The next step.
 

Time for another update guys. It was a big day yesterday, I had appointments with four specialists plus blood tests and x-rays, and mostly the news was good. First I saw the surgeon, and he was happy with how everything has healed up. I don't have to see him again until January now. After that I saw the cardiologist, and she has halved my medication with a view to stopping it altogether if eveything goes alright for the next couple of weeks, so that was good too.
After that I had my appointment with the urologist, and he is going to remove the stent from my right kidney on Monday (just a day procedure), so that was good to hear as well. Having the stent removed will ease a lot of the discomfort I'm still feeling.
My final appointment for the day was with the oncologist. He told me the cancer remaining now does not need urgent attention, but will need to be treated eventually to stop it from growing. He also said that I will never be totally cured, which was the only real bad news for the day. He did however tell me that I may be eligible for a new treatment that is currently in the research phase. Providing my cancer is of a certain type (apparently there's many different mutations), he is hoping to get me included in this research (he is one of the leading oncologist in the country, and is involved in many research programs). It involves taking one pill a day, and has almost no side effects, so it sure beats more chemotherapy. I hope I'm eligible for this program, and I should find out when I see him again in a month's time.

You Can't Stop Outrider
 

Indeed EXCELLENT news!!! :)

Good news! :)

Score one for the good guys! Great news, it sounds like things are going in your favor. We can count on seeing more awesome Outrider photos for a long time to come.

awesome news

Great to hear some good news!

belief
 

Alot of people take drugs for lots of different reasons... one of the biggest drugs everyone should take is self belief... its a very powerful drug..
"without belief you have nothing''

I'm sure you'll do brilliantly dude, you've already overcome massive hurdles, and from a friend to a friend you will always have my unwavering support and belief.

Please take care and I wish you all the best for the future.

Rich

Geez Cancer! JUST GO AWAY!!! Go back to sleep! WHATEVER!!! Glad you have been able to recoop a bit and get stronger so you'll be able to tackle on these events being thrown at you. Stay strong and do what you can. :D

I'm happy to hear that it's mostly good news for you Craig. May everything go well with the day procedure soon, and I pray you will be accepted as part of the new treatment program. All the best!

Wonderful news Craig.

Great to hear those news, Craig!

Awesome news. You can now tell people to never quote you the odds. Got any good gambling establishments down under? Maybe you should hit some tables and rake it in.

Was going to write something supportive, but the above pretty much sums it up what I was going to say anyway... Now just keep kicking it until you give it a K.O... (you know groin kicks work really well, dont you :D )

Awesome news...

This gets my day off to a bright start! Glad to hear things are looking up!

What a great thing, to think about were you were and the dismal predictions being given by the specialists, and look at it now. You have come a long way and beaten the odds all around. there is no doubt that whatever you face from here on out will be nothing in comparison! Good luck with that new program and we are glad your back among us on the road to recovery!

Craig, glad to hear some good news.

If anyone could beat cancer, Outrider can.

Way to go, bro!

A cancer pill? Wouldn't that be FANTASTIC if it worked!?!

I'm so glad to see you on the up-swing, Craig. Keep fightin' the good fight, and take some pics while you're at it :D

Thank you for sharing. We will continue praying for complete healing and praising for the progress already made.

Take care and best wishes to you and the Mrs.!

hahaha, that ole cancer is in a corner rocking itself to sleep. good job Man! and hey, living as a survivor is something of itself! my mom is a breast cancer survivor of...... i think 6 years as of this post. and yes, do hit your local casinos if there are any, but dont push it to far ;)

Had a little bit of a setback this week guys. I went in to have the stent removed from my right kidney in what should have been a day procedure, but ended up spending the night in hospital because things didn't go exactly as planned. The stent came out okay, but the ureter collapsed again straight away and the surgeon couldn't get another stent back in. So now my right kidney is blocked again and prone to infection which could turn very serious very quickly. I'm on antibiotics for a week to hopefully prevent this happening, but if I have any pain or fever I have to ring the surgeon straight away and get to hospital a.s.a.p. for an emergency drain to be put into the kidney. Man, two steps forward and one step back.

You watch out, and take care of yourself, kidneys are deadly when they go south on you! Take it one day at a time, and eventually all will be well again!

Great advice Pat. Craig be well my friend.

Ouch, that's a shame to hear. Take good care of yourself and keep fighting. This is a set back, but hopefully only a temporary one.

At least we have one step forward and you'll go fine man.

Hopefully the stent won't be a big setback, and here's hoping you get selected for the research. It is good to hear at least some positive progress.

Get feeling better man! You make that ureter your b*tch!

Hopefully you don't get infected by the hospital food! Well, the stuff they serve you without question. The stuff in the cafe is good old... uh... well, made-to-order but it's not like you can get a bacon cheeseburger and onion rings as a patient. WEll, I don't think you can. But yeah. Take care. And check out my top 10 (or so) images in Mr Stone's post. :D

Focus on the two steps forward, good sir. You'll get there.

Hang in there man,

good to see a fighter who doesn't lose his cool

As long as you are getting forward, even if they were baby steps, nevermind the setbacks...

I realize its frustrating that just when you tought things were going your way, some shit happens and drags your spirits down... but hey, you are still going forward, even if slowed down, but still going, and thats is all that matters...

Yesterday saw another visit to the oncologist, and unfortunately the news wasn't the best. Firstly he informed me that the cancer I have is the wrong type for the research program, so I can't be included in that. Out of all the different cancer mutations, there is only one type the new drug doesn't work on - and that's the type I have. Bummer. :( He then told me that the remaining spots on the pelvic wall have grown at a rate that worries and surprises him, so urgent treatment is needed. That means another six months of chemotherapy, starting next week - double bummer. I have to admit I was pretty disappointed when I walked out of his office. It's going to be another tough haul, but with the support of my wondferful wife and my good buddies here and on Flickr, I'll give it my best shot. :)

Not only your best shot, but DA SHOT! I know you will make it trought!

Theres NOTHING thats gunna keep you down mate!! I you've kicked its ass for this long..you'll have no problem giving it another what for!! Keep your head in the battle and we will all keep you in our thoughts and prayers!!

We are always with You, forza Outrider, sempre!

Keep fighting, bro. We're always with you.

Your one tough dude, this is just another challenge to face down. You been kickin ass up till now no reason that won't continue. Your world wide support mechanism is still in place and with you all the way!

You can handle it Craig, no problem. We're all here for you.

Sorry to hear about your latest setback, My Friend. Keep your head and spirit high and a smile on your face. You're friends here will always be behind you.....