Busy couple of weeks... and Disney is a week away!

Well gang, It's been a busy mental couple of weeks since We told everyone the full scores on the doors, started the crowd funding and booked Disney, and in that time there have been some significant changes in my treatment plan and things and a lot of frustrating visits including appts and admissions.

So lets start at the beginning..

15th January - We enjoyed our family day our at Bletchley Park which was great but following om from the previous week when I had seen the Oncologist I notied my eyes had got worse, over the course of the next 2 days they went massively worse and a call to the Rennie Grove nurses who with my team at the hospital acted very quickly.

By Wednesday 18th I had been for my regular bloods for Chemo, My friend Gina and I had just settled down for lunch when I was told due to the swift deterioration they wanted me seen in A&E that day.. So we finished our food, and pottered back to L&D. We were fast tracked but 4 hours later (and one dishy doctor later) had a new MRI on my brain  to look forward to on Thursday morning and the new issues that my own oncologist has only ever seen in four other cases.. liesions on my retinas causing the vision to be awful and the need for my super lovely reading glasses.

Thursday 19th January MRI and a lot of waiting (4+ Hours)  around for the Chemo team to speak with the Oncologist Chemo was delayed and I was to be reviewed on the Friday...

Friday 20th January - Jo and I went for the morning appt with the oncologist again.. armed with a long list of questions we needed answers to but didn't really want to hear about too..
A new plan was hatched and I was sent to Mount Vernon for the first of 5 sessions of daily radiotheraphy that afternoon including the planning phase, another long afternoon but a plan and progress was back in place!!!

As part of radiotheraphy to the brain and eyes I had a beautiful and very claustrophobic gimp mask made for me! What a treat! It constricts you to the bed and holds you in place while you are blasted. Luckily the blast it's self takes no more than 10 minutes really.

My appointments were mainly scattered at rubbish times for having family but we got round them with various help,.. and of course the fog was terrible the days we had teatime appts!

We managed a lovely weekend cacthing up with a big group of friends for curry Friday night, a spot of parkrun including baby cuddles, chilled out Saturday, Photo walk sunday, got rid of my car sunday and went for roast dinner with family in the afternoon..

Other changes which have been keeping us busy is that due to steroid use to manage all the other side effects of my cancer by blood sugar has been very high, although I am NOT diabetic I am now being treated as such and Adam has been having to help me monitor my blood sugars.. on Tuesday night after more out of hours support from the Hospice and out of hours GP I was admitted  via A&E for 20 hours... poor Jo took me in and there was a distinct lack of any good looking Drs on duty.. very disappointing.  Eventually I got a bed and Jo left me bleary eyed at 2am,,, always grateful to my sister for taking care of me and protecting me.

On Tuesday am I had my Chest and Abdo CT scan ready for working out the treatment plan Post Disney with the Oncologist this afternoon.

The admission was not a great one, I'm always happy to shout about good service saidly this was not!
Gina and Heather came to visit, and were just in time for the insulin pen lesson.. and to see the nightmare I was having with my mad (bless her.. I was ready to ring her neck) ward neighbour and deliver me a cup of tea..

So that is where we are at. I had one thing planned in this week to look forward to and that was a trip to see 'The Girls' which is just opening in London this last couple of weeks and finishing it's previews.. that was for last night and to really make sure I was going to be up to it I left the decision on it we would be going until lunchtime, and then booked the taxi door to door.. a great way to travel and made the evening possible with my friends.

Disney is now one week away.. super excited and lots of rest next week to really make sure I can be in the right place ready and rested for it. Packing will get underway today ready, along with hoodies arriving for us all ready to remember the trip which are staying a surprise for the boys until we arrive now.

So onwards and upwards, after a rough 2 weeks, cinderella did get to the show.. food is very boring avoiding un-needed sugar so no wine and cake and goodies at the moment really, but I continue to plough on and make the most of what ever I feel well enough to do while taking enough rest on to not miss out on the super important stuff!

Blown Away!!!

Oh My! Adam and I have been absolutely blown away by the support, love and messages since I wrote the blog on Monday evening and even more so since the crowd funding page last night. we can not thank you all enough for your kind words and making disney happen for us. We've not told the boys yet...it's all happened so fast!

The irony is certainly not lost on us that today is the anniversary of my 1st Chemo selfie with Jo... how long ago that all feels.

So all we can say from the bottom of our hearts is thank you!

We have also been blessed with lots of kind offers of all sorts of things that will make amazing memories..

Obviously we have already done the build a bear which has been a big hit with Luke and he is taking Mummy bear (mine to bed with him) and traded one of his old bears to sleep with me!

But some amazingly kind offers of practical help and making memories and momentos which is just amazing.

SO thanks go to the following for:

Everyone who has given and shared the crowd giving page... amazing.. lots of your messages on that have caused leakage in a nice way

- Kath who is coming to help the boys with making memory boxes.
- Carli at Mac&Maddy who already made a beautiful present for Adam for Christmas after the order books closed and is doing the finger print keepsakes for the boys for me.
-Glenda at GC Craft Cabin who we are visiting next week to make pottery as a family.
- Noemi Dorgu who is taking a walk with us all and her camera to capture some family time at the weekend.
- Carl who I am yet to fully chat to but we have a plan that may come together.
- Adam B who has put feelers out re Disney..

so things I have booked up already are:

Sunday family time walk and a trip with Nana and Pops to Bletchley Park
Tuesday - Spa day with Jo! then Jake and I are off to a Parkrun celebration evening with Kate and Ash
Friday - Date lunch at Luton Hoo for Adam and I
Sunday - Girlie Take That Evening while Adam is out at a gig too.
Feb Half term - Disney Paris!!
18th Feb - Family canal boat trip with my brothers and families and Pappy and Grandma with fish and chip delivery!

