I know I have been quiet. But what with being back at work full time, studying with The Open University, I have had little time to think about the blog.
Well here it is the Twelve month anniversary since the operation. A milestone of sorts and no celebrations. It has been the hardest thing I have ever done, or likely to do for that matter. I know it is not like climbing Mount Everest but this was my Mountain and I think I have scaled the heights well.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to support me by reading this blog, writing to me, keeping in touch with me through Facebook, Twitter etc. you have all made a difference.
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Thursday 28 October 2010
Update on my progress.
I sat down with my Radiotherapy consultant. We talked long and hard about our relationship and decided that it was not going anywhere. There were some tears as he wrote on my file that he was discharging me. Next minute I was thanking him for his help and I was out of the door and dancing down the corridor of the hospital.
Only two more doctors to discharge me. My next hospital appointment is not until 2nd March 2011, with my consultant surgeon.
Tuesday 13 July 2010
The social whirl keeps going
Monday, 5th July
Another ladies that lunch date. Started with popping to the office to see a few people and drop off the Body Shop goodies. Had a nice chat with some of the guys at the Driving school and then had a quick nibble of lunch with the team. Then hopped in the car and went to a local garden centre for some more food and conversation. This time it was with people I worked with at the newspaper. Again dropping off some goodies from the Body Shop party. Lots of gossip and catching up with a little bit of retail therapy for the garden thrown in for good measure.
Tuesday, 6th July
Well sometime ago I went to Tatton Park to see the Antiques Roadshow another thing on my list was actually visit an auction and if possible bit on something. Today I visited a local auction house in Knutsford. I had already viewed the catalogue online and had a rough idea of what I wanted to bid for. Armed with my little list my friend and I made our way to there.
When we arrived we were not let in immediately. I started to get more suspicious of what was happening when I looked into the furniture room and saw a video camera. My suspicions were well founded when we got into the sale room and there was an antiques expert from Bargain Hunt looking at the tables. Finally all was answered when the auctioneer introduced the film crew and said if you were not supposed to be here then it was advised that you left the room.
Still I stayed and did bid for an item, you will not be shocked to know that the item in question was a Bargain Hunt item. I don't know if they made a profit but I liked the item and it goes with my budding collection of Birmingham Silver.
Another ladies that lunch date. Started with popping to the office to see a few people and drop off the Body Shop goodies. Had a nice chat with some of the guys at the Driving school and then had a quick nibble of lunch with the team. Then hopped in the car and went to a local garden centre for some more food and conversation. This time it was with people I worked with at the newspaper. Again dropping off some goodies from the Body Shop party. Lots of gossip and catching up with a little bit of retail therapy for the garden thrown in for good measure.
Tuesday, 6th July
Well sometime ago I went to Tatton Park to see the Antiques Roadshow another thing on my list was actually visit an auction and if possible bit on something. Today I visited a local auction house in Knutsford. I had already viewed the catalogue online and had a rough idea of what I wanted to bid for. Armed with my little list my friend and I made our way to there.
Still I stayed and did bid for an item, you will not be shocked to know that the item in question was a Bargain Hunt item. I don't know if they made a profit but I liked the item and it goes with my budding collection of Birmingham Silver.
Monday 12 July 2010
Today was not all about cancer
Monday, 28th June
After a busy weekend with Body Shop parties and watching Germany do their best to humiliate the England football squad with a lot of help from John Terry. I was tired but today was not going to be all about cancer. I was taking myself off to the Linda McCartney Centre as part of the Macillan Cancer Care at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. There is an initiative that give a boost to those going through cancer treatment called Look Good ... Feel Better. With sponsorship from some of the largest names in make up you get a goody bag to take away with you full of make up and beauty products. The day is an opportunity to meet up with others and also a walk through a new make up routine. In my case a much need brush up on putting in eyebrows.
A wonderful day was had by all I am sure and I really enjoyed myself.
The best part was the opening when the woman taking the session said that we are all friends together and we did not have to wear our wigs, scarves or hats. All bar one took them off and I was surprised at how well people looked even without hair.
Tuesday, 29th June
A day to recoup. Sitting on the settee doing nothing much. Started to watch the West Wing from episode one. In the main just too tired to do anything. Even taxing the brain is becoming a mountain I don't want to climb. Lets hope the next few days we get back on track.
