Treatment number four

Well the back has been broken, I am now officially on the other side of the treatment treadmill and on the way down.
Today I saw my Oncologist. OMG (oh my God - for those not used to text speak) I am doctors pet. He was really pleased with my progress, the fact that the side effects are not as bad as they could be and those that were the worse were aggravated by the anti-sickness drugs. He talked me through phase two and the change of drug, not forgetting the change in side effects. He was optimistic about the chances that it will be more of the same. No major problems other than from the anti-sickness drugs. There would be some side effects not felt from the previous drugs and this could include joint pain.
After my meeting we met up with the Macmillan Nurse to give her an update and organise my fitting for the prosthetic.
Then went to the CANtreat centre and waited to be called. The centre is a wonderful place. A hospital but not. We have the usual panic buttons and some hospital beds in the corner, the big difference is the comfortable chairs for the patient and a side chair for visitors, we have a table to place drinks &c on. The nurses have some wheeled chairs so they can move from patient to patient. There is always animated chatter between the nursing staff, patients and visitors alike. While we are there volunteers come round with newspapers, magazines, teas, coffees and biscuits. If you are still there at lunch time we even get a selection of sandwiches (that should be just for the patients!).
Change of drug. So in with the saline solution, add to it the anti-sickness drug, follow by new drug and then flush with saline solution. Total time nearly one and half hours in the chair.
Discussion with the nurse about arranging for the District Nurse to come and administer an injection for the next day. Also the nurses checks on how things are going and if there is anything else that is required. She also goes through all the drugs that I have take home and when to take them. As you can imagine this can take some time with at least three sets of anti-sickness drugs.
Once I have finished it is a quick trip to the reception to make an appointment for my next treatment.
Side effects?!
Thankfully all the tummy side effects have not kicked in,YET!? However, the joint pain and discomfort is impossible. I have spent most of the night tossing and turning as I can not get comfortable. Then when I do I have odd sound effects in my ears, something akin to sleeping underwater. I now it is only passing but it really is annoying.

Second Treatment

They said it would and it did.  That is get worse. Thankfully the anti sickness drugs are doing what they say on the tin, it is just all the other internal side effects that I just can not reconcile.

Friday, 16th April 2010
So a week last Friday I went to the drugs party at Halton Hospital. Met up with the Breast Nurse and one of the Oncology Doctors, all very happy with me and my progress. My hair was doing well and hanging on in there!
Ivan spent the time listening to Robin Williams on his iTouch.  I on the other hand had a lovely conversation with one of the nurses who was in charge of 'feeding' me the drugs.

Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th April 2010
That weekend I stayed above stairs and gave the excuse to view trash TV on BBC iPlayer, 4OD and other catch up TV websites. I also watched one of the best F1 races this season, what overtaking and the rain really sorted the men from the boys even the self appointed Rain-Meister Schumacher struggled!!!!

Monday, 19th April 2010
By the Monday I had enough of sharing the bed with a Yeti and bath looking as though I bathed with one, so I called a friend and she came over and shaved my head.  This will not reduce the hair shedding but it will not look that bad and it won't be so noticeable.

First Treatment Update

Well that was a different weekend.  I have had better, but with hangovers I have had worse.  That is not to say that I have not had any ill effects from the Chemo.  I have had really bad heartburn which I did not know if I could treat whilst on the cocktail of anti sickness drugs.  One of the anti sickness drugs was a steroid and made me so jumpy I was more like a cat on a hot tin roof.  To help I stayed above stairs and left my saintly husband (those who know him don’t say I said that) to look after the running of the house.

He made sure I was supplied with food and drink and told me off when I was a bad patient and did not take my tablets.

I went to see the MacMillan nurse at the hospital on Tuesday and she gave a quick check up.  The scar is looking good and she even commented that I looked great even after going through the Chemo only on the Friday.  Went in to town on a little shopping trip and bumped into yet another ex-work colleague.  We passed the time of day caught on up on work stuff and went our separate ways, still it is always nice to know that you are remembered.

