Last week I had an amazing week on holiday with my sister after a busy week of hospital appointments the week before. The lush feeling of being too busy having fun to think about anything else that has gone on was a dream.
Although it was full on, there was no horrific news to report from my appointments. I had my 6 week CT scan and a chemo review with the CT results. So far so good and the chemo seems to be keeping everything maintained. Another scan is booked in after another 2 rounds to make sure things are still stable then I think this will be the norm to keep a close eye on everything. They did find on the scan that I have a blood clot in my heart. They think this has been in my port and when I’ve had it flushed, it has moved the clot into my right atrium. I’ve got to take daily blood thinner injections now for a minimum of 3 months. Luckily, I’m fine injecting myself but the results of taking Tinzaparin are not pretty, my tummy is full of huge black bruises. I’m glad I didn’t have to have them anywhere people could see. I look like a Dalmatian!
Last Wednesday I had a meeting with my surgeon who agreed to do my operation for my second mastectomy! Absolutely buzzing with this news. I kind of went to the meeting thinking it would be a firm no, so it was a lovely surprise to get this good news. I’ve got a potential date for the 7th March so not long to wait at all. This however caused a lot more meetings one of them being another chemo review to see when we could work my cycle around my operation which is now sorted. I’m going to be off treatment for a week before and 10 days after surgery. Its still nerve wracking to delay it but I needed to weigh up the options for me and I’m going to bite the bullet and go for it. I also had to have another meeting with my psychologist to make sure I was making the right decisions and got a firm go ahead after that meeting too. The final hurdle was to see a consultant anaesthetist. I had my oxygen levels checked and an ECG done, and the final box was ticked for the go ahead. I’ve got a final meeting on the 3rd March with the surgeon to confirm my operation date which I hope will still be the 7th so keeping everything crossed for this.
Monday was chemo day and I picked up my meds to take for a week until my pre op meeting. My potassium levels have dropped slowly over the last few cycles, so I’ve got Phosphate Sandoz tablets to take twice a day for this week. Another blood test on Monday will check that they have increased to a good level. Just another lot of medication to add to my routine. I’m now taking 18 tablets and 1 injection daily. I’m rattling.
I had another session with my psychologist yesterday who helped me clear my mind of the project management I feel like I’ve been doing to get ready for this operation. I go to all of the appointments and have to constantly explain to everyone what everyone else has said. The lack of communication is bad. It literally becomes a full time job trying to manage, book and chase appointments with all of the different people involved in my care. Anyway, she’s an absolute God send to me, and I’ve felt like this week has been calm, positive and productive. If you don’t have a psychologist. Get one.
