Yes, I know, I know, I should have updated you ages ago and I'm sorry for neglecting you .....
I realise that it's seven months since we last spoke and I left you with the news that I had shingles ....... well not only did I have to clear my diary for two weeks, I was so unwell that it was for three months ........ I've never felt so ill in my life!
Take my advice .... don't get it!
I felt like I was wasting time by not doing anything but infact I was physically incapable of doing anything and I didn't feel like doing anything either, even writing a blog post whilst lying in bed! I love reading but couldn't be bothered to pick up a book/kindle either.
It was that debilitating.
You may recall that during the bastard cancer we had to cut down on cheesemaking and whilst I had my radiotherapy we put it on hold for five weeks,
and then made the decision to just make a small amount every week so that we could fit things in like walk the dogs and run and have day dates .......
Of course we broke the rules, which is probably one of the reasons I got shingles ..... all work and no play!
For several weeks I didn't have the strength to make cheese and no cheese means no sales and as time went on it became quite clear that now was the time to give up ......
Nope! I couldn't let go ...... stupid really but it was a sense of failure and fear and maybe even in an odd way optimism that made me hang on ......
For those of you who follow my running blog, www.sarahsrunningchallenge.blogspot.com will know that I lost 11 weeks of fitness too and it took me exactly 11 weeks to get it back. Something that I found very frustrating and hard to regain.
Ok so whats happened during the other four months? I hear you ask.
Well, on the 1st September I had an appointment with Dr.Goodman. As it wasn't until 3.20pm we decided to have a day out with lunch in Exeter, leave the car in the car park and walk to RD&E so that there were no worries about finding a space at a busy time.
We got to the clinic just before 3pm and I bought some chewing gum to disguise the fact that I'd had wine at lunch ........ I probably still reeked like a brewery!!!
There were two clinics running but neither were with Dr. Goodman ......
At 3.30pm I was called in, put on the fetching gown and before OH had time to start fiddling with anything Dr. Nassau came in .......
He was pleasant enough, although rather took me aback during the shingles conversation ........
'Why did it take you so long to get over it?
Well I don't fucking know you're the Doctor was what I wanted to say but instead mumbled
'I don't know ..... I suppose I had a bad case of it'
OH was apparently silently shouting 'you're the Doctor it's fucking obvious why'
So after a couple of questions including
' ..... and you're getting on with Tamaxifen alright?' A sort of rhetorical question I felt as I nodded.
Periods weren't even mentioned, he then had a feel of my boobs and that was it ....... the closest to being on time and the shortest ever oncology appointment!
My next Oncology appointment is 30th August 2016!
So next on the update list is of course Tamoxifen .......
Well it's good news as for the last seven months the pharmacist has got me Wockhardt each time and so I'm on an even keel, with only the the odd night sweat which is mild in comparison to the ones I was having with the other brands.
Periods?????!!!!!
What do you think?
Of course yes!!
On 1st October we made our last batch of cheese ......
Yup, I finally let go ..... and no, I don't miss it but maybe that's because we now have a new business ..... making and selling vegetarian and vegan food!
Well you didn't think I was going to take it too easy did you?
Tuesday, 29 December 2015
Friday, 29 May 2015
It seems this is my second wake-up call .......
Sooooooooooooo the good news is that my mammogram is clear .........
......... the results arrived within four days too!!
Thankfully there's a new procedure, they now send the results out from the breast care unit direct to both the patient and their consultant so there's no waiting for weeks anymore!!
It does however make your stomach turnover when the letter arrives ........ it could go either way being so swift!
Ok, so what's the bad news?
Well as you know I don't do anything by halves and this is no exception .......
I've only gone and got shingles .....
On Friday my ribs started to hurt for no apparent reason in the same area that I'd had radiotherapy. (I also smashed them that side in a riding accident some years ago) OH suggested that we'd been told somewhere down the line that they could hurt some years after radiotherapy ........ that would be it then! They were worse on Saturday but at least didn't hurt when I ran or interfere with our Wedding Anniversary celebrations!!!
Lying down in bed in any position was uncomfortable though, it felt like I'd been kicked.
On Sunday morning there was a bit of a rash in a band from my back and across my ribs ....... as soon as OH said 'they're like little blisters' I just knew it was shingles!
Being a Bank Holiday weekend I couldn't get to the surgery until Tuesday .......... the pain got worse and so did the rash. OH feared the worst when I had pain all down my spine on Monday night and wouldn't believe my self diagnosis!!!!
As you know I have to be dragged kicking and screaming to the doctors but I was in so much pain that I was on the phone bang on 9am.
As you may recall the one and only time Dr. Fernandez and I have met was during my radiotherapy when we didn't seem to hit it off so I wasn't particularly looking forward to my appointment. I needn't have worried though, he was great ......... must have just been having an off day two years ago!!
The moment he saw the rash ........ 'shingles'
Oh bollocks ...... actually I didn't say that out loud.
He then said 'Shingles is caused by stress' ........ tick!
'Overdoing it' ......... tick!
'Lack of sleep' ........ bingo! .....bloody insomnia ..... tick!
'Yes, I need to talk to you about my tamoxifen and insomnia in a minute'
So he prescribed the one and only antiviral drug for shingles to be taken five times a day ....... what??? and said that I'd need painkillers too ........ ooohhhh noooooo I hate taking tablets.
So there was a choice of paracetamol (which wouldn't be strong enough) or morphine ........... blimey morphine that's for really serious stuff isn't it?
The next prescription was for co-codamol ....... oh shit!
Whenever OH has had them he's complained of constipation and you can't drink with them either!
Dr. Fernandez then said I needed lots of rest ....... 'could you stop working for a couple of week's ?'..........
All I could see in front of my eyes was the diary for the next two weeks which was full of work, cheesemaking and markets etc.
'Not really' ....... and I listed my itinerary and reasons as to why I couldn't ........ ' and I have a 6 mile race on the 10th June so do you think I can still do it?'
'Maybe not' ........... noooooooooooooo!!
Yes, yes, I know, don't shout at me I'm poorly!
'You need to eat well and drink lots of water to flush it out'
'And get lots of sleep .......'
So we then had the tamoxifen and insomnia conversation ........ he obviously didn't see my last post!!!
The pharmacist was summoned and although gave us the usual 'its not available' spiel, he is now looking at getting Wockhardt in and stockpiling it if necessary.
I started the antiviral tablets straight away ....... bloody great horse pills, even when halved but as it was OH's Birthday and I wanted some prosecco with him to celebrate I left the painkillers until Wednesday, despite the pain!
Yes, yes another of my stupid ideas ............ however as I toasted him a Happy Birthday with said prosecco, he read me the riot act and pointed out that its so serious it's my second wake up call .........
So as much as I wanted to put my fingers in my ears and la, la, la loudly I've agreed to slow down ........ Well not much choice at the moment!!!
On Wednesday I cleared the diary for two weeks and got my colleagues to do my farms.
I'm now trying to do as I'm told as after all, the third wake up call might be too late ........
......... the results arrived within four days too!!
Thankfully there's a new procedure, they now send the results out from the breast care unit direct to both the patient and their consultant so there's no waiting for weeks anymore!!
It does however make your stomach turnover when the letter arrives ........ it could go either way being so swift!
Ok, so what's the bad news?
Well as you know I don't do anything by halves and this is no exception .......
I've only gone and got shingles .....
On Friday my ribs started to hurt for no apparent reason in the same area that I'd had radiotherapy. (I also smashed them that side in a riding accident some years ago) OH suggested that we'd been told somewhere down the line that they could hurt some years after radiotherapy ........ that would be it then! They were worse on Saturday but at least didn't hurt when I ran or interfere with our Wedding Anniversary celebrations!!!
Lying down in bed in any position was uncomfortable though, it felt like I'd been kicked.
On Sunday morning there was a bit of a rash in a band from my back and across my ribs ....... as soon as OH said 'they're like little blisters' I just knew it was shingles!
Being a Bank Holiday weekend I couldn't get to the surgery until Tuesday .......... the pain got worse and so did the rash. OH feared the worst when I had pain all down my spine on Monday night and wouldn't believe my self diagnosis!!!!
As you know I have to be dragged kicking and screaming to the doctors but I was in so much pain that I was on the phone bang on 9am.
As you may recall the one and only time Dr. Fernandez and I have met was during my radiotherapy when we didn't seem to hit it off so I wasn't particularly looking forward to my appointment. I needn't have worried though, he was great ......... must have just been having an off day two years ago!!
The moment he saw the rash ........ 'shingles'
Oh bollocks ...... actually I didn't say that out loud.
He then said 'Shingles is caused by stress' ........ tick!
'Overdoing it' ......... tick!
'Lack of sleep' ........ bingo! .....bloody insomnia ..... tick!
'Yes, I need to talk to you about my tamoxifen and insomnia in a minute'
So he prescribed the one and only antiviral drug for shingles to be taken five times a day ....... what??? and said that I'd need painkillers too ........ ooohhhh noooooo I hate taking tablets.
So there was a choice of paracetamol (which wouldn't be strong enough) or morphine ........... blimey morphine that's for really serious stuff isn't it?
The next prescription was for co-codamol ....... oh shit!
Whenever OH has had them he's complained of constipation and you can't drink with them either!
Dr. Fernandez then said I needed lots of rest ....... 'could you stop working for a couple of week's ?'..........
All I could see in front of my eyes was the diary for the next two weeks which was full of work, cheesemaking and markets etc.
'Not really' ....... and I listed my itinerary and reasons as to why I couldn't ........ ' and I have a 6 mile race on the 10th June so do you think I can still do it?'
'Maybe not' ........... noooooooooooooo!!
Yes, yes, I know, don't shout at me I'm poorly!
'You need to eat well and drink lots of water to flush it out'
'And get lots of sleep .......'
So we then had the tamoxifen and insomnia conversation ........ he obviously didn't see my last post!!!
The pharmacist was summoned and although gave us the usual 'its not available' spiel, he is now looking at getting Wockhardt in and stockpiling it if necessary.
I started the antiviral tablets straight away ....... bloody great horse pills, even when halved but as it was OH's Birthday and I wanted some prosecco with him to celebrate I left the painkillers until Wednesday, despite the pain!
Yes, yes another of my stupid ideas ............ however as I toasted him a Happy Birthday with said prosecco, he read me the riot act and pointed out that its so serious it's my second wake up call .........
