Monday, 31 July 2017
No more wound checks!
Monday 24th July - Monday 31st July 2017
On Monday 24th I had another dose of Herceptin. Apparently I was supposed to have another heart scan first, but the nurse was straight onto it and the scan has now been arranged for Friday 11th August. The Herceptin injection was a real stinger this time but I think it has a lot to do with the speed at which it is put into my thigh! We then had a fairly quiet few days making sure I kept up with the daily walk and breast care exercises I was given - these are still a bit of a struggle but more because of my restricted veins than any discomfort from the operation. On Friday 28th I had another appointment at the breast clinic for the nurse to check how my wound has been doing since my last visit a week ago. Great news .........the wound needs no further checks and I am now ready to have the preparation C.T. scan for the radiotherapy! (The scan has been arranged for Tuesday 8th August!) The nurse has suggested that I use Bio Oil on and around the scar to get the skin in good condition and to aid the fading of the scar. Also I have been told that I can drive again, so long as I feel comfortable, which is great news! The nurse said it always helps you feel better if you can 'get your life back close to how it was before the cancer', and as I drove to Tesco, I felt so much better that this was one more thing that I didn't have to rely on someone else for. My only apprehension was applying and taking off the handbrake, but I needn't have been concerned - it was just fine!
We had a great weekend celebrating our wedding anniversary at the Miller and Carter Restaurant on Saturday evening and enjoying a cruise on the Orwell Lady, up the Orwell and just into Harwich harbour, whilst being served with a gorgeous buffet lunch on our way, to celebrate Reno's birthday. Even the weather held out for us which made the 4 hour round trip a real pleasure!
Today, Monday 31st, has been spent pottering about doing one or two household chores and smiling in the knowledge that I have a week that is appointment free!!!!
Sunday, 23 July 2017
Last week
Tuesday 18th July 2017 - Sunday 23rd July 2017
Quite a busy week this week, after attending the breast wound check clinic on Monday it was decided that I needed to attend clinic again on Wednesday 19th and Friday 21st - (tried to rent a room but they weren't having any of it!) My wound, as I said previously, is just being really slow and there is some redness around the wound which apparently is the skin reacting to the implant but this in time should settle. By Wednesday 19th it was decided that dressings were no longer needed, just some gauze for protection and by Friday 21st (I finished the antibiotics Thursday 20th) the wound was looking good and the redness slightly reduced so the nurses and surgeon are happy that I need not see them again until Friday 28th - hoorah! I don't really mind going to the hospital really, but the three visits this week have meant 12 bus journeys and with the wait in clinic each visit has taken up a good half of the day.
I feel much more comfortable about how it's all going now, I guess in the 4 weeks since my surgery I have now got used to seeing myself with the scar and have got used to the how the breast feels in general - it may seem a strange thing to say but I am now confident to tell people I have had a mastectomy, and the implant, for a while, has felt really heavy, though apparently it is approx. the same weight as the tissue that was removed! My arm movement is still a little restricted but I am working on the exercises and using the heat pad to help my veins loosen up a little! They are so tight and hard they feel like guitar strings in my arm!
Next week I have two appointments so far, Monday 24th I have to go to the oncology dept. for my Herceptin injection and Friday 28th to the breast clinic for a wound check - hopefully at this appointment I will be told that I can go ahead and get started on the radiotherapy program! (Don't worry I am not holding my breath just in case!!!)
Looking forward to next weekend when Reno and I will have been married for 29 years! and its Renos birthday so celebrations all round!!
Quite a busy week this week, after attending the breast wound check clinic on Monday it was decided that I needed to attend clinic again on Wednesday 19th and Friday 21st - (tried to rent a room but they weren't having any of it!) My wound, as I said previously, is just being really slow and there is some redness around the wound which apparently is the skin reacting to the implant but this in time should settle. By Wednesday 19th it was decided that dressings were no longer needed, just some gauze for protection and by Friday 21st (I finished the antibiotics Thursday 20th) the wound was looking good and the redness slightly reduced so the nurses and surgeon are happy that I need not see them again until Friday 28th - hoorah! I don't really mind going to the hospital really, but the three visits this week have meant 12 bus journeys and with the wait in clinic each visit has taken up a good half of the day.