So already lots of nice plans that are in the making.. and so many more in the pipeline...

Oh and Adam made another lush meal from our fresh tasty box last night too... so the skills are improving!

Bit of a shocker..

So on the whole I've not been completely honest with you all! Todays blog is brought to you by the power of alcohol and chocolate..

All my nearest and dearest know that on the 2nd of December we got more information that I let on. It's taken time to get our heads around this and certainly knowing where to start with certain things!

On 2nd December I was told that my persistent cough is actually secondary  cancer in my lungs and liver,

All the staging tests (MRI's and CT's along with bone scans) were redone the same as last year and on the 13th December the news ramped up again and it was indicated to me that time is going to be very precious with my beautiful family and friends,

All the results are in that matter now and my care is long term.. again not a concept to want to deal with 12 days before Christmas. We kept the whole picture quiet from the boys until after Christmas so that we could all make the most of the family time, and we certainly had a wonderful relaxing one catching up with so many special people over the festive period it was really magical.

Cancer has once again given me quite some insomnia so I've been up in the middle of the night, organising and planning, tidying and doing all the things you never round to doing!

As a bit of a spoilt brat and diva this doesn't sit well with me as I just want more.. More hugs, More time, More everything!

I continue to be blessed with having amazing people caring for me and the boys, thank you!
We are also being supported by Rennie Grove Hospice who have already been to see us and will continue to look after me and us as a family.

Over time Adam will need cookery and ironing lessons and a bit of help learning to be a domestic god! (He's been a bit spoilt it's fair to say!) So I trust you my friends to keep an eye on my beautiful boys.

My Chemo this time round is Gem-Carbo which is being much kinder to me on side effects so far and the aim is to keep me as well as possible for as long as possible. A concept that just seems fairly odd at the moment because I DO feel mostly well. I am on daily steroids to control my cough and backpain. if I get in a kitchen cupboard I struggle to get off the floor which is doing my head in, as is going up the stairs as it is more effort than I think is acceptable!

So you may have seen I made bears with the boys at the weekend, It was about making memories with them and each of the bears has some of my hair inside so that they are all linked and unique.
For Luke especially I think that has been a big part in understanding some of what is happening as Jake is much more aware of what we have told them and what it means down the line.. the hardest conversation I have ever had to have for sure!

So our aim is to try do as many nice things as possible to really create lasting memories together while I am feeling fit and well.. so if you have suggestions let me know.. I need to hear them! 

We were ready to say goodbye to the year from hell.. and then...

It's amazing how quickly the last few months have passed. and what an incredible few months they have been. We have enjoyed getting back to normal, the boys have settled really well into their new school. They have gone from strength to strength, Jake has recently worked hard with his running and clocked up 2 PB's, currently stands at 24:18 for Luton parkrun.

In September we found ourselves settling into a new routine moving swimming and piano lessons to fit everything into our week. and during September and October until we went on our holiday I clocked up a 50 day run streak. It was liberating to get out running everyday even if just for a mile, but when we went away I had had a cough for a few weeks so decided to take a break and just enjoy our holiday.

We all took part in the Willow race on the 2nd October. Jake and Luke did the 1k race,
Adam did the 5k and I was escorted around the 10k with Pete and Sam to tell me off for going off to fast, pacing myself went completely out the window, I was pleased to have finished the race but for 20 pesky seconds... if only I hadn't taken quite so many walk breaks to get my breath back! I completed in 1hour and 19 Seconds.

As a team the amazing purple parkrunners raised over £1500 for Willow, so thank you all for donating to such a fabulous charity.

I also completed a tough 5 mile race in the pouring rain before we went away, and was chuffed with my time of under 50 minutes. Adam was on photography duty to capture everyone's pleasure and pain!

We went to Majorca for 10 days in half term, enjoyed all that all inclusive had to offer, the weather could have been a touch warmer but it was amazing and just what we needed to really relax and put our feet up. The boys enjoyed lots of swimming; Jake learnt to dive, Luke set himself a daily challenge to see how many trips to the ice cream machine he could manage by lunchtime!
November has passed in a blur, so much so, other than fire works night and catching up with some family I really don't know what there is to report from November.

And so here we are in December!!! How did that happen already?

It's already shaped up to be a busy month, with speaking at the Willow foundation Carol Concert on Tuesday night, a late night leaving the boys very tired! But such a beautiful evening tinged with emotion, from the last year and for what is to come
Willow Carol Concert 

I've made a donation to Willow instead of spending hours writing Christmas cards this year... all our friends near and far are in our thoughts at this time of year as always.

This weekend has been busy as ever, volunteering at Gadebridge Parkrun, catching up with friends and today as a family we completed the Keech Santa run at Wardown Park. A nice stroll round just under 5k with Luke while Jake zoomed off into the distance!