So as much as I wanted to put my fingers in my ears and la, la, la loudly I've agreed to slow down ........ Well not much choice at the moment!!!
On Wednesday I cleared the diary for two weeks and got my colleagues to do my farms.
I'm now trying to do as I'm told as after all, the third wake up call might be too late ........
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Night sweats and insomnia
Sorry I know you've been hanging on for a while since my last post ......
........ but I've been a bit busy with the running lark!
A couple of months ago when I was still 51 I read an article in one of the weekend papers that stated the average age for the menopause is 51years.
Ok so I'm now 52, have been taking Tamoxifen (which mimics the menopause) for nearly two years ....... AND.......... I'm still having periods ........ my body clearly didn't get the memo!
Two of the many side affects of Tamoxifen are night sweats and insomnia........
As I've mentioned before each brand of Tamoxifen differs in side effects to varying degrees. My preferred one is Wockhardt which seems to like me and I it, however despite requesting it every month, the surgery reckon it's not always available so after six months or so on it and with minor side effects I've now had to endure four months of different brands, the last two being Relonchem which as with now and previous months I've had it it's give me the most awful night sweats ...... absolutely dripping with sweat and drenching the bed clothes. It's so bad that OH bought more sheets so that we can change them daily if necessary!! I have to be thankful that it's not every night I suppose!
The worst thing however is the insomnia ........
Despite being absolutely knackered all I get on average is two hours sleep before waking up in a sweat and then being unable to go back to sleep for two or three hours, dropping off again for a couple of hours before lying awake again wishing for more sleep, and then of course it's time to get up ..........
I have at least another three years, if not eight on Tamoxifen ......... please don't tell me I'm not going to get a decent nights sleep during this time!!
It's definitely going to be for the next month as I've just interrupted this to go and pick up my prescription ............ I nearly cried when I opened the bag ...... they've given me bloody Relonchem again!!!
Ok, I'll duck now whilst those of you who suffer the same symptoms and are going through the natural menopause chuck stuff in my direction .......
In other news ........ we're off to RD&E later as I have my mammogram, then it will be fingers crossed for two weeks that I don't get a letter in the post ........
I've just made OH's day (not) mentioning this ..... he thought we got the results straight away ....... happy days!!!!!!
........ but I've been a bit busy with the running lark!
A couple of months ago when I was still 51 I read an article in one of the weekend papers that stated the average age for the menopause is 51years.
Ok so I'm now 52, have been taking Tamoxifen (which mimics the menopause) for nearly two years ....... AND.......... I'm still having periods ........ my body clearly didn't get the memo!
Two of the many side affects of Tamoxifen are night sweats and insomnia........
As I've mentioned before each brand of Tamoxifen differs in side effects to varying degrees. My preferred one is Wockhardt which seems to like me and I it, however despite requesting it every month, the surgery reckon it's not always available so after six months or so on it and with minor side effects I've now had to endure four months of different brands, the last two being Relonchem which as with now and previous months I've had it it's give me the most awful night sweats ...... absolutely dripping with sweat and drenching the bed clothes. It's so bad that OH bought more sheets so that we can change them daily if necessary!! I have to be thankful that it's not every night I suppose!
The worst thing however is the insomnia ........
Despite being absolutely knackered all I get on average is two hours sleep before waking up in a sweat and then being unable to go back to sleep for two or three hours, dropping off again for a couple of hours before lying awake again wishing for more sleep, and then of course it's time to get up ..........
I have at least another three years, if not eight on Tamoxifen ......... please don't tell me I'm not going to get a decent nights sleep during this time!!
It's definitely going to be for the next month as I've just interrupted this to go and pick up my prescription ............ I nearly cried when I opened the bag ...... they've given me bloody Relonchem again!!!
Ok, I'll duck now whilst those of you who suffer the same symptoms and are going through the natural menopause chuck stuff in my direction .......
In other news ........ we're off to RD&E later as I have my mammogram, then it will be fingers crossed for two weeks that I don't get a letter in the post ........
I've just made OH's day (not) mentioning this ..... he thought we got the results straight away ....... happy days!!!!!!
Saturday, 21 March 2015
I never considered that OH still worries
We were ten minutes into the journey on the way to my appointment with Mr. Ferguson on the 12th February when OH said 'I get really nervous on these trips'
(I wanted to be flippant and suggest that I drive if his driving was the problem but knew he was being serious)
'Why'
'Well I expect bad news'
Now I know when I got the 'sorry but the biopsy shows its cancer ' OH thought I was going to die and initially so did I. However with all the great treatment I received I realised that I had a few more years yet! Also my view is if I can't feel it then I'm sure Mr F and Dr. Goodman can't either.
Although I have to admit to nerves last year with my mammogram and of course I'm waiting for this year's one so am a little apprehensive.
OH still isn't convinced.
This was a shock as although we talk about everything and anything he hadn't let on and I hadn't picked up on his fears.
Two years down the line too ...... How crap am I?
After we'd seen Mr. Ferguson I asked OH whether he watched what went on and how it felt sitting in a room with another man examining me as it had only occurred to me that over the last two years he had had to sit quietly whilst I was prodded and poked and chatted to by the Consultant/Doctor who was always male.
He doesn't watch but listens carefully, takes it all in and waits for the bad news ........... so he is relieved when the Consultant/Doctor declares everything feels fine.......
(I wanted to be flippant and suggest that I drive if his driving was the problem but knew he was being serious)
'Why'
'Well I expect bad news'
Now I know when I got the 'sorry but the biopsy shows its cancer ' OH thought I was going to die and initially so did I. However with all the great treatment I received I realised that I had a few more years yet! Also my view is if I can't feel it then I'm sure Mr F and Dr. Goodman can't either.
Although I have to admit to nerves last year with my mammogram and of course I'm waiting for this year's one so am a little apprehensive.
OH still isn't convinced.
This was a shock as although we talk about everything and anything he hadn't let on and I hadn't picked up on his fears.
Two years down the line too ...... How crap am I?
After we'd seen Mr. Ferguson I asked OH whether he watched what went on and how it felt sitting in a room with another man examining me as it had only occurred to me that over the last two years he had had to sit quietly whilst I was prodded and poked and chatted to by the Consultant/Doctor who was always male.
He doesn't watch but listens carefully, takes it all in and waits for the bad news ........... so he is relieved when the Consultant/Doctor declares everything feels fine.......
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Dr. Goodman, Tamoxifen and periods
I know, I know ....... it's a couple of weeks since my Oncology appointment on 3rd March but I'm here now!!!
Sooooooooo as you know we were away for my Birthday and were then popping by RD&E for my appointment with Dr. Goodman.
We mistimed our arrival (almost sounds grand) and ended up hanging around reading our kindles for a couple of hours!!! Not a problem when you get a parking space and are reading an Amanda Prowse book.
I have to say that the receptionists I have met recently seem to be getting brusquer and the one in Oncolgy was no exception ...... I suppose at least she got my name on first announcement but to then bark at me 'date of birth?' 'Doctor?' And if that wasn't enough she wanted the last part of my phone number ...... well what do you class as last part?? I reeled the whole lot off!! She also took a piece of paper out of a folder and slid it across the desk towards me with no explanation........... So apparently there is a study involving weighing patients and asking details of nutrition and they'd appreciate my cooperation!!! Well of course, why didn't you say ......... I've lost over two stone and eat eight to nine portions of fruit and veg a day etc etc ....... Oh ok that's to come!! I suppose she did ask if I knew where to go and although I was tempted to be arse holey, I decided to be nice.
The moment we got to the waiting room, it was a relief to see that there weren't too many people there. Scanning the board and seeing that Dr.Goodman was in the house was another relief and also there was nothing saying that the clinic was running late!! Huzzah!!!!
So back to a Mothers Story by Amanda Prowse and twenty five minutes later I'm called in. Lovely nurse called Tree (yes really) asked if she could weigh me ...... 'yes of course but it has been my Birthday weekend and I've been eating and drinking and making merry!'
'Of course you should' ........
Thank god it was her and not the miserable Tina (Teena) from the past!! 'What are you normally?' 'Around 62.2 with no clothes on. Anyway with all this eating and drinking and with my clothes on she made me 64.85 kg ...... and then calculated it to 10 stone 1lb ....... noooooooooo
I was a bit disappointed that my eating habits weren't discussed though.
After putting on the usual fetching gown and waiting a while the man himself complete with dyed hair and bow tie came in.
Now like Mr. Ferguson he started talking about changing me at two and a half years from Tamoxifen to another drug if I started to go through the menopause naturally. However he ummed and arrhed and mentioned side effects like joint pain and took a long time to get to the point about whether this would happen. I sat there willing him to decided that Tamoxifen was good for me!!!(Well you know how I put off taking it initially and now how we're just jogging along nicely ) - I'll tell you about the night sweats and insomnia in another post!!!
When he mentioned Letrozole as being the drug in question I wanted to shout 'No' as after hearing and seeing the side effects my friend has had with it I'd really prefer to stay on Tamoxifen. Well better the devil you know!!
I then mentioned that I was still having periods and had in fact come on the day before my appointment with Mr. Ferguson so despite being 52 and a day I still hadn't started the menopause ......... this is the only time everrrrrrr that I'm grateful that I'm still doing the period thing!!
Anyway back to Dr. Goodman ....... he was speechless for a moment as he hadn't known that I'd seen Mr.Ferguson a few weeks before (flicked opened my file and saw the letter) hesitated and was on the verge of saying he wouldn't examine me because of this but then thought better of it ....... well I'd gone to the trouble of putting the gown on hadn't I!!!
He thinks everything feels fine too and is also impressed at how well my boob has healed! (May be there's hope yet and I can go back to the glamour modelling!!!!!)
Now due to the crossing over of appointments and the fact that Mr. Ferguson wants to see me in twelve months Dr. Goodman has decided to see me in six months ...... 1st September at 3.20pm. To be precise!
What's the betting then that I'm still having periods??
Sooooooooo as you know we were away for my Birthday and were then popping by RD&E for my appointment with Dr. Goodman.
We mistimed our arrival (almost sounds grand) and ended up hanging around reading our kindles for a couple of hours!!! Not a problem when you get a parking space and are reading an Amanda Prowse book.