Wednesday, 30th June
Still working through the Beauticians price list. I had a manicure but we had to tidy up my toes and had a pedicure as well. This time instead of the red we went for purple and little nail art to add to the fun.
With my new sandals they look great. Just hope they hold out.
This sort of thing will have to stop when I get back to work. With wearing shoes who will see such things.
Friday, 2nd July
Another thing that will have to stop when I get back to work is the lady that lunches days. Here was a perfect example. Met up with a fellow Toastmaster at the Pizza Express in Cheadle for a good chat and catch up. I learnt that she was going to do a tandem parachute jump at the weekend. I said that she was very brave and then she said that what I was going through was more so. I still beg to differ, as you would not get me jumping out of a perfectly good plane.
Saturday, 3rd July
Today is something I do want to carry on when I get back to work and that is trips like today. Meeting up with two work colleagues and we are travelling down to Stratford to see Romeo and Juliet at the Courtyard Theatre. Romeo is being played by Sam Troughton (for those who watched Robin Hood he played Much, I know I had one eye on Guy of Gisborne but still he was there I am reliably informed). I was a little late at the meeting point, part to Chemo head forgetting to fill the car with fuel.
We got into Stratford in good time and used the park and ride to get into town. We found a nice cafe for lunch, which turned out to be part of Drucker's. My all time favourite cafe in Birmingham growing up so it was a real step back in time for me.
We then made our way down to the Avon and walked to the temporary theatre, the Courtyard. The old theatre is still a building site and will probably be a wonderful place when it is finished but we will have to wait and see. We had a quick look in the shop and I bought a couple of things including a programme. Once the doors opened we found our seats and settle in for the play.
What a great production! One small problem was that at one point Sam came cycling onto the stage and hit the gates at the back, one of them bounced open and hit him on the eyebrow. Over the next few minutes it started bleeding, enough for one of his fellow actors had to remove it. We then saw a succession of attempts to stem the flow and cover it. I just hope he was okay as he did look a little dazed for a while after.
Once it was all over we walked back to the bus stop and thence to the car for a journey home. Good day was had by all.
After a busy weekend with Body Shop parties and watching Germany do their best to humiliate the England football squad with a lot of help from John Terry. I was tired but today was not going to be all about cancer. I was taking myself off to the Linda McCartney Centre as part of the Macillan Cancer Care at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. There is an initiative that give a boost to those going through cancer treatment called Look Good ... Feel Better. With sponsorship from some of the largest names in make up you get a goody bag to take away with you full of make up and beauty products. The day is an opportunity to meet up with others and also a walk through a new make up routine. In my case a much need brush up on putting in eyebrows.
A wonderful day was had by all I am sure and I really enjoyed myself.
The best part was the opening when the woman taking the session said that we are all friends together and we did not have to wear our wigs, scarves or hats. All bar one took them off and I was surprised at how well people looked even without hair.
Tuesday, 29th June
A day to recoup. Sitting on the settee doing nothing much. Started to watch the West Wing from episode one. In the main just too tired to do anything. Even taxing the brain is becoming a mountain I don't want to climb. Lets hope the next few days we get back on track.
Wednesday, 30th June
With my new sandals they look great. Just hope they hold out.
This sort of thing will have to stop when I get back to work. With wearing shoes who will see such things.
Friday, 2nd July
Another thing that will have to stop when I get back to work is the lady that lunches days. Here was a perfect example. Met up with a fellow Toastmaster at the Pizza Express in Cheadle for a good chat and catch up. I learnt that she was going to do a tandem parachute jump at the weekend. I said that she was very brave and then she said that what I was going through was more so. I still beg to differ, as you would not get me jumping out of a perfectly good plane.
Saturday, 3rd July
We got into Stratford in good time and used the park and ride to get into town. We found a nice cafe for lunch, which turned out to be part of Drucker's. My all time favourite cafe in Birmingham growing up so it was a real step back in time for me.
We then made our way down to the Avon and walked to the temporary theatre, the Courtyard. The old theatre is still a building site and will probably be a wonderful place when it is finished but we will have to wait and see. We had a quick look in the shop and I bought a couple of things including a programme. Once the doors opened we found our seats and settle in for the play.
