Countdown started since confirmation of Op date. The 2 studies I am taking part in is as follows.
1. Quality of Life as an aid to decision making in breast reconstruction after mastectomy- filling out questionnaires pre-op, post op, follow ups and some post op Photos.
2. Trial of the effect of Tisseel on donor site seroma formation following latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction - In plain English - Tisseel is Tissue glue, Seroma is the liquid that develops after surgery which has to be drained, Latissimus dorsi is the type of reconstruction I'm having, tissue being brought from my back. This is to study the volume of seroma that is collected after the op between 2 groups. Group 1 normal finish up after surgery pipes and drains. Group 2 using Tissue glue to close the space created by surgery on my back. I won't know which group I will be in until I wake from surgery as the surgeon won't know until they open the envelope before he's starts.
Right, now for my week ahead. Back in March my sister Rachel was fed up with what was and has happened to our family with Cancer. Really not fair with Colin and myself having chemo at the same time in different parts of the country. Late one night, unable to sleep she started to write an email about it all then sent it to the This Morning (ITV) team, including the link to this blog. Forgot all about it, with everything that has been going on, until last Wednesday when she received a phone call from Ellie, a researcher on the show, who had been passed the email and had a look at my blog. She was impressed with my humour and how I'd been dealing with the chemo and everything and wanted to know if I would like to come and talk about my experience and my blog on the show. Rachel called me when I had got home from work and casually asked if I would mind talking about the last 6 months of my life to someone. Of course I wouldn't mind oh dear who else has been diagnosed ? She assured me no one we knew had been diagnosed and it would be infront of a few million people. I didn't get what she meant at all! Confused!!! (I know, doesn't take much) Then at the mention of Phil n Holly, the penny started to drop!!!. She told me about her earlier conversation with Ellie. Through both of our school girl giggles I replied I wouldn't mind at all. Rachel confirmed this had to be run by the producer first but we still kept laughing all evening. Even if this didn't happen I didn't mind as laughter is great therapy!
Thursday, I got a call as arranged from Ellie and she asked me questions about my blog and the last 6 months and asked me if I would like to come down to the studios - all expenses paid to discuss my blog with Phil and Holly. As it is Breast Cancer awareness month with Dr Chris they are doing a feature on this topic. Would I ----oh yes please !!! Would Holly like to come. No she has school and I had already made enquiries for her overnight displacement from home (Evil mom) I did re-think this yesterday and got back to Ellie and she confirmed this was still ok and school have been informed.
So Holly Rachel and myself are off to London on Monday, stay over in a lush hotel and being chauffeured to Studios Tuesday. Other guests that day are Ozzy, Joan Collins and Paloma Faith. Holly is so excited. Never mind Phil and Holly is Ozzy coming with Sharon !!!
Prior to this week my only distraction was my worry over Colin. I felt much better after seeing him last Sunday and he appears to be responding well to his 2 ops this week. Now however my last week at home is well exciting. Following on from our trip to London, Wednesday evening I am having some crystal healing, Thursday Tracie is arriving, Friday we are having a PINK Friday at work, Rachel and Laura are coming down and also going out to an evening BBQ . Saturday Kerri and Wendy are coming down so having a few beers, some lovely food and some more friends calling in as well !! Sunday I think we will go up and see the horses on Cothelstone hill weather permitting of course and chilax as have an early start on Monday!!! No time to fret and using this weekend to shop and pack for London and hospital for me (I really don't know what to wear). Outdoor school trip for Holly. Busy busy busy....
It looks like you are going to have a nice week before your surgery...enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteSue, I know yours is a little different from what I am going to have done but it is almost the same...so when you are up to it after maybe you could give me a little bit of info of what to expect. Hugs.
Don't worry 'bout me luv, you get the breast cancer message across.
ReplyDeleteIt is just as important that the message gets out.
Piggid you get to meet Ozzy though, say hi. If I could get there I'd be in the audience if I could.
As I said make a good showing and have a good time.
Col I will always worry about my little big brother but glad to hear you are on the mend.
