A quiet day, nothing unusual to report other than Livi and Vaughan actually went out to get some bread (after much cajoling!) and then Livi made us toasties!! Adam was out with his friends, as he has been for most of the week.
Oh yeah, I got my appointments through. The chemo nurse rang this morning. I have a consent appointment on the 19th August at 12:00 with the chemo nurse (have to arrive 10 minutes earlier for bloods to be taken). This should take about an hour. Then C-DAY #1 is scheduled for 11:00 on 24th August. This should take 1 - 1 1/2 hours. I'm sure I'll find out more about this when I see the chemo nurse.
Poor Vaughan, he went into the kitchen to make his breakfast and when he came back in I was in tears. Daft really, because I've got ages to wait for treatment, but the tears just came. Bit of a role reversal after that, my 15 year old son was comforting me - not how it should be. Adam came downstairs soon after and another cuddle followed.
We moved on though, to how long Vaughan should boil his 3 eggs for! 3,2,1, back in the room - lovely.
Eventually told Chris and parents about the dates. Nobody's that impressed about the wait, but understanding that there's little that can be done. Although, DadD has emailed the Chief Exec at RUH to ask for an explanation (maybe that's why I had a phone call so quickly???)!
Another weekend approaches. If time continues this quickly, it'll all soon be over...........
Friday, 30 July 2010
Long time no see - Thursday 29th
Had to get up earlier today to get through the routine etc before going to see my GP. I had intended to walk round (it's not far) but, by the time I'd faffed about, I had about 5 minutes until my appointment time so took the car instead!
There was no need to rush though, it took about 3/4 of an hour before I got in to see her!
She was lovely though (the first time I've seen her). She was very patient and gave me all the time I needed - as she probably had with all the other patients before me, hence the delay. We discussed the pros and cons of me returning to work whilst waiting for the chemo and decided on another sick note for a month. This should take me through to the first chemo session and we can review it after that. It also gives us chance to go away for a few days before it all starts. Got some more medication and had my blood pressure taken. That was a bit high, but we've agreed to monitor it each time I come for pre-chemo bloods.
The evening was spent at a local pub with work friends and colleagues. We were there to wish farewell and good luck to H who's going off on maternity leave. It was time well spent and great to see everyone. H had some lovely prezzies and I got chance to travel in her new Renault Espace. H isn't overly impressed with it, but I was (geek that I am!). She'll be sadly missed at work and we're all hoping she'll return. Zara will do a brilliant job though in her absence.
Finally a message for Lyn - I'm really pleased you're reading this and well done for finding it! You're better than you think you are at IT! x
There was no need to rush though, it took about 3/4 of an hour before I got in to see her!
She was lovely though (the first time I've seen her). She was very patient and gave me all the time I needed - as she probably had with all the other patients before me, hence the delay. We discussed the pros and cons of me returning to work whilst waiting for the chemo and decided on another sick note for a month. This should take me through to the first chemo session and we can review it after that. It also gives us chance to go away for a few days before it all starts. Got some more medication and had my blood pressure taken. That was a bit high, but we've agreed to monitor it each time I come for pre-chemo bloods.
The evening was spent at a local pub with work friends and colleagues. We were there to wish farewell and good luck to H who's going off on maternity leave. It was time well spent and great to see everyone. H had some lovely prezzies and I got chance to travel in her new Renault Espace. H isn't overly impressed with it, but I was (geek that I am!). She'll be sadly missed at work and we're all hoping she'll return. Zara will do a brilliant job though in her absence.
Finally a message for Lyn - I'm really pleased you're reading this and well done for finding it! You're better than you think you are at IT! x
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
My appointment with Dr Mancero
Apart from being woken by loud music (a middle aged couple next door!) at 06:30, I felt quite good. The strange stinging feeling in my arm has improved even further. I've also decided to stay off the co-codamol and go back onto the paracetamol, after yesterday's fiasco! I made an appointment to see one of the doctors at my GP surgery tomorrow to discuss medication, sick note etc.
