December 10th

It's great to have Dave back home after his two weeks in Kuwait. I did get to go back to Cork for a few days while he was away and it was lovely to see family and friends again. I was able to work from Cork for a couple of days so really made the most of the time over there.

I have been given a compression sleeve to wear on my arm & hand to reduce the swelling and prevent it coming back. I need to wear it whenever I'm not using my arm, when I'm flying or doing exercise. Swimming is really good for lymphodema so I'm trying to made sure I swim at least once a week.

It's hard to believe that it's only 2 week tomorrow until Christmas!! Looking forward to spending time with family and enjoying a treatment free Christmas this year :) It's amazing how much has changed since this time last year and I am so thankful for healing.

November 19th

On Wednesday I went back to see the surgeon for my six month check up and the great news is that he gave me the all clear :) What a huge relief!! They will continue to keep an eye on me every 3 months & I will see the oncologist for a check up in February and the surgeon again next May.

My arm has been sore over the last 3 weeks and my hand & wrist have swollen up so he has referred me to the lymphodema clinic to be reviewed and fitted with a compression sleeve. Apparently it's quite common to get lymphodema after surgery & radiotherapy but it can be controlled.

Apart from that, everything is getting back to normal - it's great to be back to work and get into a routine again. I had a great time back in Cork last week and got to catch up with lots of friends, family & work colleagues!!

Unfortunately, Dave is off to Kuwait tonight for 2 weeks :(

November 5th

What a difference a year makes!! This day last year I got the shocking news of my diagnosis & was stuggling to take it all in and break the news to my family & friends. It is so amazing to think that a year later it's all over and my outlook on life is completely different.

I am so thankful for everything that has happened over the last year and that now I'm able to face a very positive future. It is SO good to be on this side of the treatment, and to be (almost) back to normal again.

I'm reminded again what an amazing family & group of friends I have and just want to say Thank You to each and every one of you for your overwhelming love & support over the last year. And most especially what an amazing husband I have :) This experience has given be a new appreciation for al those around me.

There are so many reasons to celebrate today!! It's Marilyn's Birthday, Peta & Dave's wedding anniversary, Charis has just become an Auntie & Sandra has become a Granny! But above all, a very much happier day than this day last year :)

October 28

It's amazing how quickly life gets back to normal & although I'm only working 3 days a week it feels like I'm constantly busy doing something. I do still feel a little tired but much better now that I'm getting into the routine of work. The first few weeks I didn't sleep very well as my brain was so active, which was quite a change!

Dave is in Morocco with work at the moment & has been away for 10 days - he has been working long hours and hasn't been very well while he's been away so I'm really looking forward to having him back home tomorrow :)

But I haven't been too lonely as Charis came over last week for a few days. It was lovely to have her to keep me company last weekend & we had a great time shopping, visiting Cheltenham & Bath and just hanging out. It was so good to spend time with her & it's amazing how it worked out as she booked her flights before we knew that Dave would be away! Thank you Charis - I so appreciate you coming over!

I got to meet Ann for lunch yesterday & I also went for a swim for the first time in a few weeks. Hope to get back to swimming regularly very soon as I've missed the exercise.

October 18

Cousin's Reunion 16/10/10

We had a great weekend in West Cork at our cousin's reunion a couple of weeks ago. 21 cousins & partners travelled from West Cork, East Cork, Sligo, Dublin, England & Germany, a lot of us hadn't seen each other for years and some had never met each other! We had a great time catching up but it was a bit confusing for the partners - Dave is still trying to work out who's who :(

It was a great opportunity to catch up with some of my aunts & uncles over the weekend too but time just went too quickly! Thank you so much to Roger, Bob & Cora for all your work in organising it!

October 6th

I've been back at work now for the last 3 weeks and it feels great to be getting back to normal again. I'm still settling in and feeling tired from the travel and from using my brain again! But it's great to have the opportunity of going back part-time initially to get used to working life again.

I travel to Kettering on Monday mornings, work two days in the office, stay overnight & travel back to Swindon on Tuesday evenings. I take Wednesdays & Fridays off and work from home on Thursdays so it works out really well. It makes such a difference to have a very understanding employer & I'm very grateful to RCI for allowing me to work part-time and for all their support over the last few months.

On my days off I try to go swimming and have been able to do 40 to 50 lengths each time. It's good to get some exercise & stretch my arm....as well as relaxing in the jacuzzi & steam room :) We've also been playing badminton with Ashley & Nicky once a week too which has been great fun.

