Tag: chemo

Standing up to Cancer… #Sarcoma

7 Comments

20140409-161349.jpg
It’s been 13 days since I had the surgery on my lungs. Whilst I am in a little pain, I am doing really well and am pleased with my progress.

My wonderful surgeon has just called me to confirm that they have analysed the tumour that was removed and……the cancer cells were completely destroyed. This is fantastic news and means that the chemo did a brilliant job!

I still have one very small tumour on my left lung and I have decided to continue with the next operation to remove it. It’s more psychological but I do not want to leave a single tumour in my body that could come back to life. So on that note, I will be back in the suite at Broadgreen on Friday!

Thinking of friends
Whilst I have had success with my cancer treatment, not everyone has been that lucky. There are a few people who are having it rough and I just want to say don’t give up! There are lots of treatments available and sometimes you have to try a few to find the one that suits you.

Take care and I’ll update soon xx

New year, same fight #Sarcoma

6 Comments

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Since my diagnosis in October 2012, I’ve been determined to live life to the fullest. In 2013, I partied, had fun, went back to work…and (my favourite) travelled a bit. I went to Amsterdam (again), Prague where we got robbed off a taxi driver (turned out he only nicked £3.50!), Edinburgh numerous times, and to the lovely Antigua (the same hotel where Nicole took The Girls on The X Factor). I’ve learned to appreciate life and will continue (after treatment of course) this lifestyle in 2014 and beyond.

Festive Fun
I’ve had a manic Christmas and New Year. I only finished my last cycle on 22nd December so everything was a blur until Christmas Eve. We went to Liverpool for the night and stayed in a swanky hotel with Dave and Sabrina who were down from Edinburgh. We had good intentions of “we won’t have a heavy night” and “we don’t want a hangover on Christmas Day”….. Yeah right! After a fantastic Brazilian (meal, not the wax) we ended up in the hotel bar drinking Laurent Perrier Rose champagne and trying to convince the Latvian (I think) barman to move to Edinburgh……
20140107-003723.jpg
We had a great start to Christmas Day, the four of us having breakfast in the hotel restaurant, in Christmas jumpers singing like idiots.

14 of us had Christmas Dinner at my mums. My appetite still wasn’t 100% but I managed most of the meal – thanks Mum. I will make Christmas Dinner next year…..

Last New Years Eve I was having radiotherapy so we just had a quiet night at home. I thought this year would be the same and didn’t think it was fair on my lovely other half. So….we booked a week, with my older sister and her family, at Whitewell Cottages in Ty Nant. We had a week of eating, drinking, laughing, crying and realising that John is a sore loser at all games….
The Crazy Clan
20140107-004507.jpg20140107-004515.jpg

2014
I only have two cycles of chemo left (not that I am counting!) and I will have a month between chemo and surgery so we are looking to sneak a well deserved trip abroad in 🙂

Today I read that pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers with only 4% of people diagnosed surviving past five years. Sarcoma is at a 50% rate. I will be in the 50% that survive this. These stats are horrendous and we must find a cure for cancer.

Cycle 2, hair fun and @mastermindquiz @sarcoma_UK

7 Comments

Cycle 2
Hey all, just thought I’d drop a line now I’ve had my 2nd cycle of chemo. I left Clatterbridge on Sunday and honestly have to say that I feel, well, ok. I’m confused as I’m on a combination chemotherapy of Doxirubicin and Ifosomide. Now don’t get me wrong, whilst in hospital I do feel sick but since leaving I’ve taken 3 anti sickness tablets whereas last time I took 3 per day for 8 days. Dr Ali did say that I may not suffer too much with side effects as I’m young, fit and healthy but I am certainly surprised.

I had lots of visitors when I was in hospital and my favourite was when Paul & Helen brought the Mini Macs. Maisie and Isobel were fascinated with Bert and how the ‘medicine’ went into my body via the PICC line. They weren’t scared and even touched my shaved head. Cutie Isobel had asked “What if Aunty Emma doesn’t look like Aunty Emma anymore….?” As soon as she heard my big mouth she realised all was ok….. 🙂

On Tuesday I had to go for my dressing on the PICC line changed. I opted to go to Halton as it’s closer than going to The Wirral. I have to say, it was so surreal on the CanTreat day ward. I was sat with ten other people, who were having chemo, with ten “Bert’s” beeping….CONSTANTLY! You see, when I’m in hospital, I’m in my bed, hooked to Bert, watching telly, having visitors and only see a few people having treatment. At the CanTreat ward you are sat in a circle, having treatment together. I found it really upsetting and sad. I better get used to it as I have to go each week for my dressing changed :/

Wiggin’ it
I finally got the confidence to wear my long wig this week……and I bloody love it!! I went to Debenhams and a lady approached me to tell me my hair was beautiful. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence as I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to tell her it was fake or what, so I just said thank you and she walked away muttering that it was just gorgeous.

I had my short wig on yesterday and went to the butchers. As the butcher was serving me, she commented on how lovely my hair was……!

The wig love is really boosting my confidence right now!

Celebrity Mastermind
Sarcoma UK gave me two tickets to be in the audience of Celebrity Mastermind last night. So off we went to the BBC studios for a date night. When we got there Ted Robbins was the ‘warm up man’ and asked for a volunteer to test the black chair out. Needless to say, shy old me ended up on stage…..I pranced about and was fake quizzed by the funny man while we demonstrated to the audience what would happen during filming. It was brilliant! When filming commenced we were sat right behind John Humpreys so we may just get on the telly!! When we were eating our meal in Prezzo afterwards, a lady asked if I was Emma, the test lady! Oh to be famous…..

here’s me rocking my wig at Media City last night20131114-100740.jpg