At around midday, I got a call from the oncology unit to ask if I would mind coming in earlier, as they'd had a cancellation. The appointment was for 14:00, so I didn't have long to go. Chris came home and just had enough time to have a bite to eat before we trundled off. Parked easily enough in the red car park (Chris' favourite!) and went in to find the department. It was a contrast from the outside of the building, which looked old and dingy. It was nice, airy and spacious in the oncology/radiology department (still felt anxious though). Didn't have long to wait before we were called in to the clinic area. We were shown in to a consulting room and waited for Dr Mancero. She's very nice. Smaller than me, stocky with beautiful handwriting. I knew we were alright when I saw her handwriting, my mum's got beautiful handwriting. She examined me and commented on how neat the scar is. Now, I maybe wrong here, but this is the first time someone has actually examined my other breast, felt around my collar bone and tummy area. It may have been for show, but it made me feel better, especially when she said everything looked and felt ok! We sat down and she explained what treatment she recommended, the side effects (briefly) and answered any questions we had.
Basically:
3 courses of FEC (fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide that will be given into a vein in my hand)
3 courses of Docetaxel (Taxotere, given the same way)
These will be given at 3 weekly intervals and I can expect to lose my hair when the 2nd course of FEC starts.
Once this has finished the radiotherapy will start around 3-4 weeks later, alongside the hormone treatment - Tamoxifen.
After this the HCA came in and gave me a chemo pack (explanations, side effects etc.) and told us that currently there is a 3 week waiting list! I may get an appointment first with the chemo nurse and then another appointment for the treatment to start. OR, I may get both appointments on the same day. Either way, we've still a little while to wait, but I should hear about the appointments within the next week.
I came out with a goody bag of drugs to help with the sickness, which I have to take the day before, on the day and the day after each chemo session.
So there you are, more reading material and more waiting...........
At around midday, I got a call from the oncology unit to ask if I would mind coming in earlier, as they'd had a cancellation. The appointment was for 14:00, so I didn't have long to go. Chris came home and just had enough time to have a bite to eat before we trundled off. Parked easily enough in the red car park (Chris' favourite!) and went in to find the department. It was a contrast from the outside of the building, which looked old and dingy. It was nice, airy and spacious in the oncology/radiology department (still felt anxious though). Didn't have long to wait before we were called in to the clinic area. We were shown in to a consulting room and waited for Dr Mancero. She's very nice. Smaller than me, stocky with beautiful handwriting. I knew we were alright when I saw her handwriting, my mum's got beautiful handwriting. She examined me and commented on how neat the scar is. Now, I maybe wrong here, but this is the first time someone has actually examined my other breast, felt around my collar bone and tummy area. It may have been for show, but it made me feel better, especially when she said everything looked and felt ok! We sat down and she explained what treatment she recommended, the side effects (briefly) and answered any questions we had.
Basically:
3 courses of FEC (fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide that will be given into a vein in my hand)
3 courses of Docetaxel (Taxotere, given the same way)
These will be given at 3 weekly intervals and I can expect to lose my hair when the 2nd course of FEC starts.
Once this has finished the radiotherapy will start around 3-4 weeks later, alongside the hormone treatment - Tamoxifen.
After this the HCA came in and gave me a chemo pack (explanations, side effects etc.) and told us that currently there is a 3 week waiting list! I may get an appointment first with the chemo nurse and then another appointment for the treatment to start. OR, I may get both appointments on the same day. Either way, we've still a little while to wait, but I should hear about the appointments within the next week.
I came out with a goody bag of drugs to help with the sickness, which I have to take the day before, on the day and the day after each chemo session.
So there you are, more reading material and more waiting...........
Tuesday 27th July
It was a very quiet day really. This was mainly due to the fact that my darling husband had prevented me from going to sleep. No, no, it's not what you think! His snoring was particularly loud, it was a humid night and the mix just didn't do it for me. I ended up taking my duvet (he wasn't taking that off me again!) and going downstairs, finally dropping off on the sofa for a few hours kip. He crept downstairs at around 07:30 and sheepishly peered round the door. I snapped at him to take my duvet back upstairs, so I could follow it and go back to bed. Needless to say, I didn't get up 'til much later and felt rotten for the rest of the day. It didn't help that, the previous evening, I'd taken some gunk (only way to describe it I'm afraid) I'd bought from the health food shop to help counteract the effects of the co-codamol. Well, it certainly did that - most of the day in fact!