However the final part of this update sees the year finishing off as it started.. Cancer really is the gift that keeps giving. Just as we had found our new normal Adam and I discovered on the 2nd December that I will need to restart treatment before Christmas.

The last week has been lots of tests and appointments to establish the whole story again and what happens when. Last year they were able to give me a clearly defined treatment plan where as this time it's a bit different and we're still waiting on results.

The bat signal has already been used and we are already feeling the love and support from those we have already shared the news with. Challenges ahead again..

5 weeks after Active Treatment

It's been just over a month since I finished Radiotherapy now gang, and it feels a bit odd, as I've not had a big magical sparkly moment where I'm declared "cancer free" where everyone bursts into song with the backing track that's euphoric and uplifting like when they get all yes' on X factor or Britains Got Talent!

So in essence I've just been doing what I do best and plodding on in the meantime. There is no end of treatment scan, but I did see my oncologist this week and the surgeon for review the week after. They will be checking and making sure Cilla (my silicon implant) is still happy after Radiotherapy and that any reaction is as they expect etc. I am waiting for a referral to the Lympadema nurse as there seems to be a bit of swelling and without lymph nodes under my arm my body can't deal with draining excess fluid as it should. Something I will always have to be cautious of now. 

So what's been occurring in the last 5 weeks where I've been appointment free..?

In September I pledged to run at least a mile a day each day, partly for a personal challenge not based on times and speed, but at the moment my Mojo is still a little awol, probably because every run is still making me a completely sweaty mess and feels hard. I am looking forward to the time when a 10k is my standard twice a week run and I don't feel like it's been a complete effort! Just a couple of days to go in this challenge.. Followed swiftly by the Willow 10k at Hatfield house where I'll be joined by lots of friends including some who hadn't classed themselves as a runner but have raisen to the challenge for me! Well done Heather! Adam is also doing the 5k and the boys are taking part in the 1k race so we're all supporting.

The link to the purple parkrun team is Here if anyone still wants to sponsor us, and thanks to all of you who already have! 

We raised £228 on purple parkrun day and I admit I got overwhelmed seeing that many people supporting Willow for me! 

Our Special day and promotion of  Willow has also been in the local paper.. Let's hope it inspires a few more people to run for this fab charity. 

I've also taken back control of a parkrun and stepped back up for a go at run directing as well as clocking up a sub 30 minute 5km.. It'll be a while before I will ring the PB bell, but I'll get there eventually! 

The boys and I took a train adventure to Stafford at the end of the school holidays for a belated birthday trip to Cadbury world with Nana and Pops. It was a great day out, but I confess I may have stolen some of the boys chocolate that is still in the fridge calling my name every time I go in there!

The boys are settling in well to their new school which is huge relief! We've rejigged after school activities and have now found our new routine, and we're all looking forward to our holiday in half term. 

The last few weeks have confirmed yet again how nasty cancer is and it's having an impact on several friends and their families at the moment with some tough times in the coming months.. I promise to work my socks off to run a half marathon before the end of the year to stick two fingers up to this year for us all! 

To show how much the hair is growing (and I had a little trim in August!) Here's a little collage!

My nails are also now looking more healthy (and less like something from one of Adam's zombie programs!), so I have booked an appointment to get them looking pretty for our Holiday. 

So with a birthday at the weekend, our big race, parents evening and a holiday on the horizon as usual there is a lot to look forward to over the next few weeks so time to get organised! 

Bye for now

Phase 3 - DONE!

That's it folks! 'Active treatment' is over! They have thrown all the normal resources at my Cancer and I'm still here to tell the tale! 

So how do I feel?! 

Relieved, knackered, excited to move on and start putting all this behind me but apprehensive for my future health, and a little bit lost..

Having spent the last 248 days being bombarded with appointments.. Always knowing what is next on my treatment plan it feels a bit off odd to be at the end! Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted to be at the end of my treatment.. But I really have a 'what now'?! feeling.. Life HAS changed through this, and coming back out the other side I do still have some appointments to go to, I will see the oncologist again in about a month I think, and the surgeon in 6 weeks to see what reactions have been to radiotherapy and how 'Cilla' is after being zapped by radiation!

There is the possibility that I may need more surgery down the line to get a better result for 'Cilla' but at least this is all surgery I have more of a say in, and I would have more control over when that happens rather than being on an escalator of treatment that I just have to get to the end of, I am at least back in control over if I have the surgery and when.

As I was self employed I don't have a job and a salary to walk back into, and due to changes through the treatment we have decided that the childminding is no longer appropriate so it's time for a rethink, and while I do that I will enjoy a bit of time getting back to doing the things I love and should have been able to do this year. 

I now need the fuel my body again and get back into shape, rather than letting my 'sod it, I've been through a lot recently, I want cake/ice cream/chocolate' attitude continue, as we have a holiday to finally look forward to! Adam, the boys and I are off to Majorca for October half term for some sun, swimming, and relaxation as a family, so there is the matter of being able to get into swimwear and not getting harpooned when I am mistaken for a whale!

In the last 3 weeks I've travelled over 750 miles to and from treatment, normally getting home by about 10am. 

For the next couple of weeks the radiotherapy continues to work, my skin can continue getting more sore but at the moment it's not too bad! 

I dread to think how much money we've spent in hospital car parking and how many appointments I have attended..

