A stitch in time..

The operation now looms large and is taking up most of my thoughts. Less than an hour before I go to the hospital for pre-op 'stuff'.  I've to go in today (Sunday 2pm) ready for an 8am start Monday morning. Gulp!

The support and comments I've had from the blog, email, text, IM and Facebook have really amazed me and definitely helped me stay so positive and focussed.  Thanks to all the boys that came down for lunch. I do find myself questioning have I really got cancer? Do I really need the operation?  Are you sure this is right?  I know the answer to all of these but it still doesn't stop the questions filling my head.

I met Florence yesterday an ex-patient of Mr Hilal.  What an amazing woman.  It was great to talk with her and her husband about what to expect in the coming days,  weeks and months.  Tough times ahead but a positive long term outlook.  Thanks Florence you've helped a lot already.

OK, so here comes the 'let's kick this cancer thing':  Just for fun and to raise a few quid for this noble charity, obviously very close to my heart - liver, pancreas, gallbladder and stomach!   I want to run a sweepstake on how many stitches hes I'm going to get in this major piece of surgery.  I have no idea what the number is or what the prize is yet, I'm still working that one out.  My gallbladder in a bottle of Tequila? (joke) Or, does anyone know of a celebrity that would give up an evening for a meal with the winner? Any ideas, offers welcome.

Here's what to do: 

Donate to the Liver and Pancreatic Research & Development Cancer Charity using the link below.

• Enter the following in the message box -  'For Chris Litt - Number of stitches XXXX - Personal message'
• Ideally I would like £10 donated per guess
• Forward onto anyone I know or anyone that will be interested in donating.

LINK:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=LAPCancerCharity&pageUrl=2

Your support will do two things:

1. Keep me positive and motivated,
2. Help kick this cancer thing and go towards developing and refining treatments.

I'm going to be in intensive care and then the high dependency unit for the next couple of days, Sarah will update the blog during this time.  Thanks again for all your kind words and support.  See you on the other side...of the operation.

Information to help with your guess:

Whipple procedure  

http://www.allps.co.uk/pancreatic-surgery.php

I'm counting any staple as a stitch.