Friday 26th May 2017 - Woke up to a beautiful morning, and really looking forward to my walk around Needham Lake. Rested up most of the morning then had an early lunch ready to be picked up by our friends at about 2p.m. Sam came too and I have to say the lake and all it's surroundings looked absolutely beautiful and the weather was amazing! So, off we set to walk round, I had wondered if it would be too far but I had actually forgotten that it really doesn't take much more than about 30 mins to get round even at a slow pace like mine at the moment! We spotted a family of swans and the cygnets were absolutely gorgeous! The smallest cygnets I think I have seen, they weren't very old at all! We continued round chatting as we went and just generally enjoying the view, weather and good company! I stopped to sit down a couple of times so as not to push myself too much but as we completed the walk I really felt good and suggested we go round again! This time I didn't stop to sit down at all! We still took it slow, but thoroughly enjoyed the walk just the same - and to cool down.........we finished up with an ice cream under a shady tree - what a lovely way to spend an hour or so on a gorgeous summer day! Think I should sleep well tonight!
Saturday 27th May 2017 - Well unfortunately the walk yesterday didn't do much to help me sleep which I was surprised at, and this morning I awoke very tearful and feeling really low. I can't explain why but when Reno rang to say he was on his way home from Felixstowe I did let him know how I was feeling just to warn him! Every five minutes tears just seem to flow for no reason. Anyway, once up, showered and dressed I seem to get past it and just got on with the day - had a bra fitting appointment at 3p.m. at M & S. The surgeon told me I would need well fitting sports bras for after my surgery to both support me which would help with the healing and also front fastening because I am not going to have much movement for a while with my left arm. Apparently I have to wear these bras for at least 23 hours a day for a while! The lady who did the fitting was really lovely, it didn't take too long and once finished Reno and I had afternoon tea in the café! It turned out to be a really nice day with an M&S meal for two in the evening (well...... who needs to cook a meal in this heat!!!) and a night in front of the TV!
Sunday 28th May 2017 - Another poor nights sleep (still taking 1 steroid in the mornings - last one tomorrow - maybe having an effect but not sure really) decided to go grocery shopping with Reno anyway. Perhaps that wasn't the best of ideas because once home again I was absolutely knackered! Decided to rest and have a short nap during the afternoon as we would all like to take a trip to Felixstowe tomorrow for some fresh air along the sea front. That should blow the cobwebs away and be refreshing!!
Monday 29th May 2017- Bank Holiday today so we have Reno at home for an extra day! Arranged with Reno's brother and sister-in-law for them to pop over for a visit today between 3 & 4 p.m. so we set off for a walk along Felixstowe sea front at around 11a.m. Sam drove us there and back (with her 'L' Plates on of course) and as I sat in the back I was so relaxed that it felt like she had already passed her driving test - we wish!!!!! Anyway we walked along the sea front as planned - the wind was a bit chilly but once out of the wind it was lovely in the warm sunshine. We stopped for a cup of tea before we walked back again and then decided to have a bag of chips in the car for lunch! (I have to say that I really fancied the chips but was apprehensive about how they would taste - well........... for someone who has waited months for chips out of the paper.............they were amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Suitably refreshed we made our way home and I had a power nap before our visitors arrived with a lovely Lemon Drizzle Cake! and some books for me to read! We had a lovely couple of hours chatting mainly about the Race for Life plans we are all making and the money raised so far between the two fund raising pages - well over £1000.00 !!!
Tuesday 30th May 2017 - Awoke again feeling low and tearful. I think resting today would be best - I need to shake this feeling - it's just not like me.
Wednesday 31st May 2017 - Woke this morning and it was daylight! Hoorah! I must have had around 7 hours sleep!! I feel so different! As if 7 hours wasn't enough I had another short nap before I had breakfast! Had to be at the surgery for 11.30a.m. for a blood pressure check to make sure it's behaving itself before my surgery! I have been taking it myself twice daily as was suggested by the nurse in the pre-op dept. and it has been fine so there shouldn't be any problem at all. Sam came with me because I have had a bit of a problem at times with my eyesight - every now and then everything I see splits (just as if a bolt of lightening has gone through it - difficult to explain really) and becomes very distorted which is a little worrying but after about 10-15 mins it rights itself, however if it happens when I am driving and Sam is with me at least she could take over. I suspect it will be something to do with my treatment and I will ask when I have my next treatment on June 12th. All was ok with my blood pressure but apparently even if it wasn't the surgery had been told by letter from the hospital that my surgery would not be delayed, the GP would just need to treat me for the high blood pressure. Have spent the rest of the day chilling - looking forward to tomorrow as I am going out for lunch with a friend. What a life I lead!!!!