I have certainly learnt not to take things for granted and to live life for now a bit more! In July and August I've been lucky enough to have some precious catch ups with my lovely friends I just quite frankly don't get to see enough of due the the distance.. Hayley and I enjoyed a child free dinner while she was in London doing some training.. Jo, mum and I celebrated Jo's birthday at the theatre and Jojo and I popped into town this week to catch up for lunch after my treatment.. We enjoyed getting together for the 1st time in 9.5 years where no one has needed a drink, escorting to the loo, moaned about whatever the others are doing.. We had a lovely glass of wine chatting and enjoying Covent Garden and a mooch around the shops before deciding to see if there were tickets to a show as we walked past a ticket booth! 

It felt very naughty going off to a show without the husbands and children, and even more odd not having to rush home as the house was empty.  

Aladdin was fab, colourful, vibrant and blingy and we both left the theatre wishing the Genie could sort a magical portal to just transport us home without the trog back! 

With the boys packed off to the Inlaws for traditional the camping in the garden sleepover (which I think they will spend the weekend recovering from😂)  I booked onto an evening Pilates class, I met a few new people down the gym.. One lady commented 'Wow, I thought my hair was short but yours is even shorter than mine!' 

I felt a bit bad for what happened next.. 

Poor lady didn't know where to look when I explained this wasn't my choice of hairstyle and that I'd been having treatment..😂

So with 2 of my most trusting drinking pals Gina and Ruth away on holidays drinking celebrations will need to wait for now! Instead tonight the hairdresser is coming and going to tidy up my hair (as well as sorting out the boys!) It marks the end of treatment quite nicely. 

So now to enjoy the last 2 weeks of the summer holidays hospital free😎 

A trip to Cadbury world with nana and pops next week.. And just not having to rush out of the house in the mornings will be lovely for the rest of the holidays! 

I'm so blessed to have had great support through all this, but particularly Jo who has hugged me, held my hand, shaved my head, taken me to see Dr Matt late at night and most importantly made me laugh along the way.. I couldn't have done it without you! 💗

Birthday meets Phase 3!

So the summer holidays are underway and started with a bang..

DRR Friendship mile with cake (and a cheeky couple of ciders) and laughter on a sunny Friday evening.

The next day Adam got the chance of last minute tickets to the anniversary games, Mo Farah and Jess Ennis-Hills were competing, an absolutely fantastic day, made all the more memorable by meeting up with DRR buddies which filled the day with giggles! 

A slightly calmer week followed as we prepared for my birthday and our Willow Special day, which was amazing.. More about that in a moment. 

For my birthday I had arranged an afternoon tea which I baked for and my In Laws hosted in their lovely garden, friends, family, Pimms on the lawn and plenty of cake on a wonderful sunny afternoon was just fantastic!

Just before the holidays I started taking Gina out for some runs and am enjoying making her work hard whilst rebuilding my own fitness, I've also started my return to parkrun and am looking forward to building my distance again over the coming weeks ready for the Willow 10k in October. 

So with talk of parkrun and Willow we are having a parkrun purple team for the Willow race which you can enter here https://www.willowfoundation.org.uk/willow10k, there is also a purple parkrun at Wardown Park, Luton on 10th September with cakes afterwards to raise money for a fantastic local charity who gave us as  a family a wonderful special day at the end of July. 

For our special day we decided on a theatre trip to see the Lion King with the boys as it's something we hadn't done before, and the boys (5 and 9) are at an age where we could all enjoy the show, followed by dinner at the rainforest cafe. Our tickets arrived and our excitement started to grow! 

Once the day arrived and we caught the train into London early to visit Hamleys before the show. We visited the queen and ate sticky buns listening to buskers in the sunshine in Leicester Square. We enjoyed a little walk along the Ride London route to the theatre. 

The show was magical and the children were spellbound during the opening as the animals made their way onto the stage. I'll never forget the looks on the boys faces as they really didn't know where to look first! 

Afterwards we went to The Rainforest Cafe for a lovely meal, with the gorillas and tropical storms. 

The whole day superb and one we will certainly treasure, it's helped put a spring in my step ready to face my radiotherapy, and marks a turning point in the year where we are able to start planning things. We've had to be so patient regarding booking a much needed holiday and we now have that to look forward to in October half term. 

So I've done a week of radiotherapy now, and thankfully my Inlaws have come to my aid with helping with the boys, my early appointments have meant that the traffic and parking getting to Mount Vernon each day so far hasn't been too bad, and I've been able to get back and still had time to enjoy the day. I'm nearly half way through stage 3 of my treatment.. The end is in sight🍾🍾 

Stage 2 - done.. Onwards

Ok, so almost 6 weeks post surgery I still have to be aware of the danger zone but healing has gone well. 

The danger zone is so important as a fiercely independent person who doesn't like asking for help.. But I don't want to undo all that being good has done so I must be good.. For me things in the danger zone are lifting heavy things, emptying the kitchen bin (it's always heavier than I think!) and pushing a heavy shopping trolley. 

However since my drains have come out 4 weeks ago I've managed to get to Pilates twice a week, and started to get back to the gym. And last week after a new sports bra investment I had my 1st little run back. Not far, or fast but I did it! And it's the aim to keep doing it again now.. Although I have no idea how my skin will be once radiotherapy begins, so I do still have to play it by ear a little and not get too frustrated if I have to pause while that part of my treatment is done. 

