Convalescence
Conscious I've not written here for ages, time for a good catch up.
Weeks 1 - 4 of convalesnce I didn't really do much. Couldn't go far thanks to the sting-y wee side effect post radio, but that went away pretty quickly.
Weeks 5 - 7 of convalescence showed a gradual returning of strength. I was able to get out and about a couple of times per week, not far, but far enough to be a change of scene and something to stimulate my mind. I also saw my consultant at the Christie, who was happy with my progress, and went to stay with my fiance for a few days. Travelling was tiring, but had plenty of time to recover, and he spoiled me rotten, so it was worth it.
Weeks 8 - 10 of convalescence showed a continuing recovery. Was able to get out and about 3 times a week [sometimes 4] and my GP was happy to confirm I was ready to go back to work- after a full batch of blood tests showed everything was normal.
Return to Work
I'm now on a phased return to work - this is the end of Week 3. For the past two weeks I did two days per week; next week it goes up to three days per week. It's going well - although I still get tired quite quickly. But that's OK.
The first couple of times I went back were overwhelming. I'd had 10 weeks+ of almost constant isolation in a small village, so to return to a BIG city and an office full of people was a real onslaught to my senses. I can understand why people become reclusive if they don't go out for a while! It was very intense.
Everyone at work has been so supportive and is making sure I don't overdo things when I'm there.
It's good to be back and my confidence is returning.
The Future
I have an MRI scan at the Christie on Monday, 3 months after treatment ended. Too early for them to be able to say it's gone, but I'm hopeful they'll be able to see it's shrinking and dying. The scan doesn't faze me at all, but I will admit to being apprehensive about the results. Trying to focus on the positive though.
The HRT is kicking in. I had a lot of aches and hot flushes but I've been on it about 3 weeks and it's definitely making a positive difference.
And the wedding is still on. The hardest thing I had to do in all of this was tell my mother and my fiance [who lost his first wife to cancer] that I'd been diagnosed. OK, it's a different cancer but it's still cancer. I gave him the chance, many chances actually, to walk away - I couldn't put him through that again.
He stayed.
I know there's a long way to go but I feel well. And apparently look well, too - a lot of my work colleagues have commented on how much better I look - but then the last time they saw me I needed 10 units of blood and was being attacked by a Dritsekk!
I'm still the same Jacqui - same sense of humour, same attitude towards life. It may have affected me physically but it will never, ever change who I am.
Jacqui x
