My Cancer Journey

08/09/2020

THIS POST INSERTED BY CALVIN'S MOM❤️

It is with HEARTFELT GRATITUDE to FAMILY & FRIENDS for the outpouring of LOVE & SUPPORT we have received during CALVIN's courageous fight to overcome his Melanoma Cancer and in the PASSING of CALVIN our courageous beautiful soul on Thursday, 27th August 2020 just after 05h00🙏🏻💙

We, as a family THANK YOU for the beautiful TRIBUTES, MESSAGES VIA SOCIAL MEDIA, WHATSAPP, PHONE CALLS, VISITS, FLOWERS, FOOD Hampers, heartfelt Prayers and so much more during this difficult time losing our precious SON, BROTHER, UNCLE & FRIEND, CALVIN.

Calvin is so loved and admired by so many for his humble and inspiring nature, having overcome many hurdles in his short life, but showing us how to NEVER GIVE UP even when all the odds were stacked against him in his fight against his aggressive Cancer.

We ALL share wonderful happy memories of Calvin and we CELEBRATE his life🙏🏻💙

Due to COVID Regulations we had a private REQUIEM MASS on FRIDAY, 04/09/2020 by INVITATION ONLY and respecting Calvin's wishes this was sent to immediate family/friends limited beyond our control to a total of 50 persons.

Should you wish to receive a link to view the recorded service (not available for public view, but by request only), you may request this by Whatsapping Yolande 0723473548.

We will, as per Calvin's wishes at a later date arrange a Fundraising Celebration of Live Event - ALL FUNDS raised to go to CHOC which was very close to his heart. This event will be shared with ALL to attend when restrictions are lifted at a venue to be advised and guided by CHOC members.

Thank you to EACH & EVERYONE - you have ALL HAD A SPECIAL PLACE IN CALVIN'S HEART - Please treasure and honour those amazing memories as he has left an enormous void, but left an amazing legacy that he carried openly on his sleeve from HIS HEART, HUMBLY....... FAITH HOPE, LOVE & SMILE.

MAY HIS DEAR SOUL REST IN PEACE 🕊️

OUR LOVE & GRATITUDE TO YOU ALL❤️💜❤️

CALVIN BRUCE TITMUSS
01/05/1987 - 27/08/2020






❤️💙🙏🏻❤️💙❤️🕊️🕊️🕊️

31/07/2020

30/07/2020

Calvin Cancer Journey Update 30/07/2020 🙏🏻💙

Grateful to Discovery Health Med Aid for approving my lmmunotherapy Yeryov treatment cycle (1 treatment costs R204 000.00). There is co-payment on this, but we deal with each - one step at a time.
My FIRST treatment of 4 was TODAY and the infusion went well due to the exceptional nursing care given to me at Oncology Centre, Overport. I will have the next 3 treatments at 3 weekly cycles.
The Oncologist appointment prior to treatment went over my blood test results and CT scan report results.
It is not an overnight miracle DRUG, although there is continued new research and developments to find successful treatments e as pecially in this aggressive Melanoma Cancer that I have.
There are never any guarantees in life, but this gives me another fighting chance to see how my Melanoma Cancer will respond to this treatment.
There will be no answers to how I am responding - it takes the full treatment cycle (4) to reassess - in God's hands.
Some people can have side effects, others not, so it is a wait and see period.
I will take this time to rest up and try and build up more energy/stamina after the rigid Chemo & Radiation therapy treatments in past few weeks/months.
I'm fighting this cancer with all I can and THANK EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU that has prayed, supported, loved, encouraged me on this journey in every way possible!
From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU.
Please continue to keep me in your prayers🙏🏻💙❤️ # FAITH

30/07/2020

Treatment day be positive and happy 😊

30/07/2020

20/07/2020

Update on My Cancer Journey 20/07/2020: Calvin 🙏🏻💙🌞❣️

My Chemo Treatment has been stopped as my Bloods did not recover on Friday for me to have today.
I'm disappointed, but at same time remain positive to be moving to a new Immunotherapy Treatment protocol for me which has been put through to my medical aid for approval.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers, also that the approval goes through quickly so commencement can take place really soon.

One step at a time.

Thank you for your continued prayers, love, encouragement, messages and calls.

If I don't get to answer straight away, I might be resting to gear up for this treatment which will be 4 treatments only at 3 week intervals and at times is known to be very harsh, but I'm up for this challenge God willing.