Wednesday, 31 May 2017
Thursday, 25 May 2017
Treatment Number 7
Tuesday 23.05.2017 - Today I had treatment number 7 of eight, this should have been another chemo treatment but instead the chemo was left off and I had Herceptin and Pertuzumab which were given intravenously and took around 2 hours. At first the nurse said I was due chemo as well but I politely told her she would have to fight me first! After checking with my oncologist she was happy that she didn't have to fight, the chemo was definitely being omitted! It seems that these two other drugs will both continue now for a year. As my sister and I were ready to leave it was such a relief to hear that no side effects should be felt - how long have I waited for that! With my mouth now slowly getting back to normal I really didn't want it being knocked again, taste is still weird but given time that will come back too! The tiredness I am still feeling is simply down to recovery and lack of sleep at night due to steroids, which I am now decreasing anyway so hopefully my sleep pattern will settle also.
We decided to have a bit of lunch out before going home, so nice to do something just 'normal'!
Had a lovely surprise this evening too, Reno was in Felixstowe for the night so he came home and had dinner with us, he had to go back to Felixstowe later in the evening but it was so nice to have him home for a while.
Wednesday 24.05.2017 - Unfortunately another wakeful night - last looked at the clock at 11.10p.m. then woke at 1.30a.m. and that was my nights sleep done! However I decided to try and not sleep during the day hoping that tonight may be different. I have potted about today trying to continue to build up strength - the hardest thing is to walk upstairs - down is easy but up...... that's really hard! I even drove to Asda this afternoon! Not far at all but I feel I have achieved something today. So tired by 8.30p.m. I really didn't know quite what to do with myself and selfishly I wasn't really the best person when Reno rang........he and Sam really do have a lot to put up with sometimes.........I try not to snap at them but tonight I think they probably both must feel I have been a bit grumpy and unsociable!
Thursday 25.05.2017 - OMG what a night!! The best night's sleep I have had in ages - last looked at the clock at 9.45p.m. woke at 1.45a.m. turned over thinking "oh no here we go again" and the next thing I know it's 5.55a.m. and boy do I feel different this morning. I feel ready for the day ahead and sure I can manage to do a little bit more than yesterday. I still had a lie in and my breakfast in bed before showering etc. and between us Sam and I have managed to get washing done and on the line and another little trip in the car to Asda! Had a lovely phone call from my friends today who have offered to take me to Needham Lake tomorrow for a little walk! There are plenty of seats there all the way round so it really will be good for me to get some exercise and try and build these leg muscles up again. Also today I have had the appointment through for my Heart Scan and for the follow up appointment after my surgery to get the results of the lymph node tests etc. which will confirm whether or not all the cancer cells have been killed off or whether I will need further treatment of radiotherapy. All in all a good day and hopefully it will be another good night!
There is one last thing I would like to write about, please read on even if you decide it's not for you - I appreciate your support.
On Sunday 25th June 2017 my daughter Samantha, my sister Anita, my niece Tasha and my sister-in-law Caron are running the Cancer Research Race for Life 5K, and my sister June and her daughter-in-law Kerry are walking the Race for Life 10K,because of what has been happening to me, they, like me realise that without this research so many people would not be able to put up the fight like me and get well from cancer. More and more people are surviving this terrible illness and more people will in the future because of the incredible work that Cancer Research does. I have learned that nearly everyone you speak to has been affected by cancer either directly or indirectly, it is just as hard for the families around the person with cancer as it is for the person with cancer. All the runners and walkers have joined as a team calling themselves 'Betts Beat It' and my daughter has had T-shirts printed for even the supporters to wear (including hopefully myself if I have recovered enough from surgery) so it really is a big team spirited effort to raise as much money as they possible can. If you feel you can help in any way by sponsoring them, however small, every little helps you can donate by clicking on the links below the first is for the 5K runners and the second for the 10K walkers: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/carons-fundraising-page-5
https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/junes-fundraising-page-112
You will see that each page looks like it belongs to one person but if you read on you will see the team and a small narrative along with a few photos! The pages are 100% secure and every penny donated will go to Cancer Research UK. Thank you for reading on and if you are able to lend your support - THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF ALL OUR HEARTS.