My hair continues to grow, (even the bits I was enjoying not having 😂). 

So on to Radiotherapy - I need to have 3 weeks worth, at Mount Vernon every day Monday-Friday.. At the moment I still, don't have a start date for it but should find that out tomorrow when I have my planning appointment where they do the CT imaging to 'design' my treatment. From what I understand the planning involves a CT scan and some tiny tattoos and a template being created of where they are going to zap me... Then when I arrive for my daily zapping I guess I get my kit off, get in position, they plug in my details and the computer knows all the settings for each zapping! 

In the meantime though I've been busy catching up with people and generally enjoying all the social stuff.. Take That were amazing!

A birthday treat for Jo with my mum yesterday which has been great, into London to see the musical Beautiful. So many awesome tunes and a lovely grown up day out. 

I also got into London for grown up catch up time with my Hayley.. I think the first time in 9 years we've  got together without the kids.. So super precious time that wasn't full of interruptions of "Can I have a Drink?" "I need a wee!" "I'm hungry" etc we had a lovely meal and a perfect summer evening. We love all 5 of the kids dearly but it really was a special evening and knowing we had seen all 5 kids together 5 weeks earlier helped us feel guilt free about being together without them. 

We've also had several impromptu summer gatherings starting with someone saying 'We're at the pub with the kids..' Just relaxed and what the summer is made for! 

The fun continues over the next few weeks as we've got leavers assembly on Friday pm at school.. emotions will be high for that one I'm sure as it really sums up with a bonkers school year it has been for my family.. And I never imagined my boys would be leaving the school this year.. But a fresh start for September is exciting.

Friday pm - after school picnic followed by DRR friendship mile.. A bit of running, then post run chat and cake with the family all for charity!

Saturday Anniversary games at the Olympic Park. 

Then the following Saturday is our family Willow Special day at the Lion King.. Our tickets are being sent out tomorrow. Followed by birthday celebrations on the Sunday with lots of my most special people! 

And on the subject of Willow.. I have just booked the Willow 10k for the 2nd October if anyone wants to join me it would be great to get a few people running either 5k or 10k for a great charity. You can find more info https://www.willowfoundation.org.uk/willow10k

In the meantime, bring on the summer holidays.. We're ready now! 

Rounding up stage 2

Well, the surgery phase is nearly complete.. And I'm still feeling better than I expected to and taking it all in my stride! 

Surgery was 3 weeks ago and in that time I've ticked off lots of milestones in stage 2 recovery process. 

✅ had mastectomy on my left hand side with immediate reconstruction

✅ got to know 'Cilla' my Silicon/saline combo boob.

✅ celebrated the freedom of having my drains removed.. 

✅ celebrated freedom from waiting for Doris 

✅ Got back driving again after 2.5 weeks

✅ got back to Pilates after 2 weeks 

✅Hitting the gym again within 3 weeks

✅ avoided (and keep avoiding) the danger zone.. Those jobs that are a bit tricky, involving stretching too far or lifting too heavy! 

The last parts of phase 2 recovery are getting some Saline into 'Cilla' which all being well will happen on Wednesday, I then just need to have the port that they use to pump her up removed and surgery phase will be complete. 

Next week I meet my Oncologist regarding Phase 3 of recovery which is Radiotherapy. Each stage has brought it's own frustrations and worries.. But I'm glad this one should mark the end of my treatment. 

When I received my lab results they showed all the lymph nodes were clear which was fantastic and a big relief.

Obviously I continue with the Physio to ensure I get the full range of movement back in my arm but at the moment that is improving daily.

As a family we enjoyed Adam's work summer weekend last week. It was great seeing the boys involved in the activities and enjoying Pimms on the lawn.. And it was only on reflection that I realised how nice it was to have a coating of hair to meet new people. And see a couple that I hadn't seen since the day I was diagnosed! 

One of the ladies asked me about my running and how I had done through my treatment. I said that since it began it's been disheartening seeing where I was and where I have got to pick up from but that the return is hopefully now sniffing distance away.. One of the biggest smiles though was when she told me that after we spoke at the Christmas do I had inspired her to get out and run.. And that this week she was tackling a 10k route for the 1st time. 😊👏🏻 

I'm loving getting back to some excercise, slowly but surely I'll make progress back to doing what I was enjoying so much before all this kicked off! 

So at the moment during July I'm looking forward to

* seeing take that next weekend

* trip to see Beautiful the musical with Jo for her birthday.

* catching up with Hayley in London

* the boys end of term activities

* the start of the summer holidays

* Our family trip to see the Lion King thanks to the Willow foundation. 

* My birthday!!

As usual it's going to be a busy few weeks.. Bring it on!!

50th Parkrun and surgery looms!

So last Saturday I completed my 50th parkrun, and my last for a little while as surgery looms tomorrow, a great morning with plenty of parkrun cake afterwards. It took some coordination to have Jake, Ash and I all do our 50th on the same day, but well worth it!

I claimed hugs and well wishes a plenty of lots of friends, and it was lovely to catch up with an old work friend from before I had the boys who came down from Northampton for a special run in the park. The boys and I looked great in our personalised tops from Kate and all in all it was a fantastic morning.

