BOOM!! What a week....

Stable

Double jab

Last Wednesday I was called to go for a CT scan on Thursday eve at 6pm.  Only Timmy knew. That's because it's the scan to try and determine if my hormone treatment is currently working. Yowzers. I didn't want to worry anyone else with it.

I was expecting an appointment through the post but, as my oncologist said 'give my secretary a call if you've not received it in two weeks', I called her.  She said she had been chasing the appointment but said it would be a good idea if I called the scan team too.  I did that and was told there was nothing available until after my next monthly appointment with Dr P on 20 Mar.  Hmmmmm, not that useful then.  So I called the Dr P's secretary back and told her.  About an hour later I get a call from the hospital asking me to go in the following eve at 6pm.

Luckily neither Tim nor I had anything planned on Thursday eve so we didn't have to cancel anything or make any excuses.  We decided to walk up to the hospital from Tesco (for a bit of exercise) and also for me to get my blood pumping through my veins to try and make it easy for them to insert the cannula in my arm.

It was actually quite 'pleasant' being in the hospital at that time of the day as it is really quiet in the corridors.  The CT and MRI area was still pretty busy though.  It's open until 8pm.

We were quite early, we'd arrived at 5.40pm, we sat down and the nurse came out and asked me to drink four cups of water over a 20 minute period.  My ace friend Liz had bought me a copy of the Puzzler (she loves it) and we sat and did a word search while we were waiting and I was drinking - I think it gave the other patients something to giggle about as we battled between us to find the next word!

It took a while to get called through to the second waiting area where the machines are...I think it was about 6.30.  Soon after I was called through to have my cannula put in.  I was dreading it as my veins haven't been behaving recently. And yep, you guessed it.  She tried to get the needle in and then shoved it - it really hurt and it didn't work. Not again!!  She said she wouldn't try again and would wait until I was called through for the scan to get cannulated.

Tim hadn't been into the CT area before so I was explaining what was happening.  All of a sudden, even outside of the scanning room, you hear 'breathe in, and hold your breath', and then 'breathe normally'.  It's a recording and is played while you're being scanned.  Holding your breath helps give clearer images.

Two people went in before me and then it was my turn.  The radiographer was the lovely lady that had held my hand during my biopsy.  Thank goodness it didn't hurt nearly as much when I had to lie on the 'couch' (as they call it) as it did when I had my biopsy.

Next came the cannula.  She took a look at the crook of my arm and told me the previous radiographer had made a right mess of it - great.  It was still bleeding and she had to put a lot of pressure on it to stop it bruising and it hurt quite a lot.  Then the fun started.  They were prodding around in the crook of my arm again (I hate that) and nothing was happening so she started looking at my wrist and hand and then moved the tourniquet down to my forearm, while the second radiographer also held my forearm really tight to keep the vein up, and then the needle was prodded into my wrist - that hurt!! But she did manage to get it in.  I told myself off for being such a wuss, but they were really lovely about it and said, 'well at least you didn't kick us' which apparently has happened before.

So I had to put my hands over my head (easier said then done when your cannula is attached to a tube) and they left the room and the scan started.  They warn you when they insert the imaging dye (aka 'contrast') through the cannula and when I had it before it was fine, but this time it stung very badly and I flinched and did a little squeal!!  They told me afterwards it was because the vein is small.  Once it was done I had to sign the form saying I wasn't pregnant (oops, I was meant to do that before the scan), and then had to go back to the waiting area so they can check that I don't react to the contrast.  As I sat down by Tim again I was shaking like a leaf in pure panic mode and had to take some deep breaths.  Ten mins later the nurse called me through to remove the cannula (which was fine) and we were free to go. It was 8pm. We treated ourselves to a chippy tea!!

Still bruised one week after the cannula!

Another first at 40

On Friday, I had my hair dyed for the first time in my life!!!

Even when I was a teenager and everyone else was trying those temporary wash in, wash out dyes, I never went for it.  However, recently the grey strands, particularly on the right side of my head , are getting really visible, so it was time!  My mum's hairdresser, Karen, did the honours for me.  She had patch tested me before Christmas and I was originally going for the dye in Jan, but at that time I didn't know what my treatment plan was so I didn't want to have it done in case my hair would be falling out any time soon.

