I apologise for not keeping this up to date, however, I've had a year out. January 2017 my world came to a halt. I was summoned (due to my age) to have a mammogram. The week after i received a letter asking me to go into The Kent & Canterbury Hospital breast clinic for further tests and a mammogram. Then i was faced with the devastating news they had found a small mass on my left breast. A biopsy was done and yes it was confirmed i had breast cancer. Well, shocked, angry, lots of emotion. Anyway two months later i had an operation to remove this mass. The next 7-8 months was a nightmare.
I went into this with a positive mind, chemotherapy started. Six cycles , one every three weeks. I was warned of the side effects, loss of hair, fatigue, loss of appetite to name a few. Chemo began, numerous blood tests. My arm was like a 'pin cushion'. After the third cycle the drug was changed. So the fourth cycle began, up until now i was feeling okay, it was bearable. It does knock you for six for a week after chemo but i coped. Loosing my taste and having mouth ulcers was the downside. Tiredness was the biggest issue. Didn't even have enough strength to put the kettle on, yet alone taste the tea!
After a couple of days i went downhill. So sick couldn't even drink water without bringing it back up. Could hardly walk, putting one foot in front of the other was too much. It took me over 5 minutes to walk upstairs, not forgetting having to sit on the bed just to get enough strength to go to the toilet was unbearable. Having a bath took ages .. one good think having no hair or body hair, no shaving was a godsend! I just couldn't be bothered half the time, i just laid in bed or slept downstairs on the sofa. I was told off by my Macmillan nurse as i should have rung them. Having blood tests before every cycle was normal and low and behold my HB was low, so a blood transfusion was in order before my fifth cycle.
I lost weight fast, couldn't eat, couldn't swallow was only the steroids keeping me going , oh and chicken noodle soup. A further two more blood transfusions were needed before the final cycle of chemo.
Finally that was all done, radiotherapy was next. 20 sessions everyday for 10-15 minutes. Had two small dots tattooed either side of my breasts to mark the spot for the laser beam. Due to an error in the measurements this treatment was delayed for a further week. Laying on a metal bed with my arms in stirrups was so uncomfortable (looked like something out of the medieval ages). This hurt so much , my shoulders ached after every session. Being tall had its problems with this. I was pushed and pulled into position and drawn on with permanent marker pen. I couldn't wash these marks off , so i used nail varnish remover! Oops was told off again as this could damage my skin and cause irritation.
Finally January 2018 i had finished my treatments .....yayyy its been a long testing year. I now have to have check ups every six months including a bone treatment twice a year.
March 2018 ....just had amazing news .... cancer has gone! Success i am so relieved. A big weight has been lifted and i can now enjoy my life and look forward to the future. My kids have been great all year, being supportive and being with me at every hospital visit. I don't think i could have coped without them and also my younger sister who herself has been through a terrible illness.
We have both come out the other side and survived.
I went into this with a positive mind, chemotherapy started. Six cycles , one every three weeks. I was warned of the side effects, loss of hair, fatigue, loss of appetite to name a few. Chemo began, numerous blood tests. My arm was like a 'pin cushion'. After the third cycle the drug was changed. So the fourth cycle began, up until now i was feeling okay, it was bearable. It does knock you for six for a week after chemo but i coped. Loosing my taste and having mouth ulcers was the downside. Tiredness was the biggest issue. Didn't even have enough strength to put the kettle on, yet alone taste the tea!
After a couple of days i went downhill. So sick couldn't even drink water without bringing it back up. Could hardly walk, putting one foot in front of the other was too much. It took me over 5 minutes to walk upstairs, not forgetting having to sit on the bed just to get enough strength to go to the toilet was unbearable. Having a bath took ages .. one good think having no hair or body hair, no shaving was a godsend! I just couldn't be bothered half the time, i just laid in bed or slept downstairs on the sofa. I was told off by my Macmillan nurse as i should have rung them. Having blood tests before every cycle was normal and low and behold my HB was low, so a blood transfusion was in order before my fifth cycle.
I lost weight fast, couldn't eat, couldn't swallow was only the steroids keeping me going , oh and chicken noodle soup. A further two more blood transfusions were needed before the final cycle of chemo.
Finally that was all done, radiotherapy was next. 20 sessions everyday for 10-15 minutes. Had two small dots tattooed either side of my breasts to mark the spot for the laser beam. Due to an error in the measurements this treatment was delayed for a further week. Laying on a metal bed with my arms in stirrups was so uncomfortable (looked like something out of the medieval ages). This hurt so much , my shoulders ached after every session. Being tall had its problems with this. I was pushed and pulled into position and drawn on with permanent marker pen. I couldn't wash these marks off , so i used nail varnish remover! Oops was told off again as this could damage my skin and cause irritation.
Finally January 2018 i had finished my treatments .....yayyy its been a long testing year. I now have to have check ups every six months including a bone treatment twice a year.
March 2018 ....just had amazing news .... cancer has gone! Success i am so relieved. A big weight has been lifted and i can now enjoy my life and look forward to the future. My kids have been great all year, being supportive and being with me at every hospital visit. I don't think i could have coped without them and also my younger sister who herself has been through a terrible illness.
We have both come out the other side and survived.