sharonc1959's blog

My turn now...WOOHOO...

2010-06-10T16:16:28Z

Hi everyone...hope you're all well. I blogged in september about starting my 1st cycle of chemo on the day i should have flown to Spain on holiday with my sister n her fella...and how jealous i was....well...ITS MY TURN NOW....WOOHOO. Im finally flying out to Majorca on saturday...and i cant wait. I finished my treatment the week before christmas and was told in feb that the last scan was clear...so i came home that afternoon and booked a holiday. Its been timed so my football mad hubby can watch a few world cup games in the sun...he deserves it...bless him. I had a bit of a scare last week when my back went into spasm and i cud hardly walk...but thanx to my physio friend its much better now...and im fit and raring to go..im going to enjoy n make the most of every minute of it...ive never needed or wanted a holiday more than this. So...adios amigos....cya when i get home...take care everyone....love Sharon xxxxx

Happy anniversary

2010-04-25T21:28:43Z

Hi everyone...well...this week...the 28th april marks the 1st anniversary of my journey..i was taken ill at work and rushed to A&E..luckily i work at a hospital so i was there in minutes...i was Xrayed and CT scanned and told next morning they were almost sure i had ovarian cancer...i had a football sized ovarian cyst...i thought i was just putting weight on..but..deep down i knew something wasnt right...but i never expected that diagnosis. I had some fluid drained off the cyst...that was SOOO painful...and that confirmed the presence of malignant cells.

On the 8th june i underwent a TAH/BSO and omentectomy from which i recovered from quite quickly....and started 6 cycles of Carboplatin chemotherapy on september 4th (the day i should have flown on holiday to Spain)...and had my 2nd lot on the 25th (my 50th birthday)...i finished chemo on the 18th december and was feeling well enough to enjoy christmas...(my 1st christmas off work in 7yrs). I had post treatment CT scan on New Years Eve and told on the 1st february that the scan was clear..although he couldnt promise i wouldnt need further treatment in the future..so...i went home and booked 2 holidays for this summer...i started back to work on 6th april this year...11months and 1 week later..and im so happy to be back.

So...thats a year in a couple of paragraphs...it went really quickly looking back on it all...and i came through it all really well with the love and support of my family , friends , and work colleagues...who have all been amazing. I have also been inspired by the people on here..when i read some of the stories of courage and heartbreak on here i feel very humble and realise i got off lightly compared to some...and that im so very lucky. This site has been a godsend to me when ive needed advice...or just a chat...and even a laugh...kezzers tattoo had me awestruck and in stitches when i saw it...what a girl...and such an inspiration you are Carol...i want to thank everybody on here who gave me sound advice when i asked for it...and listened to my rants when i felt nowty..and generally shared and helped me through the last year...God Bless you ....Take care everyone and Good Luck to you all...love Sharon xxxxxxx

Glad to be back

2010-04-06T12:35:10Z

Hi every one...hope you are all ok.

It was my first day back at work today after 11months and 1 week off...and i feel like ive never been off...but in a good way. I was welcomed back with open arms..and a few tears...and i feel tired but very happy right now. Ive just done a half shift answering the phone...running a few errands ..making cups of tea...just generally easing myself back into a work routine...my feet are aching but ive got the biggest smile on my face...i did it...i got my real life back...and i hope to keep it that way for a long time.

Good luck to everyone..i wish you all the best with your journeys..take care..love...a tired but happy Sharon xxxx

Good news is for sharing...

2010-02-02T10:19:23Z

Hi everyone...i had some great news yesterday...got my scan results and he said they were CLEAR...nothing detected on the scan. What a relief after all the dark thoughts i'd been having...he was still a bit cautious....he said he couldnt rule out the possibility of further treatment in the future..but...for now im clear...and that is what i wanted to hear...i have to alternate now between him and the gynae oncologist every 3 months.

Im going back to work at easter...i have to give my immune system time to recover from the chemo and ive got some annual leave i have to take before april...and im going on holiday in june...i can finally book it now. My family and friends have had me in tears all morning...haha...but for once theyre tears of happiness and relief..its an end to a scary 9months.

I pray everyone gets the same news soon...God bless you all...love and best wishes...Sharon xxxx

Why the dark thoughts??

