After 15 long months - which has included 16 sessions of chemo, 15 sessions of radiotherapy, 15 sessions of immunotherapy, at least 20 blood tests (and a partridge in a pear tree) - I am done. In more ways than one! Had my final appointment today and although the mammogram results are delayed for a … Continue reading #26 THAT’S A WRAP FOLKS!
Category: Cancer Sucks
#25 THE END IS NIGH
I was never very sporty at school. I wasn't the first to be chosen in school team sports. But then I wasn’t the last. I was, shall we say, average. Nothing special. I wasn’t fast enough to be a great athlete or flexible enough for gymnastics. But I took part in the various school sports … Continue reading #25 THE END IS NIGH
#24 NO TEARS. FOR FEARS
A year ago I had a meal out with a group of friends to celebrate my birthday. It was an emotionally challenging night. I had received my diagnosis just a week before and my head was battered and all I wanted to do was cry and shout and "let it all out." I remember feeling … Continue reading #24 NO TEARS. FOR FEARS
#23 IT’S CRACKERS
When I was about 13 my sister and I had a weekly paper round. Apparently, we had the biggest round in Crewe and it took us at least two to three afternoons to complete as we broke our backs lugging huge satchels around the streets. I used to deliver to the houses that we knew … Continue reading #23 IT’S CRACKERS
#22 BRING IN THE BIGGER GUNS
Back at the Day Hospital this week for the first of the Pembrolizumab (aka: Keytruda) immunotherapy treatments. Hello chemo-ward my old friend. Same staff, fluorescent lighting, beeping sounds, and palpable smell. I can pretty much taste this room whenever I think of it. Anyway Chair number 13 for my first visit. One bonus is the … Continue reading #22 BRING IN THE BIGGER GUNS
#21 BIONIC BOOBIES
Radiotherapy is done and in the bag. After 15 sessions I was hoping to emerge with Bruce Banner-style radiation superpowers but sadly SuperKaz does not have Bionic Boobies, just sore ones. So how was it? Well radiotherapy was a walk in the park compared to chemo. It’s been time-consuming going to Malaga every day for … Continue reading #21 BIONIC BOOBIES
#20 GOING RADIO-GA-GA
So six weeks after surgery I have started the next step - radiotherapy. Or “radium” as my mum insists on calling it (see “blob” #2 for ‘mother language’). Which is highly radioactive. And I'd be glowing like a Ready Brek advert if they administered this. 😉 First session was yesterday. 14 to go. It’s a … Continue reading #20 GOING RADIO-GA-GA
#19 IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LYMPH
It’s been a busy two weeks post-surgery. They say “rest and recuperate” and then give you a shit ton of appointments to attend. My first outing in the car back to Malaga felt like a gym workout. Firstly, let’s talk about Derek the Drainage bag. He wasn’t a particularly welcome house guest. Quite frankly he … Continue reading #19 IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LYMPH
#18 OPERATION BOOBY
When I was younger my mum used to sew and my nan used to knit. A lot. Which meant that for most of our childhood, my sister and I were dressed in handmade pinafore dresses, trouser suit outfits and argyle cardigans. We matched a lot of the time as we were basically ‘cut from the … Continue reading #18 OPERATION BOOBY
#17 The Royal We and Cancer (part II)
The likeness is uncanny Back in March just as I was diagnosed with breast cancer the Duchess of Cambridge announced she was undergoing cancer treatment. I blogged at the time (read here if you missed it) about how she was pretty much backed into a corner to do so because of the media harassment over … Continue reading #17 The Royal We and Cancer (part II)
two steps freelance 