We decided to have a bit of lunch out before going home, so nice to do something just 'normal'!
Had a lovely surprise this evening too, Reno was in Felixstowe for the night so he came home and had dinner with us, he had to go back to Felixstowe later in the evening but it was so nice to have him home for a while.
Wednesday 24.05.2017 - Unfortunately another wakeful night - last looked at the clock at 11.10p.m. then woke at 1.30a.m. and that was my nights sleep done! However I decided to try and not sleep during the day hoping that tonight may be different. I have potted about today trying to continue to build up strength - the hardest thing is to walk upstairs - down is easy but up...... that's really hard! I even drove to Asda this afternoon! Not far at all but I feel I have achieved something today. So tired by 8.30p.m. I really didn't know quite what to do with myself and selfishly I wasn't really the best person when Reno rang........he and Sam really do have a lot to put up with sometimes.........I try not to snap at them but tonight I think they probably both must feel I have been a bit grumpy and unsociable!
Thursday 25.05.2017 - OMG what a night!! The best night's sleep I have had in ages - last looked at the clock at 9.45p.m. woke at 1.45a.m. turned over thinking "oh no here we go again" and the next thing I know it's 5.55a.m. and boy do I feel different this morning. I feel ready for the day ahead and sure I can manage to do a little bit more than yesterday. I still had a lie in and my breakfast in bed before showering etc. and between us Sam and I have managed to get washing done and on the line and another little trip in the car to Asda! Had a lovely phone call from my friends today who have offered to take me to Needham Lake tomorrow for a little walk! There are plenty of seats there all the way round so it really will be good for me to get some exercise and try and build these leg muscles up again. Also today I have had the appointment through for my Heart Scan and for the follow up appointment after my surgery to get the results of the lymph node tests etc. which will confirm whether or not all the cancer cells have been killed off or whether I will need further treatment of radiotherapy. All in all a good day and hopefully it will be another good night!
There is one last thing I would like to write about, please read on even if you decide it's not for you - I appreciate your support.
On Sunday 25th June 2017 my daughter Samantha, my sister Anita, my niece Tasha and my sister-in-law Caron are running the Cancer Research Race for Life 5K, and my sister June and her daughter-in-law Kerry are walking the Race for Life 10K,because of what has been happening to me, they, like me realise that without this research so many people would not be able to put up the fight like me and get well from cancer. More and more people are surviving this terrible illness and more people will in the future because of the incredible work that Cancer Research does. I have learned that nearly everyone you speak to has been affected by cancer either directly or indirectly, it is just as hard for the families around the person with cancer as it is for the person with cancer. All the runners and walkers have joined as a team calling themselves 'Betts Beat It' and my daughter has had T-shirts printed for even the supporters to wear (including hopefully myself if I have recovered enough from surgery) so it really is a big team spirited effort to raise as much money as they possible can. If you feel you can help in any way by sponsoring them, however small, every little helps you can donate by clicking on the links below the first is for the 5K runners and the second for the 10K walkers: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/carons-fundraising-page-5
https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/junes-fundraising-page-112
You will see that each page looks like it belongs to one person but if you read on you will see the team and a small narrative along with a few photos! The pages are 100% secure and every penny donated will go to Cancer Research UK. Thank you for reading on and if you are able to lend your support - THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF ALL OUR HEARTS.
Monday, 22 May 2017
Excited for surgery!
Monday 22.05.2017
So it's been a good weekend! I haven't manage to sleep too well at night but I have been resting well during the day so it sort of balances out - a good night's sleep will become the norm again soon I am sure. I have spent the weekend trying to increase moving around to build up the strength especially in my legs that are so weak and feeble at the moment it's ridiculous. I look like a 90 year old climbing the stairs and at stair nine I then have to haul myself up the last few steps clinging like mad with both hands to the bannister! I have also managed to help Reno cook a Sunday Roast! I just wanted things to generally be as normal as possible and great news........ I have not had any mouth wash since Friday 19.05.2017 and I am managing to chew food!! I feel this is a big step towards my mouth getting back to normal and not having to mash my food (which I have been doing for about 6 weeks now) feels so good!! Can't say too much for the taste still but that's not too big an issue so long as I can eat that's all that matters - plus I think now that I am chewing again my teeth will feel less sharp - especially if Reno really does give me that bit of wood to gnaw on as he keeps threatening - bless him!!!