ReplyDeleteJill I certainly will update you warts and all!
Watch out for those warts, I've seen them.
ReplyDeleteNot nice, no, not...... ;-))
have a safe journey, relax and enjoy and
get the info across. I'm sure you will and it
will be fun. I'll be watching.
-c
Just watching you on This Morning - brave lady.
ReplyDeleteSarah x
Just seen you on This Morning too, made me smile you're an inspiration, keep soldiering on x
ReplyDeleteHi, im 14 year old girl and i heard your story on the programme this morning and i think you are so brave and best hopes for you and hollie.
ReplyDeleteYou seemed very brave on This Morning - well done for having the courage to share your story. Wishing you a good recovery xx
ReplyDeletehi i just seen you on this morning i have just recovered from brest cancer also. i hope all gose ok for you love. i am doing some fundrasing for breast cancer as they helped me a lot to get through this :)
ReplyDeletehi, i just saw you on this morning and i think you were very brave :). it inspired lots of people and you should be very proud of yourself so well done:). im only 13 and im scared of getting breast cancer, im going to check myself regulary now. thankyou so much you were very encouraging and i was so glad that you came on.. i really hope you make a quick and safe recovery :)xxx
ReplyDeletehi im 31 i was told i had breast cancer at the end of august. i start chemo on friday and not looking forward to, just watchin u made me cry hope everything goes well good luck x x
ReplyDeleteMy sister will get her result on the 20th of this month me and the other sister are so worrird as we lost our mum back in may this year with cancer we dont think we could cope with another typt of cancer..
ReplyDeleteYour a inspiration to all woman
keep it up
Hi, just watched This Morning, glad they demonstrated how to check for lumps etc, as I have never seen it done before on TV. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in March (on my daughter's birthday), had a mastectomy in April and started chemo in June. Being and staying positive is so important. Good luck with your surgery and recovery xx
ReplyDeletehey sue looks like you've made a great impression. i managed to catch the last bit of you on tv, it looked scary but welldone we r very proud of you lots of love frm chloe, karen and teri xxx
ReplyDeletehi just watched you on this morning- it brought it all back :( we lost our mum to breast cancer 5 years ago when i was 20, my sister 16 and my brother just 4, we lost our auntie 2 years ago aswell, you are an inspiration to all woman out there, you look so well, a very brave lady- wishing you a safe recovery and what looks to be a very happy ending good luck - keep up what you are doing xxxx
ReplyDeleteHi My name is Angelique McDonald (40) from Luton just saw you on this morning, i was diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer in 8th june had a masectomy on 25th June, like u im on a couse of chemo Fec my next dose is on Fri no 4 just 2 more to go, then raditherapy for 15 zaps, seam to be copin ok keep gettin colds that bring me down n make me week. I have two girls 8 yrs n 12yrs we as a family seam to be coping well, although my husband puts a brave face on and were posative weve had a tough few years as in 2004 his sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and she lost her battle dec 2006, then his mother became ill we found out she had cancer n she died nov 2007 weve found this very hard but hoping and praying that i will get through this an make a good recovery, i do find it helps as you say to have some whereto shout voice your feelings i let everyone konw how im doing on face book. Im not sure ive actually come to terms with whats happening to me i feel like im walking round in a daze. I wish you all the best of luck and will keep a check on how your getting on, big big hugs xxxxx
ReplyDeleteHi Sue,
ReplyDeleteI saw you on This Morning and just thought I'd come and check your blog out!
I was diagnosed with cancer (not breast cancer though) nearly 2 years ago when I was 18 and having a blog really does help doesn't it?!
I also started mine to keep family and friends up to date (doesn't it get old when you repeat the same thing over and over again! lol), it also helps get everything out.
Anyway, I will add you to my blog roll so I can keep up to date.
