12th Feb '08
I'm sure the expression is "what a difference a day makes", but today I'm changing it to "what a difference a year makes", as life with cancer seems to move at alternating very fast & terribly slow cycles.
This time last year, I was a woman with cancer, bit who didn't know it, now I'm a woman (hopefully) without cancer, and just need a little reassurance to support that.
The last three months have moved at such a pace when compared to much of the rest of the year, and we've really packed things in. Freya's third birthday was celebrated with her friends, whilst riding on our local volunteer-run stream train. Despite a drizzly day, all the children seems to have fun, and when Freya refused to ride the footplate, I think Daddy was rather disappointed.
The build up to Christmas saw the children making things at nursery to fill the house with sparkly bits of card and stray glitter. Freya really "got" Christmas this year, and enjoyed the planning and lead up to the celebrations. Morgan finally found his feet, and was soon using his new skills in walking to antagonise his big sister. He also started talking much more, and showed his strength of will when wanting to achieve something.
23rd December saw us all packed up and ready to leave MK for Russell's parents in Wales. A long drive, in less that ideal weather saw us arriving with two tired children, just in time for dinner. For the first time in about 25 years, someone else cooked Christmas dinner, and it was lovely to be able to watch the children rather than the turkey for once! The end of the month saw my 41st birthday and New Years Eve, which we celebrated quietly at home with a couple of friends. Our only wish for the New Year being a healthier one.
Well, when I was wishing for a healthier New Year, I obviously didn't make myself clear enough, because by the 6th of January, Freya was covered in little (& not so little) blisters, as she seccumed to The Pox. Morgan just had one spot on his knee, and seemed to escape otherwise! Despte having spots on her spots she was very good and didn't scratch too much, but after a week at home we were going stir crazy, so headed over to see Auntie Liz. It wasn't suprising when another week later Ellie had spots too. The pox finally came full circle at the beginning of this month when Morgan came out with a proper crop of Pox, so at least that should all be done with now.
So, now we come back to the cancer in hand!
Today, I went for my annual oncology follow-up. I did actually manage to see the consultant, which is useful, as it seems only she makes any actual decisions. As I've got a sore spot on my ribs which has been ongoing for a while, and a troublesome cough since Christmas she's sending me off for a CT scan next week. I'm sure it's more to put my mind at rest than hers, but either way I'm realived that it should give me a clean bill of health. I also have a mammogram booked for the following week, so will be having a full MOT by anyone's standards!
My Hickman line is showing it's age, and will just about survive my final three Herceptin treatments, I suspect, before they remove it. Once it's gone, my only remaining treatment will be the Tamoxifen & Zoladex, both of which are relatively easy to manage. I am starting to consider my options for returning to work, or not ... but thankfully that's not something I need to think about too much until May, but I'm open to bright ideas & suggestion!
