Tuesday 24 May 2011

Hola - Back safe and sound

and very tired.  We have both had a wonderful time.  Rather then post over 750 pictures I have selected 68 just to give you a flavour of our holiday.  The highlight for both us was Gibraltar where we went Dolphin watching and they all came out to play. Pat M Gilbraltar is not that far xx
Sue and Holly's Trip May 2011
Dolphin fans 
Dolphin Watching

Thanks once again everyone xx

PS. Email me if you have problems with the links and I can email the pdf's files out.

Saturday 7 May 2011

Holiday time - THANK YOU !!!

I'm almost packed and got a whole morning in front of me to get ready.  I feel I can get excited now after the first monitoring of my treatment being so positive.  I will pass Dave's milestone of 6 weeks next Tuesday, never doubted that I wouldn't, and on the way to beat Colin's :-).

We're off to Majorca for 3 days staying in the Palm Nova resort before getting on a boat to Tangiers, Casablanca, Gilbralter, Almeria, Cartegena and back to Palma in Marjorca.  I have never been on a criuse before but in a frightened state of mind when booking this I was comforted that there is a Dr on board ship and getting to lots of different places without any effort on my part.  Just got to watch the time when out in the ports for getting back to the ship :-).

We would not be going on this holiday had it not been for the A team and my wonderful family and friends.  All I can do to thank you all is to enjoy myself, make some lovely memories for Holly and myself and take lot's of pictures and share it all when I get back.  I have treated myself to a new camera, thanks Chloe for the inspiration over the Easter break.  I may turn this into a new hobby who knows watch this space...

Tuesday 3 May 2011

A promising start 5 Weeks on!!

On Friday I went with Anne to meet the Gynaecologist at MPH.  After a short discussion the consultant went through the risks and benefits of having an Oophorectomy (removal of my Ovaries).  As I already knew my liver functions had improved from the blood test I had done last Wednesday (had a print done for me Thursday at my GP practice when I had my implant inserted), I feel confident that my Liver will stand up to the drugs I will need for this operation and I have agreed to have this done. Operation is now booked for Tuesday 7th June and all being well I shall only be in for a day then rest for 1 week, 2 weeks max.  The benefits will be that we will know if they are secondary BC, new Ovarian Primary or clear.  Also will not need to have an implant every 4 weeks to turn them off. Yey one less injection!
The meeting with the Oncologist today was with same consultant who told me in July 2010 that they wouldn't offer scans to patients on their check ups and would prefer to wait until symptoms present themselves.  He still stands by his decision as allegedly there is no evidence that the survival rates improve with earlier diagnosis for Secondary cancers. Well I feel that this needs to be addressed so will add that to my report that I am preparing for T&S Trust.
As mentioned earlier my blood tests revealed that my liver functions have improved telling me the Arimidex is working - Breath out a huge sigh of relief. The side effects have not been too noticeable either so fingers crossed this is maintained.  
My bone scan results were described as Normal reminding the reader that hormone suppressive therapy can result in false negative bone scans.
All in all a good week with 5 weeks of treatment behind me which has produced positive results.  I feel more positive and despite getting my affairs in order I feel that I can also make plans for the future. 
I had my first day back at work today, another step in the right direction - bringing back some normality...