Hello to all you lovely people- and I've missed all of you, whilst Mick and I have been paddling in the sea at Bournemouth. Well, I've been paddling, Mick doesn't seem to be so adventurous, or could it be that he has more sense than me, (lol). Anyway, I've been forced off line for a while, mainly due to our laptop having its own version of a nervous breakdown, trying its best to take me down the same road. Aha! As I'm now a well seasoned traveller down the cancer treatment road, it would take a lot more than a hissy fit from a computer to set me back, (lol) So, when I finally got into this "brand new" facelifted site, I noticed that there were quite a few messages in my inbox from my buddies - how blessed to have people care about you, eh? I do intend to answer each of them, but in the meantime, thought I'd do a little update for ya all!!
As most of you know, Mick and I went on a "wee honeymoon" to Bournemouth on 13th September for a week. What a week we had!! The hotel, food and people were first class - and don't get me started on the weather!! (lol) The sun shone every single day for us, as it turned out to be the best weather we had all summer. My bag was choc a bloc with cardies and other cold defying garments, which I'm pleased to say I did not wear. Okay! Okay! Enough gloating on my part, (lol) We went all over the place - Christchurch, Fisherman's Walk, Pokesdown, Poole, Bournemouth and the New Forest - absolute bliss! We wouldn't have missed it for the world - not any of it. Got back to dear ole London Town on 20th September, where I'm glad to say; the sun was STILL shining! Okay, okay, not another word about the weather! Deal? (lol)
On 23rd, went to Bart's to be measured for my face mask which I wore during radiotherapy sessions to my head. I hated it - every second of it, and was never so pleased as when it was over. I'm sitting here typing this to all of you and I shivered just thinking about it. Any of you who are maybe having to face this treatment yourself in the future - there is absolutely NO hardship to having it - NONE whatsoever! It just seemed to be one part of this whole bloody nightmare that I detested! No pain (slight headache), touch of nausea and a feeling of extreme weariness following the treatment itself - so PLEASE, PLEASE don't worry about it, okay? At the end of my 5th and final session, the lovely radiographer asked me if I would like to take my mask home!! Now, I would have told her in no uncertain terms what I thought she could do with the mask - but two things stopped me. One; my Mother brought me up to be a well mannered individual (lol) and two; my wonderful Mick had said to me on our 3rd visit; "will you ask them if you can take the mask when they're finished with it"? Love is a very strange thing isn't it, (lol) So, although I didn't ask - when she gave me the opportunity, I sacrificed my all by taking the dratted thing (lol). I can always use it should I decide to take up fencing (with swords, not planks of wood, lol) as a sport in the future, because that's EXACTLY what it looks like - a fencing mask! It's now two days since my final treatment, and I can feel my old (young) self coming to the front to take over again. I don't have to go back to see the oncologist until mid-November - and that sounds like a good idea to me (lol)
Who knows what the outcome of that visit will be - no one does! So, I'm living my life to the fullest I can, laughing, singing and dancing whenever I can. I'm gathering all of my strength, recharging my batteries and I'll get ready to face the enemy again, should I have to. Cancer doesn't scare me half to death any more (no pun intended), not like when I was first diagnosed. I refuse to let it terrorise me, and it will NEVER take me away from my Mick without me giving it one of the bloodiest noses its ever had (lol). Cancer is a coward, and it HATES a fighter. I know there are bound to be days when you DO feel like giving in - God, we wouldn't be human if we didn't have days like that. I've had a few rough patches myself, but we cancer sufferers are NOT cowards and we have an indomitable human spirit which can achieve great things. Keep fighting the good fight, and hold on tight to all that you love, ok? with lotsa love, kate xxxx
Giving in and giving up has never been an option for me, because like all of you, I've never been a "quitter". Don't know how to lay down and play dead - no sirreee!! I say a prayer for all of you that you may be kept safe, warm and have someone in your life who holds your hand during this journey we're all on. Keep fighting the good fight and hold on tight to everything you love, with love, hugs 'n xxxxxxxxxxx's kate
FormerMember
Glad to have you back, and hear that you still have the boxing gloves on (would go nicely with the mask). Fantastic time you had in Bournemouth by the sounds of it, and it's lovely to hear thatyou mnaged to book the only week of sunny weather this summer. xxxx Penny
We've all missed you while you were away in Bournemouth and your computer was sulking. It sounds as if you had a really wonderful time - and as Penny says, well done for picking the one fine week we've had all Summer. And congratulations too on getting through your radiotherapy - too true, giving up is never an option!
It's great to have you back at What Now and I shall look forward to hearing even more good news after your visit to your oncologist in November. Lots of love. Kate xxx
Congrats that you've had your last session with the dreaded mask and well done for your positive attitude. You're a perfect example of grabbing life by the balls. Nice to know you.
My friend Rob and I went round the Cancer Centre, about a year before I was diagnosed, so we saw the masks. I said the cupboard should have doors on it as it would certainly spook me going in and seeing them all on the shelves like that! They were very sympathetic, and said it is only when strangers come in and pass comment, that they notice things like that. I don't know if they ever did anything about it.
I'm so glad you had a great time in Bournemouth. The New Forest is particularly gorgeous, and I feel another trip coming on, but with meets all over the place, business and pleasure, it may well be a while.
You will be a formidable enemy of this mindless alien I know, Kate and I look forward to another thrilling episode.
I hope you get plenty of rest after this chemo now. Is it the last one?
