Just a quick note to let you all know that my scans were clear. My lungs are completely free of cancer.
To celebrate, we are in Liverpool drinking Champagne in the Beatles hotel. Hard Days Night
Here’s to another six months clear xx 
Category: moving on
I’m a page three girl @sarcoma_uk #sarcoma
Now, I don’t often do more than one post in one day but today I’ve made an exception..’
I heard I was in the hard copy of the Liverpool Echo. We eagerly went to the shop to purchase a copy and was shocked – I’m on the front page! Not only that, my full story is on page three.
I’m a page three girl – now that’s a line I never thought I’d write!
Flying solo…. #sarcoma #cancer
Hello from a very sunny and hot Warrington where I am currently dining al fresco (BBQ in the garden!)
I had my final session today in my metacognitive therapy, now the scary part – flying solo. Can it be done? Yes, of course. This therapy has been life changing. I will see the psychologist at Liverpool Uni in three months and then again in six where he will assess the effectiveness of the therapy.
I’ve also had a great meeting with Jeni from Clatterbridge Cancer charity to discuss more opportunities in which I can get involved. As I’ve said before, you don’t have to climb a mountain or run a marathon to help out. Your time is just as important and great for meeting new people.
Exciting times. Enjoy this sunny afternoon peeps 🙂
Post op histology #sarcoma
well hello everyone,
I’ve had a busy week with appointments at Liverpool. Firstly, seeing Dr Chandrasekhar who was happy with my progress and my leg. No one else in the world can even look at my leg yet Dr Chandra gives it a good going over! *Ouch*
The next day I nipped to Broadgreen to see my thoracic surgeon. Mr Shackcloth had received the histology results on the tumour that he’d removed – it was a damn sarcoma metastasis but the good news is that it was completely removed.
Cancer free again!
Oh and I was given the OK to drive again….what a great day!
Enjoy your weekend
60 today…it can’t top his 59th #cancer #sarcoma
Its my dads 60th birthday today so firstly I wanted to say a BIG Happy Birthday. I’ve obviously got him a present although I think he got the best present for his 59th birthday….
This time last year I was sat in a lovely room on the private ward at Broadgreen eagerly awaiting for my second and final operation to remove the last speck of sarcoma from my left lung. I was scheduled for an 11am operation but this was delayed to the afternoon so my dad spent his birthday at the hospital. Anxious. Stressing. Waiting. But it all paid off and I was wheeled out after a successful operation performed by the amazing Dr Shackcloth.
Honestly, I can’t believe I’ve had a year, yes a full year, treatment free since I was diagnosed in October 2012. That’s certainly cause for extra celebrations tonight at my dads birthday meal….well it would be but I’m never drinking again…. (Yep you’ve all heard it before!!)
Cheers folks
Taking control #Macmillan #sarcoma #cancer #cancervoices
I am a Cancer Voice.
Cancer voices is a network of people, hosted by Macmillan, who all have one thing in common. All people in the network have been or are affected by cancer.
I have helped in various ways and wanted to share my Cancer Voice experience this week.
Helping People Take Control (HPTC)
I was lucky enough to visit the Macmillan HQ (which is next to MI6!!!) yesterday to take part in the all day session. HPTC is one of Macmillans sub strategies. They have six in total and are running sessions like this to gain insight and produce plans to ensure that the strands are included into the 2015 main strategy. We were separated into four tables with approx five people on each for discussions where we had to think about and share our stories on the following themes:
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Survivorship
- End of life
There were people in the room who fell into each category. I put myself in category 3 although I reworded it to ‘Survivorship/Post treatment’.
I was on a table with two other ladies who were patients. One had a rare Cancer too so for once I didn’t feel like the spare part. We held frank discussions around each of the stages and talked about what our lives were like throughout each one. I created a visual timeline to talk through and it certainly brought back lots of memories of everything I have been through.
We also held discussions around Supported Self Management and what we feel someone on a Cancer journey would need. Throughout ALL sessions, these common themes came to light:
It’s so important that people have the right support network from family/friends and professionals. Cancer is a life changing experience. Not only for those with the illness, but for those who live it with you. The husbands, the wives, the mums & dads, the brothers & sisters, the kids, the families, carers, neighbours & friends. It changes us all, in different ways. Some people get through it and some people part ways – this doesn’t mean you’ve failed but that it wasn’t meant to be. With the help and support of charities such as Macmillan, people don’t have to face cancer alone.Â
Keeping things normal!!! Yes, people like normality. We don’t care if you think it’s boring….any conversation is better than talking about appointments, cannulas, chemo, sickness, fatig….zzzzzz sorry fell asleep there!