Today I have had another appointment with the breast specialist nurse and my surgeon. Surgery is going ahead provided I am well and strong of course, mid June! So much to take on board - all the do's and don'ts, how incapacitated I am going to be after surgery, the risks etc. etc. and what bras I need to buy from Marks and Spencer as I will have to put one on straight after surgery!!! But, the forms are all signed and boy am I ready!!! Bring it on!!! Let's do this!!!
One slightly comical incident today whilst I was at the breast clinic with the surgeon - "Let's get you measured up" she said " come behind the curtain". As I sat on the couch and started to undress the surgeon asked "where did you get those trousers? I really like those" When I said I couldn't remember she quick as a flash was reaching round the back of me looking for the label!! " F&F" she proclaimed "wow that's Tesco - they're great for Tesco's" I just found it really funny that there she is looking for my trouser label while I am sat there with nothing on my top half waiting for breast measurement for surgery - guess you had to be there!
So all sorted now I am just concentrating on eating well a little more exercise each day to get me stronger along with restful times for my body to continue it's recovery.
So it's been a good weekend! I haven't manage to sleep too well at night but I have been resting well during the day so it sort of balances out - a good night's sleep will become the norm again soon I am sure. I have spent the weekend trying to increase moving around to build up the strength especially in my legs that are so weak and feeble at the moment it's ridiculous. I look like a 90 year old climbing the stairs and at stair nine I then have to haul myself up the last few steps clinging like mad with both hands to the bannister! I have also managed to help Reno cook a Sunday Roast! I just wanted things to generally be as normal as possible and great news........ I have not had any mouth wash since Friday 19.05.2017 and I am managing to chew food!! I feel this is a big step towards my mouth getting back to normal and not having to mash my food (which I have been doing for about 6 weeks now) feels so good!! Can't say too much for the taste still but that's not too big an issue so long as I can eat that's all that matters - plus I think now that I am chewing again my teeth will feel less sharp - especially if Reno really does give me that bit of wood to gnaw on as he keeps threatening - bless him!!!
Today I have had another appointment with the breast specialist nurse and my surgeon. Surgery is going ahead provided I am well and strong of course, mid June! So much to take on board - all the do's and don'ts, how incapacitated I am going to be after surgery, the risks etc. etc. and what bras I need to buy from Marks and Spencer as I will have to put one on straight after surgery!!! But, the forms are all signed and boy am I ready!!! Bring it on!!! Let's do this!!!
One slightly comical incident today whilst I was at the breast clinic with the surgeon - "Let's get you measured up" she said " come behind the curtain". As I sat on the couch and started to undress the surgeon asked "where did you get those trousers? I really like those" When I said I couldn't remember she quick as a flash was reaching round the back of me looking for the label!! " F&F" she proclaimed "wow that's Tesco - they're great for Tesco's" I just found it really funny that there she is looking for my trouser label while I am sat there with nothing on my top half waiting for breast measurement for surgery - guess you had to be there!
So all sorted now I am just concentrating on eating well a little more exercise each day to get me stronger along with restful times for my body to continue it's recovery.
Friday, 19 May 2017
I'm Back! Lets catch up!
Thursday 18.05.2017
Hello again to all my blog readers so sorry it's been a while but as Sam blogged I have been in hospital again returning home Monday 15.05.2017 early evening. Unfortunately the chemo got me again and I ended up being taken into hospital by ambulance during the very early hours of Monday 8.05.17. It all started with lower back and pelvic pain which I now know was caused by the chemo attacking my nerves and muscles, the pain grew and grew until it was excruciating and when gas and air didn't help the ambulance crew had to call a paramedic to try and give me morphine intravenously before they would move me on the journey to hospital. Unfortunately the paramedic after trying 5 times to find a vein he could put the morphine in had to give up but gave it straight into my upper arm which works but not quite as quickly. On the way to hospital my temperature was also spiking so they were concerned about my infection levels once again. Rightly so because it turns out I was once again not only in pain but Neutropenic Sepsis inspite of all the measures that had been put in place to prevent it! That Chemo is definitely out to get me!!! Anyway because there was no room on the Oncology Ward I spent the day in a side room to reduce the risk of infection to me on the assessment unit and then moved to the oncology ward late Monday evening. I was sorted once again with a syringe driver administering diamorphine and cocaine mouthwash to try and sort the oral thrush which also returned very quickly along with my skin on my hands peeling like a lizard!! Anyway as always I received the best care I could wish for and am now back home feeling very tired and weak but improving slowly day by day building and gaining strength bit by bit. I feel about 90 but hey I'm here to tell the tale!