I feel much more comfortable about how it's all going now, I guess in the 4 weeks since my surgery I have now got used to seeing myself with the scar and have got used to the how the breast feels in general - it may seem a strange thing to say but I am now confident to tell people I have had a mastectomy, and the implant, for a while, has felt really heavy, though apparently it is approx. the same weight as the tissue that was removed! My arm movement is still a little restricted but I am working on the exercises and using the heat pad to help my veins loosen up a little! They are so tight and hard they feel like guitar strings in my arm!
Next week I have two appointments so far, Monday 24th I have to go to the oncology dept. for my Herceptin injection and Friday 28th to the breast clinic for a wound check - hopefully at this appointment I will be told that I can go ahead and get started on the radiotherapy program! (Don't worry I am not holding my breath just in case!!!)
Looking forward to next weekend when Reno and I will have been married for 29 years! and its Renos birthday so celebrations all round!!
Monday, 17 July 2017
The past week
Monday 10.07.17 - Monday 17.07.17
Until my radiotherapy starts I guess there may not be much to tell my blog readers so my post will cover the week with an overview of what's been happening.
I had to attend the breast clinic on Monday 10th as there are a couple of places along my scar line that are not keen to heal! The nurse has now redressed the two areas and my surgeon has put me on a ten day course of antibiotics just as a precaution. The wound was rechecked and redressed on Thursday 13th, it hadn't got any worse but the nurse wants to see me again today (17th) just to keep an eye on things. The surgeon has suggested that it will be 10-14 days before the skin is in good enough condition for the radiotherapy process to begin. So I am hoping that the radiotherapy will start around the middle of August - I have to take into account that I have a CT Scan first and radiotherapy starts approx. 2 weeks after the scan.
The week has also been quite an emotional one for me, again I was unable to explain why but I felt close to tears a lot of the time. The nurse explained to me that this is very common and then continued to tell me why........ During the 6 months of my chemotherapy I was determined to be strong both for me and for those around me, I was positive and focused on each treatment, setting goals for myself so that the time marched on from appointment to appointment - even when I was very ill in hospital my determination didn't dwindle and once well again I forgot about how ill I had been and continued to think ahead to the treatments which were killing the cancer and ultimately making me well again. Once the chemo was finished my focus was my surgery and then the surgery results. Now I have the results and I know I am clear of the cancer it's like the guard on my emotions has dropped and I can now relax more which, in turn, has caused the emotion to finally show.
I had to admit to the nurse that her explanation does make sense and instead of thinking I am being a bit silly when I get emotional I will not be so hard on myself!
I am still having to wear some plasters over some of my finger nails! - Progress report - 2 nails have come off, 4 nails are very close to coming off (hence the plasters so I don't catch them!) and the other 4 nails have all discoloured so I know they will be lifting shortly! My hair is slowly growing and appears much darker than it was before - won't need a hairdresser just yet though!!! My eyebrows and lashes are making good progress too! Not quite long enough to flutter! but it's all going on!!!
Another appointment arrived in the post this week and I was thrilled to see it is to see my oncologist.......but....not until 5th October. Hurrah - I must be well if he doesn't want to see me for almost 3 months! Such a good sign!!!!!
Sam and I have a real treat today thanks to a lovely gift from Reno! After my appointment at the breast clinic we are going for afternoon tea at Patisserie Valerie! We thought this would be a good time to use the voucher - after an hospital appointment - we must be sure to take some photos of our tea so that Reno can see all that we are going to enjoy!!!!
Until my radiotherapy starts I guess there may not be much to tell my blog readers so my post will cover the week with an overview of what's been happening.
I had to attend the breast clinic on Monday 10th as there are a couple of places along my scar line that are not keen to heal! The nurse has now redressed the two areas and my surgeon has put me on a ten day course of antibiotics just as a precaution. The wound was rechecked and redressed on Thursday 13th, it hadn't got any worse but the nurse wants to see me again today (17th) just to keep an eye on things. The surgeon has suggested that it will be 10-14 days before the skin is in good enough condition for the radiotherapy process to begin. So I am hoping that the radiotherapy will start around the middle of August - I have to take into account that I have a CT Scan first and radiotherapy starts approx. 2 weeks after the scan.
