Tomorrow is a big day for me. I return to work. This time last year, I was on sick leave with an impacted bowel. I had been diagnosed with IBS following a clear flexible sigmoidoscopy 9 months previously. Little did I realise that I would be diagnosed with bowel cancer just a few weeks later. The consultant told me I also had something suspicious showing on my ovary, things were not looking good. Just one week later I had an op than involved a colorectal surgeon for bowel resection, a gynaecologist for a radical hysterectomy and an urologist to insert stents in my urethers. I was marked up for an ileostomy and was told that I would probably be on ICU following surgery. Well, due to the skill of my colorectal surgeon, the ileostomy wasn't necessary and I didn't need to go to ICU, just a few days in High Dependancy. Thank God, I had a cyst not cancer on my ovary and a fibroid the size of a 20 week pregnancy in my womb. Recovery went well and I was discharged one week later. Due to the spread of cancer to 1 lymph node, I started chemotherapy 2 months after surgery.
Chemotherapy side effects weren't too bad at first. I felt tired, had tingling hands and feet, and couldn't drink or eat anything that was colder than room temperature. Oh how I missed cold drinks and icecream! From cycle 5, I had numbness in my hands and feet. It felt really weird walking with numb feet and running was impossible. I finished chemotherapy in February, but I still have numb fingers and toes. Since finishing chemo, I have developed aching muscles and joints, which gives me a problem walking up and down stairs. I'm so stiff, but hopefully this will improve with time.
So tomorrow I return to work. I feel really anxious about it, even though I know my colleagues will be caring and supportive. I can't remember how to do certain things and I feel like a new member of staff. Getting back to normality is scary!
To all the wonderful friends I have made on here, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You'll never know how much you have helped me through this last year. I really enjoyed reading your blogs, especially the witty blogs of Debs, Andrew, Kezzerbird and Drew..............how I howled with laughter........a daily tonic........just what the doctor ordered! That saying is true, laughter IS good for the soul.
Good luck to all of you who are still fighting the fight. I'll still be popping in to see how you all are.............okay, I'm nosey!!
Lots of love, Angela xxxx