On Thursday 11th May I was told I was being taken for an ultra sound scan to see how things were progressing. So let's get to the good news - first I had a mammogram and then the doctor came through to do the ultra sound. I asked the nurse if I would be able to see the screen for myself and she assured me the doctor would talk me through everything. I so wished Reno was with me. So the doctor got started and within a couple of minutes I heard the words "I can no longer see your tumour on the screen" I burst into tears (Why is it that I don't cry when I hear the bad bits of news and yet I am a mess whenever I hear good news?) "Please look in my armpit too" I said because I wanted to be sure that there was nothing new to see there either. The doctor said once the nurse had helped me put myself back together he would talk me through all the images. It was amazing he showed me the images taken on January the 6th which is when they inserted the marker into my tumour and then showed the images from that day and sure enough the tumour is not visible. The doctor explained that of course the images do not show single rogue cancer cells and these will only be seen if they are there under microscopic conditions when I have tissue and lymph nodes removed during surgery.
The main thing is the chemo has obviously been doing it's job and I can almost forgive it for putting me into hospital twice so poorly!
Once back on the ward I called Reno to give him the news and he was of course thrilled as was Sam when she visited that evening along with all the staff on the ward too as the news was communicated during staff change over. The next day my oncologist Dr Ram came to see me and apologised that I had been affected by the chemo so badly again and assured me that I would not be getting the last two doses of the chemical that causes all the problems as my body really couldn't deal with any more. He also told me that I needed to rest and eat plenty so that they could get me home.
I was hoping that I would be home during the weekend but the nurses made me see sense along with the physiotherapists that I really wasn't strong enough and Monday was there preferable option. So I accepted what they said - deep down I know they were right - just walking to the loo was like a marathon and after washing and dressing I would sleep for about an hour!
Dr Ram came to see me again on Monday 15th and said he was happy for me to go home later that day and Rachel my oncology nurse would be coming to see me to start to discuss surgery! Wow I wasn't expecting that! When Rachel came she explained that Dr Ram had confirmed there would be no more chemo as such before surgery but I would still have Herceptin which I know has to continue every three weeks for a year, and also an appointment had been made for me for Wednesday 17.05.17 to see the surgeon Miss Mortimer to try and book a slot for my surgery! As soon as she left I phoned Reno as I knew he would want to be there with me and he arranged to have the day off.
Wednesday 17.5.17 turned out to be a long day! Reno and I arrived to see the surgeon and after sometime of waiting were called into one of the smaller rooms by a nurse who explained that apparently today I was going to have my pre-operation assessment! A total surprise to me! The nurse suggested that as Miss Mortimer was still busy with a patient we do the assessment first and then come back - so off we went - they were happy with my blood which had been checked when I was discharged and so continued on to the ECG which was apparently fine then we went onto blood pressure - would you believe it - all the problems I had had over the past few weeks never once was my blood pressure a problem but today it was too high for their liking! Well we had been waiting around a while , I was getting hungry and the assessment had been sprung on me - so I was guessing that must be the cause. The nurse said it would need checking again but we could now go back to clinic to see the surgeon. Once Miss Mortimer arrived she discussed my options for surgery ( I don't want to go into too much detail yet as I am still making decisions - it's quite an emotional and personal thing to think about the options given and it takes time and discussion and looking ahead) and proceeded to say that they wanted to operate sooner rather than later as if there are any rogue cells they don't want them to have time to grow - so the plan is that I will have surgery around the middle of June - 6 weeks at least before I ever imagined it would be thought about! I have another appointment on Monday 22nd May to discuss things further with the surgeon and then hopefully a better idea on when it will all happen. We then had to go back to the pre op assessment unit to get my blood pressure re-checked but ....you guessed it..... still too high! It was suggested that we purchase a monitor and I take it regularly at home for a few weeks recording it each time because in a relaxed atmosphere it's probably fine - so that's exactly what we are doing! It will be checked again nearer the operation and hopefully all will be well! By the time we left the hospital it was 2.45p.m.! What a day!