Love to you all, take care & wear a mask, sun protection🙏🏻💙🌞

13/07/2020

Update on My Cancer Journey 13/07/2020: Calvin 🙏🏻💙🌞❣️

My blood count wasn't good for me to have Chemo today, so this Friday I have blood tests and then to Chemo on Monday.
Sometimes the bloods just need to rejuvenate to continue treatment.
One step at a time.
Thank you for your continued prayers, love, encouragement, messages and calls.
Please continue your prayers - grateful.
Love to you all & take care - wear a mask🙏🏻💙🌞

02/07/2020

The photo on the left what i took down the south coast what reminds me of special miracles in people life's be thankful and your count your blessing every day I am grateful for the small things in life

28/06/2020

We fight, we overcome, we believe,

23/06/2020

Thank you family for your messages and those directly to Calvin and phone calls❤️

His Chemo procedure started just on 9.30 and finished at 14h00. First patient up and last to leave because we requested a slow infusion for the recommencement.

It was a very long day and last night was very unsettled.
I spent most of night keeping him comfortable.

Calvin is really really brave and is now sleeping at last (not sure for how long because the steroids might kick in)....& then he will be wide eyed again.

He has eaten really well again today due to steroids infused and more than double intake of food.
I pack him a 'snack pack' on chemo days and everything was finished by 12h30.
Banana, Naartjie, Blueberry Muffin, Flings, Kit Kat, Savoury Mince Sandwich,..... Then Ros has baked and sent some pastry things home for Bruce like Fruit bar things, well Calvin mapped half those in way home..... Bowl of ice cream when he got home
Steroids just make you very hungry......
Eaten supper, had copious amount of water...... & started day off with Jungle Oats x

So hoping he DOES HAVE A RESTFUL NIGHT & praying side effects are not too harsh xx

Much love & goodnight - we all exhausted

19/06/2020

Morning, have the most amazing and beautiful day alway's stay humble and kind and positive and smile, and think of happy thoughts 🙏🙂

17/06/2020

Hi Family & Friends🌞

Update Wed 17/06🙏🏻💙

CT Scan, Bloods, follow through with Oncologist shows that Radiation has been beneficial to the two Melanoma cancer bony areas, pelvic & shoulder🌞

It has been great to shower normally again as one has to avoid water on radiation sites even till 10 days after treatment has completed 💥

My CT Scans show progression of the cancer in liver, lungs and spot on lower lumbar spine which unfortunately was to be expected due to interruption of my Chemo sessions to accommodate the radiation.
Spleen is unchanged on CT so not reported on which means lesions are same as previous.

My Full Blood Count is good for me to recommence 5th round of Chemo next week.

My Cancer blood markers have reduced again more than likely due to good radiation response.

Liver markers have gone up due to progression of lesions so we hoping for positives with Chemo again and they can start dropping. The liver is enlarged so pushes on various other parts in my body which does cause a lot of pain/discomfort.
My pain is being managed and the past 2 weeks have been quite tough with this.

The weather is really cool at the moment and I hope to get a bit more walking in too.

Keeping all the positives going and am very thankful for the continued calls, messages and prayers💙

THANK YOU EVERYONE🌞 Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I fight this beast and as I start my Chemo next week.

Much love
Calvin🌞🌞🙏🏻💙🌞🌞

07/06/2020

Peace, love, cure alway's be you and never change and smile and be kind and always dream

05/06/2020

The "C" word is a hard pill to swallow and harder to take when it’s just you and the doctor sitting in the office. I’m afraid that I have some very personal reasons for this post, I'm sad 😥😪. It is in the most difficult moments of life you realize who your real family, friends or people are that really have your back. People's true colors come out when the attention isn’t on them. Unfortunately, some friends are going to press "like", but not really read it because it takes time to read this statement and when they see that it is long, they skip it.
Now I look at those who take the time to read this post until the end ..... (I think I will discover that 5 maybe 6 will). Cancer is very invasive and harmful, even after the end of treatment your body is still struggling to restore the damage caused by radiation/chemotherapy. Your mind reels, for a very long time. It is a very long process. (100% true)
Please, in honor of a family member, a friend who died, is still fighting cancer or even had cancer but beat it, Copy and paste (don’t just share) on your page.
So I can find out who read it, 😍 please write "done" so we can see together the power of Unity !!!
To all those who have lost someone or are in the battle against cancer, here’s a hug for each and every one of you and your loved ones 🙏🏻❤️
Cancer sucks.

03/06/2020

Hi Family & Friends🌞

Update Tues 02/06🙏🏻💙

Radiation thankfully finished on Monday (a days delay due to the radiation machine having to be rebooted due to power surge last Tues afternoon so no radiation last Wednesday)🌞

The best news is that I can have a full light shower on the weekend. This washing with buckets/bath is really tedious to avoid getting radiation sites wet, but thankfully managing ok🙏🏻

My shoulder pain has subsided considerably👍 and all good in my pelvic bone area (I wouldn't even know I had cancer in my pelvic bone as no pain which is the nature of this beast Melanoma Cancer).