I have to say that the receptionists I have met recently seem to be getting brusquer and the one in Oncolgy was no exception ...... I suppose at least she got my name on first announcement but to then bark at me 'date of birth?' 'Doctor?' And if that wasn't enough she wanted the last part of my phone number ...... well what do you class as last part?? I reeled the whole lot off!! She also took a piece of paper out of a folder and slid it across the desk towards me with no explanation........... So apparently there is a study involving weighing patients and asking details of nutrition and they'd appreciate my cooperation!!! Well of course, why didn't you say ......... I've lost over two stone and eat eight to nine portions of fruit and veg a day etc etc ....... Oh ok that's to come!! I suppose she did ask if I knew where to go and although I was tempted to be arse holey, I decided to be nice.
The moment we got to the waiting room, it was a relief to see that there weren't too many people there. Scanning the board and seeing that Dr.Goodman was in the house was another relief and also there was nothing saying that the clinic was running late!! Huzzah!!!!
So back to a Mothers Story by Amanda Prowse and twenty five minutes later I'm called in. Lovely nurse called Tree (yes really) asked if she could weigh me ...... 'yes of course but it has been my Birthday weekend and I've been eating and drinking and making merry!'
'Of course you should' ........
Thank god it was her and not the miserable Tina (Teena) from the past!! 'What are you normally?' 'Around 62.2 with no clothes on. Anyway with all this eating and drinking and with my clothes on she made me 64.85 kg ...... and then calculated it to 10 stone 1lb ....... noooooooooo
I was a bit disappointed that my eating habits weren't discussed though.
After putting on the usual fetching gown and waiting a while the man himself complete with dyed hair and bow tie came in.
Now like Mr. Ferguson he started talking about changing me at two and a half years from Tamoxifen to another drug if I started to go through the menopause naturally. However he ummed and arrhed and mentioned side effects like joint pain and took a long time to get to the point about whether this would happen. I sat there willing him to decided that Tamoxifen was good for me!!!(Well you know how I put off taking it initially and now how we're just jogging along nicely ) - I'll tell you about the night sweats and insomnia in another post!!!
When he mentioned Letrozole as being the drug in question I wanted to shout 'No' as after hearing and seeing the side effects my friend has had with it I'd really prefer to stay on Tamoxifen. Well better the devil you know!!
I then mentioned that I was still having periods and had in fact come on the day before my appointment with Mr. Ferguson so despite being 52 and a day I still hadn't started the menopause ......... this is the only time everrrrrrr that I'm grateful that I'm still doing the period thing!!
Anyway back to Dr. Goodman ....... he was speechless for a moment as he hadn't known that I'd seen Mr.Ferguson a few weeks before (flicked opened my file and saw the letter) hesitated and was on the verge of saying he wouldn't examine me because of this but then thought better of it ....... well I'd gone to the trouble of putting the gown on hadn't I!!!
He thinks everything feels fine too and is also impressed at how well my boob has healed! (May be there's hope yet and I can go back to the glamour modelling!!!!!)
Now due to the crossing over of appointments and the fact that Mr. Ferguson wants to see me in twelve months Dr. Goodman has decided to see me in six months ...... 1st September at 3.20pm. To be precise!
What's the betting then that I'm still having periods??
Thursday, 5 March 2015
So two years on ........
Two years ago today it all started .... 4th March 2013
Yup it was a two years ago to the day when I had my mammogram which then turned my life tits up! (Literally)
So fast forward two years ........
............... to this weekend which was my Birthday ..... oh yes 52 years old.
Happy to be alive, happy in my own body and happy to have my photo taken.
A different story two years ago though ............
Two years ago I didn't have a fancy phone or camera so no record of the two and a half stone overweight blob of a woman and even if I did I wouldn't be posting the photo's, I hated that woman.
This was the biggest hint at a wake up call and although (as you know) I was so fucking pissed off with the bastard cancer I have to admit now that it did do me a favour ........ but don't tell it!
Not just in the health stakes but also in the friendship stakes and the work stakes.
So in the health stakes ...... yes I'm still trying to do the eight to nine portions of fruit and veg a day but at times like at markets and Birthday weekends away it is difficult when there is lovely food on offer but none of it adding up to even one portion of fruit or veg a day
I do want to shout when I see a menu (most of the time) with no veg or a supplement of about four quid for it ....... but I do also appreciate that this is down to the great British public who abhor veg and leave it, meaning it gets chucked into the bin! (Great for soup though!)
Of course the running is top of the health stakes ........ who'd have thought it .....me Sarah Styles-Power, Mrs. Cheese running and now signed up for the Bideford 10K and asking for sponsorship for www.chsw.org.uk if you can spare a quid or dime or two thank you then www.virginmoneygiving.com/sarahstylespower
That aside ..........
So in the friendship stakes ...........well, I've never been the most popular girl on the block but it's amazing ...... I've found out who my true friends are, lost some and made a lot of new ones .... Thank you, you guys rock !
Bum! Nearly forgot the work stakes ....... well yes money pays the bills and all that malarkey but actually we've (Mr.Cheese and I have) learnt that you need time away ....... Something unheard of on my agenda before so that's why I 'm looking so happy in the photo ....... we had a couple of days away and nothing else mattered!
Also as I've said before this blog writes itself and tonight I was going to tell you about my appointment with Dr. Goodman but it went off else where .........
Thursday, 12 February 2015
Sooner than I thought .......
Hello! Are you still there?
Yes I'm just as surprised as you are that I'm back here again as my next scheduled ramblings are for 3rd March when I have my oncology appointment with the fabulous Dr. Goodman!
However ........ Yesterday just after 9 I got a phone call which I nearly didn't answer as 'withheld' usually means call centre.
Now the nice lady on the other end nearly got my mouth engaging before my brain ..........
( Oh bollocks have I forgotten an appointment??? No Don't be stupid the only one is oncology with Dr. Goodman on 3rd March ..... but what if the Muppet postman didn't deliver the letter..... shit shit shit ..... For fuck sake ......... listen she said your sixth monthly appointment with Mr. Ferguson and there's been a cancellation)
Oh that's alright then .......so apart from nearly blurting out that I had to run that day as I'm training for the Bideford 10k and couldn't make it, I shut my trap and made it a date!
Today we made cheese toute suite and then left for RD&E
No it wasn't ridiculously early because of Cheesemaking although I did worry we'd be late .............
However the trip in was smooth and although there was some squawking from me and bickering between us about OH's lane discipline but we got a parking space immediately. Ate our picnic and then bunged £2.50 into the machine before wandering down to K level 1 .
Reported to the usual reception to a smiley trainee girl who couldn't find me ...... then the FAT bitch sitting down barked Mr. Ferguson .......... reception one ......... oh right thanks sorry I missed it on our way down ...... you complete and utter cow (hope you get syphilis on Valentine's day)
Retraced our steps and found the right place to be told by the lovely receptionist that Mr.F clinic was running 50 minutes late
It didn't matter as I had my running blog post to finish www.sarahsrunningchallenge.blogspot.com
Anyway I got called in after 40 minutes and after putting on the fetching gown the man himself came in...........
I was so pleased to see Mr. F........
As usual he filled me with confidence was pleased that my surgery had healed so well joking that a surgeon loved patients whose operations healed so well.
He had a good feel, of my boobs and underarms and although my right boob (the bastard cancer one) feels a bit lumpy apparently that's normal.
Of course the period conversation came up........ yup I'm still having them.... So they'll keep me on tamoxifen for ten years however if I go menopausal in the next 6 months then they may give me a different drug!
Although he then said he'd see me in twelve months.
He will also request my next mammogram which is due in April......
As we left and I know parking is at a premium at RD&E there was no need for the bitch in the red mini to force her way into the space we were vacating causing OH to hit the kerb to avoid her. There was another red mini which had been waiting for the space before she arrived and she cut in front of it. How rude!
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Hardly any waiting....... my latest Consultants appointment!
Guess what?
Yes, you're right ........ I've just had an appointment at RD&E ........
You're going to be disappointed though ....... apart from me hanging on to the door handle squawking at times, we weren't our usual predictable selves!
We didn't leave ridiculously early!
How come I hear you ask.
Well I had a shopping list ..... my trainers circa 1985 have been hanging on despite bits dropping off the bottom over the last six weeks. Trip to a trainer shop needed!
Having kept up and increased my running for three and a half months I still haven't got a sports bra. Trip to M&S bra department needed!
(especially as yesterday at the end of my run I had a sore and bleeding nipple on the cancer boob ....... more of that later)
Oh and the bathroom scales packed up a couple of weeks ago. Trip to John Lewis needed!
So we left after I'd finished the day job and washed the cow shit out of my hair, at around 10.15am!
Now I had a brain wave about parking ...... normally for our rare shopping trips in Exeter we use the Quay car park, however as I trundled off to work this morning I realised that after we'd shopped we would have to move the car and then do a big loop in a lot of traffic to get back to RD&E. The chances of a space at the hospital would be non existent so I had a cunning plan .......... we'd park in the Triangle car park and pay for a days parking, then walk into the city and then walk to RD&E.
So we did!
On our walk we passed Real Food Exeter, a community owned shop and café which I follow on Twitter and have always wondered where they were situated. Now I know. After a coffee there we bought the things on the shopping list and then it was time for lunch. We popped back for a sandwich and glass of wine ......... it was conveniently on the route to RD&E.
Despite all this careful planning, we got to RD&E way too early, so had a coffee and then went down to the clinic.
My appointment was 3.15pm so going on all previous clinics which have run one and a half to two hours late I expected to be called in at aound 4.45pm!
No! by 3.35pm I was sitting in a consulting room with one of the fetching gowns on waiting for Mr. Ferguson.
Actually it wasn't the man himself but a lovely Doctor from his team Dr. Mackenzie and a fellow lady Doctor whose name I've forgotten!
What a nice man, he had such a good bedside manner and definitely made up for the brusque Oncology Doctor on my last appointment!
Now over the last 17 months I've been prodded and poked and always been asked if its ok for this to be done, however this guy is the first to say 'if whilst I'm doing it, It hurts please tell me to stop'.
Brownie points!!
He and Lady Doctor also got Brownie points as during the discussion about Tamoxifen I mentioned that different brands had different side effects. They both said they'd heard this before and that I should ask the pharmacist to try and get my preferred brand every time, and it should be possible due to them having different suppliers!
Ah yes the sore and bleeding nipple .......