September 20th

I went back to work last Thursday!! It's such a huge step forward for me to go back to work and I really feel like life is getting back to normal at last. It was a little strange to feel like the new girl again but it was SO good to be back and see everyone. They have all been so kind & welcoming & have been such an encouragement to me over the past few months :)

I worked Thursday & Friday last week and am planning to work 3 days a week for the next while - two days in the office and one day at home. As it's a 2 hour drive from Swindon to Kettering, I'm planning to travel up one morning, stay overnight and travel back the following evening. I was tired this weekend after going back but it's great to be able to work part time and have rest days in between. This week is Tuesday & Wednesday in the office and then Thursday or Friday from home. I really feel I'm ready for this next step now & am looking forward to getting back into things again slowly but surely.

September 10th

It's almost the middle of September and it's amazing how quickly time is going by. I'm ready to go back to work in the next couple of weeks and am planning to go back on a part time basis and see how I get on. It feels good to be getting back to normality but I'm sure it will be quite a change after 10 months off work!

In the meanwhile, I have spent this week doing a lot of swimming, walking and playing badminton, trying to exercise my arm and get my energy levels back. I've been really pleased with how much I can do but I'm also conscious that I shouldn't overdo things!

August 31st

We've just had a great week with my nieces - Lauren & Isabel came back to the UK with me last Tuesday and then Heather & Leah joined us on Friday. It was so lovely to spend time with them and get to take them swimming, shopping, to wildlife parks, playgrounds & the biggest treat of all - Legoland!! They went home well tired after their holiday & ready to go back to school tomorrow.

It was a good test of my energy & stamina too but I did quite well and feel I'm starting to get my energy back again. I'm feeling it today though & am pretty tired after the week!!

August 21st

I've been back in Cork for the last week, spending time with family and friends. It's been really lovely to catch up with everyone, especially now that all my treatment is over & I'm starting to feel a bit more like myself again.

I'm going back to the UK on Tuesday and my two nieces are coming back with me for a little holiday before they go back to school. So looking forward to having them to stay!

August 13th

Yesterday evening I went to see my consultant in Oxford for my post radiotherapy check up. She gave me a very thorough check up and told me that everything looks really well. She was very pleased with my progress and doesn't want to see me again! We were so thrilled to hear this news and it really is beginning to sink in now that it's all over :)

We are so thankful to God for His gift of healing & to all our friends and family who have been faithfully praying for my recovery over the last number of months. All your prayers (and ours) have been answered in an amazing way!!

Once again we are overwhelmed by the love and support of those around us (and those further away). Thank you doesn't begin to express how we feel but we so appreciate all the messages, texts, cards, calls, emails, gifts, flowers, visits & everything you have all done for us over the past year - we are truly blessed!

August 9th

We're just back from a really lovely relaxing break in the sun :) Dave was able to take some time off work and we got a good last minute deal. It wasn't planned but it was SO good to have a break and I don't think we realised how much we needed a holiday until we got there! The last holiday we had was our honeymoon, this time last year :)

It may seem strange, but once all my treatment was over, initially I felt over the moon but then everything started to hit me and I felt quite down. While I was going through the treatment I was so focused on getting through it that I don't think I really thought about everything that was happening. But once it was over it started to sink in what we'd just been through - apparently this is quite normal but I wasn't really prepared for it. The holiday really helped us take time out, get a different perspective and relax & enjoy time together :) The only downside was having to come back :(

Thank you SO much to everybody for your extremely generous support for the Race for Life. Andrea & I raised £445 between us and I have no doubt that this will go to a very good cause to raise funds for cancer research and help other people in the future, in the same way that research over the last number of years has helped me over the last 9 months.

July 25th

We made it!! Yesterday Andrea & I did the 5km Race for Life - jogging a little and walking most of it. We finished in 39 minutes & were pretty exhausted afterwards! But it was a great experience and the atmosphere was amazing. Everyone was dressed in pink and there were some great outfits - pink wigs, bunny ears, bright pink ballet skirts and even the dogs were dressed in pink!!

There were over 1600 women running / jogging / walking and each had their own story or reason for joining in. Everyone wrote their reason on the back of their T-shirts and it was very touching to read them as we walked along.

