Monday 11th May

Today we received the news we did not want to hear. The PET scan revealed that the cancer has grown around my aorta, and spread into my kidney and abdomen, so is now completely inoperable. All they can offer is palliative care - slowing down the growth of the cancer, and reducing my pain. It means I have maybe six months left on planet earth. We are absolutely in "only a miracle will do" territory.

We have been overwhelmed with all the messages, love, support and prayers we have received - thank you all so much. Sorry I haven't been able to reply to each one individually.

We will meet with some oncologists in 2/3 weeks to discuss palliative care. My brother and two of my sisters arrive in Auckland from UK on Wednesday evening, for what will hopefully be a wonderful week.

Friday 8th May

I had my PET scan this morning, took about 2 hours in all, and was completely painless! The results will be back on Monday afternoon, and all being well I will have the laparoscopy on Tuesday.

So thankful for the medical help which is available, and the overwhelming love, support and prayers flying in from all over the world!

Medical blog

To save endless emails and answering the same questions repeatedly, I am using my blog to update everyone on my medical situation.It will enable many of you to pray more accurately and purposefully.

On Friday 24th April I was told that I have a cancerous tumour in my oesophagus. Oesophageal cancer is particularly aggressive. If it has spread to the extent that surgery is impossible, I have 6-9 months to live. If an operation is possible, and successful, average life expectancy is 18 months. Either way, the prognosis is pretty grim! We immediately asked for prayer from loads of people.

To determine whether my cancer is operable, there are three tests. I had a CT scan on 29th April, which suggested that the cancer has NOT spread significantly - great news!

I will have a PET scan on Friday 8th May, then a laparoscopy on Tuesday 12th May. If these both show that the cancer has not spread too far, I will start with chemotherapy before the operation to remove my oesophagus and part of my stomach - a more serious operation than open heart surgery!

So there you go - if you haven't already started, get praying!