Half term also saw Luke turn 5, my baby boy is getting 'lines' not he's old.. Bless his heart! As daddy was away for the day it's self we celebrated with a birthday cinema trip on bank holiday Monday, and then the boys and I headed to visit family and celebrate in Stafford with Nana and Pops. 

Then with the boys back at school on Monday I set about doing the final prep for surgery. The house is as sorted as possible, the fridge is stocked and I'm ready to face the next big bit of the process. 

So I head to the hospital for 11 tomorrow morning ready for surgery In the afternoon. I'm having a mastectomy and Lymph node clearance on my left hand side, with implant reconstruction, and should be in for between 1-3 days.. Obviously I'm hoping to be out and recovering at home with my boys as soon as possible but will just have to wait and see. 

That's to all of you who have messaged and offered help with the boys. I'm sure Adam will post an update when he can, and will take up some of your kind offers as and when we need to, as I'm sure over the next few weeks there will be appointments where we need to be in 2 places at once.. Or just a little rest time. As always your support is fantastic and has been a huge help in seeing the through the next bit! 

So anyway, as I have to be up at stupid o'clock if I want some breakfast in the morning I really should get to sleep! 

Decisions!

So Chemo is done, the picc line came out... (Eventually after a trip to Hillingdon!) 

I realised yesterday while talking to a friend about all that has happened since Chemo started makes it all seem like a lifetime ago already, where as it was actually just two weeks since the last one and 4 months ago chemo began! 

-In that time we've had the fireplace knocked out 

-Decorated the living room

-Had new carpets and sofa

-Visited my bestie in Scotland (Jake went to Eurodisney) 

-Bestie's baby has arrived! (As has another friends baby this week) 

-Lost hair, eyebrows and eye lashes.. But they are starting to come back now. 

-Discovered what amazing friends I have with me through thick and thin, especially Jo, who has wiped my tears, shaved my head and sat with me on the chemo unit 💗 and my drinking buddies who obligingly down tools to drink wine whenever needed. 

-Enjoyed play dates with my mum which has despite the naff situation forced us to embrace the miles on the motorway and the train and spend lots of great time together, (even if we are a bad influence on each other😘)

So chapter 2 is nearly ready to start and the seeds have started to be sown. Last week I had my mammogram and ultrasound, along with a meeting with the surgeon to discuss my options on Friday.

Sadly although the images looked good and show a marked improvement on the size on my lump they advised that they could operate and try to conserve my own boob but if it's not successful I will have to go back in for a full mastectomy with implant reconstruction. This news really just left me with 2 choices regarding the type of reconstruction I have as I want to get from where I am now to being fixed in the quickest possible route.. I don't want to mess about trying this and ending up with multiple surgeries and more time in hospital away from my lovely boys. 

So I have now made the decision to have a mastectomy with implant reconstruction on the 9th June. 

This is a few weeks later than the dates I had mapped out in my head sadly, so I now will definitely still be having treatment when it's my birthday and also having radiotherapy at Mount Vernon through the summer holidays which I was hoping to avoid. 

I've seen pictures of how my new boob could look, talked through what my surgery will entail and how long I am likely to be in, and take to recover etc.. So really just want to crack on with it again now, but am back in limbo until I go in now. Aside from some complementary therapy sessions and my pre op assessment I now have the next month without having to have treatment. So my focus is about trying to get a little bit stronger again before surgery, and hopefully enjoying higher energy levels and the start of the summer weather, today however we have rain.. But at least I don't look like a drowned rat!

Last week it was lovely to enjoy a picnic tea at the downs, parkrun volunteering in the sun, the first BBQ of the year, and a lovely day at shuttleworth airshow.. Over the next month I'll certainly drink tea anywhere that isn't my house as I'll be seeing lots of those walls (or hopefully the garden)  during the time I can't drive 😂

Surgery will be on the 9th June. Just want to get there now and get done so I'll be a step nearer to being fixed! 

The charity links!

I hadn't planned to blog again after the Picc line saga until the end of this week when I'll know more about what surgery will be etc and time frames, however once more I'm inspired and blown away by support again. 

It was a tough week finishing Chemo, but not being able to get the picc line out, after 4 days and 2 hospitals with 3 different friends at my side.. The line finally came out on Thursday meaning I didn't have to go to hospital on Friday 😊

By Thursday evening we were able to pop to the village pub for tea to celebrate phase 1 of treatment finally being over! Now I just have 3 more injections to give myself to boost my immunity, and then I'm  medicine free until surgery👍🏻

The things I have to look forward to over the next few weeks are regaining my taste buds (looking forward to that wine ladies!), less nose bleeds, loosing the bruised feeling inside my mouth, getting past the aches I've had each cycle and getting phase 2 of treatment mapped out along with booking our willow special family day! 

As I'm under 40 having a life changing illness I applied to Willow for a special day.. They are a lovely (local charity) https://www.willowfoundation.org.uk/ and specialise in giving people in my situation a day/weekend to really look forward to! I decided as a family it would be great to do a London show and dinner with the boys, a treat I had always wanted them to be old enough to enjoy, and something they've not done before!  

Willow also host a 10k race in October in Welwyn Garden City so if anyone fancies the challenge it'd be great to see you there. Once the rest of my treatment plan is confirmed I am hoping to enter and get my boys involved in the event too. 

Yesterday we were up and out of the house ready for parkrun where I was tail running,  a way of getting me one step closer to my 50th parkrun without feeling the pressure of times 👍🏻.

