One year on.....

This has been an emotional week.   Monday we travelled down to Croydon for my Uncle's funeral.  The upside was the family reunion with our relatives on mum's side.  A lot of lovely childhood memories were rekindled.  Contact details swapped and looking forward to a reunion for the right reasons!!!
Came back Wednesday and continued with my R.T. treatment.  My underarm is now very sore and restricting movement in my right arm.  The rest of the target areas are ok including under the breast where they would expect to see some damage. On today's visit I had the end of treatment chat with the Radiographer, where they confirmed that my skin will get worse after my last treatment (on Monday) and it will be between 10 and 20 days  before my skin starts to get better. Oh well .....
Today, 2 of my old team came into my work base, including Kath who was with me when I was given the news that I had Cancer.  I'm glad we had some time together, (yes it was the pub lunch time) so much has changed all round in the last year.
I am now thoroughly getting excited about our trip to Edinbrough. Flying out a week today for Freds' 40th and Barbara's 50th birthday celebrations.  15 of us in total and we are going to have a whale of a time.  The C word is banned unless it's C for Champagne !!!!
Have a fab weekend everyone!!!

Radiotherapy - 4 Weeks down 1 week left

I mentioned to the radiographers about feeling nauseous on Friday and they said that it would not have been anything to do with my treatment but to keep them informed.   I haven't felt as rough as I did on Friday and as I started to feel bunged up beginning of the week, I think I was just starting to come down with a cold.  I am sleeping much better this week as well so I'm feeling pretty good at the moment.  The senior Radiologist examined me yesterday and I have to treat my underarm as if there is an open wound and has given me Aquaform Hydrogel wound dressing to apply twice a day.  Thankfully I still have limited feeling there so it is not as bad as it could be. 
I met with the Breast Surgeon at Taunton on Thursday and went through my options for making me look symmetrical and showed me what the operation would involve.  I am going to keep my Bristol appointment and see what they have to say as well to help me make decisions.
We have been off out everyday after RT.  Cheddar, Taunton, Weston Super Mare and Camelford.  It has been a relaxing and entertaining week and only a couple of times towards the end of the day I have had to hold off going to bed as I didn't want to go before the kids!

This weekend I am just getting organised for next week.  Monday I am going to have an early treatment appointment as catching the Paddington train early evening to attend another family funeral in Croydon on Tuesday.  I am getting back Wednesday mid afternoon so can make my usual time and now having my last treatment on Monday 1st March. 

So just chilling and conserving my energy for a weekend in Edinborough for Fred's 40th and Barbara's 50th birthday celebrations on the 5th March.  Getting really excited.... He he he

Radiotherapy - 3 Weeks down 2 to go

All the radiographers are pleased with how I am responding to this treatment. My skin is bearing up really well. They have assured me that they are treating me!!

I am being quite religious in my routine of applying Aloe Vera gel to the target areas and I'm in no doubt that this is key to the current state of my skin. I have no peeling it just looks a bit tanned. I am starting to get uncomfortable underneath the breast but undo my bra rather then use the pads given to me.

Wednesday was the half way marker and today I felt more tired then usual. Whether it is because I am so tired I don't know but felt nauseous around lunch time and felt I wouldn't last the rest of the day at work. I started to feel a bit better after a bottle of Coke, food and sugary sweets and surprised myself as I was gearing up for coming home and going to bed.

I'm on annual leave next week as it's half term. Sandra and Kieran have come down to stay. At least if this is the onset of the fatigue that you are told accompanies this treatment, I can stay in bed whilst Sandra amuses the kids!!! Then there will be only one week left of treatment before recovery period starts!! Whey hey bring it on!!!