A welcome addition to my day, though, was a bouquet of flowers from my Annie. That brightened things up a bit for me. Beautiful big sunflowers that can't help but make you feel better.
Liv was desperate to get a laptop with her birthday money, so I took her along to Curry's, where she'd seen one she liked and she finally bought it. She still shakes with excitement when she opens new things! That was the last I saw of her for the rest of the evening, but Mum and Dad, DadD and Heather ended up getting emails out of it!
A visit from a friend with her new grandson rounded off what could've been a thoroughly miserable day, but got better.
A welcome addition to my day, though, was a bouquet of flowers from my Annie. That brightened things up a bit for me. Beautiful big sunflowers that can't help but make you feel better.
Liv was desperate to get a laptop with her birthday money, so I took her along to Curry's, where she'd seen one she liked and she finally bought it. She still shakes with excitement when she opens new things! That was the last I saw of her for the rest of the evening, but Mum and Dad, DadD and Heather ended up getting emails out of it!
A visit from a friend with her new grandson rounded off what could've been a thoroughly miserable day, but got better.
Monday, 26 July 2010
The weekend
Vaughan came back on Friday night with stories of drink and other excesses. He'd taken note of our earlier conversations and ended up being amongst people (some he didn't even know) who were a little worse for wear. So he ended up looking after some others and to be honest, I think he felt a bit out of place (that's not to say he didn't indulge - he just hid his tracks!). Just as well really because as he and another friend were leaving, there were shouts of "the police are coming!". I'm quite proud of him really!
Over the weekend, we went to see Toy Story 3 in 3D. It was just the 4 of us as Liv had seen it on Friday night. We all seemed to enjoy it, although the boys didn't think the 3D was up to much. Chris and I did though. It was quite sad at times! We ended up having a KFC afterwards and by the time we got home I was pooped! I find I need to stretch my arm regularly or my wrist and forearm become painful when I move them (I think the cords must harden).
Liv was staying at her boyfriends (aren't I getting brave??!!), so Chris didn't have to get up early to take her to work. Not that he has to get up early, but he's so soft with her, he won't tell her to walk!
Sunday saw me cleaning the bathrooms, with the help of Adam (whoa, have to be careful this doesn't become a habit!). This entailed me doing the toilets! No surprise there then (anybody else find that they're the toilet fairy too????).
Chris did the grocery shopping and Vaughan went on the cross trainer for an hour. Mmmmm.........something not quite right there! Liv was let off - she was working.
Just want to say "thank you!" to Ruth and Ellen for running the Race for Life on Sunday with me on their backs! Well done - I'm not exactly light and I know you both had other people to carry too!
Today was a bit different as the kids were home. I'd been woken up at around 4 in the morning by Chris grabbing my duvet and pulling it over himself (we have separate duvets). After waking him up and grabbing it back, we had a giggle then nodded off.
Drove the Alhambra for the first time today, so Liv benefited from having lifts from her work experience and then to her friends house! Adam and I also went shopping for clothes for him, but there was nothing he fancied! It was nice driving my car again though.
Although I thought my peace and quiet had gone now the kids have broken up, I must say, I've enjoyed spending time with the boys today. We watched a brilliant documentary on Tutankhamen while we had lunch (something I'd recorded ages ago), only to find that it was part of a series and I hadn't recorded the rest of it!! Bugger!
Liv's been on a high today. She's organising a fund raising event at McDonald's on the 14th and 15th August, raising money for the Breast Unit at RUH. A few of them have been sorting raffle prizes, wearing pink and maybe a car wash over that weekend (thanks to Auntie Sue for help and advice too!). Liv frustrates the hell out of me sometimes, but now and then she'll surprise me. She is and always will be my beautiful baby girl.
Over the weekend, we went to see Toy Story 3 in 3D. It was just the 4 of us as Liv had seen it on Friday night. We all seemed to enjoy it, although the boys didn't think the 3D was up to much. Chris and I did though. It was quite sad at times! We ended up having a KFC afterwards and by the time we got home I was pooped! I find I need to stretch my arm regularly or my wrist and forearm become painful when I move them (I think the cords must harden).
