Several people have suggested that keeping a diary of what you experience on the cancer treatment journey is a good thing to do.... so I did. I started writing down all my experiences and the thoughts and feelings that went along with them. Then my hard drive crashed and I lost the lot! (My fault for not running regular enough backups but I have forgiven myself as I have had other things on my mind recently!).
So.. I have now decided to do it as a blog here. Who knows... perhaps someone other than me will find it useful...
So here goes:
Over xmas / new year I found a lump in my breast. In January I was diagnosed with cancer. I had an op to remove the lump and some lymph nodes in February. On analysis of the tissue they removed they discovered there was more than one cancer in my breast and they did another op in March to remove some more tissue. As far as my breast is concerned, the cancer has now been removed.
Fortunately the lymph nodes were clear but the cancers were grade 2 and 3. The breast wound became infected and I was put on major league antibiotics for a fortnight. The hole (which is what it had become) went from being 15 mm deep to almost flat but took several weeks to get there. In the last week it has gone from being 10mm x 12mm (oval shaped) to 7mm x 10mm. So, it continues to head in the right direction. I am now only getting the wound redressed every 3 - 4 days and I'm hoping within the next week or so it may have healed completely!
When I first met my oncology consultant (Dr Houston), he informed me that my veins are too small and as such will be no good for chemo treatment. He said a 'line' would need to be inserted to make the drug administration possible. I looked into the options and decided, for a variety of reasons, that a portacath would be the right option for me. I was distraught to find out that these are not generally available on the NHS and it was suggested that my only option would be to go private.... I approached my doctor for advice and he suggested that I should write a letter to the oncologist asking him to present my case to the Primary Care Trust (PCT) for consideration. I did this and 4 weeks later heard that my request had been sent to the wrong PCT group. They said they would pass it onto the right group but suggested it was unlikely to be approved and recommended that I get on with my treatment. A wonderful lady called Lynn Fernandez (PCT liaison) got involved. She realised that (as I had put in my letter of appeal) it was highly likely that the more expensive portacath would probably work out cheaper for the NHS in the long run. She did a basic cost case to accompany my request and hey presto - it was approved!!!!
I'm now at the stage of waiting for the appointment to have the port fitted and then I should very quickly start my treatment.
My treatment plan is one chemo session every three weeks over 18 weeks with 2 different sets of drugs. FEC and Docetaxel (Taxotere) for 3 sessions each. I should the start on Tamoxifen (not sure how long for) but a couple of weeks later I am expecting to have 6 - 8 weeks of radiotherapy. After that I will be on Herceptin - intravenous again - once every 3 weeks for 1 year.
Dr Houston has told me that with my drug regime there is no question about it - I will be losing my hair. He told me not to bother even thinking about using a cold cap - it won't be worth it - but that I should go get a wig. I've since heard from others (thanks Dove) that this may not be that black and white.... However, I took him at his word, decided to take some control and have told friends I'll be shaving my head for charity. My wig is ready and so all I'm waiting for now is a treatment date - the last thing I want is to shave it off and then have to shave it again because it starts growing back straight away!!!
So.... that brings us bang up to date. The next instalment should be shorter.... (we live in hope!). I'll let you know when I get my date!
In the mean time if anyone knows..... what do you do with your makeup when you're deciding to have a baldilocks day (no wig scarf or hat)? Where do you blend your foundation to - do you aim for the normal hair line???? Is it better to go for a tinted moisturiser over the whole lot? I'm not quite sure what to expect...