So much to take on board but I am so excited to look forward to another very positive step on this journey - I have said it before - such a tough journey but with my family at my side with me all the way it's a journey that I am making great progress at and inspite of all the bad bits my mind is only focused on the good - and for that I am truly thankful and blessed.
Hello again to all my blog readers so sorry it's been a while but as Sam blogged I have been in hospital again returning home Monday 15.05.2017 early evening. Unfortunately the chemo got me again and I ended up being taken into hospital by ambulance during the very early hours of Monday 8.05.17. It all started with lower back and pelvic pain which I now know was caused by the chemo attacking my nerves and muscles, the pain grew and grew until it was excruciating and when gas and air didn't help the ambulance crew had to call a paramedic to try and give me morphine intravenously before they would move me on the journey to hospital. Unfortunately the paramedic after trying 5 times to find a vein he could put the morphine in had to give up but gave it straight into my upper arm which works but not quite as quickly. On the way to hospital my temperature was also spiking so they were concerned about my infection levels once again. Rightly so because it turns out I was once again not only in pain but Neutropenic Sepsis inspite of all the measures that had been put in place to prevent it! That Chemo is definitely out to get me!!! Anyway because there was no room on the Oncology Ward I spent the day in a side room to reduce the risk of infection to me on the assessment unit and then moved to the oncology ward late Monday evening. I was sorted once again with a syringe driver administering diamorphine and cocaine mouthwash to try and sort the oral thrush which also returned very quickly along with my skin on my hands peeling like a lizard!! Anyway as always I received the best care I could wish for and am now back home feeling very tired and weak but improving slowly day by day building and gaining strength bit by bit. I feel about 90 but hey I'm here to tell the tale!
On Thursday 11th May I was told I was being taken for an ultra sound scan to see how things were progressing. So let's get to the good news - first I had a mammogram and then the doctor came through to do the ultra sound. I asked the nurse if I would be able to see the screen for myself and she assured me the doctor would talk me through everything. I so wished Reno was with me. So the doctor got started and within a couple of minutes I heard the words "I can no longer see your tumour on the screen" I burst into tears (Why is it that I don't cry when I hear the bad bits of news and yet I am a mess whenever I hear good news?) "Please look in my armpit too" I said because I wanted to be sure that there was nothing new to see there either. The doctor said once the nurse had helped me put myself back together he would talk me through all the images. It was amazing he showed me the images taken on January the 6th which is when they inserted the marker into my tumour and then showed the images from that day and sure enough the tumour is not visible. The doctor explained that of course the images do not show single rogue cancer cells and these will only be seen if they are there under microscopic conditions when I have tissue and lymph nodes removed during surgery.
The main thing is the chemo has obviously been doing it's job and I can almost forgive it for putting me into hospital twice so poorly!
Once back on the ward I called Reno to give him the news and he was of course thrilled as was Sam when she visited that evening along with all the staff on the ward too as the news was communicated during staff change over. The next day my oncologist Dr Ram came to see me and apologised that I had been affected by the chemo so badly again and assured me that I would not be getting the last two doses of the chemical that causes all the problems as my body really couldn't deal with any more. He also told me that I needed to rest and eat plenty so that they could get me home.
I was hoping that I would be home during the weekend but the nurses made me see sense along with the physiotherapists that I really wasn't strong enough and Monday was there preferable option. So I accepted what they said - deep down I know they were right - just walking to the loo was like a marathon and after washing and dressing I would sleep for about an hour!
Dr Ram came to see me again on Monday 15th and said he was happy for me to go home later that day and Rachel my oncology nurse would be coming to see me to start to discuss surgery! Wow I wasn't expecting that! When Rachel came she explained that Dr Ram had confirmed there would be no more chemo as such before surgery but I would still have Herceptin which I know has to continue every three weeks for a year, and also an appointment had been made for me for Wednesday 17.05.17 to see the surgeon Miss Mortimer to try and book a slot for my surgery! As soon as she left I phoned Reno as I knew he would want to be there with me and he arranged to have the day off.