Liv was staying at her boyfriends (aren't I getting brave??!!), so Chris didn't have to get up early to take her to work. Not that he has to get up early, but he's so soft with her, he won't tell her to walk!
Sunday saw me cleaning the bathrooms, with the help of Adam (whoa, have to be careful this doesn't become a habit!). This entailed me doing the toilets! No surprise there then (anybody else find that they're the toilet fairy too????).
Chris did the grocery shopping and Vaughan went on the cross trainer for an hour. Mmmmm.........something not quite right there! Liv was let off - she was working.
Just want to say "thank you!" to Ruth and Ellen for running the Race for Life on Sunday with me on their backs! Well done - I'm not exactly light and I know you both had other people to carry too!
Today was a bit different as the kids were home. I'd been woken up at around 4 in the morning by Chris grabbing my duvet and pulling it over himself (we have separate duvets). After waking him up and grabbing it back, we had a giggle then nodded off.
Drove the Alhambra for the first time today, so Liv benefited from having lifts from her work experience and then to her friends house! Adam and I also went shopping for clothes for him, but there was nothing he fancied! It was nice driving my car again though.
Although I thought my peace and quiet had gone now the kids have broken up, I must say, I've enjoyed spending time with the boys today. We watched a brilliant documentary on Tutankhamen while we had lunch (something I'd recorded ages ago), only to find that it was part of a series and I hadn't recorded the rest of it!! Bugger!
Liv's been on a high today. She's organising a fund raising event at McDonald's on the 14th and 15th August, raising money for the Breast Unit at RUH. A few of them have been sorting raffle prizes, wearing pink and maybe a car wash over that weekend (thanks to Auntie Sue for help and advice too!). Liv frustrates the hell out of me sometimes, but now and then she'll surprise me. She is and always will be my beautiful baby girl.
Friday, 23 July 2010
Long time, no blog - busy week!
Tuesday was busier than Monday, starting off with a visit from BT engineers. Chris was having another phone line put in for work so he can have broadband. This will make it easier for him to use the work laptop and not get side tracked by anything else (namely his blog!). They seemed to take ages and were here for a couple of hours before they left.
Liv was glad to get home after her work experience. She didn't get home until after 01:00 in the morning and was "tired" (!). "I HAVEN'T GOT A HANGOVER MUM, I'M JUST TIRED!". Mmmmmm.......
Whilst we were having lunch, Chris turned the TV on (no surprise there!) and happened to tune into "The man who shot Liberty Valance". Well, that was me hooked. I've never seen it before and thought it was brilliant.
Not long after Chris had gone to work, my friend SB arrived (had to record the rest of the film!). She was here for about 3 hours but the time just flew - there just seemed lots to talk about. SB agreed to take Adam to Futsal as there was another visitor arriving for dinner.
I fixed Adam's dinner (go me!) - only pizza and he went off to training. Chris' cousin LL came to visit. She works in Bristol and took time out to come over here before going home. It was lovely to see her as the only time we catch up is at carnival in November! And she brought cup cakes from Marks!
All in all a busy day, was cream crackered by the end of it (not Livi "tired" though!).
Wednesday saw more visitors. CC, a friend from work was due round at 11:00, so I needed to get up and ready! It's taking such a long time in the mornings to even get downstairs! Anyway, with a 'phone call before I showered, it took even longer this day. Just finished breakfast when she arrived. Lovely to see her and she looks great. While CC was here, Auntie M rang to see if she could drop in on her way to Bath in the afternoon. She arrived about 14:45 after a long journey and looked tired. Brilliant to see her, with chocs and another funny card. She suffers from ill health and I was worried when she left. Her visit to the west country and Ireland involved lots of visits to various people and I'm sure she'll be glad to get home and rest!
On Thursday LW came round for a cuppa before she started work at the surgery - with a delish cake! It was nice to hear more about work - I don't feel quite so distant. Time again passed quickly and she was gone. Hopefully the afternoon shift wasn't too busy.