Thank you SO much to everyone who sponsored us - so far Andrea & I have raised just over £300 between us. There's still time to donate if you would like to:

Thank you to Andrea for coming with me and for raising all that sponsorship & thank you to our cheerleaders and photographer - Dave & Marilyn:)

Feeling a bit stiff today :(

July 20th

On Sunday we celebrated our first wedding anniversary. What a year!! Getting married, moving country, moving job, moving house (twice) and going through breast cancer. Certainly not what we expected from our first year of marriage but it's fantastic to out this side of it and to be fully recovered. We had lots of reasons to celebrate this weekend & had a lovely time away in Hampshire & down on the South coast :)

Thank you so much to everyone for your cards and texts and to Ashley & Nicky and Tommy & Heather & girls for the beautiful flowers :) We have been SO spoiled by everyone's thoughtfulness throughout this year - THANK YOU!

Health-wise, I'm feeling well but I'm still really tired - I can sleep for 8 or 9 hours and still wake up tired, which is really not like me!

July 16th

Andrea & I are planning to do the Race For Life in Swindon on July 24th. Race for life is a fund-raising event for the charity Cancer Research UK. They run events all over the country where women can walk, run, or jog 5 or 10 kilometres & raise funds for cancer research.

Over the past 8 months, I have benefited hugely from the research that has gone into breast cancer over the last number of years but there are lots of other cancers where there is still not cure. I have been so fortunate and would like to help in my small way to raise awareness & funds for others less fortunate.

If you would like to sponsor me - you can do so online by clicking on the Race for Life link above. This year I'm only going to walk as I'm not sure I'm up to running just yet....mind you I'm not sure I would have been able to do it last year either!! But my aim is to be able to run 5k by this time next year :)

July 13th

It's been over a week since treatment finished and it's still not sinking in that it's all over!! I've been feeling really tired over the last week - maybe the effects of radiotherapy or maybe the last 8 months catching up on me! My skin has started peeling but apart from that I've been doing really well.

hank you to Claire for the fabulous Congratulations balloons you sent on Saturday - they brought a huge smile to our faces :) It was lovely to see Howard & Esther this afternoon....thank you for the coffee & fabulous cake :) And thank you to everyone for your best wishes, texts, emails & blog comments. We so appreciate them all!

July 9th

It's the end of my first week since treatment has finished & I really don't think it's sunk in yet!! No more chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy.....it feels too good to be true! It's been so much a part of our lives for the last few months.

My skin is quite red but hasn't been too sore & I'm told it should start to improve from now on. Apart from that I am feeling a bit tired and need more rest than normal but I've been told to expect that too. The doctor told me to keep using my arm to build up strength & keep it mobile long term, so I've been washing the car, cleaning windows, washing the floors... and have lots of ironing lined up for next week.

But it hasn't been all housework.... Marilyn & Andrea took me out for a meal to celebrate on Tuesday evening, we went to see Betty & Maurice & also had a lovely day out in Bath yesterday!

Really looking forward to seeing Dave this evening - he's on his way home from Morocco right now :)

Day Two Hundred & Nineteen (The FINAL day)!

FINISHED!!!

Exactly 8 months to the day since I was given the news that I had breast cancer, my treatment is finished!!

Today has been a really good day!! Marilyn & Andrea came with me to Oxford for my final radiotherapy session. I saw the doctor & she was very happy with me - she said that my skin will continue to react for the next 7 to 10 days but after that it should start to improve. She will see me in August to check on my progress & make sure everything has settled down but says she expects everything to be fine. Then my next check up is with the surgeon in November!

We stopped off at Ann & Alan's on the way home from Oxford, sat in the garden enjoying the afternoon sunshine & had a fabulous cream tea :) Thank you Ann & Alan!! And Thank you to Marilyn & Andrea for coming with me & for the beautiful flowers. All that's missing today is having Dave here to celebrate with - he has been such an amazing support over the last 8 months and has been there beside me every single step of the way. It's just a pity he's not here for the final step but is working hard in Morocco :(

I really can't describe how I feel right now - elated, relieved, ecstatic that it's all over and most of all thankful : )

Thankful that the outcome has been so good, that every single part of my treatment has gone the best we could have hoped for, that I had the most amazing team of people caring for me all the way through and especially thankful for the overwhelming support we have had from friends & family over the last 8 months.

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you doesn't begin to express the gratitude that we feel but we just want to say a heartfelt Thank You to each and every one of you for sharing this journey with us. Thank you for reading this blog, for your love & concern, for your calls, texts, emails, cards, flowers, gifts, visits and especially for your prayers, without which we wouldn't have got through the last few months. I realise more than ever through this experience that every day we have is a gift from God & I thank Him for the way that this has all turned out & for His love, comfort & healing day by day. I have also learnt so much about friendship and am totally overwhelmed by the incredible love, kindness, thoughtfulness & generosity of our friends and family.

