, healing wish I have for the holiday season and the New Year. (We're not far off winter solstice now, and after that the light grows.)

Bonnie xxx

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07 Dec 19 - 11:01 AM (#4022622)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Ernest

Hi Alan,
good to have you still around! All the best to you and your family and everyone who supports you....
Ernest

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07 Dec 19 - 11:30 AM (#4022626)
Subject: RE: FB post from Alan Moorehouse (Alanabit)
From: Stilly River Sage

Good to hear from you and about your general quality of life. Stay happy!

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