November 22, 2015
As I have already mentioned in my last post I had the operation at the very end of September, once I had completed 5 out of 8 VAC chemotherapies. It was time for operation ‘make me Iron Man’, AKA a ‘reverse humeral replacement’ for all the medical types. The aim was to remove the diseased bone (humerous) and surrounding tissue and replace it with a new titanium prosthesis. This was a huge mile stone in my treatment and I had mixed feelings about it. I was so glad and relieved to be moving forward and finally getting the bastard that started all of this out my body. Nevertheless I was losing a part of my body. And possibly the ability to do a lot of the things I was good at, the things I love and I felt gave me my identity like rugby, Olympic lifting and some of my best dance moves. Would I ever be able to lift my future children onto my shoulders, get something heavy down off of a shelf, swim or do a straight arm bolt right handed ever again? I did everything I could to stay positive and looked at the sports and other things I could do, but I still couldn’t help but be frustrated about the ability I was losing. It would be strange if it didn’t affect me after being so able and active my whole life. Still, being alive and healthy is far more important!Continue Reading
November 15, 2015
This will take a lot less time to talk about as I’ve covered most of it in my previous posts about VIDE. I will include the chemo process and all the side effects in one post, which we are both happy about! As I have previosuly mentioned, after the 4.5 months of the horrible VIDE chemo I started 6 weeks of radiotherapy alongside 6 months, or 8 rounds of VAC chemo (Vincristine, Actinomycin D, Cyclophosphamide). This was termed the ‘maintenance’ chemo and it would be clearing up any little nasties floating around inside me.Continue Reading
November 11, 2015
I have been quiet for a while as I had my penultimate chemo last week (almost there!!) and wasn’t feeling well enough to stare at a computer screen till now. I wanted to take this opportunity to apologise for the lack of decent photographs I have. Like I mentioned in my first post, I haven’t even wanted to look in the mirror so taking pics and documenting this was the last thing I wanted to do.
So, after the VIDE chemo I was due to start a different type of chemo called VAC (I will talk about that in my next post) alongside 6 weeks of radiotherapy. Radiotherapy would be Monday to Friday and take anywhere between 30mins-2hours depending on the waiting time, although the scan itself only took 10 minutes.Continue Reading
November 3, 2015
Thank you all so much for reading this blog. And also the kind comments and messages I have received. I never imagined it would get such a good response and it’s been very humbling. I’m still waiting for that call from ‘Loose Women.’ I don’t want this blog to be gloomy so before I talk about more cancer related things I thought I would do a very short post about someone that has become a huge part of my life this year. His name is Archie, and he is a French Bull Dog. I’m now one of those really annoying ‘dog people’ that always post pictures of their dog, but that’s better than what I’m having for dinner! I’ve always wanted a dog but I have always been too busy, until now! Since I’m unable to train at the moment, which drives myself and everyone else around me up the wall, going for daily walks with him is the closest I get to any form of exercise. He is the perfect companion, never minds taking the blame for someone else’s fart, super chilled and puts a smile on everyone’s face. So here is to my new best mate and furry fart machine, Archie! Continue Reading