But this is not the end....I will keep updating the blog to let you know how we are and what we're doing over the next few days, weeks & months. In the meanwhile, all I can say is...

HURRAY!!

Day Two Hundred & Sixteen

I can't believe it's Friday already and I now have only ONE treatment left....on Monday it will be all over!!

Treatment has gone well this week and the last 4 sessions have been much quicker as they are just boosters to a specific area. I'm still doing ok with travelling and not feeling over tired but it was great to have Colin & Ann drive me to Oxford and back yesterday. It was lovely to have a break from driving and I really enjoyed catching up & having lunch with them :) Thank you so much to both of you! And thank you too to everyone who offered to bring me if I needed transport - thankfully I felt up to driving everyday and was able to make my own way. Peta & Charis, the audio books really helped to pass the journeys over the last month - Thank you!

My skin is quite red and freckled from the radiotherapy but it hasn't been sore or blistered so I'm very grateful for that. Looking forward to resting over the weekend and spending some time with Dave as he has to go back to Morocco again on Sunday :(

Day Two Hundred & Thirteen

I started a new phase of radiotherapy today - the first 15 sessions covered the whole breast & neck area and the next 5 are specific to the place where the tumour originally was. It's much quicker than the previous treatments and there's only 4 left to go already!! My skin is starting to get quite red and apparently it will be worst about 10 days after the main treatment is over but thankfully it hasn't been sore as yet.

Thinking of our friend Jessie so much today as she under goes surgery for breast cancer this afternoon.

Day Two Hundred & Eleven

It's the start of my last week of radiotherapy & I'm really looking forward to counting down the days :)

Dave came home on Saturday evening & it's really great to have him back at last! Thankfully, his back seems to be much better than it was, although it's still not fully right. We spent the day at Dave's Mum's yesterday, having a BBQ, sitting in the garden, enjoying the fabulous sunshine and .....better not to mention the football :(

We're staying in Oxford this evening to save some travel (for me) & back home tomorrow afternoon.

Day Two Hundred & Eight

It's Friday and it feels great to get to the end of another week of radiotherapy...... and even better to realise there are only 6 sessions left!! I've been feeling well all this week and not too sore or tired but I have been missing my husband. Really looking forward to seeing him tomorrow :)

The weather has been amazing this week so it's been lovely to get out and enjoy it - I went round for a BBQ with Marilyn & Andrea yesterday evening & had a great time relaxing in the garden & enjoying the sunshine. I had a lovely time with Nicky this evening & really enjoyed our walk & chat.

Day Two Hundred & Six

12 down - 8 to go! Over half way there on radiotherapy and it's great to be on the count down already. I'm still feeling well and not too tired or sore as yet, although I know it accumulates over time. The staff are lovely and I'm really getting to know them well by now.

As Dave is away, I stayed in Oxford for the last two nights to save some travelling. I got to go to work yesterday afternoon and it was fantastic to see everybody there. I was amazed by the number of people who said they had been reading my blog regularly.....200 days on. Thank you SO much to everyone at RCI (and ICE) for your amazing support & encouragement :)

I haven't spoken to Dave much since he's been away but his back seems to be a bit better - I've been missing him a lot & looking forward to seeing him in 3 days time :)

PS. Well done to England on the great result today!! I'm sure there will be a lot of very happy & relieved people around this evening :)

Day Two Hundred & Three

Unfortunately, Dave has had to go away with work for the next week :( He left for Morocco at lunchtime today and plans to be back next Saturday, although that could change... His back is still causing him a lot of pain but it does seem to be slightly better....already counting down the days until he comes home!!

I'm almost half way there on radiotherapy - tomorrow will be my tenth session out of 20! So far it's been going well and I'm doing ok with travelling. I'm planning to stay in Oxford tomorrow night as my appointment is in the late afternoon so it will save two journeys.

Day Two Hundred

Wow - it's hard to believe it's 200 days since I started treatment! Well, I think it's 200....given my 'chemo brain' over the last few months, I wouldn't be surprised if I had miscalculated a day here or there :) Unfortunately, now that the drugs are wearing off I don't have an excuse for doing silly things any more!! Although sometimes I wonder if the ice cap killed off some of my brain cells permanently......

