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.