Now I'm sure that this is down to pre menstrual tenderness (yes! I'm still having periods!!) and being chafed by my bra, but of course with my history it could be a sign of breast cancer so I mentioned it to him.
After he'd examined me he said everything felt fine and he couldn't see any changes in my skin but if the bleeding continued to get in touch although he thought it was just the chafing responsible for it and that my new sports bra would sort it out!
By 3.50pm we were on our way back to the car!
Yes, you're right ........ I've just had an appointment at RD&E ........
You're going to be disappointed though ....... apart from me hanging on to the door handle squawking at times, we weren't our usual predictable selves!
We didn't leave ridiculously early!
How come I hear you ask.
Well I had a shopping list ..... my trainers circa 1985 have been hanging on despite bits dropping off the bottom over the last six weeks. Trip to a trainer shop needed!
Having kept up and increased my running for three and a half months I still haven't got a sports bra. Trip to M&S bra department needed!
(especially as yesterday at the end of my run I had a sore and bleeding nipple on the cancer boob ....... more of that later)
Oh and the bathroom scales packed up a couple of weeks ago. Trip to John Lewis needed!
So we left after I'd finished the day job and washed the cow shit out of my hair, at around 10.15am!
Now I had a brain wave about parking ...... normally for our rare shopping trips in Exeter we use the Quay car park, however as I trundled off to work this morning I realised that after we'd shopped we would have to move the car and then do a big loop in a lot of traffic to get back to RD&E. The chances of a space at the hospital would be non existent so I had a cunning plan .......... we'd park in the Triangle car park and pay for a days parking, then walk into the city and then walk to RD&E.
So we did!
On our walk we passed Real Food Exeter, a community owned shop and café which I follow on Twitter and have always wondered where they were situated. Now I know. After a coffee there we bought the things on the shopping list and then it was time for lunch. We popped back for a sandwich and glass of wine ......... it was conveniently on the route to RD&E.
Despite all this careful planning, we got to RD&E way too early, so had a coffee and then went down to the clinic.
My appointment was 3.15pm so going on all previous clinics which have run one and a half to two hours late I expected to be called in at aound 4.45pm!
No! by 3.35pm I was sitting in a consulting room with one of the fetching gowns on waiting for Mr. Ferguson.
Actually it wasn't the man himself but a lovely Doctor from his team Dr. Mackenzie and a fellow lady Doctor whose name I've forgotten!
What a nice man, he had such a good bedside manner and definitely made up for the brusque Oncology Doctor on my last appointment!
Now over the last 17 months I've been prodded and poked and always been asked if its ok for this to be done, however this guy is the first to say 'if whilst I'm doing it, It hurts please tell me to stop'.
Brownie points!!
He and Lady Doctor also got Brownie points as during the discussion about Tamoxifen I mentioned that different brands had different side effects. They both said they'd heard this before and that I should ask the pharmacist to try and get my preferred brand every time, and it should be possible due to them having different suppliers!
Ah yes the sore and bleeding nipple .......
Now I'm sure that this is down to pre menstrual tenderness (yes! I'm still having periods!!) and being chafed by my bra, but of course with my history it could be a sign of breast cancer so I mentioned it to him.
After he'd examined me he said everything felt fine and he couldn't see any changes in my skin but if the bleeding continued to get in touch although he thought it was just the chafing responsible for it and that my new sports bra would sort it out!
By 3.50pm we were on our way back to the car!
Friday, 18 July 2014
Its not time to say good bye yet!
Oh hello!
Yes I'm still here ........
......... and yes I know I've neglected you! I'm sorry!
I know you thought that as I'd got the all clear I'd just bugger off and leave you!
....... but I couldn't do that to you ....... we've been through so much.....
...... and I know its been two months since we last spoke but suddenly life took off and I've been living it to the full ....... I'm sure you'll understand especially when I tell you about my friend who has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable tumour. (future blog post)
I have missed you and our chats though ....... just not had the time to write!
So here I am .......
Is this goodbye?
Well! during my dance you asked me not to give up writing the blog and since the all clear I have gained more readers, several of whom, who after reading the blog in its entirety have asked me to continue writing.......
What can I write about??
Well, I am still having regular consultant appointments but now you know me so well you'll be able to write them for me ........ left ridiculously early, no parking spaces at RD&E, clinic running one and a half hours late etc!
Ok how about life after the dance?
My ramblings.......
...... I have kept up the running and am doing around three miles a day four or five days a week although some of you will know and for those that don't I had an accident a couple of weeks ago where I went arse over tit, crossing the road in Bideford (and that was before a drink) and seriously hurt myself, bruising my knees, hands and right leg. So nine days without running......
At least I was still able to hobble out for a three mile walk with the doggens.
However prior to that I had even gone out morning and evening and run a total of six miles on a couple of occasions.
Everyone is joking that I'll be running marathons soon but actually its not really my thing ......... famous last words I know but of course you'll be the first to know when I've signed up to one because I'll be wanting your money for a breast cancer charity!
I'll never know what caused my breast cancer ...... it would be great to know so I could poke it in the eye with a sharp stick but that's not going to happen so a bit like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted I will continue to improve my lifestyle, hence the running and continued diet of eight to nine portions of fruit and veg a day.
Interestingly Breakthrough Breast Cancer www.breakthrough.org.uk/brisk/ currently have a campaign at the moment about How active are you? Raise your pulse, reduce your risk
Apparently 30 minutes of daily physical activity or 3.5 hours a week can reduce the risk of breast cancer by at least 20%.
Stable door and horse spring to mind ........ but ....... its never too late and I'm doing my best to prove it and inspire others!
So I'm thinking its not time to say good bye yet!
Yes I'm still here ........
......... and yes I know I've neglected you! I'm sorry!
I know you thought that as I'd got the all clear I'd just bugger off and leave you!
....... but I couldn't do that to you ....... we've been through so much.....
...... and I know its been two months since we last spoke but suddenly life took off and I've been living it to the full ....... I'm sure you'll understand especially when I tell you about my friend who has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable tumour. (future blog post)
I have missed you and our chats though ....... just not had the time to write!
So here I am .......
Is this goodbye?
Well! during my dance you asked me not to give up writing the blog and since the all clear I have gained more readers, several of whom, who after reading the blog in its entirety have asked me to continue writing.......
What can I write about??
Well, I am still having regular consultant appointments but now you know me so well you'll be able to write them for me ........ left ridiculously early, no parking spaces at RD&E, clinic running one and a half hours late etc!
Ok how about life after the dance?
My ramblings.......
...... I have kept up the running and am doing around three miles a day four or five days a week although some of you will know and for those that don't I had an accident a couple of weeks ago where I went arse over tit, crossing the road in Bideford (and that was before a drink) and seriously hurt myself, bruising my knees, hands and right leg. So nine days without running......
At least I was still able to hobble out for a three mile walk with the doggens.
However prior to that I had even gone out morning and evening and run a total of six miles on a couple of occasions.
Everyone is joking that I'll be running marathons soon but actually its not really my thing ......... famous last words I know but of course you'll be the first to know when I've signed up to one because I'll be wanting your money for a breast cancer charity!
I'll never know what caused my breast cancer ...... it would be great to know so I could poke it in the eye with a sharp stick but that's not going to happen so a bit like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted I will continue to improve my lifestyle, hence the running and continued diet of eight to nine portions of fruit and veg a day.
Interestingly Breakthrough Breast Cancer www.breakthrough.org.uk/brisk/ currently have a campaign at the moment about How active are you? Raise your pulse, reduce your risk
Apparently 30 minutes of daily physical activity or 3.5 hours a week can reduce the risk of breast cancer by at least 20%.
Stable door and horse spring to mind ........ but ....... its never too late and I'm doing my best to prove it and inspire others!
So I'm thinking its not time to say good bye yet!
Tuesday, 20 May 2014
The dance is over ........
Finally ........ my results letter has arrived!
Yes .............only eleven days since my phone call to Mr. F's secretary about it and six and a half weeks since my mammogram!!!
HOWEVER....
I've got the all clear ......... the bastard cancer has fucked off!
The dance is over, the music has stopped and the orchestra has gone home ......
Time to open the prosecco .....................
Friday, 9 May 2014
The wait goes on .................
You may remember that after my mammogram on the 4th April I was told that if they needed to recall me it would be within two weeks. If not they would send the results to Mr. Ferguson who would then write to me with them. If I hadn't heard anything within four weeks I'd need to phone Mr.F's secretary.
Today is exactly five weeks since my mammogram..........
I haven't heard anything!
Now you may wonder why I didn't phone Mr. F's secretary last week when the four weeks was up.
Well you should know me by know ........ put off today what you can do tomorrow ......... especially when it involves phoning someone who never answers the phone when I call and doesn't return answer phone messages or the answer phone cuts off before I can leave my number...... this sort of thing makes me anxious.......... that's why OH has usually phoned in the past.
This morning whilst OH was at a market I gave myself a strict talking to and looked up the number.
Well you could have knocked me down with a feather ........ four rings and Mr.Ferguson's secretary answered!
I explained everything, gave her my hospital number and she looked me up on her computer.
'The last letter you should have received was dated the 8th March'
'Yes that was the results of my cyst removal'
'Um, there's nothing else. I'm new here and can only look at letters sent so I need to speak to a colleague and phone you back.'
Oh bugger I was going to be in and out all day and the previous secretary wouldn't leave a message!
'If I'm not here you can leave a message'
'Thank you'
Sounded promising.
Anyway she phoned about an hour later .......
'I have just finished typing you a letter with your results, so we now need Mr. Ferguson to have a few spare minutes to sign it and it will be with you very soon. You have a follow up appointment with him on the 6th August which we'll still keep. So the letter will be with you very soon'
' Can't you give me my results over the phone?'
'No sorry, not until Mr. Ferguson has signed the letter.'
Soooooooooooooooo the wait goes on ............
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggg
Today is exactly five weeks since my mammogram..........
I haven't heard anything!
Now you may wonder why I didn't phone Mr. F's secretary last week when the four weeks was up.
Well you should know me by know ........ put off today what you can do tomorrow ......... especially when it involves phoning someone who never answers the phone when I call and doesn't return answer phone messages or the answer phone cuts off before I can leave my number...... this sort of thing makes me anxious.......... that's why OH has usually phoned in the past.
This morning whilst OH was at a market I gave myself a strict talking to and looked up the number.
