We lost a good man today

Hi all,

the worst news.

Sam passed away yesterday afternoon surrounded by his family. Sadly Sam had been quite ill over the previous couple of days and had been unable to rest suitably. His body has been through so much already. In the end his breathing got shallower and breaths further apart and eventually he drifted away, painlessly and quitely. His loving family were at his side.

I extend my heart felt sympathies to his family at this time and ask you all to remember him as the charming, loving and beautiful man that he was.

A service for Sam will be held at the Newstead Crematorium on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

If any one has any photos that they want to contribute to the service you can send them to me sargent.mark[removethis]@gmail.com

Love Sarge


Sam, I miss you already.

Down a goal

Hi all,

Yes it has been a logn time between posts, and much has happened since my last.

I guess a large part of the lack of posts has been the due to the lack of good news. While Sam has been well looked after (his family are doing an incredible job) his body and his cancer have not been responding as we would like. There has been a chemo round of treatment which in truth hammered Sam pretty hard. His white cell levels dropped predictably but also did red cell levels leaving Sam with no immunity and very little energy. I know that some of you were trying to contact him during this period and in most cases were turned away. This illustrates a simple truth about Sam 'The Communicator' ; if he ain't talking it ain't good.
The chemotheropy trial results were reviewed about a week ago and the MRI scans confirmed that the tumour in his back has grown. This has once again placed pressure back on his spine and has left him unable to walk. As a result the trial has been suspended.
Words fail me in my own disappointment at this news and my reaction is incommparable to the head space that Sam finds himself in. While there is still the option of the immunotherapy I think the community needs to understand that the options have dwindled and the odds are heavily against him.
On a brighter note, in speaking to Sam I am constantly amazed at how is spirit is and how he still enjoys a story and a laugh; a remarkable man by any measure.

Sam is a fighter and a naturally competitive character, but if anyone has a hookup with any deity put in a special request for assitance, he could do with a hand.

Peace

Sarge

Recovery

Hi all,

Sam is out of surgery and so far is recovering well. Sam's operation lasted a mammoth 8 hours! The doctors have reported that is has gone as expected and there were no complications. Karen (Sam's mum) mentioned he could wiggle his toes which is a good indication. Hopefully over the next few days that wiggling should work it's way up to his calves, knees, thighs and then to his pelvis, from there it's best not say where the wiggling goes (maybe something to picture in ones mind).

Of course this sudden input of crass humor can only mean it's Sarge here and not Sam referring to himself in the 3rd person (did get that right Ms Andrew? [my 5th form English teacher]).

It has been an anxious day for me today as I'm sure it has been for all of you. I know the communication dried up there for a while but I will endeavor to post at least every other day and keep you all up to speed as Sam makes his way through his post op recovery.

That's it from me

Be well everyone and big ups to the surgical team for getting him through in one piece.

Sarge

Return of the King

Hi all,

good news Sam has left the hospital! I think I must have been a good 10-12 day stay this time round. Sam is feeling a whole heap better and over the next few days will get the chance to catch up on missed sleep and 40 or so meals he couldn't eat.

In all seriousness, Sam has loss a bit of weight during his recent ordeal and now will be a time where he can regain some condition. Sam did have radiation treatment yesterday afternoon and he is experiencing some positive results. His general walking stability has improved and some 'toe reflex thingy' is now responding correctly. Truly great stuff.

The Insoll house is undergoing the transformation from bachelor pad to wellness centre. Meditation classes start at 6 a.m. in the garden followed up by a small tea ceremony at 7. By the way you can now refer to me as Moonriver.

Sam has been receiving a number of thoughtful gestures recently. Notably some lovely flowers from the ex Hillcrest ladies and a large amount of fresh fruit and other goodies from Zoe, Nic and Kath. Impressively Zoe organised this from Brisbane which just goes to show why she is the reigning 'Admin Queen'.

Thanks for all your support

Cheerio

Sarge

Wind

Hi all,

exciting news!

Farts have been detected.

While the Ritcher scale readings are still to come through this is great news. I received an early morning text alerting me to this new development; I could not help but smile at excited tone running through it. Proving the old adage "Better out than in!".

I think it is safe to say that things will continue to progress along in this manner, I'm not sure how much detail you want to hear about the continuing progress of Sam's bowels. Perhaps it would be best to track his recovery via his current diet (of course if there is a strong out cry from the community for more detail I will ablige).

Sam's Current Diet:
Water
Soup (sieved)

It should not be underestimated how well Sam has come through this major surgery. And is a testament to his mental resolve and the care that he has been receiving. The general plan for the next couple of weeks is to let his body recover before heading back into radiotherapy. His body needs to heal completely as during the radiotherapy much of the bodies own healing processes will be disrupted.

As an aside, if you have any specific questions about Sam's health or condition let me know and I will post what I can.

Bye for now

Sarge

Soup

Hi all,

short post today. Sam has been up and about in the effort of stimulate his digestive system back into action. Reports of soup being consumed have come through, sieved at this stage, far too early for lumps the doctors say.

Good progress

Sarge

Sam's Current Diet:
Water
Soup (sieved)

Re: Contact

Hi all,

I have a small favour to ask, and it is a bit of a hard one to word without causing offence.

Over the next couple of weeks could visits, phone calls and texts to Sam be kept to an absolute minimum. There have been a few complaints from the nursing staff about having to field so many phone calls from friends wanting to see how he is doing. And Sam himself at times does not have the energy to read or reply to text messages.

I stress that this is just for the next couple of weeks until he is back on his feet.

The more energy Sam can put into healing the sooner he will be out of hospital and back to fighting the real source of his ills.

I will let you all know when he is contactable. Better yet, I hope he will contact you.

Until then I will keep you up to play and keep passing on your thoughts to him.

Thanks for your undertanding,

Sarge

Post OP briefing

Hi all,

Sam is doing very well post surgery.

He has a very fashionable scar down the middle of his stomach you might almost think that this was an elective operation. The best part is that he is no longer feeling constantly nauseous. He has been up and walking briefly which at this stage is extremely good news and shows that he has come through the surgery without any side effects.

Sam still has plenty of healing to do. The plan is over the next few days to slowly introduce food back into his diet and monitor that it is travelling through his system to the correct destinations.

Stay tuned over the next few days as I recount in detail the foods that Sam is eating and the current workings of his gastro intestinal system. Should be fascinating stuff.

Moral victory to Sam. Great work!