I have finally caught up on the third part of Clarissa on BBC Radio 4 with the divine Richard Armitage playing the libertine Lovelace.  I have also caught up on Flash forward, not that I am any wiser from when we left it last year, but to see Joseph Fiennes and Jack Davenport seemed to be enough.

I will admit that I am getting a little forgetful in my daily routine, but there again it is the Easter break and normal service will resume after the Bank Holiday weekend this weekend.

Some Administration has to be entered into before I sign off.  Prays go to my late father-in-law who would have been celebrating his birthday today, god bless him.  Big hugs my cousin and her husband for the new addition to the Latimer family little Eva, welcome to the world.  To my Pops and my Uncle happy birthday both, enjoy a drink with friends.  To any one I have forgotten in the Birthdays and announcements I apologise and will try to remember next time.

Up to date

My last week before going under the knife was spent in a wild frenzy of visits and getting ready.

Monday - 22nd February
Did nothing interesting.  Went to pick up some DVDs from a work colleague in Wilmslow.  Sorted out my office and set up the laptop with the separate screen, just so I can work on two documents at the same time or just simply watch Richard Armitage while trying to work a document.

Tuesday - 23rd February
Pre-Op.  Saw the Physio, Macmillan Nurse and a doctor who gave me a clean bill of health for the operation.  I also had to give some samples of blood - seeing that needles are not my favourite things to be told that the first nurse could not find a vain and the second one had to use the other arm and try again!!!! It was not a good visit to say the least.  The Macmillan Nurse confirmed that all the scans I had the previous couple of weeks had come back clear.

Wednesday - 24th February
Went down to Birmingham to have a home made curry with friends.  Then stayed with another friend at what we have now christened the best BandB in Brum, only known by the discerning client.

Thursday - 25th February
After a little retail therapy in my old home town I hit the road again to see my Godmother and drop off her Christmas present.  We had a good chat about everything.  Back on the road to Manchester to see another friend for lunch.  We went to the Trafford Centre and enjoyed a good meal and the conversation was good too.  After dropping her home I rushed over the Manchester where I met up with girlfriend and husband for dinner.  This was followed by a night at the theatre to see 1984 at the Royal Exchange.

Friday - 26th February
This was a day of rest.  With the things that I did on Thursday is this any wonder.  However, I did find time to play on the Wii and finish sorting my iTunes out, since it went belly up the other month.

Saturday - 27th February
Was another day of lunches with my girlfriend this was followed by more games on the Wii.

Sunday - 28th February
The same girlfriend came over for lunch and a spot of footie.  We watch Manchester United beat Aston Villa in the League Cup.  This was followed by my girlfriend beating me in Scrabble.  I have to be honest the tiles were not in my favour as I was struggling with one vowel or one consonant on my rack.

Monday - 1st March
Was spent going to lunch with ex-work colleagues in Manchester.  I stayed longer than expected and caught up with various departments.

Background

It is not a surprise really that I have found myself in this position.  My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer over 20 years ago, and is now living well in Australia.  This blog is to some extent for her and others who have survived.
I will freely admit that I am a hopeless patient and do not do illness and pain very well.  I have never been to hospital and I have a major fear of needles so all this is new and very scary.

I found a lump in my left breast in the beginning of January 2010. I went to see my local doctor who then referred me to the local breast clinic at the general hospital.
At the breast clinic I was prodded and poked and generally manhandled by the health care professionals there. As in the Monty Python sketch there was even the machine that went ping.
The full diagnosis came a week later, where I was given my choices of the way forward by my consultant and the ever present Macmillan Nurse.  I have chosen to have a full mastectomy and then followed by chemotherapy.

During these pages I will write about what I have gone through with hopefully a more human touch.  Maybe a little irreverent at times but hopefully with some wit. It will give me a opportunity to let off steam as well.

My next couple of blogs will discuss the tests I have had and where possible the results of them.