Well you could have knocked me down with a feather ........ four rings and Mr.Ferguson's secretary answered!
I explained everything, gave her my hospital number and she looked me up on her computer.
'The last letter you should have received was dated the 8th March'
'Yes that was the results of my cyst removal'
'Um, there's nothing else. I'm new here and can only look at letters sent so I need to speak to a colleague and phone you back.'
Oh bugger I was going to be in and out all day and the previous secretary wouldn't leave a message!
'If I'm not here you can leave a message'
'Thank you'
Sounded promising.
Anyway she phoned about an hour later .......
'I have just finished typing you a letter with your results, so we now need Mr. Ferguson to have a few spare minutes to sign it and it will be with you very soon. You have a follow up appointment with him on the 6th August which we'll still keep. So the letter will be with you very soon'
' Can't you give me my results over the phone?'
'No sorry, not until Mr. Ferguson has signed the letter.'
Soooooooooooooooo the wait goes on ............
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggg
Monday, 28 April 2014
Tamoxifen
I'm still waiting for the letter from Mr. Ferguson ...............
No news is good news I guess so I'm presuming that my mammogram is clear BUT whilst we hang around waiting I thought that perhaps we could make polite conversation and discuss Tamoxifen.
On Friday I collected my latest Tamoxifen prescription ................. yup this is the eleventh one from the surgery (first one was from a chemist) so I've been knocking them back for a year!
Now you may recall that last year I put off taking these bad boys as I was worried by the side effects ........... weight gain being top of the list.
I really wasn't bothered by the other side effects ....... DVT, face swelling, unusual vaginal bleeding, hot flushes, leg cramps, dry skin, confusion, depression etc etc ........ oh you can google the side effects , there are too many to mention here!
Sooooooooooooooooo 12 months down the line whats the verdict???? ............
Well I had the same make of Tamoxifen for two months (as I mentioned at the time) and then it changed to Teva .........Teva and I jogged along, and apart from the dry skin, dry eyes, leg cramps, oh and all the other things I realised that everything was ok as I hadn't grown two heads, a tail or hairs on my palms.................
.......... and the weight gain??????
Well at the end of August I decided that I needed to lose weight.
Before my diagnosis I was already over weight and during my treatment with all the inactivity and socialising I piled on even more weight and possibly the Tamoxifen made me gain a few pounds. Who knows.
So I and a few other twitter friends formed an online slimming club.
Once a week we announced our weight loss (or gain). What an incentive to stick at it though!
By cutting down on what I ate and of course trying to fit in 8-9 portions of fruit and veg a day I lost one and a half stone. However it was difficult and most of the time I felt hungry, even after eating a big meal. Tamoxifen makes you feel hungry that's for sure. So I now understand how weight gain is a side effect.
Last month I collected my prescription and knew instantly by the feel of the packet through the bag that it was a different brand
I tried not to panic but wondered what Wockhardt had in store for me?!
Oh noooooooooooooo what are they like??? will I have all the initial symptoms again???
Oh for goodness sake .......... get on with it!
Do you know what?
These ones are great ............. no leg cramps ............
So much so that on Friday I dug out my trainers from under the stairs where they have been for at least the last ten years and after hoovering them (of cobwebs and stuff) I went for a run with the dogs!
Do you know I was really chuffed because although I ran then walked then ran on our 3 mile route I found it quite easy! All the walking has clearly improved my fitness.
The only odd thing you will have notice should you have been stalking me is that I have to hold my right boob as I run ....... a strange sight I know but I clearly need to get a sports bra!! The lumpectomy has made bouncing around painful
Yesterday I tried it again (along with boob clasping) and I ran further.
I'm sure those of you that run miles on a regular basis will just shrug but I'm really chuffed. Infact so much so that I posted it on facebook and twitter and then discovered that I had inspired a twitter friend who suffers from depression to put his running shoes on and kick the black dog into touch.
There is a down side though to no leg cramps ................
I seem to get emotional and teary for no apparent reason. Just like I did at the start of taking Tamoxifen.
Which one do I prefer???
The latter .......... at least I can blink away a few tears without any pain!
No news is good news I guess so I'm presuming that my mammogram is clear BUT whilst we hang around waiting I thought that perhaps we could make polite conversation and discuss Tamoxifen.
On Friday I collected my latest Tamoxifen prescription ................. yup this is the eleventh one from the surgery (first one was from a chemist) so I've been knocking them back for a year!
Now you may recall that last year I put off taking these bad boys as I was worried by the side effects ........... weight gain being top of the list.
I really wasn't bothered by the other side effects ....... DVT, face swelling, unusual vaginal bleeding, hot flushes, leg cramps, dry skin, confusion, depression etc etc ........ oh you can google the side effects , there are too many to mention here!
Sooooooooooooooooo 12 months down the line whats the verdict???? ............
Well I had the same make of Tamoxifen for two months (as I mentioned at the time) and then it changed to Teva .........Teva and I jogged along, and apart from the dry skin, dry eyes, leg cramps, oh and all the other things I realised that everything was ok as I hadn't grown two heads, a tail or hairs on my palms.................
.......... and the weight gain??????
Well at the end of August I decided that I needed to lose weight.
Before my diagnosis I was already over weight and during my treatment with all the inactivity and socialising I piled on even more weight and possibly the Tamoxifen made me gain a few pounds. Who knows.
So I and a few other twitter friends formed an online slimming club.
Once a week we announced our weight loss (or gain). What an incentive to stick at it though!
By cutting down on what I ate and of course trying to fit in 8-9 portions of fruit and veg a day I lost one and a half stone. However it was difficult and most of the time I felt hungry, even after eating a big meal. Tamoxifen makes you feel hungry that's for sure. So I now understand how weight gain is a side effect.
Last month I collected my prescription and knew instantly by the feel of the packet through the bag that it was a different brand
I tried not to panic but wondered what Wockhardt had in store for me?!
Oh noooooooooooooo what are they like??? will I have all the initial symptoms again???
Oh for goodness sake .......... get on with it!
Do you know what?
These ones are great ............. no leg cramps ............
So much so that on Friday I dug out my trainers from under the stairs where they have been for at least the last ten years and after hoovering them (of cobwebs and stuff) I went for a run with the dogs!
Do you know I was really chuffed because although I ran then walked then ran on our 3 mile route I found it quite easy! All the walking has clearly improved my fitness.
The only odd thing you will have notice should you have been stalking me is that I have to hold my right boob as I run ....... a strange sight I know but I clearly need to get a sports bra!! The lumpectomy has made bouncing around painful
Yesterday I tried it again (along with boob clasping) and I ran further.
I'm sure those of you that run miles on a regular basis will just shrug but I'm really chuffed. Infact so much so that I posted it on facebook and twitter and then discovered that I had inspired a twitter friend who suffers from depression to put his running shoes on and kick the black dog into touch.
There is a down side though to no leg cramps ................
I seem to get emotional and teary for no apparent reason. Just like I did at the start of taking Tamoxifen.
Which one do I prefer???
The latter .......... at least I can blink away a few tears without any pain!
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
My breast cancer article for our Parish magazine
Last month I was asked to write an article about breast cancer for our Parish magazine.
Its three weeks since the magazine was distributed to local households. I assumed people would read it and hoped that maybe it would help someone, if not now but at a later date.
So I've been pleasantly surprised by the positive response it has received.
The last lady to get in touch was someone who had known from the start of my diagnosis but had appeared to go out of her way to avoid me over the last year. She made a point of phoning to tell me how brave she thought I was for sharing my story and that she was sure it would help someone and that she was going to keep the article just incase ..........
I've only had one negative reply, a person telling me that my advice about TLC wouldn't have helped her ..... it wouldn't have helped me either, because as you all know the mammogram was my saviour.
I was just trying to cover basic awareness in the article.
Anyway I thought I'd share the article with you.........
v
Breast cancer is the
most common cancer.
Its three weeks since the magazine was distributed to local households. I assumed people would read it and hoped that maybe it would help someone, if not now but at a later date.
So I've been pleasantly surprised by the positive response it has received.
The last lady to get in touch was someone who had known from the start of my diagnosis but had appeared to go out of her way to avoid me over the last year. She made a point of phoning to tell me how brave she thought I was for sharing my story and that she was sure it would help someone and that she was going to keep the article just incase ..........
I've only had one negative reply, a person telling me that my advice about TLC wouldn't have helped her ..... it wouldn't have helped me either, because as you all know the mammogram was my saviour.
I was just trying to cover basic awareness in the article.
Anyway I thought I'd share the article with you.........
Breast cancer
v
Breast cancer is the
most common cancer.
v
One woman in eight will be diagnosed with Breast cancer
in her life time.
v Around
50,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed each year with Breast cancer.
v The NHS
automatically invite women aged 50-70 who are registered with a GP for breast
cancer screening every three years.
v Around a
third of breast cancers are diagnosed through screening.
So what? You’re thinking this is just a load of statistics,
why should I read this? It doesn’t affect me.
A year ago I would have been thinking the same as you but in
March 2013 I became part of those statistics.
Two days after my 50th Birthday I attended the
mobile breast screening unit in a Holsworthy car park and had my first
mammogram. It didn’t take long and soon I was on the way home and to be honest
I didn’t give it another thought.
Nine days later I got a letter with an appointment to go to
Exeter for further screening. This involved another mammogram and a biopsy.
Five days later I had to return to Exeter for the biopsy results.
It was breast cancer.
The lump was small which is why I hadn’t felt it and if it
hadn’t been for the screening I wouldn’t have found it for maybe another couple
of years.
Initially I was shocked, scared and angry.
I decided to start a blog and write about my breast cancer.
Not only did I find this cathartic but it also helped people keep up with my
treatment without feeling they had to phone or e-mail every few days to see how
I was getting on! Perhaps rather naively I didn’t realise at the start that it
would be read worldwide in fact I just thought a few friends would look at it
every now and then, however to date there have been over 8700 page views and
I’ve been told that I’ve made some people laugh and been an inspiration to
others.
It can be found at sarahsdancewithcancer.blogspot.com
Now enough about me!
If you are invited for a mammogram please go, it could save
your life!
Are you breast aware?
Do you know what your breasts look and feel like normally?
Are you on the look out for any unusual changes?
It’s a good idea to get into the habit and do it regularly,
maybe in the bath or shower.
Me? I do it first thing in the morning on the way down to
the loo!
