How's it going?

Yesterday was my post surgery follow up appointment with the lovely Mr Horgan who's care I have been under since my diagnosis. The very same Mr Horgan who took care of me six years ago during my first diagnosis too. What a lovely Man, I have so much confidence knowing I am under his care. 

Mr Kieran Horgan

So, anyway it was a bit of a long day at St. James. I had two appointments with a two hour delay, the first one with Mr Horgan to see how I was doing and to discuss the histology report. Mr Horgan was very pleased at how I was doing and I seem to be making excellent progress. The histology report showed that the cancer was 6cm and that it was clear round the margins also there was no more lymph node involvement, so from 13 nodes in total being taken only two were infected with cancer.

Everything seems to be healing well, the infection I had in the new breast has cleared up although I have something called fat narcosis which presents part of the breast as hard and tender from what I understand this is where the breast has not had as much good blood supply but is not of great concern as it will either leak out or be absorbed back into the body over a period of time. It's a bit uncomfortable and tender at times. I also have a seroma on the side nearest my arm, my understanding of this is that it's a build up of fluid due to the surgery and should also be re absorbed back into the body over time.

We also discussed something else I have, this is known as auxiliary web syndrome ( cording ) the surgery to the underarm and chest area traumatises the connective tissue that encases nearby bundles of blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves. This trauma leads to inflammation, scarring, and eventually hardening of the tissue. This hardening can spread down the fibres of the connective tissue, which causes the cords to form. The cords can be painful and tight, it makes it difficult to lift my arm any higher than my shoulder or to extend my elbow fully. The cording runs from under my arm, all the way down the inside of my arm even putting on and taking off a cardigan can feel painful. Gentle exercising, stretching and gentle massaging of the cords will help if no better in a couple of weeks to see a physiotherapist.

Next was to speak with the oncologist to discuss my treatment plan. After a long discussion with lots of statistics, numbers, percentages, side effects, tests etc my head was swimming in what felt like very stormy seas! The outcome is that I'm to have chemotherapy a different one this time called docetaxel a stronger one than the one I had last time but only four cycles instead of the six that I had before with EC 90. This will be followed by hormone therapy instead of tamoxifen which I took last time for six years, this one is called arimadex and it is to be taken for 8-10 years!

After three and a quarter hours in the hospital we finally got to leave!

They plan to start treatment mid June but they also said this may need to be delayed as at the moment I have an infection in my tummy button. When they re sited it during my surgery the blood supply wasn't very good so now the top layer of flesh has died, they are and have been reviewing it since I left hospital and need to determine whether or not it is superficial in which case the flesh underneath will still have a blood supply therefore the dead flesh will come away and new flesh will re grow, on the other hand if it is dead throughout then it would mean a further surgery to remove it and make a new tummy button! Friday I'm back at the plastics dressing clinic where I shall be seen by my plastic surgeon who will be giving her expert opinion as regards my tummy button!

Home Alone!

Well here I am Home Alone! Nick has gone off to work, looking anxious ( him not me ) with lots of questions as he's leaving! "Are you sure you're going to be alright? Do you need anything? Have you had your antibiotics? Do you want me to help you with your dressings? Do you remember my extension number? Call me if you need me!" 

He's been up, seen to the dogs, cleaned the kitchen floor, sorted the dish washer and made sure I have everything I need! He is so amazing I could not wish for anyone better! 

So now I'm wondering what shall I do, I'm not allowed to drive! That's a pain as it leaves me stuck here. That wouldn't be so bad if the sun was shining and I could be sat out enjoying the garden, watching the birds coming and going, backwards and forwards for food and having the occassional bath in the waterfall, listening to the frogs calling out and seeing the fish chasing one another. 

All this time at home when you could be doing productive things but the reason you are at home is because you're Not Allowed to do things! Grrrrr! How frustrating! Perhaps I may get crafty and attempt making a card or two, provided everything I need for that card is accessible, that is I don't need to lift out any boxes!

Then I guess there is always the TV or maybe I'll read a book! After all I do have some books that I haven't had time to read!

Anyway fellow blog watchers, please feel free to post comments to help keep me entertained!

It's shower time!