The week has also been quite an emotional one for me, again I was unable to explain why but I felt close to tears a lot of the time. The nurse explained to me that this is very common and then continued to tell me why........ During the 6 months of my chemotherapy I was determined to be strong both for me and for those around me, I was positive and focused on each treatment, setting goals for myself so that the time marched on from appointment to appointment - even when I was very ill in hospital my determination didn't dwindle and once well again I forgot about how ill I had been and continued to think ahead to the treatments which were killing the cancer and ultimately making me well again. Once the chemo was finished my focus was my surgery and then the surgery results. Now I have the results and I know I am clear of the cancer it's like the guard on my emotions has dropped and I can now relax more which, in turn, has caused the emotion to finally show.
I had to admit to the nurse that her explanation does make sense and instead of thinking I am being a bit silly when I get emotional I will not be so hard on myself!
I am still having to wear some plasters over some of my finger nails! - Progress report - 2 nails have come off, 4 nails are very close to coming off (hence the plasters so I don't catch them!) and the other 4 nails have all discoloured so I know they will be lifting shortly! My hair is slowly growing and appears much darker than it was before - won't need a hairdresser just yet though!!! My eyebrows and lashes are making good progress too! Not quite long enough to flutter! but it's all going on!!!
Another appointment arrived in the post this week and I was thrilled to see it is to see my oncologist.......but....not until 5th October. Hurrah - I must be well if he doesn't want to see me for almost 3 months! Such a good sign!!!!!
Sam and I have a real treat today thanks to a lovely gift from Reno! After my appointment at the breast clinic we are going for afternoon tea at Patisserie Valerie! We thought this would be a good time to use the voucher - after an hospital appointment - we must be sure to take some photos of our tea so that Reno can see all that we are going to enjoy!!!!
Monday, 10 July 2017
Results Day!
Tuesday 4th - Thursday 6th July 2017
Fairly uneventful couple of days. Attended the Breast Clinic on Wednesday for a wound check as mine seems to be taking its time to heal over in a couple of places! Then went on to a physiotherapy class (6 of us altogether) where a physiotherapist just went over the exercises we all should be doing and to check that we were all making good progress (I can almost get my arm straight up above my head!) Then one of the volunteers from the Macmillan Centre came in to talk to us about all the different therapies and classes which are available to us. Really interesting to hear what is on offer including reflexology, massage, nail care and makeup classes, exercise classes and many more!
Friday 7th July 2017 - Results Day!
Woke up feeling quite anxious about today I would like to think that I was ready to hear anything good or bad and that I would deal with it, but deep down I knew that if the cancer had spread I would struggle to cope. Reno had the day off to come with me, Sam went to school, but I know that she was really worried.
My appointment was at 10.15a.m. and we arrived at the oncology department in good time. I never mind how long I have to wait because I know just how important it is for the oncologists and nurses to have time for each patients questions and concerns. We were called through to the consultation room at 10.45a.m. and there we waited for a while until a breast care nurse came into the room to tell us that my oncologist was still with someone but she would give us the results and then he would come through just as soon as he was free. This was it - I almost felt I couldn't breathe these results meant so much to us all - the nurse started by saying to me that it was good news! Considering that I had had an aggressive cancer my recovery was excellent. No cancer was found in my lymph nodes and the breast tissue had all been removed. We were thrilled of course, and my tears started to flow, I was so relieved that finally I could move on and would not have to face anymore chemotherapy - the one thing that I was dreading so much. The nurse left us and I found myself thanking Reno so much for all that he had put up with during the last 6 months. We text Sam so that she would worry no more and she replied "So proud of you mum - I love you" those words said it all. After a short while my oncologist came into the room also with a smile on his face as he knew that we had already received the good news. He explained that it would be a wise choice to go with radiotherapy just to be absolutely sure. This would be treatment everyday for 3 weeks (except Saturday and Sunday) but treatment only lasts 1 or 2 minutes! A doddle compared to chemo! He also explained that as Herceptin had already had an adverse affect on my heart they would continue to monitor this by scan and should the time come that they needed to stop the Herceptin before the full 17 doses were completed then some doses were far better than none, but they would not put my heart at any unnecessary risk. I asked about my numb fingers and feet, and he explained that this is all due to the chemotherapy although it has now stopped being given, and I could expect these symptoms to gradually go after 6 months to a year. At least I know things will slowly improve over time!
