Apart from an infection in one of my wounds which required several visits to the breast unit and two weeks of antibiotics, healing and recovery have progressed well and I am very, very pleased with the new me! My surgeons did a brilliant job of removing the tumour bed and all the lymph nodes on the right-hand side, as well as doing a far better job of “levelling up” than the politicians! I hardly notice the scarring and the prescribed exercises have been really effective for arm and shoulder mobility.
As she was changing the dressing during one of my appointments, my surgeon mentioned that my pathology report was back (all the tissue and lymph nodes removed at surgery were sent to the lab and checked for active cancer cells). As with my previous CT and bone scans to check for distant metastasis, I hadn’t been thinking about the pathology report. I was still recovering from the surgery, trying to regain full mobility in my arm and shoulder, managing the infection, etc. “And?” I asked Fiona. “It’s very good,” she said. “All clear.” HCA (my husband, Healthcare Assistant extraordinaire) was sitting on the other side of the curtain. “Did you hear that?” I called out to him. He had heard! After the clear CT and bone scans, this was the best result I could have hoped for – no evidence of disease, complete pathological response.
A few days later we met with a clinical oncologist to discuss the radiotherapy, which is recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence in the future. Then I had a planning appointment when scans and measurements are taken to determine exactly where to target the beams. I was given three tattoos (yes! but they are just pinpricks!) so that I can be lined up in exactly the same position for the five sessions. I had the first session today, Wednesday, and will finish on Sunday. This is the final stage of my active treatment. I had to lie very still for about half an hour with my arms up above my head. I'm glad I persevered with the post-surgery exercises!
Meanwhile, I have gone back to work for just a few hours each week as I felt well enough to start getting back into my old routine. This has been partly working from home and partly in school. It was so nice to see so many colleagues again after more than eight months! I’m hoping to keep building up my hours over the next few weeks – we’ll have to wait and see what impact radiotherapy has on me. Hopefully nothing more than a bit of fatigue, which may peak about a week after completion of treatment.
It is amazing to be able to say that I am cancer-free now. I am so grateful to everyone who has played a part in my treatment and provided support, as well as to the scientists who carry out cancer research and conduct clinical trials, and to the men and women who take part in these trials. The coronation of Charles III gave us an opportunity to do something to “give back” and show our gratitude. We offered a bagged Coronation Cornish Cream Tea to our neighbours for a donation of £5, hoping to get 100 orders and raise £500. We received only 50 orders but raised almost £700 including additional donations from neighbours, family and friends, which was sent to Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support. HCA and I had a frantic but fun morning baking and bagging 100 scones, together with clotted cream, jam and teabags, and it was lovely to see neighbours we had never met before as they came to collect their cream tea, many of whom had a cancer story of their own. We want to thank everyone for their kindness and generosity.
After radiotherapy, we can put the past year behind us, keep calm and carry on. We are looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, seeing more of the world hopefully, taking each day as it comes, appreciating every moment and looking for the wonder in everything around us. We remember our friends who are still undergoing treatment or are on the road to recovery – they are and will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. And to all our family and friends, we just want to say again how thankful we are for your love and support during this time. Words are not enough.
There will be one more post – the most important one for me – but it will take me a while to put it together. In the meantime, to quote a well-known TV presenter: Take care of yourselves and each other.
Big love x
