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, 7 March 2012

Lucky 13

Yes.
It's true.
13 radiotherapy sessions completed.....only 7 to go.
And I do feel lucky.
I feel lucky because I keep meeting up with people who have terrible tales to tell of their own cancer experiences. I'm the only patient - thus far - that I have met while in Exeter for this round of treatment, who had their diagnosis & main treatment at the local North Devon District Hospital.  And as we swap stories, while waiting to be zapped, there is a general disbelief at the speed of my diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Much of the horror stories lie with the GP's misdiagnosis/'go away it's nothing' attitude, and then varying quality of treatment at their local hospitals.
I truly cannot fault my own treatment.
And I thank God everyday that my GP recognised that something was wrong when I went to see her.
She saved my life.
And I have told her so.
I am lucky.


I am also sprouting!
Oh yes indeedy.
There is a noticeable fuzz going on where my hair used to be. At first I was sprouting white - yes - white tufts. For a natural blonde - this was quite a shock. "Will you paint it yellow?" Lily asked. Too right I will - I thought. Now, interspersed with white is a darker colour. Black - Lily says. Ouch! I'm personally going for dark blonde! It looks utterly ridiculous! But I can get a lather going on it when washing with Johnson's Baby Shampoo. Oh the joys.....


No takers on the house yet. We're still getting viewings though. It seems that everybody likes the bungalow very much, but the garden apparently not quite big enough. Well there's nothing we can do about that. It'll be the right size, one day, for somebody. The agents are getting anxious already & fear we may lose the other bungalow we have offered on. But- you know what. If we do - we do. I can't be bothered to lose sleep over it. It's just a house. There will be others. 
See, that's what having cancer does to you. 
It makes you realise what's important & what's not. 
And who is important to you & who is not. 
Cancer makes you sort the wheat from the chaff.....
And it's a great feeling.
So I still feel lucky.....
With my bag of wheat.
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1 comment:

MyGirls1 said...

I agree Jane - hope you have a day full of the wheat!! You go girl!

Here in the States, many people bury a statue of St. Joseph to help them sell their house. Try it! I have heard once the house sells, the statue cannot be found. Interesting eh?

Theresa Keresztes
www.mygirlscream.com

8 March 2012 at 14:16

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