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.

Tuesday, 16 February 2021

A little prick...

 Part of the deal to having chemo, was to have my Covid vaccine. Despite now being classed as 'Extremely Clinically Vulnerable' I didn't come up as such on the NHS covid vaccine site. My records hadn't caught up with the list yet. I phoned the GP's surgery and was met with the stern phone message warning of 'DO NOT PHONE THE SURGERY FOR YOUR COVID VACCINE - WE WILL CALL YOU'. I ignored that, obviously. When answered, I simply explained my dilemma. My oncologist had requested I had my jab ASAP. Waiting for the computer to say NO - I was most surprised to hear '5.10pm on Saturday at the Leisure Centre?'. Crikey. Just like that.

So it was on Saturday, that I went for my jab.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Just a little prick.....!

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