Anyway, I had a set of foils done and the aim wasn't to completely cover all the grey (as I don't want to look too fake) but to dye quite a bit of it.  I'm really pleased as no one has noticed that I've had my hair coloured, which is exactly what I wanted.  I've been dreading it as it seems such a signifier to me as I'm admitting I'm getting older and also that it wouldn't be 'me' anymore as my natural colour won't be there, but most women I know have been dyeing their hair for years!

Foils in mum's kitchen....so glamorous

A totally ace weekend

Friday night Tim and I went with Susie and Chris to Corinna and Jim's house for dinner.  Such a brilliant night.  We met Corinna last year just as she was about to finish her treatment for breast cancer and we got on really well.  Corinna and Jim came to the Snow Ball in December where Susie and I only met Jim briefly, so Corinna wanted to get us all together.  We had such a great night at their gorgeous house.  Starting off with champagne (oooo) and then far too much prosecco as well as a very tasty lasagne and home made cheesecake (yum) - did I mention I also ate shed loads of crisps and nibbles beforehand too (lent can do one this year - bring on the crisps!!).

I had to say something to Corinna at one point as I think she is incredibly courageous in allowing me to remain in her life.  Let me explain.....

When I was diagnosed and throughout treatment, I had Susie in my life, which was (and still is) amazing, however, Susie knew of a few other women who were at secondary stage, and I just didn't want to hear about it, I wasn't ready to contemplate that possibility and it scared me, so, in general, with the exception of my beautiful friend and fellow calendar girl, Cherry, I kept my distance from those with secondary cancer.  I just couldn't handle it.  I didn't want to think about the possibility or even know people who were going to die (which is stupid 'cos we're all gonna die, but you get my drift!!).  So I said this to Corinna and I thanked her for allowing me to still be a part of her life as she is still in a fragile state of 'recovery', and as I got teary, she said 'we're all in this together'.  What a wonderful thing to say and what a wonderful woman she is.

Needless to say, we all drank far too much (including a lot of Jim's homemade damson gin for the boys) and had a bloody ace night.

Saturday we had our fab friends Emma and Ellie to stay.  We met them three years ago on our South American adventure and we spent three weeks together in Peru.  It's amazing how close you can become when you spend 24 hours a day with others in a strange environment, and you bond over whether you've had a solid bowel movement or not! (believe me, a solid bowel movement is a momentous thing after spending 11 weeks in South America!). Anyway, we went walking along the canal which was lovely and proceeded to eat my homemade bakewell tart, crisps, drink gin and head out into Worcester for some food and a night in Heroes! Awesome.

Sunday, Susie and I then spent back at the Bank House hotel for our spa day and night away.  It was our treat to ourselves after all the hard work we put in for the Snow Ball.  We were the only ones in there on Sunday which meant we had the pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room all to ourselves.

And relax....

A vino and a view of the Malverns

Seriously, how much make up do I need for one night out???!!!

A few vinos, a three course dinner and then treatments (after a full English the following morning). This is where the Big C got in the way.  I knew that I wasn't supposed to have massage due to lymphatic drainage but I was really looking forward to the facial I had booked, but, I was then told I couldn't have it! ARGHHHH.  They weren't insured to treat cancer patients. Bloody hell.  They offered me a manicure though and gave me a voucher to use when I 'finish my cancer treatment' - what I didn't tell them is that will be never!! Sigh.... Nevertheless, we had a lovely break together.

Proud

Tuesday night saw the annual Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven certificate presentation where those who have raised money for the charity over the previous year are invited for a tour of the Unit and then presented with their certificate of thanks.  It is customary for people to say a few words as to how they have raised the money.  It is always an immensely humbling evening with fundraisers from 8 to 80 (er and my nan who is 93!!).  Mum, nan and I all collected certificates this time, for our tea and cakes, open garden, and SnowBall (with Susie) fundraising in 2016.  Mum and nan did themselves proud with their speeches and mum got teary (and set me off) when she thanked everyone else there for raising money for the Unit.