Running during Chemo has been tough because my heart rate rockets up just walking up stairs at the moment, and with so many out of control side effects it makes it hard to know where to stop pushing yourself and listen to your body. 

It was also the plan to be there for Nikki's headshave and cake sale raising money for Macmillan https://www.justgiving.com/Nikki-Cox1 

Nikki asked me about 6 weeks ago if I would mind her shaving her head at parkrun.. 'Why would I? great idea, when are we doing it!?' I think was my response.. We got out heads together and looked at dates and knowing my last Chemo was on Monday said how fitting it would be to do it the Saturday after that.. Magically the dates all worked out and Ben the 401 marathon challenge guy was also with us at parkrun and took the honour of doing the shave, made even more special it's a cause close to Ben's heart too! 

And what an lovely and awesome chap he is, completing 401 marathons raising money and just as importantly awareness for anti bullying charities. http://www.the401challenge.co.uk/ 

The Langford gang were invited to join the lunch stop curtesy of Amanda and Malcolm, and we're delighted to take up the invite as we had no plans for the day👍🏻

Amanda also convinced me to join the gang for the 1st Mile of post lunch running... 

We had a blast yesterday, and most of the day cropped up completely unexpected! 

Tomorrow Adam and I are looking forward to marshalling at MK MARATHON,  cheering friends around the course once more, and I will be entering the ballot for that little race in London next spring! 

So that's me done until surgery plans have been made! 

Mission chemo nearly complete... ish!

So this morning I set off after the school run to get a balloon to celebrate my last chemo, collected my last chemo rainbow cake I had made for the unit, and headed off with Jo for my 11 am session. 

Chemo went quickly and smoothly and I was chatting to two new ladies who were having their 1st session today, telling them that aside from my 1st chemo it had all gone pretty smoothly.. Luckily they had both gone home by the time my picc line removal saga began! 

So Jo and I completed our chemo selfies (with Jo swapping sides for the last one!)

So the picc line, was put in on the 11th January at the start of my chemo, it's been used to delivery my chemo drugs, take bloods, and has required a weekly dressing change, I was so looking forward to getting rid of it as it's not the most fashionable accessory.. But has been a useful one for the last few months. 

So this morning I was delighted thinking I could get in the shower without having to use the special cover to make keep the picc line dry. 

Taking the picc line out is meant to be quick and easy, lie on the bed, undo the orange clip thing and pull out the 45cm of thin tube, however after getting most of it out.. The last 5cm and clips did not want to budge, another nurse was called.. Local anethestic, and more tugging, and the vascular specialist nurses where called.. 2 of them! More local anethestic and tugging got the clip things out but the rest of the tube was not moving.. Hot pads kept being applied to try to make the vein more agreeable.. Google was even consulted for ideas.. So after 1h 45 mins they sent me home with a knot in the tube still attached so it can't go anywhere.. And got to go back tomorrow morning to try again😳😳

I'm delighted to be over the chemo, but frustrated to not be rid of the line! 

Yesterday though was a fantastic day celebrating achievement of friends at London Marathon.. Seeing the boost that the cheering delivered was great. Absolutely awesome and the kick up the backside I need to start getting my fitness back on track, and actually can't wait to get control of my body back again! 

Roll on the end of next week when surgery decisions are made and dates set for phase 2 to get under way. 

Blood, sweat and tears..

I knew and everyone around me knew that last weekend was going to be tough for me.. It was going to be my first marathon which I booked a year ago! I was gutted when I was diagnosed that my big plan and achievement for this year was being taken away from me.. 

I won't lie I am jealous of all the wonderful achievements my running friends did in Brighton, the medals and the times.. But I have coped better than I expected.. I had some tears Thursday night and Friday morning, but feeling more in control again on Saturday we went to Brighton for Jake to do his mini mile which he smashed!! He must have been running for me as he stormed round the course in 7:15 knocking 44 seconds off his time from last year. When both Adam and I saw him he was struggling to pass other boys so with a bit more confidence to start further up the front he could have been quicker i'm sure! 

So anyway, moving onto the positive news, I had my last blood test this morning for Chemo on Monday and my PICC line will be removed, so no more having to consider what I wear on treatment and nurse days, no more dressing changes, and no more having to cover my arm when I get in the shower!  I also saw the oncologist today and my lump wasn't measured as it is now less than 1cm so has had a great response to treatment. 

I also now have my next big dates confirmed for the next stage of treatment which will be my ultrasound and mammogram on 5th May, and meeting with my surgeon on 6th May to confirm my date for surgery and what exactly that is likely to be! 

London marathon is this Sunday  and we're looking forward to cheering on friends on tower bridge. This is the weekend that became my revised target when I was told my marathon was off for this year.. It was my hope that if I could stay well and have a smooth ride through Chemo that I would tie in finishing Chemo with VLM,  so after much blood (pre chemo tests), sweat (terrible night sweats!) and tears we're here and want to just get over that line to finish stage 1 of treatment. 

