Knocked Sideways!

Back to the real world and ramblings??????

2010-12-14T20:54:32Z

Long time no squeak!!!

I've been back to work now seven weeks which is mad, time has just wizzed by. Not commented much lately feel a bit weird really now the active part of my treatment has been completed (finished my RT 10th Sept) that I find myself just reading and not commenting on blogs. My life has been changed forever by cancer and I'm not angry about that a lot of positive things have happened. I love my job (I work part-part time, (slacker) at a local primary school with 9 year old kids) but I keep getting a feeling that I should be doing something else with my life, do you know what I mean? I guess I'm also feeling a little nervous about whats to come, got a meeting with my surgeon on 6th Jan (exactly a year to the date of my initial diag.) to have a scan and see whats what, suppose at times like this, when we feel anxious things become more focused. Sorry to ramble on, and thank you all my lovely friends :-) x

Thats another fine mess I've gotten myself into!!!!

2010-11-08T15:05:24Z

Oh dear,

Seems me and Tamoxifen are not going to get along after all!!!! Making me very weepy, waking me up at night to pee about three to four times with a lovely hot flush thrown in for good measure! Am hoping these things will pass, any suggestions?

Thanks, from a sweaty betty!

Alex xx

Talking the talk but can she walk the walk!

2010-10-04T08:12:37Z

I have finished the active part of my treatment for BC (diag Jan 2010), it's been a whirlwind to say the least (surgery, chemo, rt).

I am a very positive person by nature and truly believe this has helped my on my journey and am somewhat surprised by my feelings at present, of will I be able to do this. In my heart I know I can it just feels a little odd at the moment.

This site and all my MAC friends have been amazing and I am thankful for all the support I have received. I guess these things take time, getting your head round finishing treatment and moving forward back into some sort of normality.

Sorry for rambling on but better out than in eh!!!!

Gentle Hugs

Alex

My Kids are Amazing!!

2010-09-06T13:21:45Z

Both kids back to school now, Grace into year 10 (starts her GCSE's) and James into the sixth form, I feel so old!!!!!

They never cease to amaze me, its been a tough year for all of us but they have, at such a young age, really so supportive and just wonderful! James did really well in his exams in May even though having to hear me throwing up after chemo and trying to revise and making sure I was alright bless him. I know I'm rambling but wanted to write these thoughts down. Grace has been a source of joy, giving lots of hugs and cuddles being kind and considerate, typical Grace.

We had such a lovely weekend both kids out partying on Saturday night followed by a lovely family day Sunday where James cooked lunch, Spanish/Italian influences!!! and we all chilled together, bliss.

John has been my rock, my whipping boy, my counsellor, my friend he is an amazing hubby.

I'm almost finished now with RT last one this Friday 10th Sept, YAY!!!! then have to wait and see whats next.

FINGER NAILS STARTING TO FALL OUT!!!!

2010-07-26T16:25:14Z

Yuk, and oh no! were my first reactions to finding my 'peter pointer' finger nail hanging off. Am not sure what to do once it off to protect my nail bed, any suggestions greatly received. Finished my chemo (3 FEC100 and 3 TAX) on 2nd July and wasn't expecting this!!

Thank you,

Alex

ALL MEASURED UP!

2010-07-17T14:50:50Z

Had a lovely birthday this week, went off to St. Thomas' for my first meeting about my RT. The staff were lovely and the first nurse took my head and shoulders photo for my file and asked me loads of questions including was I pregnant (ha ha ha!!) said I, she said they had to ask all women aged 12 - 55 the same question!!!!!! I then sat in the waiting room and a young lad who looked about 12 called my name and off I went like a lamb with him to the CT room. Fortunately there were two other people in the room both women. So then began the fun, had to lie on the scanner arms up, stay still, lots of numbers discussed between the three nurses feet her, look there, hold it!!!!!!! and don't move (how is it when you're told don't move all you want to do is move??!!) So I'm lying there looking at the pretty lights thinking this is like a time machine wonder if I'll end up back in 1975 and then it was over. My tattooed dots were done (not a problem) and that was it, off you trott they said and that was that. Three days later received ALL my appointments with times and am so grateful that all are at my first choice hospital. Will keep you posted, after my first blast. Onwards and upwards towards the light at the end of what at times has seemed like a very long tunnel. :-)

RADIO LOOMS!!!!

2010-07-06T19:25:07Z

So I finished my chemo friday and had my final PEG injection saturday and am thinking lovely nothing more for a while now phew!!! Yesterday got a phone call from St. Thomas's saying that next week on my birthday got to go in for my initial scan before starting radiotherapy!! Blimey they are keen. Not sure what to expect other than being up before the crack of dawn to get to hospital for 08.20!!! will I get my little tattooed dots?, be photographed?, any ideas anyone??

Thanks xx

CHEMO FINISHED YAY!!!!

2010-07-04T18:24:25Z

Am so thankful that my chemo has finally ended, what a journey this has been! Watched friends and colleagues run Race for Life today in Blackheath was soooo hot but what an amazing atmosphere, that'll be me next year for sure.