A good employer is essential. It’s hard enough fighting for your life, chuck fighting for your job into the mix and it can be soul destroying. Macmillan run training sessions to help Employers and line managers. Click here to view the options.
I am so pleased that I was selected to take part in the day and I know I’ve contributed to an extremely important part of Macmillans focuses for the year. Plus, I had a cracking view!
Click here to find out more or become a Cancer voice.
What a year…and it’s only February! #sarcoma #cancer
I haven’t posted for a few weeks as I’ve been a busy bee!
Firstly, I changed jobs at work, and had a manic one week in before jetting off on holiday.
Secondly, whilst on holiday, John and I got married. We eloped to paradise! We wanted our wedding day to be just about us two and it certainly was that. We booked it in October so God knows how we kept it a secret for 12 weeks! Luckily our family and friends weren’t offended that we didn’t tell them or invite them!
Here’s our breakfast on the following morning in our private garden. Bliss
Thirdly, I had my scans…
Scan disaster
We landed back in the UK on 23rd January and on 30th I had an MRI and CT scan.
I have MRI scans on my leg and so that the doctors can look at the origin of the tumour. The CT scan looks at my lungs.
So on scan day, I had a CT immediately before the MRI scan which turned out to be a problem…..Problem I hear you ask? Well for the CT scan I need to drink a litre of fluid…this combined with my weak bladder is a recipe for disaster! MRI scans are lengthy and can take up to 90 minutes. 90 minutes of telling myself I do not need a wee…. The lady doing the scan wasn’t sympathetic to my situation and really upset me. I seriously wonder how some people get to be employed in the nursing/medical profession – I’m sure some people think we go for scans for the fun of it. Luckily my lovely CNS Sarah was waiting outside for me. I’d also like to give huge thanks to Claire for taking the time out to come with me. It was so nice to have company whilst waiting around
Moving on…the results were clear! A year since I finished chemo. This is great news and I’m so happy.
Spare a thought
I would like to give a “shout out” to people who are going through or just about to start treatment. Keep going and don’t give up. When you feel like things are going wrong, please spare a thought for this facing gruelling treatment and put things into perspective.
xxx
#CancerDoesntTakeABreakForChristmas #sarcoma @clatterbridgecc
This time last year I was having chemotherapy at Clatterbridge Cancer Hospital and this time two years ago I was having radiotherapy there. I wanted to give something back so today, our Sue and I volunteered at the hospital to spread some festive cheer. We delivered mince pies to the patients on the wards and they went down a storm!
When I was receiving treatment I was really grateful to the wonderful volunteers who gave up their time to help make this hospital the amazing place that it is. Whether it was to bring treats to the wards, give us massages or just pop up for a natter, I found these people an absolute God send. So I know that we helped today. We helped to cheer up some people who were receiving treatment and going through some of the darkest days of their lives. I look forward to helping again.
Please remember those who are facing a difficult Christmas and also those wonderful people working tirelessly to keep the hospital running 24/7.
Cancer doesn’t take a break for Christmas.
Never give up #Sarcoma
It’s been almost two years since my relationship with Sarcoma began. I hear of people being diagnosed with cancer and my heart skips a beat as I wonder how they are coping with the news. Now this is really hard to explain so please bear with me….. You think you would never be able to cope with hearing such life shattering news like “You have cancer” – but, actually, once you have processed the information, you carry on. I don’t know how or why, but you do. I’ve been told I have cancer, not once, but twice. Yes, TWICE! It’s upsetting (You can trust me on that!)….but you then commence on another journey – the fight for your life. It’s so hard to explain how, but you just get on with it. People say I’m brave, but I don’t feel brave – I am doing what most people would do.
Enough of the bad….
I’ve recently learned of a fellow patient who passed away from this disease. She was diagnosed in July 2013…. Whilst this is upsetting and terrifying, I try not to dwell on the devastating news and I try to focus on the positives. Six months ago, I heard from another patient who has a rare form of sarcoma. He was told that it was too advanced for any ‘normal’ treatment. Now it seems that he has a consultant as wonderful as my Mr Chandrasekar, who discovered a different chemotherapy treatment and offered it to him. He accepted and has been undergoing treatment. This morning he confirmed that the treatment is working. This is just amazing news and confirms that you should never give up….
Goodnight xx
Does cancer change you? #Sarcoma
I get asked this question on a regular basis. And the answer is YES. I’ve found it so difficult to put into words exactly how I’ve changed but then I saw this post on a fellow cancer fighters facebook page. Thanks Donna for sharing it
Thanks for reading x
Chapter 2 