Category Archives: Treatment

Hospitalization

Posted in Bumpboobs, Chemotherapy, Treatment by

Four nights in the hospital is more than enough for me. I’m out now and fine, so no worries. Actually my neighbours are having a party next door and some awesome music is filling my apartment. So, I’m more than fine. Plus the sun is shining and my fever is totally gone.

I’ll write more later, because how could I not? Four days – no computer allowed. Twitching fingers were aching to express a little hospitalization rant. But in a nutshell here it is: I developed a fever, went into the hospital, and they took forever to let me out (or did I take forever to recover?). Better safe than sorry, but my goodness – there’s no place like home.

 

The good list

Posted in Bumpboobs, Chemotherapy, Treatment by

Here are some good things that have happened today.


One: I got out of bed. This sounds like a small event, but believe me – I was very, very tempted to stay between the sheets. It wasn’t about exhaustion, instead more about anxiety . . . so getting up was a big thing.

Two: Zsolt and I sent his permanent residence application off through DHL. Yay! After about two months carefully compiling evidence and documents and reference and everything, it’s finally on its way. Now comes the waiting game. Go Canada!

Three: I did the groceries – sort of. I did some groceries before booting it out of Waitrose due to some strange emotional freak out. Chemo drugs make me a little bit emotional. The fish counter lady handed me some wrapped salmon and I nearly broke down crying. My god, is pregnancy like this too?

Four: I rested. Man, I needed to rest. Plus, I drank several cups of nerve calming dark tea. Oh, thank goodness for strong tea.

Five: I went to work! Boosted up from relaxation and caffeine – I again got out of bed. Forget my mid-day freak outs and emotional overloads. Work was waiting, and I really wanted to be there. It was good to get out of the house and change my mind.

Six: I’m typing this post. Earlier today I thought about the things accomplished but couldn’t really be happy for them. Now, my mood is turning. Okay, sure, lately my mood is always turning – like a wave with its constant up and down, but at least it’s swelling toward an up right now.

So there is my list of things accomplished. It’s not always easy to celebrate, but at least there are times when my head clears. Today was a good day. They all are most often, even when my mood is low. The trick is in the list. Making the list; it helps.

Breast cancer awareness month

Posted in Bumpboobs, Treatment by

Wow – it is chucking down rain! Buckets are pouring! The wind is ripping! For mild old England, it’s a positive storm.

Zsolt informed me yesterday that a cyclone was stirring off the coast, and we’d be seeing the influence for a few days. But I love a good rain storm. In Canada we used to sit on the porch during a really good storm and watch the lightening. Once it cracked the tree opposite our house; mind you, we were all asleep at the time, not watching (thank goodness), but the incredibly loud bang woke everyone up.

It’s quite rare to see lightening in Southampton, but a good storm is a good storm regardless. I always think that the rain is cleansing – like it washes away all the bad you’ve been through. Though the very best is when the sun shines as the rain falls, now that is something special.

It’s breast cancer awareness month. A whole month devoted to breasts. Boob-o-rama.

Apart from this blog, I’m not sure how to contribute. Maybe by suggesting to all younger women readers (I can probably count all of you on my two hands) to check your breasts, for goodness sake. Okay I know – at our age problems are unlikely, but also at our age there is no annual scan to help detect a problem. So yes, you are probably fine. Very most likely. BUT checking your breasts, whether they are smooth, bumpy, swollen, or whatever, means you’ll know what is/isn’t normal. According to this website it’s good to check about the same time each month (1 weekish after your period).  I’ll link a video below with more instructions – but be warned, you will see boobs.

Worst comes to worse, you go into the clinic with a concern and see what’s it’s like to be squirted with ultrasound lube. Slippery good fun. Besides, most people don’t get breast cancer at our age, so there’s no reason to be nervous. (Okay, I got breast cancer – but it’s  a freak occurrence! Not the norm. Please don’t let my experience put you off checking. Besides, if I hadn’t found this lump it would have kept growing inside my body. Better out than in.)

Here is the video: enjoy the view, and give it a try.

If the link doesn’t work it may be because of your region. Just search “self exam breast” and there will be plenty of information to help.