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.
Some good news/Some bad news
The good news is that I spoke to Dr Jacob's secretary today and Dr Jacob is available on Friday so I have an appointment for 2pm which is a relief.
The bad news is that my neighbour is stressing me out big time. I know that I didn't set this website up to moan about nasty neighbours but it is having a direct affect on my health. The "old bag" is getting ridculous. She knows about my situation because I had to put it in perfectly plain words last year when they were complaining to us for the 10th time about either the children kicking balls over their fence or us not respecting their boundary (in fact we have had problems with this neighbour since she moved in 5 years ago). Anyway, this time they have called Building Control at the Council and we had a really nice chap call round this afternoon to say that they had had a complaint from our neighbour regarding the boiler flue being too close to the boundary of their property. In fact, we are possibly in contravention of Building Regulations by approximately 100mm. Fortunately the nice Inspector said that they can't force us to do anything, legally or otherwise.
When the Building Inspector first mentioned the complaint I was getting quite upset, I had visions of us ripping the utility room apart to re-site the boiler. I really don't need this stress. This neighbour has no respect for my health. She is just horrible and it is affecting me big time. I don't know what to do about her. Anyone got any "legal" suggestions?
Disappointment
Rang the Leonardis Klinik today to cancel the taxi to Stuttgart for the PET scan on Thursday as Dad is going to drive us in the hire car, hopefully we won't get lost. Stuttgart is a three hour drive from the Klinik so we're going to have to leave at 7 am. Another early start. I certainly don't get any rest when I visit the Klinik.
I also went on to speak with Dr Jacob's (Oncologist) secretary to find out when my appointment would be with her and her secretary said that she was not going to be at the clinic on Thursday or Friday. I can't believe it because I specificially asked to see Dr Jacob during my visit and this week, beginning 30th April was when she was going to be available which is why I booked my trip. Her secretary asked if I could rearrange the flights but of course they are already booked and non-refundable. Dr Jacob has been on holiday for the last two weeks and will be back on Monday so her secretary has asked if I could call Monday afternoon.
10th Chemo
My usual Oncologist was off on one of her fund raising bike rides to the Himalyas (or somewhere similar), some say a nice paid holiday but I wouldn't be so rude!! Anyway, got to see another very very nice Oncologist who was very interested in how I was feeling. I mentioned that I would be having a PET and Bone scan next week and he said very sincerely that he wished me luck for next week and hoped that the results would be good. I thanked him and said how kind he was. I've never had that from any of the other Oncologists!! What a difference a few nice comments can make.
White blood count has dropped a little to 6.03 from 6.84 at the last blood test, but maybe it's because I'm feeling really tired at the moment.
Improvement in Knee Pain
Saw Les last night and he seems to have sorted out my knee problem. They are a lot better today. I've also tried taking my Magnesium Orotate properly, ie on an empty stomach. The Onc in Germany suggested taking these supplements to help with the knee pain.
Painful Knees
My knees are still giving me problems. They can get really painful and I can't kneel down. I'm seeing Les next week so hopefully he can sort them out cause it's also painful to drive when trying to change gear. Don't really know what has caused the pain.
"Sad News"
Unfortunately "Little Karen" passed away this morning. We were forewarned yesterday that she did not have much time but it is still a shock. This is the 4th person I have lost this year from cancer although Karen was the only person of the four who I became friends with that wasn't originally connected to cancer. May she now rest in painfree peace.
Little Karen's really ill
Went to the Royal Berks hospital today to visit "Little Karen". She's a friend who was diagnosed with Liver cancer in late December. She's been in hospital for the best part of 3 weeks now and she looked so frail when Julie and I went to visit. We only stopped for half an hour as she was so tired. She is still confident of coming out and was talking of spending a week at the Sue Ryder Home while a chair lift is fitted in her home as she can't walk at the moment.
Not sleeping very well
I haven't been able to get to sleep for the last 2 nights. My arms and shoulders have been really achey and painful which in turn have been waking me up. My tongue is swollen again as well. It must be a side effect of the chemo because these symptoms are the same as they were three weeks ago.
9th Chemo - Navelbine
Didn't see any Oncologists today, was just sent straight up to the chemo suite, not that I minded too much, it's good to get through as quickly as possible. By the time I got home today I was really tired and went to bed for the afternoon. Poor old Freddie had to be content with watching the TV even though he wanted a friend to play. Bless him, he said they'd be really quiet but I just had to say no.
Tumour Marker results
Again, the tumour marker CA15-3 has risen, now it stands at 16. I will need to inform the Leonardis ahead of my visit in May.
Saw the Pranic Healer tonight, he worked on my knee and it is feeling better already.
When can our life be normal?
Ellie has been upset tonight. She asked me quite a few questions and I didn't want to tell her any lies. She wishes our life was normal like her friends and wanted to know when it would get better. She wanted to know when my treatment would stop and I had to kind of say that it would continue for a long time and that I would probably always have to have chemo. She came to the realisation that the chemo is what is keeping me alive. Unfortunately this really upset her. It is really hard for her at times. She has such a lot to cope with and obviously being a girl she can get quite emotional. The boys on the otherhand are a different kettle of fish.