What a great production! One small problem was that at one point Sam came cycling onto the stage and hit the gates at the back, one of them bounced open and hit him on the eyebrow. Over the next few minutes it started bleeding, enough for one of his fellow actors had to remove it. We then saw a succession of attempts to stem the flow and cover it. I just hope he was okay as he did look a little dazed for a while after.
Once it was all over we walked back to the bus stop and thence to the car for a journey home. Good day was had by all.
Body Shop Party
Saturday, 26th June 2010
As my gallant colleagues completed the Race for Life, I arranged a treat for them. A little high tea and a Body Shop at Home Party.
Not that I am an obsessive but I love Body Shop and think this is always a great way of trying the products and getting to know what is coming soon to a shop near you.
We made a grand total of £75.00 for the Race for Life team and 'Team Laura' has raised at this point £160.00, a target was set at £50, so I think we smashed that. Well done to all who came and to those who put a best foot forward.
As my gallant colleagues completed the Race for Life, I arranged a treat for them. A little high tea and a Body Shop at Home Party.
Not that I am an obsessive but I love Body Shop and think this is always a great way of trying the products and getting to know what is coming soon to a shop near you.
We made a grand total of £75.00 for the Race for Life team and 'Team Laura' has raised at this point £160.00, a target was set at £50, so I think we smashed that. Well done to all who came and to those who put a best foot forward.
Radiotherapy step one
Friday, 25th June 2010
Had an appointment today to be measured up for the Radiotherapy. This was a laugh. The nurses were very nice and we had a good chat. As she was going through my charts I was telling her what was to happen and she was surprised at how much I knew about the treatment. Well I did have prior knowledge with my mom.
They lay me on the bed and then got me do some poses with my arm set in a cradle and knees over a cushion, then they strapped my neck up. They left me there for at least 10 minutes.
When they got back I became a marked woman, they have put two tattoos on me, one on my chest and the other just under my arm. These to help them guide in when I come for the treatments later on.
The worst past of the whole thing is that I will have to back and forth to Clatterbridge in the Wirral, which is over 40 minutes away. At least there are things that we can do while we are flitting hither and thither.
Had an appointment today to be measured up for the Radiotherapy. This was a laugh. The nurses were very nice and we had a good chat. As she was going through my charts I was telling her what was to happen and she was surprised at how much I knew about the treatment. Well I did have prior knowledge with my mom.
They lay me on the bed and then got me do some poses with my arm set in a cradle and knees over a cushion, then they strapped my neck up. They left me there for at least 10 minutes.
When they got back I became a marked woman, they have put two tattoos on me, one on my chest and the other just under my arm. These to help them guide in when I come for the treatments later on.
The worst past of the whole thing is that I will have to back and forth to Clatterbridge in the Wirral, which is over 40 minutes away. At least there are things that we can do while we are flitting hither and thither.
Sunday 11 July 2010
Treatment No. 5
I know it has been a long time since my last posting and I should have kept you up to date with my fifth treatment, but I have been so busy and the treatment went reasonably well that it just escaped me. My best mate came round for the England game (not that it was worth it, but at least I am getting some football in).
I was gutted that I could not attend a regular conference this year in of all places Newcastle. I could have done so much like catch up with rellies and all that entails. But treatment comes first.
This time round I had a strategy and stuck to it. Guess what it worked. I had little issue other than just feeling generally run down.
For the first time I am able to watch Wimbledon and finding it difficult to concentrate, but this something I am getting used to. I have the powers of a gold fish ... sorry what was I talking about ... yes I remember I have this wonderful add on to everything else Chemo head, I can not remember things. I can remember the important things, but other stuff like words and things that happened only a few moments ago escape me.
I was gutted that I could not attend a regular conference this year in of all places Newcastle. I could have done so much like catch up with rellies and all that entails. But treatment comes first.
This time round I had a strategy and stuck to it. Guess what it worked. I had little issue other than just feeling generally run down.
For the first time I am able to watch Wimbledon and finding it difficult to concentrate, but this something I am getting used to. I have the powers of a gold fish ... sorry what was I talking about ... yes I remember I have this wonderful add on to everything else Chemo head, I can not remember things. I can remember the important things, but other stuff like words and things that happened only a few moments ago escape me.
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