The oncologist then introduced us to a member of the radiotherapy team who explained more about what happens with radiotherapy and then took us to the department to show us around. Once again the staff there were lovely and made me feel really at ease. Once my wound has healed and the breast clinic are happy with the scar I then have to contact the radiotherapy team who will start the process to get my treatment started. Hopefully by the end of the summer all my treatment will be complete (except Herceptin) and we can all start to relax a bit more and move forward - maybe even plan a few days away!!!
Today turned out to be a really good positive day - the best in a long time - I am so thankful to everyone who has helped me over the past six months - I haven't always been the best patient - I know I have been hard to please at times - and I know that I still have a way to go, but without my husband, daughter, sisters, family and friends I could not have done this - I needed and am thankful for the encouragement everyone gave me and the support when the going got really tough - THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH - WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH XXXXXX.
Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th July 2017
Restful weekend celebrating the good news! I even had a couple of glasses of wine Saturday evening (something I haven't done in ages!) whilst having a meal out with Sam and Reno - I think possibly even my taste may be improving - or was that just the wine!!!!!
Fairly uneventful couple of days. Attended the Breast Clinic on Wednesday for a wound check as mine seems to be taking its time to heal over in a couple of places! Then went on to a physiotherapy class (6 of us altogether) where a physiotherapist just went over the exercises we all should be doing and to check that we were all making good progress (I can almost get my arm straight up above my head!) Then one of the volunteers from the Macmillan Centre came in to talk to us about all the different therapies and classes which are available to us. Really interesting to hear what is on offer including reflexology, massage, nail care and makeup classes, exercise classes and many more!
Friday 7th July 2017 - Results Day!
Woke up feeling quite anxious about today I would like to think that I was ready to hear anything good or bad and that I would deal with it, but deep down I knew that if the cancer had spread I would struggle to cope. Reno had the day off to come with me, Sam went to school, but I know that she was really worried.
My appointment was at 10.15a.m. and we arrived at the oncology department in good time. I never mind how long I have to wait because I know just how important it is for the oncologists and nurses to have time for each patients questions and concerns. We were called through to the consultation room at 10.45a.m. and there we waited for a while until a breast care nurse came into the room to tell us that my oncologist was still with someone but she would give us the results and then he would come through just as soon as he was free. This was it - I almost felt I couldn't breathe these results meant so much to us all - the nurse started by saying to me that it was good news! Considering that I had had an aggressive cancer my recovery was excellent. No cancer was found in my lymph nodes and the breast tissue had all been removed. We were thrilled of course, and my tears started to flow, I was so relieved that finally I could move on and would not have to face anymore chemotherapy - the one thing that I was dreading so much. The nurse left us and I found myself thanking Reno so much for all that he had put up with during the last 6 months. We text Sam so that she would worry no more and she replied "So proud of you mum - I love you" those words said it all. After a short while my oncologist came into the room also with a smile on his face as he knew that we had already received the good news. He explained that it would be a wise choice to go with radiotherapy just to be absolutely sure. This would be treatment everyday for 3 weeks (except Saturday and Sunday) but treatment only lasts 1 or 2 minutes! A doddle compared to chemo! He also explained that as Herceptin had already had an adverse affect on my heart they would continue to monitor this by scan and should the time come that they needed to stop the Herceptin before the full 17 doses were completed then some doses were far better than none, but they would not put my heart at any unnecessary risk. I asked about my numb fingers and feet, and he explained that this is all due to the chemotherapy although it has now stopped being given, and I could expect these symptoms to gradually go after 6 months to a year. At least I know things will slowly improve over time!
