Hi everyone
My name is Ems, and I was told on the 5th August that my lumps were hodgkins lymphoma.
BANG!
First thoughts as a single mum of 3 girls - will they be ok?? Then my new job - would I be able to keep it?? And if not, how would I look after my 3 girls??
I am generally a positive person and worked as a holistic therapist for a while, and know all the benefits of being positive... but over the last 7 days I have gone through every emotion and thought process, and then back round again.
I am lucky, as it's fairly easily treated and my chemo will be fortnightly (starts next Wed) so I'm waititng to see how I react to it, and then see how normally I can get on with Life in general ...
I was coping ok all week until I went in for my CT scan a rather inexperienced nurse tried to insert a needle in order to get the dye round my veins... the vein collapsed and she kept poking the bloody needle around until i thought I would throw up - so I told her to stop and get someone else, and as she got up to do so, I just burst into tears... it was like it was the last straw that week!!!
I am on 60mg of steroids for a week until chemo starts, so knocking back 12 tiny tablets every morning, but the swelling around my lumps has decreased so I don't feel quite so restricted as I did a few days back.I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 2 yearsa go, so get knackered and achy anyway, waiting to see how that all fits in with cancer and chemo etc.
My new job is f/t - I manage a multi agency centre which primarily assists people going through domestic abuse and all the associated issues - maybe I can use my peopel and counselling skills on myself!!
It's just all so surreal!! How can 1 week go by so fast with so much stuff to absorb...........?
I'm back on track now and cracking inappropriate jokes to my friends, and my eldest daughter is pretending to be jealous that I may not need to shave my legs if all my hair falls out - my girls are 16, 13 and 6.
I have been advised to take an extra cardigan with me for chemo in case I get cold, and to buy a soft baby toothbrush and lots of mouthwash, and Vit C and echinacea .... any tips for how to help my gorgeous daughters deal with things too?
Hugs to you all,
xx