Been told will have a four to five week break before I start Radiotherapy at Guys which will be brill, not more backwards and forwards to the hospital or needles etc.

To all of you starting this journey, keep you chin up it really does fly by and to all of those finishing YAY and double YAY!!!!! :-) XXXX

ONE MORE TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-06-14T07:06:24Z

Had chemo number 5 friday, which went as well as it can, TAX makes me feel really tired while being administered for some strange reason. Have had a good weekend, apart from bloody England and that goal!!!! what a wally Green is.

Looking forward to the week ahead each day brings less pain and the weather looking good for London so will be pottering around in my garden.

My son has his last two GCSE's this week, happy days no more stress for him!!!

Gentle hugs, to all

NUMBER FIVE AND READY TO JIVE !!!!!!!

2010-06-07T09:33:20Z

Well, almost there yay!!!!!!!!!!, 2nd TAX this friday but 5th chemo one more to go after this so am well chuffed almost through the gruelling part of my treatment. TAX has been a b..ch! (FEC was much kinder), painful bones, tingling and sore finger tips, and feeling knackered, but hey ho if it gets me where I need to be then whatever ha ha ha! Not sure what happens after chemo and before radio starts, guess I'll have a scan to see how much radio I need?? Anyone know if thats the case.

Well the sun is shining in London town my son has a week and a half of GCSE exams, bless but can feel a party brewing me thinks once I'm done and James done.

Gentle hugs,

Alex

RUN OVER BY A BIKE NOT A BUS TODAY!

2010-05-26T10:22:38Z

Blimey, this chemo business can be sooooo gruelling. Had my first three FEC 100 apart and from sickness felt ok by week two. Just had my first of three TAX and feeling like crap :( Had to take myself off to bed as soon as I came home from hospital which is not like me, am always up around, busy busy busy even if being sick at the same time!! I don't have time to be ill. Have then had three days now of feeling slightly better each day. First day felt like run over by a bus, and today not so sore just bones feel like knocked about a bit with a baseball bat. I called the hospital yesterday and they advised taking paracetamol, for a few days to see how it goes and to contact them if things don't get better! I am such a bad patient and don't do being ill very well.

On the upside had a fantastic cd sent from thirty out of the sixty 5 year olds I work with, with lovely messages on, "we love you Mrs King, come back soon" etc. but the one that made me laugh til I cried was a lovely little boy who recorded the message "whats your problem" I thought that was so funny and you know I thought what is my problem? am getting the treatment I need, am so well supported and loved, I will get through this, I have no problems sometimes it takes a 5 year old to make you realize whats what!

Always feels good to get stuff off your chest, thank you x

All systems go!!!!!!!

2010-05-20T10:12:09Z

Just got back from hospital and seeing the lovely Dr. Bryant bloods all good, so chemo number 4 ok for tomorrow, first Docetaxel so fingers crossed going to feel ok!!!!

I did get told off tho because I had cottonwool mouth and ulcers for about a week, which didn't stop me eating or drinking, but apparently I should have called the hospital to get some special mouth wash, if they hadn't gone think he would have put my chemo off for a week!!!! Will defo call hospital this cycle round if any ulcersn appear, I have been told ha ha ha.

Gentle hugs, Alex

NUMBER FOUR I'M KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR!!!!!!

2010-05-17T09:50:03Z

Monday morning and the start of another week, can't believe I've been away from school for five months, never had that much time off (apart from when the children were little), but finding loads to do and keeping very busy, have borrowed my friends teenage sons cross trainer which is hilarious to use!

Thursday takes me to see my Onc the lovely Dr. Bryant and bloods tests etc to see if I can have chemo number 4.

Am anxious not had Docetaxel before and having three cycles, just hoping not too rough, but as with anything thats new will have to wait and see. FEC was bearable apart from the sickness which by cycle three they had sorted out!!!!

My family and friends have been so supportive through this and my two teenage kids never fail to amaze with their strength, love and support, am a very proud mumma.

This week sees the start of James's GCSE exams, so bless him think he feeling anxious too.

So fingers and toes, eyes etc. crossed for thursday that I can go ahead with my chemo friday.

Love and gentle hugs,

Alex

Anxious about TAX chemo

2010-05-03T11:46:10Z

Have now had three FEC 100 and due in three weeks to start three cycles of docetaxel. Has anyone had this chemo and what type of side effects did you have? I know everyone is different and I've been quite well with the FEC about two days feeling rubbish followed by 2 weeks of feeling well. Just a bit anxious now about this next lot of chemo, as its the unknown that worries me.

Any advice would be most welcome, thank you xx

NUMBER THREE WEE HEEE!!!

2010-04-28T11:31:10Z

Fingers, toes etc etc crossed for tomorrow see onc hopefully blood count fine so can go ahead and have my final FEC100 on Friday. Am going to ask about Docetaxel cause that follows next, feeling anxious cause back to square one with not knowing how its going to affect me!

Feeling well, strong and positive, bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!