All the best,
Hayley
Hi Sue,just switched on The TV and thought, omg I recognise that girl! Its Penny (nee smith) from Oldbury Road. Now living in Devon. Just want to wish you all the very best for your op and hope that you have a very speedy recovery. You are an inspiration to us all!! p.s You dont look any different from our school days!!! Best wishes Penny Terry x
ReplyDeleteWatched you on this morning as well! Have just read through all of your blogs!! Cancer has hit my family hard too, my Grandad died a few years of bowel cancer then a year later my uncle (his son) was diagnosed with the same disease. He is currently undergoing horrendous surgeries and treatment and as well as that my great uncle (my nan's (mother of uncle) brother) is also undergoing treatment for cancer. Being positive is all we can ever be and a lot of the time it does help!!
ReplyDeleteI really do wish you the best of luck with the surgery and your future!! Also good luck to your brother too!!
Lots of Love,
Louise
xxxx
Hi just to let you know that I too was diagnosed last monday have had lumpectomy on friday and will return next week for my treatment plan. Life seems very unreal at the moment but I will beat this and will be reading your blog and thinking of you all athe way. We will get through this
ReplyDeletejane
i was interested in your story because i am going through the same thing i had my mastectomy in june and now having chemo to ward off any more breast cancer cells but i will follow your blog i wish you all the luck in the world with your mastectomy i did ok after mine i was diagnosed with grade 3 fast growing agressive cancer so my heart goes out to you good luck on 19th
ReplyDeletejanice
I too was diagnosed with breast cancer in June and had to have a mastecomy, then was told it had spread to my Lymph Glands so had to have another operation to have them removed. They think they have got all the cancer now but having to undergo a course of Chemo, then radiotherapy, & Herceptin. My 3rd cycle is due on Monday. I hope everything goes well with your op.
ReplyDeleteSue
hi sue i watched u on this morning i wanted to just look a see how things were, ive got a lump an i have had one before an they told me i had mistitus the only thing is i have it bk again, the thing is i no its not cancer because its painfull or i hope it isint but watching u makes me want to go, hopefuly i,ll be ok. hope your op goes well an im thinking of u an ur girl,x donna 22 wakefield.
ReplyDeletehi sue,just watched u on itv player with my wife.she was diagnosed 28th of september this year.we was told that she had to go for the operation on the friday,which she had her left breast removed and also she had her lymth glands removed.She has been amazing since the operation being strong as normal.I was a wreck when we found out,didnt no how to react to them saying that to us and also she thought of our two year old boy instead of thinking of herself first.Thats how brave shes been.We find out on monday the 19th oct and see wat treatment my wife has to undergo.Good luck in your battle with this illness and everybody else who is suffering from this illness at the moment
ReplyDeleteA pure inspiration to all women out there, your bravery and great attitude will guide you through the dark times. Good luck with the op, keep doing what your doing. To anyone who is suffering with this cruel illness stay positive and all the luck in the world.
ReplyDeleteHey Sue,
ReplyDeleteYou were brilliant! Came over so well, and even put Phillip right, brilliant!
Ray took a photo of you on the TV, he will email it to you.
Cottage is coming together now, ready for a convalesence weekend whenever you're ready :o)
xx
Sue, it's late and I really should be tucked up and getting my beauty sleep (God knows I need it) but I just wanted to say how immensely proud I am to know you. All my love.
ReplyDeletehope your surgery goes well. i had a mastectomy last a year ago with immediate construction. i had a expander fitted, but my body rejected it, after dealing with fluid for 14 weeks, in january this year i had the latissimus dorsi procedure. that went fine, i still av slight numbness on my back where the scar is. but no other problems. after a year since my first op, i am just getting my life back. its been one hell of a year. so good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteHey Sue, I'm not sure if you remember me but we've met a couple of times over the years through Rach. Just wanted to let you know she introduced me to your blog way back and that I've been following your journey from over in Brisbane, Australia - I just wanted to let you know that you have an international following :-) I can't watch UK tv but I hope you guys had an amazing experience on 'this morning'. I'm glad to hear the op has gone well and hope your brother continues to do well too. Big hugs & best wishes, Anita
ReplyDeleteNice post - breast reconstruction photos ..Keep Posting
ReplyDeleteRon
breast reconstruction photos