Excitement and apprehension after being given the go a head from from the dressing clinic yesterday that I can now have a shower! Yesterday I felt I couldn't wait, I thought, how much have I longed to do just that. Anyway by the time I got home yesterday I felt far too tired. 

So today's the day for feeling truly refreshed for up to now it has been a case of washing from top to bottom taking great care not to get any dressings wet and this usually takes me a good half hour! Then there is the hair washing which means enlisting the help of another pair of hands to help hold the shower whilst leaning over the bath which then gives you back ache! Never before would you think that would become such a tricky and tiring task!

April showers! Here come the showers in May!

Dressing clinic at hospital today.

 

Back to hospital this morning for dressing clinic, nice and early at 8:30 so we arrive just after eight and with two large cakes and a couple of hand made thank you cards our first stop is L38 to go say hi to some of the staff who took care of me. 

They seem pleased to see how well I was looking and even more pleased when I handed over the card and of course the large chocolate cake and carrot cake! Next stop HDU, L39 to hand them their card and to let them know about getting a share of the cakes! They seemed also pleased to see me but took a little time to work out who I was, until I mentioned the puppet show! They hadn't recognised me because I was now looking so much better! 

It was lovely seeing some of the staff who had taken such good care of me during my eleven day stay at the LGI and I think it was nice for them to see me looking so well. So we waved goodbye and set off back downstairs to the plastics dressing clinic!

We didn't have too long to wait but I suddenly began to feel a little unwell, whether it had been the excitement of giving out gifts or some anxiety about having dressings removed I don't know but I had come over all hot, felt sick and a little light headed! 

I was soon called and seen by a lovely nurse who looked after me, gave me a drink of water and made me feel at ease. Once I was feeling fine again she began to take away the dressings, firstly from the top then from my tummy, giving everything a good clean. She said how good everything looked but just needed to get a doctor to look at my new tummy button. So I was given a cup of tea and asked just to wait a little while.

Sometime later and one of the surgeons on the team that worked on me arrived to take a look. He was very happy with how the new breast was looking and pleased that it all now seemed clear of the infection that had caused some concern during my stay in hospital although did appear to show some concern over my new tummy button and told me to continue with the antibiotics prescribed and that some of the flesh on top had died but that didn't necessarily mean that it was dead underneath! So they are going to keep an eye on it and hopefully with the aid of the antibiotics it will all prove to be perfectly fine!

So with dressings off and cleaned and new smaller dressings and a bag of replacement dressings I am now told that I am allowed to shower!!!!! Whoopee! 

We leave the hospital and go walking towards town thinking I should eat breakfast we call in to oniels for a nice cooked breakfast. After this we took a walk towards trinity thinking 

the gentle exercise would do me good. It wasn't long before I began to feel quite tired, my legs began to feel heavy and shaky! It was time to go home. I needed to lay down!

We arrived home to find a parcel had been delivered, a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Nicks Mum and Dad, they look gorgeous! Nick got me all sorted and comfy on my new garden swing and I was beginning to feel relaxed! Before long two ladies arrived with yet more gorgeous flowers and a massive crate of fresh fruit courtesy of all my colleagues at Castleton. What a lovely gift, thank you everyone.

Soon I was sug as a bug and fast asleep on my garden swing I was quite exhausted and slept there pretty much for the whole afternoon!

Nick cooked me a lovely dinner, i have been visited by my sister and Bro in- law. I am so lucky to have so many people who care about me, I am grateful and I feel so loved 

Thank you everyone for all your kind support x x

Settling in back home!

Well they finally let Nick take me back home on Monday and it's been lovely to be back! Mostly I have been so tired and have had quite a bit of catching up to do with my sleep! After a couple of days I was starting to feel much more refreshed and by Tuesday the sun was shining and I was starting to feel a bit better. Nick was busy working from home and I was beginning to feel a little bored! I could have easily gone in to do some card making but hey the sun was out so I wanted to be out too!

I noticed the clematis was beginning to wrap it's self round the washing line and thought perhaps it needed unwinding and training around the fence. As I am not very tall, I spotted the step ladder and thought I could make some use out of them, carefully taking them to the top of the garden I slowly but steadily climbed. Untangling the clematis from the washing line, I began to try to sort out the tangled mess but couldn't quite reach the top of the fence. Being sensible I knew it would not be a good idea to over stretch and thought I would need a little help! Nick caught me up the ladder and I was severely told off! Oops! Nick was pretty cross and I had crossed the line! 