Oh yeah.. And I must remember to keep applying the sun cream to my folically challenged head😚

6 Months since diagnosis!

So the day all this started will of course be etched into mine and Adam's mind forever.. Less so for my new next door neighbour who was there at the time doing my biopsy it seems😳

15th December 15, we were off to Adam's work Christmas do, as he was new to the company I wanted to look the part so arranged to get hair cut, coloured and pinned up for the event.. When I got asked to go for my referral to the hospital on the same day some quick rearranging meant I was still able to glam up for the evening.. It just meant having my hair done at 9:30 in the morning. The hospital staff must have wondered what kind of Diva had just walked in when I didn't want to put my head flat on the bed during my tests for fear of ruining my hair for the do they probably assumed we would no longer go to! 

We did still go to the oxo tower for the do, the boys were all set and being taken care of, what was the point in staying in wasting having childcare and hair dos! We still had a good (if not slightly surreal) night! 

So since then I've completed my 6 sets of Chemo, lost my hair, eyebrows, nose hair, eyelashes.. (Who knew they were all as useful as they are!) for several months I dare not leave the house without a packet of tissues for eyes and nose just running constantly.. The amount of clothes that got rewashed due to rogue tissues was not even funny!  My hair is growing back now, and starting to thicken up almost in front of my eyes! (Thank goodness) and my eyelashes are also starting to come through. 

Surgery was 6 days ago now. I was the last one into theatre so it seemed a very long day waiting around, and getting back up to the ward so late did mean all my checks had to be done all through the night.. In the end I gave up on sleep and watched a film I had loaded onto my iPad! 

I was signed off to go home on Friday and spent another 5 hours waiting for the drugs to come up from the pharmacy before I could go. I made a hasty escape but my the time I got down to the pick up bit to meet the boys I was in a fair bit of pain, but assumed at was just where I was due another dose of tablets. 

By the time my amazing friend Jo came round to visit I was in serious pain and she grabbed the phone and started trying to get me some support, the outcome was going back to A&E where I was sent back up to the surgical wards for re-admission. After very painful examination (by dishy Doctor Matt😘) he prescribed some anti spasm drugs, but none of the wards seemed to have them available so I was just given more morphine which wasn't doing anything for the pain. Another night with not too much sleep followed. At 7am when they did the drugs round they spotted that my drain wasn't working and needed changing, they gave me my tablets and went off to find a new drain. Once they came back with the new bottle and fitted it with in 10 minutes the pain had completely disappeared.. It was such a relief.. By 9:15 I was declared fit to leave again and was out of there in record speed! 

So far the rest of the week of recovery has been uneventful thankfully! I've been doing what I'm told.. (mostly😘), I've spent lots of time waiting for the nurse to come and see me each day, but have also managed to do the school run each day too. I've been taking it easy and have be enjoying visits from lots of special people. Including my cuddles with 10 week old baby Noah💗

Seeing our biggest and littlest boys together was such a special moment.. And definitely made me realise how grown up Jake is getting! 

Our special (crazy) day of visitors from Scotland, Stafford and over the road was only possible because I knew everyone would pitch in and do their bit. So thanks to Pops for feeding us all and all so I wasn't stressing about anything! As Pops always says "If you love them, feed them!" And he sure did 💗

Also thanks to Urvi and Anna who have helped keeping us all fed this week! 

As always Jo has been my superstar, taking me back to the hospital and helping me wash the sticky bits and pen off the shoulder where I had no hope of reaching! 

Yesterday It was lovely to catch up with an old friend who we had lost touch with. It was great to reconnect, despite the naff circumstances, and certainly didn't feel like so much time had passed.

Today was a step forward with one of my drains being removed. The other drain isn't ready to be removed yet, but it's all steps in the right direction. I see the consultant again on Friday to check on my progress, but on the whole I feel ok, and I'm being careful not to over do it.. Even if that does result in major boredom🙃

Round 5 - Done!

So in just 10 days I should have been running my 1st marathon.. And yes I know my time will come but it still doesn't take away the bitter taste of disappointment of not being able to do something I was working so hard towards! 

The other bitter taste is possibly all the drugs making everything tastes nasty! I can't believe after a last minute call to arms to console a friend last night with drinks resulted in me drinking 1/3 of a fruit cider, half a mug of hot chocolate, and a cup of tea!! Go me! Such a party animal but nothing tasted right.. My gaviscon chaser before bed sorted me right out and at least I could sleep🙃

So anyway, where am I at now? Round 5 of chemo is currently swarming round my system doing it's thing... Feeling tired this week but as ever could be worse!  

Jo was of course at my side for round 5.. We're nearly done with Chemo selfies! 

The boys are on Easter holidays and have been little super stars, it will however be good to get them back to school next week into routine and normality. 

When I saw the oncologist last time there seems to be more shrinking of POLAB (name given to my lump by my 4 year old!). Which is great news. I'll next see her the Friday before my last Chemo to review. (22nd April) then new images will be taken after Chemo to decide on my surgery plan. Obviously I can't wait to get to that point.. It really will feel like a big step forward and another milestone achieved.

Round 4 Docetaxel was definitely harder than FEC, I was tired, a bit grumpy and I ached and at times just felt 'odd'.. But for the 1st time in this I did allow myself some time out and accepted a bit more help.. It was great getting away to spend time with family for Easter and being looked after.. Pops fed us well and we enjoyed some good old fashioned games.. Even if the 9 year old beat us😂 

The Easter holidays have also seen us enjoy Jake's birthday treat to Shrek's Adventure which he really enjoyed.. Although Luke was not quite so blown away 

So for now I'll have another cup of tea, and try not to do too much!