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Memories

I read through my old entries transferred over from Beyond Contestation. These were about my feelings during and after breast cancer treatments. It amazed me how much I had forgotten, how my immume system became so depleted taking a long time to recover, the pain in my digestive system caused by the chemo resulting in me taking yet more medication, my hair falling out (every where except on my lower legs, it just become more … well more), nausea though the medication helped … all but once, skin under the left breast become raw, painful and inflamed after the radiotherapy, the changes in taste and smell, that took a while to return to normal.
Compared with many people who were receiving treatment at the same Oncology Clinic, I was lucky. My counsin had to be hospitalised a few months later in the specialist cancer hospital as she developed clots on her lungs and subsequently died, she was 50.
The good points, it gave me more time with family and friends so whatever problems I may have suffered, the treatment helped.
My hair including eyebrows and eyelashes grew back, my hair was back to its old colour, most of the grey had gone, my eyelashes were longer, eyebrows darker. The grey has slowly returned, to be expected after all I am now 62.
The Tamoxifen caused me many problems, but my time on this medication has finished and slowly my memory is returning to normal, but my hair which became thinner over the five years is still curly.
If the cancer has gone, then the treatment was worth it, if only for 5 extra years and that was all I was told I could expect. Only time will tell.
My only mistake … IMHO … was having a lumpectomy instead of a mastechtomy, hope the spelling is OK. It would have been easier I think than still having a Jordan size left boob caused by radiotherapy, which after 5 years is still painful at times, lots of scar tissue and also “orange peel” skin.

Pink for October Themes

I have taken the liberty of adding a couple more themes here. Its all for a good cause after all – Pink October. Both of which were designed by my daughter! They are called Pink Gift 1 and Pink Gift 2, and you will find them in the theme switcher section in the sidebar.

These themes are available for download at Geek with Style :: Pink for October 

Pink for October 2007

Mizmoe has gone pink!

All in support of Pink for October.

The design was created by my daughter, who owns Geek with Style [have to fit a plug in there somewhere!] .

Its also doubling as my Halloween theme – hence the witch!

Enjoy!

Pink for October

Last year over 1,500 sites “Went Pink” to raise awareness about Breast Cancer in both women and men, this year Pink for October will try try to at least double that number.

It is intended that websites will “Go Pink” during October 2007 to not only bring our attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month and get people talking about breast cancer but also to raise money for research.

Jane Tomlinson

Today I watched Jane’s funeral and was saddened particularly when listening to the Eulogy read by her widower. I hoped rather than believed that maybe there was such a thing as a miracle and Jane would be well again. Sadly it wasn’t to be.

Checking for breast cancer

I am amazed at the women (and men) who do not check themselves regularly for any lumps, changes in the shape of the breast and skin. It is so important to catch this disease early, preferably before it spreads.

Many men are unaware that they too can get breast cancer – my uncle (Mum’s brother) had a double mastectomy many years ago and because he checked himself regularly and found the lumps while they were still relatively small – he survived into his 80s.

It takes only a little time to get to know your breasts – and it is well worth the effort.

Cancer sufferers losing their homes & jobs

I have recently read a number of items on the Internet regarding cancer sufferers losing their homes (and jobs) throughout the UK. One particular post reminded me of my own problems whilst being treated for breast cancer. As a result of losing my job through no fault of my own, I found myself having to live off my savings, insurance pays out for a limited time only. With savings gone and having to live off incapacity – which I hated – I tried to get a job even though I was clearly unwell – no one wanted to know – and when I tried to get unemployment benefit which would open up better options, I was advised that I simply wasn’t well enough to sign on – the advice they gave me was invaluable, but I still wanted to work – as with many other people, it is important for me to support myself and be independent. Eventually I realised that I would have to sell my home and find somewhere I could rent – it was either that or risk repossession when I could not afford the mortgage, pay all my bills including medication, and eat! Selling my home would give me something to live on until I retired. I am not moaning or wallowing in self pity – this was the “hand” I had been dealt and I just gone on with it. As I am now retired, financially I am relatively secure, but it is sad that so many people suffering life threatening illnesses are still experiencing problems of this kind.

Life after Breast Cancer

It is now over three years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer – January 2004, and up to now I am okay. It took a long time to recover from the Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. My health deteriorated over the next two years, no longer able to work I became depressed until one morning I said “it’s time to make the move to Spain before it’s too late”, three months later we arrived. It was hard leaving my family, but the right move for me. Since coming to Spain I have lost nearly 2 stones in weight (in 3 months) through a much healthier diet, plenty of fruit and veg – too expensive to eat like this in the UK on a basic income!

I’m fitter, can exercise and do all the daily chores that I could not do previously because of mobility and other health problems. September last year I was put on permanent incapacity benefit but I have now retired having reached 60! My health has improved and I live a relatively normal life. I still have a way to go but am getting there slowly. For me, life is good here in Spain!

Mixed emotions

Eliza, my daughter, has been introducing me to the new facilities available on this server – such as thumbnail images. It’s all rather nifty.

On Monday I was due to have my final treatment of chemotherapy, but sadly my white cell count was far too low, and combined with the high blood pressure they decided to postpone it until Thursday. Hopefully then my blood results will have improved enough to get the final dose out of the way. I say hopefully, but my emotions about the final dose are mixed. I’m pleased that I am nearly at the end, yet I dread yet another treatment. The side effects, however minimal are not fun, and I am still getting used to the hair loss. How easy it seemed when I made the decision not to continue with the cold cap!

There will be a brief period of rest before I have 15 treatments of radiotherapy spread over 3 weeks.

I’m tired at the moment. The dogs are really helping to keep me going – they are such mischief makers! My poor daughter is run ragged each day just stopping them from sticking their noses where they should not be!

These comments were saved from the old site via web archive.

Lager Louts

Today I went to a local late night shop and stayed in the car whilst my daughter went into the store to purchase soft drinks. A car pulled up behind mine and five very large drunk football supporters emerged. One made comments about my head must be cold cos I was wearing a scarf; a second mentioned “Paki cow” and a third did an imitation of an Indian style dance. Why? Well, I can only assume that as my wig is uncomfortable I have taken to wearing a black silk scarf. Unfortunately this isn’t the only problem I have had from rude people since I lost most of my hair (very nearly bald). Some make comments, others simply stare and others point and laugh. It could be said that I am being paranoid, but when people point, make comments and laugh it is a little difficult not to be upset.

The moral of this story is this. Before you make comments about someone with very little hair, consider why? I would not wish this illness on anyone, even the ignorant Lager louts who are so rude, or the women who make sarcastic nasty comments within hearing, but it is the luck of the draw that many of us at some time or another will suffer with this dreadful illness and have to suffer the treatment but, before you make comments, think “that could be me! At some time in the future, I could be in that position.”

Comments: (These comments were cut & pasted from web archive to save them!)

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