Yesterday and once again the sun was shining, more chance to sit out and enjoy the garden this time with a lovely visit from Bryony who I had not seen in a few years so that was nice to sit out on the swing and have a long awaited catch up! As Bryony left my Auntie Carole and Uncle Brian arrived ( two of the most special people in my life ) it was so lovely to see them again and to be able to sit in the garden enjoying their company, next time maybe I'll be fit enough to make them a meal! 

Today I've felt so very tired but I've pushed myself to keep mobile as advised by the hospital. I made a couple of cards today but it really has been quite a struggle, perhaps I'm not doing enough so we decide to venture out to get a little fresh air!

So we're at Costco and we've bought a couple of cakes to say thank you to the staff at the LGI Nicks a little hungry so we sit, have a drink while he has something to eat, ( mines at home waiting, chilli con carnie) made previously by my son! Nicks eating and I'm doing all I can to stay awake! So homeward bound it is, struggling to stay awake! 

And so there it is, my first week back home and while this has been my week everyone at work have had a busy time doing SATs! How different life is! I hope all went well!

Tomorrow brings a new day and a visit back to the hospital for me at 8:30 am at the dressing clinic, here's hoping they like what they see and that all is well! 

More soon!

Louise, grace and Lauren Race for life!

Just to say I have just added a link to my blog as my friend is doing race for life in memory of her lovely mum if you would like to click the link to the right and make a donation however small please feel free! Louse Cashon's Race for Life!

Many thanks in advance!

Time to call the plumber!!!

It hasn't seemed to cause too much concern that I haven't been to the toilet since before my operation! So after being given some MOVE IT ALL (movicol) and being brought a good hot curry from my sister and bro in-law the plan was put in place as my tummy had now become hard and slightly uncomfortable! Now all we needed to do was wait!

Sunday morning came and still no sign! So decided well, I'd go get my wash! Then thinking I'll just have myself a little wee! ☺️ Sparing the details lets just say that sometime later I needed to report to the nurses station and inform them that after a desperate 9 flushes I was sorry but they would need to call a plumber after all it had been 10 days! 😳

After an embarrassing investigation a rather large sign went up on the door saying .....
sorry! Out of order! Now we were down to one bathroom and i heard this was likely to be until Monday! Luckily for everyone it was less than a couple of hours before the man came with his plunger and the bathroom was reinstated!

Normally I would have been so terribly embarrassed but but after what I've gone through the last 10 days I was more relieved than anything! 

Anyway I'm pretty sure they may have been putting liquid cement into my drip!!! Lol

My final weekend in hospital after surgery!

Over the weekend with doctors rounds and yet more intravenous antibiotics, the care of the much overworked staff on L38 I began to feel back on top and more myself gaining strength day by day! I'm told all being well I could go home on Monday! 

Crashed and burned!

So after being on such a high on Thursday, some say it was bound to happen but I woke up on Friday feeling very different indeed! Most of the day was spent feeling teary and very deflated with tears on and off pretty much most of the day! Good job I had some great support from the marvoulous staff on L38 who came to my aid assuring me that this was all quite normal and all I needed was some quiet time to rest. The nurse who came to my rescue put in place a plan of action and made sure I had some quiet time for which I was so grateful for. Lunch time came round and my lovely man appeared always on time never letting me down Nick Briggs needs a medal for being the most loving, caring husband to ever walk this earth! There were more tears it was like opening the floodgates, I honestly can't explain why I was feeling this way the only thing I knew is it needed to come out and it did several times throughout the rest of the day.

I had a visit from my niece who was allowed to leave work early followed later by my big sis and bro in-law. My big sis arrived and so did more tears but after lots of cuddles and TLC I was beginning to feel a bit better and by the end of visiting time had assured everyone that I would give myself a good talking to and I would be back to me tomorrow!

I was moved to a new spot in the bay away from the vent which was constantly blowing cold air onto me to a spot by the window! Now I don't know if this was coincidence but I could immediately feel my spirits lift!

More soon!

Lets dance! !it's show time!