Wednesday 17.5.17 turned out to be a long day! Reno and I arrived to see the surgeon and after sometime of waiting were called into one of the smaller rooms by a nurse who explained that apparently today I was going to have my pre-operation assessment! A total surprise to me! The nurse suggested that as Miss Mortimer was still busy with a patient we do the assessment first and then come back - so off we went - they were happy with my blood which had been checked when I was discharged and so continued on to the ECG which was apparently fine then we went onto blood pressure - would you believe it - all the problems I had had over the past few weeks never once was my blood pressure a problem but today it was too high for their liking! Well we had been waiting around a while , I was getting hungry and the assessment had been sprung on me - so I was guessing that must be the cause. The nurse said it would need checking again but we could now go back to clinic to see the surgeon. Once Miss Mortimer arrived she discussed my options for surgery ( I don't want to go into too much detail yet as I am still making decisions - it's quite an emotional and personal thing to think about the options given and it takes time and discussion and looking ahead) and proceeded to say that they wanted to operate sooner rather than later as if there are any rogue cells they don't want them to have time to grow - so the plan is that I will have surgery around the middle of June - 6 weeks at least before I ever imagined it would be thought about! I have another appointment on Monday 22nd May to discuss things further with the surgeon and then hopefully a better idea on when it will all happen. We then had to go back to the pre op assessment unit to get my blood pressure re-checked but ....you guessed it..... still too high! It was suggested that we purchase a monitor and I take it regularly at home for a few weeks recording it each time because in a relaxed atmosphere it's probably fine - so that's exactly what we are doing! It will be checked again nearer the operation and hopefully all will be well! By the time we left the hospital it was 2.45p.m.! What a day!
So much to take on board but I am so excited to look forward to another very positive step on this journey - I have said it before - such a tough journey but with my family at my side with me all the way it's a journey that I am making great progress at and inspite of all the bad bits my mind is only focused on the good - and for that I am truly thankful and blessed.
Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Hi it's Sam!
Wednesday 10th May
Hi all you blog readers, this is Sam, Carols daughter. Just to let you know that mum is once again in hospital, same reasons as before but she will update her blog as soon as she is home and well enough, hopefully in the not too distant future.
Hi all you blog readers, this is Sam, Carols daughter. Just to let you know that mum is once again in hospital, same reasons as before but she will update her blog as soon as she is home and well enough, hopefully in the not too distant future.
Thursday, 4 May 2017
6th Treatment done! 3/4 the way there!
Thursday 04.05.2017 - So on Tuesday I had treatment number 6 and am now three quarters of the way through my chemotherapy - I left the hospital Tuesday fully equipped with all sorts of medication so that I am ready for any side effect that wants to be thrown at me! I will rattle well in a couple of weeks but who cares! I have antibiotics for oral thrush, cocaine mouthwash for if my mouth becomes sore as this allows me to continue to eat, steroids to hopefully lessen any side effects, more antibiotics to combat any other infection which may try to occur, cream to ease 'wind burn' on my face and five injections to go into my belly to boost my white blood cells!
So far not too bad, I have a bit of 'wind burn' and my mouth is a little sore but no infections raising their ugly heads! My hands are peeling just like a lizard losing its skin but that's not a problem - I have copious amounts of cream to apply as well as some cotton gloves to keep the cream on once smothered!
Generally since my last post on Friday 28th I am feeling quite well just extremely tired which is always to be expected. I am just listening to my body the whole time and if it says sleep I do just that - I know that sleep is all part of the process of healing. I am not too comfortable with the thought of doing my injections! So my sister, bless her, has come over Wednesday and today during her lunch break and done them for me! On Friday I am going to have a go with her watching me as she is going away for the weekend but if I am still not comfortable doing it I know that Reno has no qualms at all about doing the last two on Saturday and Sunday! I am managing to eat good (soft) meals and having plenty of fluids as instructed, with intermittent ice lollies to help try and keep my mouth cool! My temperature is behaving itself thank goodness and finding a pattern of taking it mid morning, mid afternoon and again at about 8pm works without me getting too paranoid taking it too often. Had a great nights sleep last night but the previous two were not so good but again I don't mind that as I appreciate how long I sleep during the day must have some impact. So all in all everything is jogging along nicely and fingers crossed it continues that way!
Before I finish for today I forgot to mention a couple of funny things that happened whilst I was in hospital which brightened up some quite serious days. The first was when I was given the first cocaine mouthwash I was still communicating by pen and paper to my sister and the doctor. As I was swirling this liquid around my mouth, bearing in mind I was also on diamorphine at the time, my sister asked me how the mouthwash was making my mouth feel. I wrote down 'Wonderful my mouth is going totally numb and so I can feel no pain! However, I am a little scared of all the little Goblins I can see running round the ward floor!' She looked really alarmed as did the doctor and said 'are you hallucinating?' at which I smiled the best way I could with my mouth still holding the cocaine and wrote down 'No, only joking'. Once I got rid of the mouthwash and could speak again we had quite a giggle about it!