A family affair at the certificate presentation

Juney giving her speech

Nanny giving her speech

 Usually both Susie and I give it a go with a speech for BUE, but I didn't want to this year, so Susie did us proud and there was a gasp around the room when we told them we'd raised £22k.  What was even more of a surprise was a special mention for us both from Mr T and a bouquet of flowers each for everything we've done since the beginning of the original Campaign to build the breast unit and now for the new charity too.  In all, we've helped to raise over £100,000.  Whoop.

Being presented with the flowers

The amazing Mr T

So proud

And they're off

Wednesday lunchtime saw a trip to the Anchor Inn over in Diglis run by Kathryn (my oldest friend from school - we've known each other since we were five) and her husband Nic.  They were putting on a ladies day lunch in aid of the Breast Unit Haven with Anja Potze, one of Worcester's jewelers (check out her diamonds...bling bling).  Three of my other friends from school were there too, including the fabulous Lizzy Lodge.

Mum, me and the lovely Lexi (the charity's fundraising manager)

Log, Michelle and Esther - Droitwich High revisited

Kathryn and Liz. xx

It was absolutely wonderful - the food was gorgeous, the weather was fab and there was free flowing pink champers.  All in the name of fundraising too.  Ace.

Stable

So what I hadn't told anyone is that today I had my scan results appointment with Dr P.

My appointment had been brought forward from 20 March.  First off I had to go and get my blood tests done ready for my monthly jabs (which are still on Monday).  I was dreading it as jabs haven't been great recently.  I arrived at the hospital and was seen pretty much straight away in the Clover Suite (where they do 'walk in' blood tests) and it was absolutely fine!! I  told the nurse I loved her. I think she thought I was nuts.  I'm amazed as the crook of my arm is still bruised from the CT scan jab.

Then I had some time to kill before Timmy arrived and we went to see Dr P, so I walked up to the Countryside Centre and back for some fresh air.  I was getting very, very anxious and nervous under the armpits (hence why I wore an old T-shirt as this is what always happens in these situations!!). #sweatybetty

Timmy arrived and we checked into Rowan Suite....the appointment was at 1pm but we were still waiting at 1.15pm so out came the Puzzler and we started doing an Arrow-word puzzle this time.  Crazy I tell you!!!!  Anyway, five minutes later Dr P calls my name and we make our way down the corridor.  The door closed behind us.

'The scan results are highly re-assuring' Dr P says..... 'Oh thank god,' I say and Tim and I both look at each other and breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Apparently there is no worsening of the cancer, in fact, my spine is showing signs of thickening and there is an indication that one of my liver tumours has reduced ever so slightly...GET IN!!!!

WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP

You get the picture.....

He asked me how the pain was and I explained the pain in my sides - he said it's possibly radial pain but there might be some nerve damage due to my collapsed spine so I'm to keep an eye on the pain and let him know if it worsens.  Obviously if I start getting numbness or heavy legs I need to call someone pretty quickly as it could indicate spinal cord issues, however, he said this is unlikely due to the MRI scan results showing no cord involvement.

He also said that Mr T had mentioned my lumpy back and so he examined my spine.  He said, my spine is now out of alignment and there is a slight protruding of my vertebrae due to the collapse and tissue has likely to have grown over it as a result of the radiotherapy.  He wasn't worried about it and was glad that Mr T had done the ultrasound on it.

I asked him whether I need to worry about osteoporosis as I had read about that in a Breast Cancer Care leaflet about secondary breast cancer in the bone.  He said he's not worried about that in me at the moment so I said I would try and get back on my bike and see how I get on (also I hope it means I can ride the coasters with Scarlett at Blackpool again this year!).

I asked about the massages and facials - he said it's absolutely fine to have them (so next time I'll have to not mention my cancer so I can get a facial....naughty!). That's great news too!!

He then said that I won't need another scan for another three months and he'll see me in two months time to see how I'm getting on with the pain.

We were so unbelievably relieved when we left that we were squeezing each other tight as we walked back to the car park.

I headed to Tescos and treated myself to a custard slice (my favourite) before sharing the news with Juney and Gords, and Timmy headed back to work.

On the way home I was listening to my Calvin Harris CD, this awesome tune came on and I just had a huge smile on my face.

A few wines tonight methinks....

Have a lovely weekend everyone. xx