Firstly I apologise as I am a bit behind on my blog! Going back to Thursday and the feeling was good! So much so I wondered what was it that they had REALLY been putting into my drip? I was on top of the world! The physiotherapist asked to borrow me to see how well I could tackle the stairs, so off we went for a little tour round the hospital to find some stairs to show off my talents! I beat them both to the top of the stairs and did alright coming back down too although it was a little more tricky but I did it and it was plain to see I had impressed the therapists! 

So with that job done I was back to my bay where the bed making was happening and the staff seemed so surprised to see such a huge change. Feeling happy that everyone was so pleased I thought this would be just the time to commence with some dancing and decided the staff would make excellent partners and that it would also brighten their working day to spread a little happiness and give some entertainment to the other patience to help them along with their recovery too! 

After all six beds were made it was then the nurses turn for a spot of dancing! Throughout the day I had visits from HDU and other members of staff were sent along to see the marvellous recovery that had occurred on ward L38 !

As the evening progresses we, that is the other patients and I decide to make our own entertainment this consists of me behind the curtains doing a puppet show and a bit of a variety act using various props that I could lay my hands on! We had the Irish nun and various other acts. This was followed by charades by this time a couple of staff heard all the fun and came to watch and be entertained but were too shy to join in although it was plain to see they were dying to take part! Next we tried deadly 12 and after a practise run we were ready to go, after a couple of goes we felt that was just a little to much for our 84 year old star patient who just didn't get it and kept on saying any random numbers! Still it just made it all the more fun! 

I could tell you all loads about our 84 year old star patient but all I will say is that TV comedy shows are made of this stuff and every ward should have a star like this to help aid recovery!

More to follow soon

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to read my ramblings!

Catch up time!

Hi everyone! 
Well it's been a long hard week but I'm doing well, this is what all the medical staff here have been telling me anyway! Today I actually believe that to be true! Over the last couple of days I have been encouraged to sit up on the side of the bed, then to stand which I managed very well on Tuesday. 
I would never believe that standing up could make you feel so exhausted! But hey I felt I'd done an amazing job! Feeling very tired I slept and in between sleeping felt quite sick too! So still wasn't eating very much at all. 

Wednesday they thought it would be a good idea to try again and I agreed as I just wanted to follow their advise to be able to make a quick getaway! So the physiotherapists get me to sit on the side of the bed next to stand and the aim is to walk a few steps to the chair. Well, I think that doesn't seem so hard so away I go and manage all they asked, they all had big smiles and seem extremely pleased with my achievement as did I and as I had done it so well my prize was to sit out in the chair until they came back for me ( may I just say, I am alone in a private side room) anyway there I am proudly sitting in my chair feeling this is going to be very doable and wondering what my next task will be. 

All at once I have an immense feeling of suddenly not feeling very well at al, thinking I may pass out and end up on the floor I manage to pull the trolley table towards me and press the buzzer for help! Hoping someone would arrive quickly( which they did) I was slumped over the trolley table before I realised there were five members of staff around me asking questions, giving instructions, taking blood pressure etc. at this point they decide now would be a good time to make the bed, all I wanted to do was get laid back on it but somehow I wasn't sure how that was going to happen! So my blood pressure is 65 over 30 which I don't really understand but apparently is Very Low! So following a few cups of water which one poured down my neck sand pushing the chair with me on towards the bed I was physically helped back into bed and took a little while to get over my little drama!

After discussions it is decided to be a good idea to move me out of the private room and onto a bay (6) beds. So here I am on this bay! I have gone from being able to stand and walk a few steps to a chair! To being wheeled to a toilet and back! Later i feel up to walking and manage well and am feeling I'm now good to go!

Thursday today I am feeling good! I am walking briskly back and forth to the loo  as the day goes on I feel I am getting there! After a good wash and new dressing and the promise of help to wash my hair I am feeling nothing can stop me now!

There is more to write but it's late the lady in the bed next to me is snoring, grunting and by the sounds of things eating a meal! Who knows! But she managed to keep me and two other ladies awake just about the whole night last night!

Its a rowdy bay throughout the day and it's been difficult to write the blog at that time but if you can't beat them, join them! 

I shall tell more tomorrow.

Let the dancing commence!

Mandy just Cannot Stay Away From Firemen!

Well what a day!

