It would have read 12 down 8 to go, but the machine broke down on Friday, so I have to have that one tagged on to the end of the treatment. I should now finish on Wednesday 3rd February (all being well and the machine not breaking down again).
So, instead of going to hospital on Friday, I went for a walk with Susie B (well done for dragging me out!) and ended up at a pub in the next village. It was a freezing walk back, but it blew a few cobwebs away and I really enjoyed it. As we only had drinks (just coffee!), we've planned lunch in Feb - when I've finished the radiotherapy and she's got a free day from her new job!
I hope the taste and nausea side effects from the Tamoxifen have subsided by then!
Yesterday, we dragged the boys out to Stourhead for a walk around the lake. Livi wasn't working, but didn't want to come with us - something that I found upsetting, but hey what can I do? We had a lovely walk and it lifted my mood somewhat. I'm getting a bit fed up with the tiredness, sensitive chest area and the aforementioned taste and side effects (probably just need a good cry and then I'll be better!).
Today, Chris and I went out on our own for a walk. He's not feeling 100% either, so it was only a quick one, but it was good to get out again.
Tomorrow's radiotherapy appointment has been moved to 15:50 from the usual 13:00. Chris will pick the boys up and I probably won't see my new pals! I've had a nice couple of chats with Gemma again and also met Sheila. Sheila was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago, had surgery and radiotherapy and was put on Arimidex, but during routine checks, it was found to have returned. She's back on radiotherapy and now on Tamoxifen. The fact that Arimidex didn't work doesn't fill me with confidence, but as I keep learning with this thing, everybody is different. I also met a new lady (didn't get round to names) who was on her second radiotherapy session. This was a morning I was asked to go in early as the machine was being serviced (apparently this is the only machine that delivers the higher dose I need), so I may not see her again. It wasn't until the conversation got round to hair loss that I realised she was wearing a wig! Best wig I've seen (should be really, it cost over £500). Another young one - she's 39 with 3 children (b*st*rd cancer!).
On a positive note, I've got an appointment on Wednesday at the lymphoedema clinic. It's at a community hospital 14 miles away. They used to do it at the local community hospital just round the corner but, cutbacks..........So, I have that at 10:00 and depending on what time I come out, I may have to go straight to Bath for radiotherapy. I may go straight there anyway - it hardly seems worth coming home. I'll just have a longer wait.
My hair is slowly growing. The boys like to brush it with the baby brush my Mum bought me (I'm sure that novelty will wear off!). I'm not ready to go without my hat in public though - I still look like a cancer patient. It can't grow back quick enough (even if it is grey!). The same with my eyelashes - they're definitely sprouting, but they're not long enough for mascara yet. I'm not allowed to shave under the affected arm or wear deodorant during treatment, but I am under the other arm. Thought it best to do that one last week - give the radiotherapy staff a treat! As it's getting more uncomfortable now wearing a bra, I've taken to just wearing Frances. This can get a bit embarrassing at times. I've been wearing black cotton tops, so when I take them off, Frances looks like she's been dragged through a hedge backwards! God knows what they're all thinking. Hey ho!
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