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Some very welcome news 🎉
I met with my oncologist today and he advised me that last week’s MRI shows the tumour has shrunk from 30mm to 17mm — this is such amazingly good news and, quite honestly, a very welcome morale booster. 🙌 Apparently, my case was even discussed at the weekly team meeting because I’ve been experiencing the…
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Cancer stole my identity
It is now over three months since my diagnosis of an aggressive form of breast cancer, and I had no idea how short a time it would take for this horrible disease to change my life and rob me of my identity. For over twenty years I have been Finance Director and part owner of…
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A third of the way through!
I had my second round of chemotherapy yesterday and, thankfully, everything went very smoothly. My matching teal ensemble of a £2 headscarf and a favourite necklace teamed with my positivity vest was complimented by the nurses and even a fellow patient. I laughed and said, “This is the only chance I get to go out…
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“Round 2: Ding! Ding!”
Yes, I know I’ve said in my previous post “Lost for Words” how I dislike the ‘fight’ and ‘battle’ analogies but unfortunately as I start typing this new post in the wee small hours of the morning, I can’t think a more appropriate title. Last Friday I popped into the hospital day unit to have…
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Hair today, gone tomorrow
I think everyone knows that one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss. But knowing something is going to happen and actually experiencing it are two very different things. I was walking past Rochester Cathedral earlier this week when I saw a little boy, probably about four or five years old,…
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Lost for words
Since my diagnosis I’ve discovered that cancer doesn’t just come with side effects. It also comes with a script. Almost everyone reaches for the same handful of phrases. They’re not meant to hurt. They’re usually an attempt to fill an awkward silence, offer comfort, or make sense of something that feels really frightening. Sometimes, though,…
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Positivity vest
My positivity vest has worked!! 🎉 I can go home around 5pm… Honestly, I am so very grateful to be allowed home at last, and I got all teary when the oncologist said I could 🥹 She is reasonably positive that this was a one-off, and that things should be much better next time. To…
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Never saw that coming 😱
After an unexpected emergency overnight stay… I survived the night! (Always a good start to any day, I think!) I was admitted with kidney failure and sepsis following my first round of chemotherapy, which wasn’t quite how I imagined this week would go. Thankfully, the care has been excellent, and I will be transferred to…
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First chemo + 4: A very long day
NB: These posts are written from notes I made at the time. Some days they are reflections; some days they are simply a record of getting through the next hour. The honeymoon period seemed to be over. After feeling reasonably OK for the first few days, things really caught up with me overnight. The stomach…
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First chemo + 3: An unexpected trip to A&E
NB: These posts are written from notes I made at the time. Some days they are reflections; some days they are simply a record of getting through the next hour. Previous After a dreadful night dozing on the sofa, I woke around 5:30am feeling weak, exhausted and nauseous. My throat was painfully sore – possibly…