2010-01-30T21:34:10Z

Hello...hope everyones well. I finished my chemo on 18th december n had post treatment CT scan on new years eve...i get the results of that on monday.

It was a relief to finish chemo...i felt like i'd got my life back...n it would all be over soon n i cud get back to some kind of normality...even started to plan my return to work with the ward manager. Ive been really positive throughout my surgery n treatment...people have been amazed at how calm n upbeat ive been...i even surprised myself...so why...as it gets closer to my results day am i feeling scared n uncertain?..im getting aches n pains in my tummy that i havent had during all the time since diagnosis...are they real or imaginary?..im on the edge of tears most of the time...thinking really dark thoughts...its still there...im going to have to go through it all again. I dont know where these thoughts have come from...but theyre going through my head all the time...n especially at night.

Ive not told anyone else about them...it will be our secret eh....lol...i dont want them to think im being a mardy...its hard though....is it normal to feel like this.?..just when im hopefully coming to the end of everything...n i should be feeling the most positive...im dreading monday when just a cpl of weeks ago i was looking forward to it as the day ive waited for for 9months...the all clear day.

Sorry for waffling...but strangely i feel a bit better just sharing it with you.

Take care n God bless....love Sharon xxx

The finishing line is in sight......

2009-12-19T08:11:10Z

Hello everyone....not blogged for a while. Well i had my final cycle of chemo yesterday and i have a CT scan on christmas eve...the finishing line is firmly in my sights now...im hoping to put it all behind me and go back to work in the new year. Ive missed my job and my workmates so much and it will be nice to be back in a normal routine.

January is full of appointments...oncologist ..gynae...occupational health...then hopefully the go ahead to return to work mid february...i will have been off work for 10 n half months...can't believe it...it has gone quite quickly now i look back on it all. My return to work will be phased..p/t for a while on light duties...although theres not many of them on an acute stroke unit...haha...but i know the staff will look after me and make sure i dont overdo it....they have been a fantastic support to me and my family...keeping me up with all the gossip and making sure i havent missed out on any nights out they have had...i went on the ward christmas do last week and had a great time....i love them all and cant wait to get back into the thick of things again.

Hope every one is well and the treatment ive had goes as well for you all....and if i dont get time to blog again for a while i want to wish every one a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year.....New Year New Start....

Love Sharon xxxxx

Its a long way to Tipperary....

2009-10-11T09:10:23Z

Good morning all...well...im off to Tipperary today for a few days...apparently its a long way.

My dad was born there n ive got loads of family there n they have clubbed together to pay for my flight so i can go over for my cousins 50th...im so excited...ive cancelled 2 holidays n a hen weekend in Malaga this year because of surgery n treatment so im really looking forward to the break. My oncologist has given me the go ahead to fly n sed as long as i make sure ive got access to a doctor if needed i shud be ok...i get back on thursday n have chemo on friday so it will take my mind off it for a bit.

Im sure its illegal to visit Ireland n not sample a Guinness or 2...n i dont want to break the law so im afraid i'l have to live by their rules...well...wen in Rome so they say...

Hope everyone stays well ...take care ....

Love Sharon xxx

surprise birthday party

2009-10-04T01:45:14Z

Well....it was my 50th birthday last week...the day i had my 2nd cycle of chemo...id had a lovely nite out the nite before with the girls from work n my day at hospital was nice to..gettin a cake off the chemo ward n generally being made a fuss of...all in all i had a really good birthday...the chemo took its toll after a day or 2 n i was wiped out.

My son n his wife asked if i wanted to go for a quiet drink..just to the local pub...for an hour or so...just to get out the house...so i sed yeah...it will do me good to get out for a bit...i asked my youngest son if he wanted to come but hed made prior arrangements with his mates..as 27 year olds do...so i booked the taxi n off we went...

Got to the pub..n the side door we usually go in was locked for some reason so we had to use the other door to the lounge room...i went in n saw loads of flashing lights n heard shouts n party poppers going off...scared the life out of me...then...i saw my youngest son n his mates...my sisters n their partners...workmates..old friends...then it dawned on me...i was so shocked i dropped my bag n burst into tears...it was all for me....they had planned it for this week coz they knew id be over the worst of the chemo by now..