The oncologist then introduced us to a member of the radiotherapy team who explained more about what happens with radiotherapy and then took us to the department to show us around. Once again the staff there were lovely and made me feel really at ease. Once my wound has healed and the breast clinic are happy with the scar I then have to contact the radiotherapy team who will start the process to get my treatment started. Hopefully by the end of the summer all my treatment will be complete (except Herceptin) and we can all start to relax a bit more and move forward - maybe even plan a few days away!!!
Today turned out to be a really good positive day - the best in a long time - I am so thankful to everyone who has helped me over the past six months - I haven't always been the best patient - I know I have been hard to please at times - and I know that I still have a way to go, but without my husband, daughter, sisters, family and friends I could not have done this - I needed and am thankful for the encouragement everyone gave me and the support when the going got really tough - THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH - WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH XXXXXX.
Saturday 8th - Sunday 9th July 2017
Restful weekend celebrating the good news! I even had a couple of glasses of wine Saturday evening (something I haven't done in ages!) whilst having a meal out with Sam and Reno - I think possibly even my taste may be improving - or was that just the wine!!!!!
Tuesday, 4 July 2017
Clinic and Treatment
Saturday 1st July - Sunday 2nd July 2017
Had a quiet weekend - did the usual grocery shopping and sleeping! Sunday - went to church in the morning - rested and slept a while during the afternoon then enjoyed a quiet evening with Sam & Reno in front of the TV!
Monday 3rd July 2017
Had an appointment today at 9.15 a.m. in the breast clinic for a wound check and clean-up. The clinic was really busy and so I wasn't called through until around 10.30! This was the first appointment I had been to on my own since my treatment began! Decided it was about time I attended on my own instead of troubling anyone to be with me! However, it turned out that for some reason I was to have a very weepy day! My nurse (Alyson) called me in, asked me how I was and Bingo! tears started to fall, I felt really silly but Alyson assured me that this was perfectly normal and I was bound to be feeling a bit anxious with my results day (Friday 7th) drawing close. Anyway my surgeon was soon with us and he explained that I still have some fragile skin on the operation site and also some swelling which he seemed to think should have reduced by now, but it has only been 12 days since my surgery and I do still have a fair amount of bruising. He was happy for the remainder of the small dressings to be removed and said he would see me again on Friday unless I was overly concerned before then and I could ring the clinic to be seen on Wednesday. Once he had left the room Alyson then asked me how high I could raise my left arm - I thought I was doing quite well with my exercises but once my arm is raised so far I feel pain in my armpit and it feels like something is going to snap! Alyson explained that this is to do with the lymph nodes having some removed and that I need to massage where the pain is in order to raise my arm further - if not I would never be able to raise my left arm as high as I can raise the right arm! She suggested that I increased the number of painkillers I am taking to help me cope with the pain and discomfort whilst exercising. We then had a chat about how I was feeling and she explained once again that although I have been doing really well these last six months, I still have a long way to go on my road to recovery and I should not be disillusioned when I get days when I feel down or tearful. She once again assured me that this was all very 'normal'.
After being seen in clinic I then had to go to oncology for my dose of Herceptin. Once there and settled in one of the big comfy chairs Helen, who would be looking after me, came over and asked how I was Bingo! here we go again more tears. I really did need to pull myself together! We had a chat and Helen told me exactly what would happen with the injection but decided to wait for a few minutes before going ahead as I had a text from Sam saying that she was on her way to be with me as she didn't like the thought of me being on my own! Bless her! Once Sam arrived we moved into a side room for the injection which lasted around 5 minutes and was put into my thigh - there was a stinging sensation at first but then we were chatting and I really didn't feel it any more! I then moved back out to the bay in my comfy chair where Helen said they would monitor me for a while before I would be allowed home. Here I made my apologies to Sam whose hand had been squeezed extremely hard when the injection first began!!! (I had actually left finger marks on her!!) My niece arrived to take us home and once we were home and had lunch .......you guessed it......I had a sleep.
On reflection I had had a bit of a funny day but I persuaded myself that it was probably due to the fact that I am apprehensive about Friday - it's going to be a big day but hopefully it will be a positive one so that I can once again move forward with confidence and just get on with my recovery!!
Tomorrow is another day and I am determined it will be a restful but good one!
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