Have you ever seen the film the Green Mile? It’s one of all-time favourites. When the inmates walk to the electric chair on death row and Percy Wetmore (a prison guard) shouts ‘dead man walking, there’s a dead man walking here’ - that scene was playing in my head as I walked on to the … Continue reading 08 January 2021 – Chemo, ROUND 5
Blog posts
07 January 2020 – pre-chemo call
The day before chemo you always get a call from the Oncology Nurse. Most of the time you just discuss how you were feeling and what the symptoms were. You also get to discuss what drugs you need like Loperamide (anti diarrhoea), Lorezepam (to take the edge off my anxiety pre-chemo) and Oramorph. I usually … Continue reading 07 January 2020 – pre-chemo call
29 December 2020, pre-chemo blood test
A phone call today from my oncology nurse told me my immune system was shot and therefore chemo (booked for New Years Eve) was to be postponed a week to allow my body to recover. Unfortunately, this news came just as my parents came through the door from Devon to take me to my appointment … Continue reading 29 December 2020, pre-chemo blood test
27 December 2020 – Pupdate 2
I had a text from the breeder today, the mummy dog went to meet her new boyfriend and had a marvellous day (wink wink), so I was soon to find out if this would lead to pups EEEEEKKK. I think the litter will be mixed, golden, black or chocolate labs. How do you even choose? … Continue reading 27 December 2020 – Pupdate 2
21 December 2020 – Xmas
I was really looking forward to Christmas because back in February we thought my Dad wouldn’t make it, so I was excited to be escaping to Devon, having the odd socially distanced walk with my friends, seeing the seaside and having a good giggle with my family. I had taken a good two weeks off … Continue reading 21 December 2020 – Xmas
10 December 2020 – Chemo, ROUND 4
I went into this round of chemo a little cocky, the last one was a breeze and I had a clear idea of what my symptoms were; even if the severity was mixed most of the symptoms remained relatively consistent. For some reason this time they went straight back into the large vein on the … Continue reading 10 December 2020 – Chemo, ROUND 4
19 November 2020 – Chemo, ROUND 3
My mum had prepared for this round mentally; she had done her own research and found out that Chemo Round 3 is one of the worst. I remained blissfully ignorant of this fact, and had in fact made a mental timetable of symptoms for the week to get me through to diarrhoea and euphoria stage … Continue reading 19 November 2020 – Chemo, ROUND 3
29 October 2020 – Chemo, ROUND 2
The Oncology nurse calls you the day before chemo to find out how you got on with the cycle. Being honest, I was deeply frightened of Round 2. Round 1 had knocked my confidence massively and I knew it was going to be a miserable and painful experience. The chemo nurse and I talked about my … Continue reading 29 October 2020 – Chemo, ROUND 2
27 October 2020 – Pupdate
My mum sent me the details of a local breeders and I text them to enquire if they were planning more puppies soon. The breeder said they were looking to take their female to stud in December, meaning pups in Feb and re-homing in April. Is this fate? The timing ties in perfectly for the … Continue reading 27 October 2020 – Pupdate
08 October 2020 – Chemo, ROUND 1
I woke that morning with confidence, showered and dressed. A friend of mine bought me this epic t-shirt when I was diagnosed – it says ‘Life’s a bitch and so am I’ and I defiantly promised I would wear it to chemo. But when it came to it, I wasn’t feeling quite so brave. Maybe … Continue reading 08 October 2020 – Chemo, ROUND 1
01 October 2020 – Maggie’s
After my chat with the lovely Focus Centre, it was time to get me mentally prepared for chemo. If honest, I was getting really pissed off with the communication, it was all really negative, every discussion was worst case scenarios about symptoms and emergency protocols, surely it’s manageable? HA! God I’m stupid…. The reason the … Continue reading 01 October 2020 – Maggie’s
30 September 2020 – Pre-chemo (part II)
I had another trip to the hospital today, more bloody blood tests, a chat with my chemo nurse, a Covid test and my implant. So many appointments spread over the day. In-between appointments I went to the Focus centre, it’s a service for cancer patients and WOW. I came to the centre just to pick … Continue reading 30 September 2020 – Pre-chemo (part II)
28 September 2020 – Return to Work
For my first day back at work, I wanted to keep my head down and avoid people and all those questions, however well-meaning. I managed to get a fitness to work note from my GP, which I’d encourage you to do too. Due to cancer being an Equality Act issue, I was sent to Occupational … Continue reading 28 September 2020 – Return to Work
25 September 2020 – Haircut
I had my haircut today, the first time (professionally) for a while. I asked for a complete change, I wanted to feel different post-surgery. I had a bob, about 4 inches cut off my hair. It looked awesome! The reason I mention the haircut, no it’s not to say about the importance of treats and … Continue reading 25 September 2020 – Haircut
17 September 2020 – Pre-chemo Appointment
Pre-chemo appointments required yet more blood tests. I met my chemo specialist and he was so nice. He explained about the type of treatment he was giving me, but the frequency and type of treatment would depend on my next decision. Would I want a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line which is a tube … Continue reading 17 September 2020 – Pre-chemo Appointment
10 September 2020 – Post-op meeting
I was lucky, the oncology team allowed my Mum to attend the meeting with me. We both knew something was amiss and you can’t stop a tiger mum protecting her cub (or a mother shark defending her “baby shark”…you can thank me for that ear worm later)! I was delighted to see my favourite surgeon; … Continue reading 10 September 2020 – Post-op meeting
09 September 2020 – An unexpected phone call
I had a phone call today from my oncology nurse, asking me if I would come in to the hospital the next day to meet my surgeon and discuss next steps. Bile started rising in my throat and panic set in. I asked whether or not there was anything to worry about and was told … Continue reading 09 September 2020 – An unexpected phone call
05 September 2020 – home time
By the time I was discharged that day it was time for evening tea, I had managed to give away some of my tea bags and books / magazines I had read to my fellow inmates. When my parents came to pick me up, I cried, I had to go back to a reality I … Continue reading 05 September 2020 – home time
05 September 2020 Friday – My first post op pooh!
I was feeling much better, I was on solid food, and getting my bed fellow opposite to come walkies with me (I said to her we would check out the totty on the ward – you can probably guess that was a joke). The key issue that day was my first bowel movement and my … Continue reading 05 September 2020 Friday – My first post op pooh!
04 September 2020 – Barbara
Essentially it was exactly like Wednesday but with more excitement. I finally started eating liquid food (e.g. soups/ ice-cream), I was getting out of bed with some ease and I requested to shower. I’m not normally one to request assistance, but I swallowed my pride and a lovely nurse (who probably went blind having to … Continue reading 04 September 2020 – Barbara
Bryony vs. Bowel Cancer 