Thanks for taking the time to visit my website. I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself. I'm a wife and mother of 3 young children, Matthew 13, Ellie 10 and Freddie 6. I was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2001 at the age of 36. Following Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy, I was in remission until a chance MRI scan in Feb 2005 for an unrelated problem, detected that the Cancer had returned. I was then diagnosed with Secondary Breast Cancer. The likely prognosis given in February was 18 months to 5 years. I then had to undergo aggressive Chemotherapy, but following the results of a recent bone scan, it was found that the Cancer is still spreading.
The treatment in Germany will cost thousands of pounds and for most people like myself, the opportunity for this is a dream. Many of my Family and Friends want to make this dream a reality and are making tremendous fund raising efforts, because without them, I would not be able to seek the treatment that I so obviously need and which is not being offered in this country.
Feeling really ill
I felt so bad today that I couldn't get out of bed. The chemo has obviously kicked in from last week. I just feel so weak and tired. Luckily the children have been taken care of by friends and I haven't had to go down to school.
Phone call from Ricochet
It's been a while since I've spoken with Amanda, the Director of the documentary, so it was nice to receive a phone call from her today. Unfortunately amongst other things, she was calling with some bad news. There are 5 families taking part in the documentary and Amanda was calling to tell me that two of the ladies had passed away. I was aware that Pam had passed away this week as I was in contact with her husband Vince but unfortunately I did not know about Wendy. They both leave a husband and two children. It's very sad and it was a pleasure to have met them even though it was only the once. I was however in contact with Pam by email and I know that she put up a brave and strong fight. God bless them.
Amanda said that she wants to come out and see us again soon but as she will be going to Pam's funeral will probably look at coming in a couple of weeks. She is estimating that filming will continue until possibly June/July although she wants to start editing in May and then it should be finished by August. Still no date on when it will be aired.
Chemo 7
Didn't see the Oncologist today as the clinic was really busy and they were looking for people who didn't necessarily need to see the Oncologist. I mentioned to the nurse that the only thing I wanted to tell the Onc was that I still had the pain in my left breast. She went off to inform the Onc and then returned and said it had been noted and with that I was fast tracked into the chemo suite which was quite good because I didn't have to wait around for hours for the infusions. Blood picture was good again this week.
Felt fairly okay afterwards. I think the virus that I have been suffering with over the last few weeks has finally gone as I'm feeling much better which is a relief because I thought that maybe the chemo was really kicking in or that worse things were happening!
Not feeling very well
Don't know if it is the chemo starting to really kick in or I've got a virus but I've been feeling really bad for the last 4-5 days. The glands in my neck have been swollen, my nose is stuffy, my throat hurts, my arms really ache and I just feel tired and crap. I've spent most of the day in bed today. Luckily Steve has been working from home and has been able to pick Freddie up from school.
I think I've also been quite down thinking about Nem. It was a shock when she died and has given me a reality check. I've been having a few bad thoughts about dying and even the odd dream. Hopefully this will pass.
