On the 28th July 2011, my life changed in one phone call with the simple words - 'yes - it's cancer'. I've created this blog, for the benefit of my wonderful close and extended family; and for my amazing friends around the globe, so I can keep you abreast (!) of my journey.

My diagnosis of 2 x grade 3 (fast growing) tumours - type - 'Triple-Negative' - so called
because it doesn’t
have receptors (proteins on the surface
of cells) for the hormones oestrogen and
progesterone, or a protein called HER2, was shocking. This rare aggressive sub-type of breast cancer, therefore, doesn't respond to common
hormonal treatments, such as tamoxifen or
anastrozole (Arimidex®
) or
trastuzumab (Herceptin®
). Survival rates are considerably lower, than for more common types of breast cancer, especially in years 0 - 5, but on a par 5+ years post treatment.

Fast forward to December 2020. Secondary cancer . Triple negative again but the tumour localised to the scar of the primary cancer. The prognosis is weaker. I am buying myself time - with chemo currency.

This will not be a sad tale - but I hope it will amuse you, inspire you, and most of all allow me to lean on you from afar, as you guide me through what looks like a rocky road ahead.

I can't guarantee a happy ending, but hope to make you laugh to the end.

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Tuesday 2nd Aug Pre-Op

Mum & I go for the pre-op.
Well only I need it - Mum doesnt!
BP/ECG/MRSA/ABC/123/XYZ
All fine

We find out more. I might need a line put in to receive the drugs. Now that snippet has really thrown me. My dearest niece had leukaemia when she was just 12 months old. She had a line put in her chest for drug delivery in / blood test out. We called the line her wiggly. She had wiggly bags to keep it in that Mum made for her. Somehow the thought of a wiggly of my own has made the cancer really real. Mum – a retired ICU nurse asks questions I never thought of. What’s weekend oncology support like? (Not good apparently). She also asks on behalf of my lovely friend – can I still have a drink in chemo? (yes – but might not fancy it)

I have to go to the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital on Tuesday 9th to have nuclear medicine put into the breast. A sentinel lobe biopsy has been requested. & the nuclear radioactive substance shows up the lymph nodes to the surgeon. If the cancer hasn’t spread to the nodes then only nodes number 1 – 5 will be removed. If there is spreading more will go. The more that go – more chance of side effects like lymphodaema.

Then onto to meet My Surgeon – my surgeon who I haven’t met yet. I met his oppo first time...can't wait - yeah!
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Location: Devon Barnstaple, Devon, UK

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