Radiotherapy

I saw another oncologist last week - I don't know how many I've seen so far, it's all starting to add up - who talked me through the radiotherapy element of my treatment. I still don't know when that'll happen - I'm waiting to hear about my 'Planning session'. What I do know is that it'll last five weeks - the consultant diplomatically told me that 'Women with small breasts can get away with three weeks, however in your case...'. Honestly, they're not that big - I felt a bit like Jordan when she said it the way she did. I will also be getting tattoos - four wee dots forming a rectangle and basically locating the area needing treatment - so I won't be needing a mid-life crisis now. I'll be seeing a specialist again to sort out Herceptin and the hormone treatment. Because Herceptin can, in a small number of cases, cause heart damage I'm also waiting to hear about a scan to determine my baseline capacity.

On the good news front my cycle has started again and I'm now getting the best of both worlds - period pain and hot flushes. I was actually happy to see my cycle back only to be reminded that Tamoxifen (the hormone treatment) is very likely to disrupt everything again. Ah well, I'll enjoy it while I can. My 'hair' is still growing and I have to say I'm really looking forward to the day it'll be back to normal - I'm starting to really miss it.

Overall I'm ok. I'm a bit fed up and frustrated as the treatment is taking so long and more or less taking over my life. I think that the years of illness are not helping. I first fell ill in 1993 and have had quite a few problems since then. I had to drop out of uni twice and gradually give up on things. Then I finally got well enough to attend uni, first part-time, then managing to complete my final year full-time. This was supposed to be the first step into employment so the diagnosis of cancer in September was a huge setback. I am annoyed with it now and can get quite angry at times. Still, I know I can't do anything about it and I'm trying to get on with things. I've now started a Wildlife Gardening course and that's already proving to be enjoyable. It's a Distance Learning course and I have up to three years to complete it. I got a bit worried when I saw my first assignment, in which I have to design a wildlife garden - this is something I have never done. Anyway I've decided not to worry about grades - yes, those who know me, you've read it correctly - and I'll be creating quite an extravagant garden. Just cos I can. The course should be a good complement to my Environmental Biology degree and offer more practical solutions in terms of conservation.

I won't waffle on any longer. I gather some are having problems leaving messages - I have no idea how to remedy this, sorry but thank you for trying.

Oh, and I've posted some more photos on my Flickr account.

Update at long last

I'm back. Well I've been back for some time but never got round to updating this. I got back from Dorset tired, and I barely had time to recover before Theo, Justin, Fiona and Patrick's visit. I think that because I'm not feeling as bad, I tend to overdo it and then need ages to recover properly.

I had a great time in Dorset. The weather was reasonably good throughout our stay despite the forecast. They had said that Tuesday was going to be the last day of decent weather so I thought I might as well push myself. So we made our way to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door (first and second photos). It was a beautiful, sunny day and the walk along the coast did me a world of good even if I did have to pay a price for such a long walk. I knew I would suffer - those who know me will know that I can be a tad on the stubborn side at times - but that was never going to stop me. I of course paid a hefty price for this and wasn't able to do much for the rest of the week, but I still enjoyed a couple of walks in the vicinity of the cottage. I returned home exhausted but very, very happy.

A few days after my return Fiona and family came to visit us. I was finally able to meet Theo, who's an extremely sweet, smiley little thing. I taught him a few Liverpool songs, which he seemed to thoroughly enjoy - but maybe he was laughing at the singing. Justin was a star, baking us all lovely biscuits. So here again i enjoyed myself thoroughly. It was just great seeing them all as I hadn't seen them since my graduation.

Last Wednesday I made my way to the Chelsea Physic Garden, which is just on the other side of the Thames from where I live. It's a great little garden, with patches dedicated to plants used to treat medical conditions - and yes, I paid my respect to the Oncology patch, patting a yew tree. I was lucky enough to see Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Rosea' (second photo) in bloom as this Australian tree doesn't flower very often here, I am told. The flowers were extraordinary so the visit was certainly worth it.





I'm off to see my oncologist on Wednesday. As far as I know we'll be discussing Herceptin and Tamoxifen. To be honest, having just enjoyed a few weeks of freedom, the thought of further treatment does not fill me with joy. I know it's got to be done but it's going to be tough putting up with it all again. I still don't know what's going to happen with radiotherapy - I'm supposed to see a separate consultant for that but I haven't heard from that department yet. Ah well.

Hope you're all well and happy.