Its been a while.
A long while, I know.
I've been keeping a bit of a low profile in recent months - but things still move on.
The results of my bone scan - (last post) showed two hot spots in my ribs.
Unidentified hots spots.
What are they then?
"Well", says my oncologist Scratchcard, "you are not going to like this..."
Gary & I are on the edge of our seats.
"We don't know what they are"
"Eh?" (Fawlty Towers, Manuel style confusion)
"We don't think they are secondary cancer yet...but we are not certain."
"So when will we know?"
"It's a game of wait and see. I'm sorry. I knew you wouldn't like the uncertainty."
Oooohhh....I love playing wait and see.
Not.
Remember the not so magical Lapland Trip to find the 'real' Santa?
It was accepted that that we did not have such a 'magical' time and I got a good chunk of money refunded - nice one! But I still say, avoid Transun trips like the plague.....just my opinion based on fact.
With the refund, we took ourselves off to Turkey again for a holiday.
On the run up, to a holiday I was really looking forward to - the notion of Turkey threw up some complex emotions for Lily. You see - I was diagnosed with cancer just 6 weeks after we returned from a Turkish holiday in 2011. For a long time Lily believing I 'caught' cancer while there.
For a few weeks beforehand, Lily was stressed, tearful, fearful, angry and scared. She became very clingy and needy, and the slightest incident seemed to tip her over the edge. There was a lot of talk about my cancer. And whilst we had found the most fabulous resort in the most gorgeous setting (Majesty Tuana Park, Fethiye) her moods worsened. There were periods of great fun for her, especially in the pool - her being a water baby - but when it came to home time for new friends she had made - she was literally distraught. Saying goodbye came very hard.
And now on our return - she is counting down the days until we pass the point at which I was diagnosed. She checks the offending boobs regularly (I know - weird or what?) and I secretly pray that she doesn't actually find something - to prove her point! Still only 17 days to go until the 2nd anniversary. Then she can chill out. As can I.
Two years living with cancer.
And I'm still here!
Try telling that to the DWP (Dept Work & Pensions)
As you keen readers will know - last September I went to what is defined as a 'medical'. Except it's not. It's a woman with a computer saying "Can you touch your nose with one finger?" "Can you move a sheet of paper across the desk" or "Did you drive here today?"
Ha! Got you!
The computer says you are not recovering from cancer/surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy.
But I am.
The computers says "Noooooo!"
So my meagre medical benefit is cut.
I launch an appeal.
My GP says I am not fully fit yet.
My oncologist says I am not fully fit yet.
My dentist says I am not fully fit yet (Did you know that the chemo can cause your tooth roots to die? As a consequence I have had 15 dental appointments, 6 root fillings & 4 crowns fitted in 12 months - with a further appt due tomorrow with the maxiliofacial surgeon - to discuss further removal of teeth - yikes!)
The lazy decision maker of the appeal, had a read through the appeal papers, couldn't be arsed to follow any professional medical advice and simply declined my appeal.
So - with the fabulous Ros Thomas from CAB - my Macmillan sponsored adviser - in tow, we took the issue further to a Court based Tribunal.
It has taken 9 months.
Tons of paperwork.
Hours of folk's time.
Months of stress, worry & injustice for me.
Then Tuesday of this week - I was due in Court for the hearing.
I was nervous - but had nothing to hide.
I didn't have a spurious 'bad back' while refereeing a football match or claim to have a false leg whilst enjoying skiing holidays in St Moritz.
I've got cancer - so get over it.
A phone call at 9.30am on Tuesday morning.
The Clerk to the Court.
The Judge has reviewed the papers early.
There's no need for me to attend today.
The Judge has ruled in my favour, without even hearing my case in person!
So stuff that - DWP.
Not just a victory for me - but for all those other cancer patients out there, hampered by bureaucracy and red tape.
We win!
I win!
And I'm going to live.
I win again!
