So after a few months away and now making an announcement professionally about where I am at, here is a quick update on where the cancer is at.

As of Wednesday 13-9 it looks like I likely have Cancer again. Thursday they will do a PET scan and then have a Biopsy scheduled for Monday. If it is cancer the probable treatment will be to remove my larynx (voice box) obviously all fingers and toes are crossed in the hope this is not the case but that is where things currently sit.

I have had an increasingly sore throat over the past 4 weeks which is why I got it checked out. I still continue to suffer from not being able to physical eat, fatigue, saliva, etc… but nothing new there.

Will keep people updated here for those interested, won’t bombard Facebook, Instagram etc… with updates and just wanted to set this post-up so I could quickly update everybody without having to send a bunch of messages out.

Feel free to message me though, just please understand if I am slow to respond.

UPDATE: 15 September

• PET scan results shows Cancer, looks localised to Throat (epiglottis, near back tongue) progressing ahead with Biopsy on Monday.

UPDATE: 18 September

• Biopsy done, nothing too much to report a bit of blood a bit of chocking but all good.

QUICK UPDATE: 19 September

• I will do a full post sometime in the next 24hrs as to the detail,  but at the moment looks like operation on 6 October to remove epiglottis, some tongue, voice box.  Over the next few days will have some more appointments and maybe a another biopsy Friday.
• Full update click here

Hello,

Please excuse the broadcast nature of this communication. This has taken much thought and deliberation.

Over the next month or so, I will be stepping away from all work for a period of at least two years.  The reason for this is to focus 100% on my health and my family.

As you know I have now had Cancer twice in the last twelve months. This cancer is thought to have been caused by radiation treatment received for a different cancer in 2015, and currently my prognosis is very precarious.

To be frank, if working by percentages, the reality is that there is a much higher chance of me being dead in the next 5 years than alive.

What you may not be fully aware of are my day-to-day difficulties, not being able to eat or drink for over a year now, constant fatigue and bleeding in my throat after talking. My health situation is not simple and managing these daily challenges is taking its toll.

The risk of cancer recurrence and subsequent death has made me pause and realise that I need to focus 100% on giving myself the highest chance of succeeding in staying alive for my myself, and for my family.

I have put my heart and soul into making DiMO a product that can change the way that publishers work, to put creative ahead of administration and help keep publishing businesses profitable, and I’m proud of what we have achieved so far for the publishers using our software.

I’ve struggled with the decision to step away from the business, it is a real personal conflict, and I wish I could be a part of its completion, but I need to hand it over. I’ve become acutely aware of the fragility of life, and I’m choosing to give myself and my family all my focus and energy for my foreseeable future.

Amanda Maclean, who has been with the business since March, will be working through the implications of this decision with our customers. DiMO has proven that it can significantly streamline and simplify publishing services, saving time and money for publishing business. The software is robust, however, given my decision to stop work completely, a fundamental change to the way the business is supported and funded will be required. I truly believe that DiMO can continue to make a difference now and into the future, and I will do everything I can to help ensure this.

Cancer is a tricky disease to say the least, but I am confident that despite the odds I can beat it. So, don’t write me off just yet! I need to take the time now, and do all I can, in the hope that I’ll be around annoying people for many years to come 🙂