I’ve pinched this from one of the breast cancer charities
but it’s as easy as TLC.
T ouch your breasts – can you feel anything unusual?
L ook for changes – Is there any change in shape or
texture?
C heck anything unusual with your Doctor
Now there’s no special way of checking yourself and each
Doctor and Consultant who has examined me has their own way so don’t be scared
to have a good feel of yourself.
If you have any breast cancer or breast health concerns or
you are a friend or relative of someone who has, who can you talk to?
Well there’s your Doctor and then there are also breast
cancer charities, two of which are listed below.
They also have a free helpline 0808 8006000
The best advice I was given and which I will pass onto you
…. DON’T google anything about breast cancer ……. It will scare you to death
unnecessarily! Talk to the healthcare professionals.
Thursday, 17 April 2014
I think I can stop holding my breath......
Soooooooooooooooooo for the last thirteen days I've been there waiting for the postman, hoping that he hasn't any post for us but also willing him (them) ...... (yes we still have the job share muppets) to deliver our post to the neighbours by mistake! Although the neighbour always brings it over as ...... The Holstein Journal, Down your Whey and Know your Curds magazine doesn't interest them!!!!
Ha ha ... prize if you guess the made up names!!!!
I think I can now stop holding my breath ...............
...........................and breathe!
Yup ...... the two weeks is up tomorrow and as its Good Friday ........and .........useless piece of information exactly a year to the day that I had my lumpectomy - can you believe that?
I don't think there will be a letter on Saturday.
I'm beginning to believe that my mammogram results are clear!
I have to say that I've been worrying on and off over the last fortnight and felt like I'm in limbo again because of last year but also I've had the 'I've been there done that, got the T-shirt' thought and realised that I fought the BASTARD and won so how dare it even think about showing its face again.
It probably sounds easy to you but the bastard cancer does mess with your head .......
Anyway .......... just waiting now for one of the muppets to deliver my results from Mr. Ferguson.
Ha ha ... prize if you guess the made up names!!!!
I think I can now stop holding my breath ...............
...........................and breathe!
Yup ...... the two weeks is up tomorrow and as its Good Friday ........and .........useless piece of information exactly a year to the day that I had my lumpectomy - can you believe that?
I don't think there will be a letter on Saturday.
I'm beginning to believe that my mammogram results are clear!
I have to say that I've been worrying on and off over the last fortnight and felt like I'm in limbo again because of last year but also I've had the 'I've been there done that, got the T-shirt' thought and realised that I fought the BASTARD and won so how dare it even think about showing its face again.
It probably sounds easy to you but the bastard cancer does mess with your head .......
Anyway .......... just waiting now for one of the muppets to deliver my results from Mr. Ferguson.
Sunday, 6 April 2014
My family part two.......
Those of you have been with me from the start will know that my family (parents, sister and her family) spend Easter in South Devon.
We live in North Devon.
My blog post 'My Family' (8th May 2013) explains most of what you need to know.
Soooooooooooooooooooo this weekend was all planned ....... cheesemakers workshop at my favourite Bistro in Plymouth (Bistro-one.co.uk) and then on Sunday back to Plymouth for the Good Food Market at Royal William Yard.
It was a bit of a shock during yesterdays workshop to hear that RWY was cancelled due to the weather forecast. Thank goodness for people with fancy phones! Otherwise we wouldn't have known until we got home.
Anyway a fab day was had by all and OH went to get the car after paying £7.20 for the privilege of parking in Plymouth for 6 hours.
The other privilege is parking on double yellow lines toute suite to pack everything back into the car ....... (thank god they don't have the same traffic wardens as we have at Bideford Farmers Market ) by that I mean muppets with no common sense and no sense of humour.
However in between all this OH phoned my Dad to tell him that we would be at a tea room near Ashburton delivering cheese at 11am.
Yup another downside of the market cancellation was that the trader who would collect our cheese at Plymouth and then deliver to a tea room just down the road from his store wouldn't happen. So we'd have to do it ourselves.
Dad said that they wouldn't get there until midday and he doubted if the others would come.
Fast forward to today ... Sunday 6th April.
So Ma and Pa were there when we arrived , we had coffee and talked about cheese, cheesemaking, food, my Dads health, after fifteen minutes OH announced that it was time for us to go ......... bloody hell ...... really ....... even for me that's rude ......
My Ma then said my niece had said to say 'Hello' ... great! but no message from my sister then..........
Dad then asked about our no supermarket shopping ... apparently its the talk of the golf club!
We eventually managed thirty minutes.............. thank goodness the coffee at Hill House Nursery is fab!!
Driving back I mentioned to OH that I thought fifteen minutes was rather quick. He said that they hadn't asked how I was or how I was getting on even at the start when I'd popped to the loo and that he thought that by him trying to get us together they might at least acknowledge my cancer.
Too late lover ........ its a year on........
They don't even know about my mammogram ..........
We haven't seen them since November and rarely talk on the phone so how can you catch up in thirty minutes.
Well you can't.
However I'm sure as I write this my parents and sister and her family are all playing happy families in their holiday let and no doubt slagging me off as I have just done them ........ that's life ........................that's families................ well my family anyway.
Oh I forgot to mention ....... to make it all better we went for lunch at my sanctuary .....................
..... for those that don't know - its The Ring of Bells!
We live in North Devon.
My blog post 'My Family' (8th May 2013) explains most of what you need to know.
Soooooooooooooooooooo this weekend was all planned ....... cheesemakers workshop at my favourite Bistro in Plymouth (Bistro-one.co.uk) and then on Sunday back to Plymouth for the Good Food Market at Royal William Yard.
It was a bit of a shock during yesterdays workshop to hear that RWY was cancelled due to the weather forecast. Thank goodness for people with fancy phones! Otherwise we wouldn't have known until we got home.
Anyway a fab day was had by all and OH went to get the car after paying £7.20 for the privilege of parking in Plymouth for 6 hours.
The other privilege is parking on double yellow lines toute suite to pack everything back into the car ....... (thank god they don't have the same traffic wardens as we have at Bideford Farmers Market ) by that I mean muppets with no common sense and no sense of humour.
However in between all this OH phoned my Dad to tell him that we would be at a tea room near Ashburton delivering cheese at 11am.
Yup another downside of the market cancellation was that the trader who would collect our cheese at Plymouth and then deliver to a tea room just down the road from his store wouldn't happen. So we'd have to do it ourselves.
Dad said that they wouldn't get there until midday and he doubted if the others would come.
Fast forward to today ... Sunday 6th April.
So Ma and Pa were there when we arrived , we had coffee and talked about cheese, cheesemaking, food, my Dads health, after fifteen minutes OH announced that it was time for us to go ......... bloody hell ...... really ....... even for me that's rude ......
My Ma then said my niece had said to say 'Hello' ... great! but no message from my sister then..........
Dad then asked about our no supermarket shopping ... apparently its the talk of the golf club!
We eventually managed thirty minutes.............. thank goodness the coffee at Hill House Nursery is fab!!
Driving back I mentioned to OH that I thought fifteen minutes was rather quick. He said that they hadn't asked how I was or how I was getting on even at the start when I'd popped to the loo and that he thought that by him trying to get us together they might at least acknowledge my cancer.
Too late lover ........ its a year on........
They don't even know about my mammogram ..........
We haven't seen them since November and rarely talk on the phone so how can you catch up in thirty minutes.
Well you can't.
However I'm sure as I write this my parents and sister and her family are all playing happy families in their holiday let and no doubt slagging me off as I have just done them ........ that's life ........................that's families................ well my family anyway.
Oh I forgot to mention ....... to make it all better we went for lunch at my sanctuary .....................
..... for those that don't know - its The Ring of Bells!
Friday, 4 April 2014
The dance goes on ......
OH woke up fairly early this morning ...... well, before the alarm anyway (I think it was set for 7.30) and did his usual routine of yawning, sighing, tossing and turning when I'm trying to sleep .................
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 'Shut up ... I don't want to wake up'
Actually that's a lie, I really wanted to get today over and done with, but he's sooooooooooo annoying!!
I know it seems that I'm wishing my life away at the moment but I just need to know now!
After doing the cheese brining, salting, turning type things and egg packing stuff we set off with the dogs for a walk.
Great no time to think about things!
OH hurt his foot last night (one of his clogs split and did some damage to his toes -and he does have sensitive feet after the Navy amputated his little toes in the 1960's. Bastards! ) and within minutes of starting out this morning he had to return home as his foot hurt.
To take my mind off things I tried to identify the bird song serenading me and also all the wild flowers that are springing up daily as well as bellowing at Tilly before she shot off after bambi's and pheasants.
Now you know that we have a lorry and courier game that we play on our way to RD&E ........... well it started early today ..... one of our big fuck off wagons came chugging up the lane past me and the doggens. Bloody hell ...... he must have a satnav malfunction, coming to our neck of the woods ....... anyway I ticked him off!!!! (just as well, as you will find out)
Get to the point I hear you cry......
Ok, Ok,
Yes, we left ridiculously early ..... but in my defence they are doing loads of resurfacing on the way and one lane at Alphington/Marsh Barton junction is closed.
Not much to report on OH's driving apart from the sudden braking near B&Q when I wasn't paying attention due to looking at my phone and my sunglasses (propped up on my forehead) flew off and I was made to let off some expletives. I'm sure he did it on purpose!
Our lorries weren't playing either .... only saw one!
...... and yes we got there in plenty of time ....... loads of parking spaces and time for a coffee and a sandwich before popping up to the breast care unit for my appointment.
The last time I was in this department was on operation day when I had the wire inserted to identify the bastard cancer for Mr. Ferguson and then OH and I sat for hours in the corridor waiting for me to go down to theatre. (not forgetting my sexy get up of hospital gown and white stockings with my addition of green dressing gown and pink slippers!!)
Today there was no one in reception (well it was 1.35pm - everyone was at lunch I presume) so after hissing at OH to sit down after he did his wandering around bit and poked his head through the window ....... yes its me booking in not you and there's no one there so 'READ YOUR KINDLE!' I stood there watching David Cameron on the TV with sub titles telling me how brilliantly 'we had got the railway line repaired at Dawlish' before three radiographers appeared. Just like buses!
Took a seat and before I could get into my book I was called.
Four x rays of my squashed boobs later and I was out!
The quickest appointment ever at RD&E and called in before time!
