I have seen my specialist again and, apparently, there is some difficulty in the results of the tests in determining where the primary cancer is. This is not particularly good news as, I am told, it means the Doctors cannot be too specific in the chemotherapy treatment chemicals. I will be prescribed broad spectrum chemicals. My chemotherapy starts next week - Friday 18 April. I will be glad when it starts because we need now to be bashing the living daylights out of the cancer. The chemicals being used are Docetaxel and Carboplatin.

I am anxious to get it started now as it does seem a long time since the original diagnosis was dropped on me. Bring it on and lets attack the cancer!!

Tomorrow 11 April I go into the hospital to have the voice box operation to improve my voice. I have mentioned to you that whatever is in the lung has trapped one of the nerves to my voice box causing my voice to go very quiet, breathy and at times uncomfortable. The operation - thyroplasty I believe - will hopefully make it easier to talk. The working side of the voice box is working too hard at the moment so packing is put in the voice box to allow the good side to work less hard. It therefore improves the voice as a consequence. I am no Doctor and this explanation may be far too simplistic to satisfy the Doctors reading this - if there are any reading it!

I come home on Saturday and I hope my voice will be a lot better. I am not allowed to talk for 2 days so will not find out immediately. Silenced for 2 days - some might say that is good!!

It has been a hectic week as always. Spent much of the week trying to get the level and strength of my medication correct. The Macmillan nurse has been tremendous help here - liaising with GPs and sorting out dosage. They are wonderful.

I need to say thank you to Frances Songhurst. She is a therapist. She has helped me in the past and has and is helping me now. The power of the mind needs exploring to be believed. She pulls out the postive thoughts and strengths to attack the cancer.

See you next week.

I'll be back