Mandy has spent most of it asleep again, catching up on all that she missed earlier. The good news is that most of the wires and tubes have now been deemed no longer necessary. The nurses finally found a sickness relief that works well and it has improved Mandy no end.
So what's this about fireman? Mandy is having a bed bath. I am in the corridor making a call, when the fire alarm goes off and keeps going off, it carries on and on and on.  I see loads of patients through the glass door leading to the next ward reception area. I go through the door and there's patients in various stages of attire, a man standing on one leg the other leg presumably having been operated on, an old lady grimacing and holding on to the side saying it hurts,  and it becomes clear that evacuation procedures are in place. This ward is being joined by the wards on the floor above, and then I hear a nurses concerned voice, What are we going to do about HDU ? ( high Dependency Unit)? I immediately quite rudely interrupt bed bath procedures to say "can I have a quick word?" 
Firemen arrive and trace the cause of concern , someone has detected likely a fire and being  a well intentioned person, ever on the alert to protect the patients, has smashed the emergency fire glass! Fire engine and other vehicles arrive. The cause is traced to the kitchen. The jacket potatoes have been overdone! Funny enough I heard it being said that the kitchen, obviously unaware of the great panic, as firemen burst in, thought it was probably a joke ( whose birthday?) and that the firemen were probably strippers! Not sure if that's true but that was the conversation!

Mandy will get transferred off HDU tomorrow, so she is well and truly on the road to recovery I am pleased to say. Thank you for your messages

The Big Sleep

Good progress today. But wow what a lot of sleeping! Well needed after what Mandy has been through since Friday. No energy to talk move eat or drink, everything has been a titanic struggle. However the nurses recording all the data  have been very pleased with her progress so no cause for concern even if I (nick) may have worried more than was necessary! At 7pm Mandy is smiling and speaking again and it's all down to an ice lolly Dean gave her, which seems to have brought life back to the parts Heineken cannot reach ( incidentally Heineken would never reach those parts in Mandy's case because she will never touch a beer! Really hopeful for a good day tomorrow, onwards and upwards!

Oh and just to say the nurses have been exceptional in a good way

Progressing well

Mandy is doing well today. It has been a challenging day for her but the good news is that she is now off the body warming device., and has been allowed some food and drink within the last hour. Mandy has finally gone to sleep without waking every 30 seconds so she should hopefully be feeling a bit better soon.
 She is being her usual self always making very personal thank you'd to all the staff treating her. High Dependency Unit in LGI is well staffed and it has been easy to ensure that she has exactly what she needs all the time. She even has a window bed overlooking the Clarendon Ward pay and display public car park. You can see the tops of all the fresh leaved trees which is rather nice. Not too sure when she will leave High Dependency Ward.
 I (nick)sit watching the multitude of waves on the monitor screen and listening to the rhythmical beat - occasionally thinking is that normal? But then the nurses tell me yes that's fine or it's because the monitor device has slipped a little.
 The hospital food actually looks pretty good and there is choice on the menu,.  The  valiant effort Mandy made to stay awake long enough to  put the spoon to her mouth herself is the stuff YouTube is famous for ! 
So all in all it has been another challenging day but a really good one, Mandy is getting through it.

Back Talking

Hi everyone

Mandy is back now, talking to us and the nurses, telling us all about how wonderful everyone is, and insisting that if she can just have a little tea and toast, she will be fit to return home( another one of her little jokes I hope) she has been inviting the nurses to use the curtains around the bed to put on a puppet show but so far none of them are auditioning for this version of Britains Got Talent. She looks tired which is not surprising because she actually stayed up all last night! she is on Ward L39 in Leeds (LGI) and it is HOT! HOT!HOT! All part of the treatment to give the operation the maximum chance of success. Oh and she thinks she has found a replacement to work with Orville

Nick

Progress Report

This is to let you know that Mandy went to theatre at 9.15 this morning. I know she was very scared but she handled the situation brilliantly, and I am so so proud of her. How can one little lady have so much courage, I just do't know, especially in view of the fact that she always asks me to pick up any spiders in the house I have just been told at 2pm that she is still in plastic surgery but is ok. This means that there is no likely prospect of further news for at least another 2 hours and probably longer. In the meantime she will eventually be pleased to learn that I have weeded the patio.