However ........... and this is the thing ...... the breast care unit will look at my mammogram and if they want to recall me I'll hear within two weeks ..... if not they'll send the results to Mr. Ferguson and he'll send me the results. If I haven't heard within four weeks then its a phone call to his secretary!
Lorry result on the way home, lots of ticks!!!!
So, my dance goes on ......
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh 'Shut up ... I don't want to wake up'
Actually that's a lie, I really wanted to get today over and done with, but he's sooooooooooo annoying!!
I know it seems that I'm wishing my life away at the moment but I just need to know now!
After doing the cheese brining, salting, turning type things and egg packing stuff we set off with the dogs for a walk.
Great no time to think about things!
OH hurt his foot last night (one of his clogs split and did some damage to his toes -and he does have sensitive feet after the Navy amputated his little toes in the 1960's. Bastards! ) and within minutes of starting out this morning he had to return home as his foot hurt.
To take my mind off things I tried to identify the bird song serenading me and also all the wild flowers that are springing up daily as well as bellowing at Tilly before she shot off after bambi's and pheasants.
Now you know that we have a lorry and courier game that we play on our way to RD&E ........... well it started early today ..... one of our big fuck off wagons came chugging up the lane past me and the doggens. Bloody hell ...... he must have a satnav malfunction, coming to our neck of the woods ....... anyway I ticked him off!!!! (just as well, as you will find out)
Get to the point I hear you cry......
Ok, Ok,
Yes, we left ridiculously early ..... but in my defence they are doing loads of resurfacing on the way and one lane at Alphington/Marsh Barton junction is closed.
Not much to report on OH's driving apart from the sudden braking near B&Q when I wasn't paying attention due to looking at my phone and my sunglasses (propped up on my forehead) flew off and I was made to let off some expletives. I'm sure he did it on purpose!
Our lorries weren't playing either .... only saw one!
...... and yes we got there in plenty of time ....... loads of parking spaces and time for a coffee and a sandwich before popping up to the breast care unit for my appointment.
The last time I was in this department was on operation day when I had the wire inserted to identify the bastard cancer for Mr. Ferguson and then OH and I sat for hours in the corridor waiting for me to go down to theatre. (not forgetting my sexy get up of hospital gown and white stockings with my addition of green dressing gown and pink slippers!!)
Today there was no one in reception (well it was 1.35pm - everyone was at lunch I presume) so after hissing at OH to sit down after he did his wandering around bit and poked his head through the window ....... yes its me booking in not you and there's no one there so 'READ YOUR KINDLE!' I stood there watching David Cameron on the TV with sub titles telling me how brilliantly 'we had got the railway line repaired at Dawlish' before three radiographers appeared. Just like buses!
Took a seat and before I could get into my book I was called.
Four x rays of my squashed boobs later and I was out!
The quickest appointment ever at RD&E and called in before time!
However ........... and this is the thing ...... the breast care unit will look at my mammogram and if they want to recall me I'll hear within two weeks ..... if not they'll send the results to Mr. Ferguson and he'll send me the results. If I haven't heard within four weeks then its a phone call to his secretary!
Lorry result on the way home, lots of ticks!!!!
So, my dance goes on ......
Saturday, 22 March 2014
#nomakeupselfies
You've probably all seen or heard about #nomakeupselfies
If you don't know its a trend started at the Oscars with a load of selfies being posted on social media by the loveies of this world. This snowballed and then thousands of women nominated by their friends shared pictures of themselves without makeup to raise awareness of breast cancer.
This then went viral and and suddenly the coffers of cancer research were £2m better off.
Now being a social media babe (as you know!!)..... twitter, facebook and instagram are my thing ...... all these #nomakeupselfies popped up in my timeline of laydees I know and they were nominating other laydees to do the same.
Everytime I logged on I breathed a sigh of relief that nobody had nominated me!
Why?
Well, I'm a country bumpkin and don't own any slap so I look the same all the time! Not much point doing it really!
Ha! I thought about it and then realised that it doesn't matter what I look like as long as I donated £3 towards research into this bastard disease.
So I posted my #nomakeupselfie (normal me) on facebook and donated.
Now I'm probably going to sound like a kill joy (and 12 months ago I'd have yawned and moved on too) but I do wonder how much this campaign has raised awareness of breast cancer.
In so much as are you and all the thousands women with their #nomakeupselfies breast aware?
Do you know what your breasts feel like normally?
Are you on the look out for any unusual changes?
Do you regularly feel them?
Me? I do it first thing in the morning on the way to the loo!!
Now there's no special way of checking yourself and each doctor and consultant who has examined me has their own way so don't be afraid to have a good old feel of yourself!
It could save your life!
If you don't know its a trend started at the Oscars with a load of selfies being posted on social media by the loveies of this world. This snowballed and then thousands of women nominated by their friends shared pictures of themselves without makeup to raise awareness of breast cancer.
This then went viral and and suddenly the coffers of cancer research were £2m better off.
Now being a social media babe (as you know!!)..... twitter, facebook and instagram are my thing ...... all these #nomakeupselfies popped up in my timeline of laydees I know and they were nominating other laydees to do the same.
Everytime I logged on I breathed a sigh of relief that nobody had nominated me!
Why?
Well, I'm a country bumpkin and don't own any slap so I look the same all the time! Not much point doing it really!
Ha! I thought about it and then realised that it doesn't matter what I look like as long as I donated £3 towards research into this bastard disease.
So I posted my #nomakeupselfie (normal me) on facebook and donated.
Now I'm probably going to sound like a kill joy (and 12 months ago I'd have yawned and moved on too) but I do wonder how much this campaign has raised awareness of breast cancer.
In so much as are you and all the thousands women with their #nomakeupselfies breast aware?
Do you know what your breasts feel like normally?
Are you on the look out for any unusual changes?
Do you regularly feel them?
Me? I do it first thing in the morning on the way to the loo!!
Now there's no special way of checking yourself and each doctor and consultant who has examined me has their own way so don't be afraid to have a good old feel of yourself!
It could save your life!
Monday, 17 March 2014
I'm the talent you're back stage!
'I'm the talent, you're back stage'
Ha ha ... what a fab expression.....
Just heard it on the goggle box as OH is watching the thing with Rupert 'phoar' Penry -Jones as I'm logging in to write this post!
Yeah Cancer I'm the talent, you're back stage so fuck off ...............
So actually I was going to write about something else until I heard this, now my post will be very short.
As I've said before it writes itself and tonight its now not was planned.
Unbelievably my last post went viral ........ well in my world ..................Ten thousand page views of the blog is amazing.
I just want to tell you that two days after my last post I got my mammogram appointment........Perhaps Mr Ferguson reads it!!! Yeah right .... anyway its 4th April ....... such a relief and hopefully I'll be able to draw a line under it once I've got the results and leave you all in peace!
Ha ha ... what a fab expression.....
Just heard it on the goggle box as OH is watching the thing with Rupert 'phoar' Penry -Jones as I'm logging in to write this post!
Yeah Cancer I'm the talent, you're back stage so fuck off ...............
So actually I was going to write about something else until I heard this, now my post will be very short.
As I've said before it writes itself and tonight its now not was planned.
Unbelievably my last post went viral ........ well in my world ..................Ten thousand page views of the blog is amazing.
I just want to tell you that two days after my last post I got my mammogram appointment........Perhaps Mr Ferguson reads it!!! Yeah right .... anyway its 4th April ....... such a relief and hopefully I'll be able to draw a line under it once I've got the results and leave you all in peace!
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
The music is fading and the dance is nearly over.......
Well it looks like its almost time to say good bye .........
You lovely readers have stuck with me through thick and thin over this last year but I can hear the music fading and my dance is nearly over ................. we are going to have to go our separate ways very soon......... however the thought of it makes me sad.
Sad?
What do you mean sad? I hear you cry .....
...... just last week Oncology said they would see you in 12 months time ... so that's got to be good news? Hasn't it?
(Oh yes two days later they sent me an appointment for 3rd March 2015)
......... You should be happy ...... you've kicked the bastard cancer into touch.
Of course I am, however when I started this blog I had absolutely no idea of the cathartic release I would have from writing it nor the impact it would have on others. In fact I had no idea if it would even been read by anyone. In my naïve mind I assumed maybe a few friends would look at it every now and then! I also thought we'd all be done by July and life would be back to normal!!!!
Ha ha ...... how we live and learn!
So I'm sad that I won't have anything to write about anymore ..........maybe a strange thing to say but I've enjoyed writing it ....... well really its always written itself and like tonight when I've felt the need to talk to you its just happened!
You may be wondering why I don't just cut the cord and be done with it.
Well, I'm still lingering because until I have my yearly mammogram and results I can't put my mind at rest ............ its due every March for the next 5 years.
So at the moment I'm like a lovesick teenager every time the post man delivers, I'm rushing to check the post................
I'm really showing my age now aren't I? I guess in this day and age lovesick teenagers are glued to their phones waiting for a text!!!
How times change.................
You lovely readers have stuck with me through thick and thin over this last year but I can hear the music fading and my dance is nearly over ................. we are going to have to go our separate ways very soon......... however the thought of it makes me sad.
Sad?
What do you mean sad? I hear you cry .....
...... just last week Oncology said they would see you in 12 months time ... so that's got to be good news? Hasn't it?
(Oh yes two days later they sent me an appointment for 3rd March 2015)
......... You should be happy ...... you've kicked the bastard cancer into touch.
Of course I am, however when I started this blog I had absolutely no idea of the cathartic release I would have from writing it nor the impact it would have on others. In fact I had no idea if it would even been read by anyone. In my naïve mind I assumed maybe a few friends would look at it every now and then! I also thought we'd all be done by July and life would be back to normal!!!!
Ha ha ...... how we live and learn!
So I'm sad that I won't have anything to write about anymore ..........maybe a strange thing to say but I've enjoyed writing it ....... well really its always written itself and like tonight when I've felt the need to talk to you its just happened!
You may be wondering why I don't just cut the cord and be done with it.
Well, I'm still lingering because until I have my yearly mammogram and results I can't put my mind at rest ............ its due every March for the next 5 years.
So at the moment I'm like a lovesick teenager every time the post man delivers, I'm rushing to check the post................
I'm really showing my age now aren't I? I guess in this day and age lovesick teenagers are glued to their phones waiting for a text!!!
How times change.................
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
A year to the day .................................