My appointment with Oncologist yesterday was to let me know that I have CT Scan booked for Wed, 17th June and blood tests. These are done to see how I have responded to radiation. My Chemo x2 sessions will then commence to complete that 6 treatment cycle which was interrupted for radiation.

My body will have at least 3 - 4 weeks to recover from the battering of treatments since Dec/Jan until Chemo which will continue to fight the cancer in my liver, spleen & prevent recurrence.
My hair, beard & moustache have started growing back again slowly, but will disappear again with next Chemo.

I am experiencing pain in my lower right back kidney area, but we wait for scans and bloods to see. This could be muscle spasms even as nothing has shown up in that area before and my kidney functions have been fine in the past. Holding up and holding thumbs.

I need to try and walk more whilst I have a bit more energy whilst I have this break. The weather is really cool to do this - not too hot!

Obviously still very restricted regarding going out on visits and receiving visitors which I suppose is the norm for most of you even due to COVID which for me getting any infection or virus is very dangerous.

I am generally feeling ok, just need more contact with my family and friends which would be a huge bonus to cheer me up more🌞

Keeping all the positives going and am very thankful for all the calls, messages and prayers uplifting me during this time.

THANK YOU EVERYONE🌞 Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I fight this beast.

Calvin🌞🌞🙏🏻💙🌞🌞

31/05/2020

Positive thought of the day

27/05/2020

Hi Family & Friends,

Update Sat 23/5🙏🏻💙

It has been a tough week with real bad pain in my shoulder area.

I have had 5 days of radiation in my pelvic bone area (no pain there) - this area was reason why Chemo was halted because the cancer markers doubled as tumour in the pelvic bone wasn't responding to chemo and growing, so it was felt radiation needed more urgently to try and zap this pelvic bone tumour.

My shoulder cancer spot was not something too concerning a few weeks ago as it was stable and no growth there for months, but was decided to radiate at same time.

Needless to say before radiation started the shoulder became very painful and a 'mass' was noticed so an ultrasound was advised. Results indicate that the 'mass' is part of the bone cancer and was obviously becoming problematic so it was a good decision for radiation as hopefully it will take care of that too.

I have woken this morning feeling less pain there, so hoping and praying for relief on this tumour and pelvic bone area from the radiation.

I have 5 more days of radiation Mon-Fri with an Oncologist appt followup on Tues.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers.

The pic attached shows green crosses in my shoulder area - that's where they radiate and the 'mass' above is part of that so radiation should take care of that (it did that for the skull 'mass' which was eradicated in Jan together with rib and jaw.

Have a great weekend everyone! 🌞🙏🏻💙
Calvin

27/05/2020

Be the art🎨 of your own solution

21/05/2020

15/05/2020

Alway's be you and happy no matter what you going threw, lift your head and alway be positive and believe in yourself 🙏😁

11/05/2020

Never give up, alway's believe and each day has a beautiful day

06/05/2020

Alway's be positive and be happy and live free, everyone have the most amazing and beautiful day ahead and be blessed and always smile and be humble and kind 😊🙏😇

30/04/2020

MY CANCER JOURNEY UPDATE after CT SCANS, BLOOD TEST & ONCOLOGIST CONSULT Thurs 30/04 :

I am pleased that my Melanoma in Jaw, Skull & Rib shows as scar and no regrowth of tumours noted.

Also, happy to tell you that my liver lesions have all reduced in size and in particular noted from previous scan the one lesion has reduced from 7cm to 4 cm diam.

My spleen lesions have gone, barring one which has also reduced significantly.

No lung /lining cancer noted at this time, which is great news.

The Chemo after 4 treatments has had a positive impact against the Cancer.

"However, the pelvic melanoma cancer bone growth near the joint has increased, hence the increase and answer in cancer markers on blood tests which were troubling us." Oncologist

There are many positives, but treatment protocol is changing for now to RADIATION for 10 days to that pelvic bone area growth and a spot on shoulder joint bone which is unchanged, but there. This radiation will commence as soon as medical aid approves which doesn't take too long.

Following radiation treatment, Chemo will recommence (2 weeks after radiation finishes) for balance of 2 treatments and reassessment will take place.

My body will enjoy this break from these 4 rounds of Chemo so far and am positive the radiation will bring good results to this pelvic bone area as it did to my other bony areas initially.

I am pain free and feeling really good, including a good appetite so my body can recover for a short while from the pounding Chemo. I will continue to strengthen my muscles with walking and very light exercises that I can manage.

Remaining thankful and faithful for all the positives.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LOVE, SUPPORT, PRAYERS, CALLS, MESSAGES TO ME & MY FAMILY - you keep me encouraged to keep fighting, smiling and being me.

30/04/2020

Alway's be happy and make every day a new day and adventure 🙏😇😊😁

26/04/2020

Alway's live your life with positive thoughts and alway's be yourself and be happy 😊