The evening saw my first night out since my op - bit nervous. TG picked me up at 19:30ish and we met MC at the pub. I love these two! We went through many highs and lows on the course together. Both food and company were brilliant and we ended up being the last to leave! Lots to talk about and listen to! Thank you girls for making it easy for me.
I haven't mentioned how I've felt this week (been prattling on too much!). Other than a bit tired at times, I feel that my arm feels easier (at least the stinging feeling). I think there's a definite improvement. The cords are still present under my arm and I'm religiously massaging them and doing my exercises. The co-codamol are having the usual effect, so am taking other tablets to try and combat that! Needless to say, it's a bit hit and miss (so to speak!).
Having said all that, I felt a bit grotty today. Weepy this morning (not the cancer for a change!) and needed to chat to my sensible mummy! Really tired and lacking in energy for the rest of the day.
Liv had invited me out for a coffee but I didn't fancy it, so she bought cakes on her way back from work experience. That's probably why I'm lacking energy - the amount of those I'm eating! This was all after she rang in a panic to tell me one of the dogs had got out - a rotty called Max, another dog had broken a hinge on the kennel door and she didn't know what to do as there was no-one around to help! She had in fact got it all under control. Max was in another kennel, she'd put a full watering can in front of the broken door and was waiting for someone to turn up. She told me later that she'd managed to bribe Max into his own kennel - job sorted. She and her boyfriend have gone to watch Toy Story 3 in 3D tonight. We may go and see it some time over the weekend.
Vaughan had been invited out into Corsham for the evening (stern words were had before he left!) and then rang to ask if he could stay at a friends overnight. Mmmmmm.....(more stern words). Said yes, but we'll see what he's like tomorrow - hopefully, he won't have burnt his bridges.............
Liv was glad to get home after her work experience. She didn't get home until after 01:00 in the morning and was "tired" (!). "I HAVEN'T GOT A HANGOVER MUM, I'M JUST TIRED!". Mmmmmm.......
Whilst we were having lunch, Chris turned the TV on (no surprise there!) and happened to tune into "The man who shot Liberty Valance". Well, that was me hooked. I've never seen it before and thought it was brilliant.
Not long after Chris had gone to work, my friend SB arrived (had to record the rest of the film!). She was here for about 3 hours but the time just flew - there just seemed lots to talk about. SB agreed to take Adam to Futsal as there was another visitor arriving for dinner.
I fixed Adam's dinner (go me!) - only pizza and he went off to training. Chris' cousin LL came to visit. She works in Bristol and took time out to come over here before going home. It was lovely to see her as the only time we catch up is at carnival in November! And she brought cup cakes from Marks!
All in all a busy day, was cream crackered by the end of it (not Livi "tired" though!).
Wednesday saw more visitors. CC, a friend from work was due round at 11:00, so I needed to get up and ready! It's taking such a long time in the mornings to even get downstairs! Anyway, with a 'phone call before I showered, it took even longer this day. Just finished breakfast when she arrived. Lovely to see her and she looks great. While CC was here, Auntie M rang to see if she could drop in on her way to Bath in the afternoon. She arrived about 14:45 after a long journey and looked tired. Brilliant to see her, with chocs and another funny card. She suffers from ill health and I was worried when she left. Her visit to the west country and Ireland involved lots of visits to various people and I'm sure she'll be glad to get home and rest!
On Thursday LW came round for a cuppa before she started work at the surgery - with a delish cake! It was nice to hear more about work - I don't feel quite so distant. Time again passed quickly and she was gone. Hopefully the afternoon shift wasn't too busy.
The evening saw my first night out since my op - bit nervous. TG picked me up at 19:30ish and we met MC at the pub. I love these two! We went through many highs and lows on the course together. Both food and company were brilliant and we ended up being the last to leave! Lots to talk about and listen to! Thank you girls for making it easy for me.
I haven't mentioned how I've felt this week (been prattling on too much!). Other than a bit tired at times, I feel that my arm feels easier (at least the stinging feeling). I think there's a definite improvement. The cords are still present under my arm and I'm religiously massaging them and doing my exercises. The co-codamol are having the usual effect, so am taking other tablets to try and combat that! Needless to say, it's a bit hit and miss (so to speak!).