Two days after my oncology appointment in September a letter arrived with the next six monthly appointment .................. 4th March 2014. Amazingly efficient. I also hoped that Dr. Goodman would be seeing me.
I also wouldn't forget it as it fell on the anniversary of my mammogram which started this bloody dance!
Yesterday I had a 4am start for the day job but was back home by 9am to get on with the accounts and vat return which I'd put off doing for over a week ....... talk about going to the wire!
So after a successful vat submission, dogs walked, fritters made and eaten for lunch I turned my attention to banking ..... credit card bill and Birthday money to pay in. However OH was getting twitchy and said we really needed to leave..................
'Ok I'll do it on Wednesday then' (big sighs!!!)
Then he announced that he needed to stop at the bank ................. oh for goodness sake then I do have time.
Rewind a year ago and I'd be the one insisting we left ridiculously early............................ (as you all know)
So I wrote out paying in slips with OH standing over me breathing down my neck ..............
................... and guess what? We left ridiculously early!!!!
No queue at the bank and nothing to report until we got to Exeter other than we still play our lorry game but the lorries weren't playing.
We then got to Exe Bridges .................. where I always twitch, squawk and hang onto the door because of OH's lane discipline or lack of it!!! Actually it was fine until we got to the second set of lights.
'Why have you changed lanes?'
'Which one do I need?'
'The one you were in' squawk 'follow the black car'
'Mind the learner, no look he's going across ....... stop he's going across all three lanes'
'....................and breathe'
At this OH started to laugh uncontrollably and my hanging onto the door got more intense! squawk
Guess what?
No parking places at the hospital.
What to do? 'Park on the grass' 'No! it says not to'
Waitrose? No, only two hours there, the clinics bound to over run.
The triangle car park and put loads of money in? Nope.
'Lets just drive around again' ................ 'Park on the grass' 'NO it says not to and I know we did before but I don't think we should!'
We actually drove around all of the car parks again and luckily came across someone leaving.
How much to pay? Well we're old hands now .... pay the minimum (£2 for two hours) and then when the clinic over runs go to the desk and get an extension.
Despite everything we definitely got there ridiculously early so went for a coffee.
Half an hour before my appointment I checked into Oncology.
Oh dear ................ the receptionist was having a bad day........... thank goodness I know the drill otherwise I would have been less than impressed with my treatment from her.
The waiting room was heaving but to my relief I saw from the board that the dapper Dr. Goodman, he of the bow tie and dyed hair was running the clinic.
A nurse then announced that Dr. Goodman was running 45 minutes late .......... thank goodness for my Birthday present ........ a kindle.
Next announcement ...... he was now running an hour late!
Queue 'Complaining Man' behind me!
Yeah whatever ... we're all in the same boat .... shut up I'm trying to read.
So after he was pacified by a couple of nurses he still went on ....... we learnt that his appointment was 4pm, he was 22nd in the queue and that they clearly make these appointments not to keep them.
Thanks for the info ..... that means I'm 23rd and after you. ...... and by the sounds of it you'll be in for a while!
OH then went to reception to sort out parking .......
Whilst he was gone a nurse again spoke to 'Complaining Man' and said that they now had two Doctors running the clinic so it wouldn't be long before he was called.
My heart sank ..... I knew I wouldn't see Dr. Goodman.
OH came back ......we got an extension to 7pm!
'Complaining Man' was called in ......... To be fair on seeing him, I realised that his need to see Dr. Goodman was greater than mine and this was clearly his first consultation.
Not long after I was called.
In came Dr. Peter 'Someoneorother' ......... a rather brusque young man who hasn't made it onto my Christmas card list this year.
A few questions about how I was getting on and how Tamoxifen was affecting me followed.
Now when I first met Dr. Goodman before my radiotherapy and before I'd started tamoxifen he discussed the the effects of it on periods and went into great depth about it.
Now I'll spare you the details (unless you really want to know) about me, Tamoxifen and my periods and told Dr. Peter 'Someoneorother' about it.
Phut! Not interested ........ 'How old are you?'
'51' aaahhhhh the first time I've mentioned it since my Birthday!
'Well at your age it will be the natural menopause affecting them'
'No it fucking isn't ..........' I wanted to say but being the polite, shy and retiring wallflower that I am I just agreed.
He then asked to examine me if that was alright.
Errr yes I've got the fetching gown on.
Did I want a chaperone???
What?????? Haven't you noticed my husband is sitting next to me???
So he prodded and poked and I breathed in and out as requested.
He felt the non cancer side first and I have to say rather unnerved me as he asked ' have you found any lumps or bumps?'
'No'
He looked puzzled and felt a bit longer ........ It seemed to me that he was feeling lumps ... I could feel him feeling them as it were. Oh shit!
He then felt the other side and did all the other bits before declaring everything was fine.
He then had to wait for Dr. Goodman to finish with 'Complaining Man' to find out if he could discharge me back to surgery. Apparently he normally works with Dr. Hong so didn't know his procedures. In the meantime he also went to check the results of my cyst removal as I still haven't had a letter from Mr. Ferguson.
The cysts were benign and Dr. Goodman will see me in 12 months time ........
Oh and my mammogram which is due in March?
Not his department ........ got to wait for surgery to send out the appointment!
We then went to my favourite sanctuary for a night away ......... yes you've guessed it - The Ring of Bells which makes everything better for me!
I also wouldn't forget it as it fell on the anniversary of my mammogram which started this bloody dance!
Yesterday I had a 4am start for the day job but was back home by 9am to get on with the accounts and vat return which I'd put off doing for over a week ....... talk about going to the wire!
So after a successful vat submission, dogs walked, fritters made and eaten for lunch I turned my attention to banking ..... credit card bill and Birthday money to pay in. However OH was getting twitchy and said we really needed to leave..................
'Ok I'll do it on Wednesday then' (big sighs!!!)
Then he announced that he needed to stop at the bank ................. oh for goodness sake then I do have time.
Rewind a year ago and I'd be the one insisting we left ridiculously early............................ (as you all know)
So I wrote out paying in slips with OH standing over me breathing down my neck ..............
................... and guess what? We left ridiculously early!!!!
No queue at the bank and nothing to report until we got to Exeter other than we still play our lorry game but the lorries weren't playing.
We then got to Exe Bridges .................. where I always twitch, squawk and hang onto the door because of OH's lane discipline or lack of it!!! Actually it was fine until we got to the second set of lights.
'Why have you changed lanes?'
'Which one do I need?'
'The one you were in' squawk 'follow the black car'
'Mind the learner, no look he's going across ....... stop he's going across all three lanes'
'....................and breathe'
At this OH started to laugh uncontrollably and my hanging onto the door got more intense! squawk
Guess what?
No parking places at the hospital.
What to do? 'Park on the grass' 'No! it says not to'
Waitrose? No, only two hours there, the clinics bound to over run.
The triangle car park and put loads of money in? Nope.
'Lets just drive around again' ................ 'Park on the grass' 'NO it says not to and I know we did before but I don't think we should!'
We actually drove around all of the car parks again and luckily came across someone leaving.
How much to pay? Well we're old hands now .... pay the minimum (£2 for two hours) and then when the clinic over runs go to the desk and get an extension.
Despite everything we definitely got there ridiculously early so went for a coffee.
Half an hour before my appointment I checked into Oncology.
Oh dear ................ the receptionist was having a bad day........... thank goodness I know the drill otherwise I would have been less than impressed with my treatment from her.
The waiting room was heaving but to my relief I saw from the board that the dapper Dr. Goodman, he of the bow tie and dyed hair was running the clinic.
A nurse then announced that Dr. Goodman was running 45 minutes late .......... thank goodness for my Birthday present ........ a kindle.
Next announcement ...... he was now running an hour late!
Queue 'Complaining Man' behind me!
Yeah whatever ... we're all in the same boat .... shut up I'm trying to read.
So after he was pacified by a couple of nurses he still went on ....... we learnt that his appointment was 4pm, he was 22nd in the queue and that they clearly make these appointments not to keep them.
Thanks for the info ..... that means I'm 23rd and after you. ...... and by the sounds of it you'll be in for a while!
OH then went to reception to sort out parking .......
Whilst he was gone a nurse again spoke to 'Complaining Man' and said that they now had two Doctors running the clinic so it wouldn't be long before he was called.
My heart sank ..... I knew I wouldn't see Dr. Goodman.
OH came back ......we got an extension to 7pm!
'Complaining Man' was called in ......... To be fair on seeing him, I realised that his need to see Dr. Goodman was greater than mine and this was clearly his first consultation.
Not long after I was called.
In came Dr. Peter 'Someoneorother' ......... a rather brusque young man who hasn't made it onto my Christmas card list this year.
A few questions about how I was getting on and how Tamoxifen was affecting me followed.
Now when I first met Dr. Goodman before my radiotherapy and before I'd started tamoxifen he discussed the the effects of it on periods and went into great depth about it.
Now I'll spare you the details (unless you really want to know) about me, Tamoxifen and my periods and told Dr. Peter 'Someoneorother' about it.
Phut! Not interested ........ 'How old are you?'
'51' aaahhhhh the first time I've mentioned it since my Birthday!
'Well at your age it will be the natural menopause affecting them'
'No it fucking isn't ..........' I wanted to say but being the polite, shy and retiring wallflower that I am I just agreed.
He then asked to examine me if that was alright.
Errr yes I've got the fetching gown on.
Did I want a chaperone???
What?????? Haven't you noticed my husband is sitting next to me???
So he prodded and poked and I breathed in and out as requested.
He felt the non cancer side first and I have to say rather unnerved me as he asked ' have you found any lumps or bumps?'
'No'
He looked puzzled and felt a bit longer ........ It seemed to me that he was feeling lumps ... I could feel him feeling them as it were. Oh shit!
He then felt the other side and did all the other bits before declaring everything was fine.
He then had to wait for Dr. Goodman to finish with 'Complaining Man' to find out if he could discharge me back to surgery. Apparently he normally works with Dr. Hong so didn't know his procedures. In the meantime he also went to check the results of my cyst removal as I still haven't had a letter from Mr. Ferguson.
The cysts were benign and Dr. Goodman will see me in 12 months time ........
Oh and my mammogram which is due in March?
Not his department ........ got to wait for surgery to send out the appointment!
We then went to my favourite sanctuary for a night away ......... yes you've guessed it - The Ring of Bells which makes everything better for me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)