What the oncologist says...

What would you do if you were told that you had only 6 months to live? Or that all they could do is to 'buy time' and nothing more?

Well, the way we have taken it is: the doctor has not had a peek into Lauh Mahfuz, therefore, her estimation is only based on scientific facts. We are not denying the fact that death is just around the corner, but we are not going to surrender without a fight. At least we are going to try. What happens later will be qada' and qadar.

Mr D is at an advanced stage of adenocarcinoma of oesophagus, bone spread. This entails that there are basically two options we can take: to try to 'buy time', or to ease the pain and make him more comfortable for the remaining days. According to the doctor, they cannot cure him from cancer or destroy the cancer cells altogether. All they can do is 'buy time' and the way is through chemotherapy.

However, Mr D is currently not fit to undergo chemo. Hence, these are the actions to be taken on him:
1) To have radiotherapy on his back - only where it hurts, to make him more comfortable. The earliest would be this Thursday.
2) To increase the dose in his medication (for the blood clots) immediately.
3) To put a stent in his oesophagus in order to allow food to flow in, in the hope that the food will make him stronger. They will try to get this done by next week - a long wait for Mr D.

After meeting the oncologist, both of us discussed the options. You see, the relationship that Mr D and I have is ultra special as we tell each other everything. We discuss things openly and hardly ever fight. As long as he is fit to have the chemo, he will have it done, despite the fact that it will be painful and strenuous, or even worst: rejected by his body. And all these treatments will be carried out here, in the UK. Many people have addressed the question: aren't you bringing him home? The answer is, No - a decision we have long settled with. He is unfit to travel. We also don't mind him to be rested here, because it is the same anywhere: we are on the land of the Almighty.

Earlier today, Mr D told me to tell all his friends that he seeks their forgiveness in any of his wrong-doings. Those he knew from school, university, work or coffee shop, or those he knew through me or through other acquaintances; Maaf Zahir & Batin... from the bottom of his big heart.