Having said all that, I felt a bit grotty today. Weepy this morning (not the cancer for a change!) and needed to chat to my sensible mummy! Really tired and lacking in energy for the rest of the day.
Liv had invited me out for a coffee but I didn't fancy it, so she bought cakes on her way back from work experience. That's probably why I'm lacking energy - the amount of those I'm eating! This was all after she rang in a panic to tell me one of the dogs had got out - a rotty called Max, another dog had broken a hinge on the kennel door and she didn't know what to do as there was no-one around to help! She had in fact got it all under control. Max was in another kennel, she'd put a full watering can in front of the broken door and was waiting for someone to turn up. She told me later that she'd managed to bribe Max into his own kennel - job sorted. She and her boyfriend have gone to watch Toy Story 3 in 3D tonight. We may go and see it some time over the weekend.
Vaughan had been invited out into Corsham for the evening (stern words were had before he left!) and then rang to ask if he could stay at a friends overnight. Mmmmmm.....(more stern words). Said yes, but we'll see what he's like tomorrow - hopefully, he won't have burnt his bridges.............
Monday, 19 July 2010
Monday 19th July - draining!
By the time I'd done my exercises this morning, it was gone 09:20 and I thought Chris would be eager to find out if we had our Monday visit to the RUH. So before I showered, I rang the breast care nurses. I knew Irene wasn't going to be there and spoke to Kate. She asked if I could make it this morning (aargh - it would take us at least 3/4 of an hour and I hadn't even showered!). No problem - we arranged it for 11:30. I text Chris and jumped in the shower.
We went a different way - longer but quicker - we arrived in 35 minutes! Kate was just as lovely as Irene. There was hardly any fluid in the syringe this time, so I don't need to go back for that (one thing my body's doing right at the moment)! Kate pulled out the remnants of the stitch with some tweezers and then looked at the cording under my arm. She showed me how to massage it (that'll be hard then!), which is something I'd been doing but not quite so deep! She also told me to massage the scar to soften the scar tissue that's built up. Will have to coincide these massages with the painkillers, I think.
Livi was home when we got back and after lunch, she started on her bedroom. (pass me the smelling salts)!! Chris didn't go back to work, so was able to pick the boys up, while I fell asleep on the sofa (no change there then!). Well, I say fell asleep, but of course I had my daughter in and out with piles of washing from her floor (I'm sure some of it's not been worn since the last time it was washed!) and she's not the quietest of people. Later, her boyfriend came round and she cooked him dinner (when I say "dinner", I mean gammon, egg and chips). At the moment, she's getting ready for a party (4 inch heels and hair extensions!) and poor Sam is sat here enduring The One Show (Chris likes it!) and I'm enduring it because Martin Sheen is on tonight!
Oh well, better go and massage! Now where are my painkillers.........?
We went a different way - longer but quicker - we arrived in 35 minutes! Kate was just as lovely as Irene. There was hardly any fluid in the syringe this time, so I don't need to go back for that (one thing my body's doing right at the moment)! Kate pulled out the remnants of the stitch with some tweezers and then looked at the cording under my arm. She showed me how to massage it (that'll be hard then!), which is something I'd been doing but not quite so deep! She also told me to massage the scar to soften the scar tissue that's built up. Will have to coincide these massages with the painkillers, I think.
Livi was home when we got back and after lunch, she started on her bedroom. (pass me the smelling salts)!! Chris didn't go back to work, so was able to pick the boys up, while I fell asleep on the sofa (no change there then!). Well, I say fell asleep, but of course I had my daughter in and out with piles of washing from her floor (I'm sure some of it's not been worn since the last time it was washed!) and she's not the quietest of people. Later, her boyfriend came round and she cooked him dinner (when I say "dinner", I mean gammon, egg and chips). At the moment, she's getting ready for a party (4 inch heels and hair extensions!) and poor Sam is sat here enduring The One Show (Chris likes it!) and I'm enduring it because Martin Sheen is on tonight!
Oh well, better go and massage! Now where are my painkillers.........?
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