Ive arranged surprise parties myself n ive been to a few n i always thought...surely they must have guessed something....but i swear i didnt have a clue...n its a lovely feeling to think that people have put in all that effort n planning just for you...ive had a fantastic night n shed a few tears ..once id stopped shaking...lol...im soooo lucky to have family n friends who wud do that for me...i feel i can cope with anything right now...coz im surrounded by the love n support of the people i love the most....thank you all n god bless u...

Sorry for going on about it...but i felt i wanted to share it with u all...despite everything ive had the best 50th birthday ever...im very very blessed.....

Love Sharon xxx

Updated profile

2009-09-25T00:08:10Z

Well..ive just updated my profile...im no longer 49...im 4010...sounds much better...not spending my birthday as id planned...having my 2nd cycle of chemo today....but i had a fantastic night out last night with my sisters n the girls from work....they made me cry...got loads of lovely cards, flowers n gifts...n wen i got home my lovely daughter in law had decorated the house inside n out with ballons n 50th birthday banners....my sisters are insisting i wear a big 5-0 badge n theyre tying a balloon to my wrist at the hospital....all in all ive had a lovely birthday so far n the treatment seems less daunting somehow...because i know im surrounded by love n good wishes...i feel i can cope with anything right now..

Take care everyone...love Sharon xxxx

constipation

2009-09-08T06:43:23Z

Hi there I wonder if anyone can advise me on constipation...( not nice i know..but im desperate )..im usually as regular as clockwork but since chemo last friday i havent been able to...well i know..lol...ive took senna..lactulose..which usually does the trick...n even desperate enough to ask my dr for Movicol...which i cudnt keep down...i vomited it straight back..i feel heavy tired n uncomfortable...has any one got an other remedies i cud try??...thank you... Love Sharon xxx

here we go

2009-09-04T06:47:37Z

Well...here we go....i shud be sat here today case packed waiting for a taxi to take me to the airport...jetting off to the sun for a week....instead im sat here waiting to go and have my 1st cycle of chemotherapy...not quite the same is it...lol... Ive got a mixture of emotions...relief that im actually starting after the long wait...apprehension of what is going to happen ....and the worst one...jealousy...of my sister and her hubby who ARE going to the airport...they said it wont be the same without me...bless em...and have promised to book the same hol next year and save us a place with them...thats something to look forward to. So...lets just get the 1st cycle over with...its the beginning of another stage towards recovery ...and hopefully packing a suitcase and waiting for a taxi to the airport...lol...good luck to everyone on here...chat soon xxx

nowty sod today

2009-08-24T12:58:57Z

Hello...sorry but im a reet nowty sod today...dont know why...maybe im just bored at home or fed up of being n limbo again...still waiting for a date to start chemo...i just feel like screaming and shouting,,,very tearful...n anyone who knows me will tell you thats not me..im usually very placid n laid back...but i feel so frustrated. I just want to start the next phase towards recovery n getting my life back on track. My common sense...whats left of it...tells me that im not the only one who needs treatment n i have to wait my turn..but im getting a selfish streak n i dont like it...it really isnt me. I had a txt from a friend today asking how i was...usually i reply..yeah fine thanx..but im that way out today so i said..had a bit of pain over the weekend n feeling a bit down today....and guess what???...no reply..dont blame her i suppose but i thought i cant keep telling people im ok wen im not. Id better text back n apologise n just say sorry for moaning but im a bit tired. Right ..rant over...i feel better just typing it all out on here...its a release n a place to let off steam. I dont get these days very often Thank God...i'l be reet tomorrow probably..just having a bit of a self pity day...hope everyones well n i apologise if anyone reads this somewhere else...i put it in the wrong place..lol..thught id blogged it but i hadnt...dont know where it is...lol...what a numpty eh!!!...XX

Hi..im new to this site

2009-08-16T20:38:44Z

Hi..im new to the site and i dont really know what im doing yet...ive been diagnosed with stage 1c ovarian cancer and i underwent a TAH/BSO in june 2009. Im currently waiting to start 6 cycles of chemotherapy. I hope to get in touch with women who have had similar experiences..just to see if the way i feel is normal...lol..