The following day both my sisters visited together. My hands had turned quite a strange purple/red colour and I was sat up in bed with a cup of water lodged on my lap with one of my hands behind it. All of a sudden my sister grabbed my hand and said 'Your hands are going really strange - we need to get them looked at.' Needless to say the cup of water tipped over and I could feel it trickling down between my legs on to the bed just like I was wetting the bed!!! Well both my sisters and I giggled and giggled but then I said that one of them would have to come to the loo with me and help me change as now I had a drip in one arm and the diamorphine being fed into the other! So what happens? they decide to toss a coin to see who is going to help me in the loo department and who was going to make a cup of tea and ask a nurse to sort out the wet bed! My younger sister lost the toss so I guess you can guess which job she got!!! Anyway it all made for an amusing afternoon with us thinking that maybe they would be banned from visiting together in future!!!!
I am so glad that these amusing things happen - they all add a bit of brightness to some of the tougher days and being able to recount them makes me laugh which is a great medicine! One that doesn't make me rattle.
Feeling good today!
So far not too bad, I have a bit of 'wind burn' and my mouth is a little sore but no infections raising their ugly heads! My hands are peeling just like a lizard losing its skin but that's not a problem - I have copious amounts of cream to apply as well as some cotton gloves to keep the cream on once smothered!
Generally since my last post on Friday 28th I am feeling quite well just extremely tired which is always to be expected. I am just listening to my body the whole time and if it says sleep I do just that - I know that sleep is all part of the process of healing. I am not too comfortable with the thought of doing my injections! So my sister, bless her, has come over Wednesday and today during her lunch break and done them for me! On Friday I am going to have a go with her watching me as she is going away for the weekend but if I am still not comfortable doing it I know that Reno has no qualms at all about doing the last two on Saturday and Sunday! I am managing to eat good (soft) meals and having plenty of fluids as instructed, with intermittent ice lollies to help try and keep my mouth cool! My temperature is behaving itself thank goodness and finding a pattern of taking it mid morning, mid afternoon and again at about 8pm works without me getting too paranoid taking it too often. Had a great nights sleep last night but the previous two were not so good but again I don't mind that as I appreciate how long I sleep during the day must have some impact. So all in all everything is jogging along nicely and fingers crossed it continues that way!
Before I finish for today I forgot to mention a couple of funny things that happened whilst I was in hospital which brightened up some quite serious days. The first was when I was given the first cocaine mouthwash I was still communicating by pen and paper to my sister and the doctor. As I was swirling this liquid around my mouth, bearing in mind I was also on diamorphine at the time, my sister asked me how the mouthwash was making my mouth feel. I wrote down 'Wonderful my mouth is going totally numb and so I can feel no pain! However, I am a little scared of all the little Goblins I can see running round the ward floor!' She looked really alarmed as did the doctor and said 'are you hallucinating?' at which I smiled the best way I could with my mouth still holding the cocaine and wrote down 'No, only joking'. Once I got rid of the mouthwash and could speak again we had quite a giggle about it!
The following day both my sisters visited together. My hands had turned quite a strange purple/red colour and I was sat up in bed with a cup of water lodged on my lap with one of my hands behind it. All of a sudden my sister grabbed my hand and said 'Your hands are going really strange - we need to get them looked at.' Needless to say the cup of water tipped over and I could feel it trickling down between my legs on to the bed just like I was wetting the bed!!! Well both my sisters and I giggled and giggled but then I said that one of them would have to come to the loo with me and help me change as now I had a drip in one arm and the diamorphine being fed into the other! So what happens? they decide to toss a coin to see who is going to help me in the loo department and who was going to make a cup of tea and ask a nurse to sort out the wet bed! My younger sister lost the toss so I guess you can guess which job she got!!! Anyway it all made for an amusing afternoon with us thinking that maybe they would be banned from visiting together in future!!!!
I am so glad that these amusing things happen - they all add a bit of brightness to some of the tougher days and being able to recount them makes me laugh which is a great medicine! One that doesn't make me rattle.
Feeling good today!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)