Dave's back seems to be slightly better today and we even went for a very short walk this evening - the first time in 2 weeks. Radiotherapy is still going well & I was seen on time today. I had a review with the doctor yesterday and she was very happy with everything.

It is good to have a routine after such a long time out of routine. Generally I get up at 7:45, drop Dave to work, leave home again at 11am, drive to Oxford, have treatment around 12:30 (depending on how the schedule is running) and get back home for anywhere between 2 and 3pm. Then I have a couple of hours before picking Dave up from work. I am more tired than normal but only in the evenings -I go to bed at about 9:30 or 10 (which is early for me) & sleep a full 8 or 9 hours.

One Hundred & Ninety Eight

It's ten weeks ago today since I had my last chemotherapy and the drugs are definitely leaving my system. Over the last two or three weeks, my hair has started to thicken, my eyebrows have grown back (thicker than ever!) and I have eye lashes again!! It's amazing to see how quickly the body readjusts - and to realise how much of an effect the drugs have had over the last few months. It's fantastic to be finished that part of my treatment & to see things getting back to normal :)

Radiotherapy went well today - I had a bit of a wait & was there for about an hour and a half in the end. Thank you to Charis for the audio books you gave me....they really help to pass the time on the journey back and forth to Oxford!

Day One Hundred & Ninety Seven

Today's radiotherapy session went really well - I got there 35 minutes early and 4 other patients hadn't turned up yet so I got in ahead of everyone else and was out really quickly. It was great to have Andrea keeping me company on the journey today.

Dave finally gave in to our persuasion to see a doctor about his back - and now wishes he hadn't.... the doctor saw him for 2 minutes and concluded that back problems tend to go away!! No painkillers or anything!

We went to Bath yesterday for Dave's cousin's first communion and got to see some of Dave's extended family we hadn't seen for a long time and we really enjoyed catching up with everyone.

Day One Hundred & Ninety Four

It's the end of a busy week (in comparison to the last few months) and it's good to have a couple of days off to relax. 4 treatments done and 16 to go....looking forward to July 5th already!

Talking & listening to some of the people waiting for radiotherapy, I realise again how fortunate I am. A man in his 70's with an inoperable brain tumour, on his 6th week of radiotherapy. Another man who has kidney cancer, has lost both his kidneys & is on dialysis 3 days a week & radiotherapy for a tumour in his jaw. And lots of other cases I don't know about. But the most amazing thing was their attitude - laughing & joking & praising the staff looking after them. It's very humbling & challenging to see.

Dave is still in a lot of pain with his back but says it's a bit better than yesterday. Hopefully, he will be able to rest it a bit over the weekend.

Day One Hundred & Ninety Three

Today's radiotherapy was at 4pm but I got there early & they were running behind schedule so I ended up having to wait over an hour to go in. The treatment took about half an hour as they were adjusting the machine so I had pins & needles in my arm by the time I was finished!! Just one more to go this week - 12pm tomorrow.

Dave's back is still very painful but he's sitting watching the world cup concert at the moment.....it all kicks off tomorrow so it's football for the next 4 weeks :) He was due to go away to Tanzania with work during June but thankfully it looks like it's been postponed now so he will be here for the duration of my radiotherapy - which we're both very pleased about!

Day One Hundred & Ninety Two

2 down - 18 to go! I'm just back from my second radiotherapy session & everything went really well. It took a little longer yesterday as it was the first day and they needed to set up the machines - they were also running behind schedule so I was in there for a couple of hours in all. This morning was much more straightforward and I was in & out within 20 minutes.

The radiotherapy itself is very easy & just takes a couple of minutes once they have me in the right position on the machine - to the exact millimeter. The most difficult bit was having to raise my arms over my head for 20 minutes yesterday! I wouldn't have been able to do that a few weeks ago :)

Dave's back is still bad but he still travelled up to Oxford to stay with me last night.....Thank you Dave :) And Thank You to everyone for all your encouraging texts yesterday - we really appreciate them :)

Day One Hundred & Ninety One (Radiotherapy 1)

Today will be my first radiotherapy session in Oxford at 2:30pm - we're staying in Oxford tonight as tomorrow's session is at 9am so it avoids battling the rush hour traffic. Most days radiotherapy is at around 12:30pm which is great as it means I don't have to get up too early or get caught up in traffic.

It will be strange to try to get back into a routine everyday after the last few months but it's good practice! I'm told to expect tiredness towards the end of the treatment as it builds up over the four weeks and can last for quite a while once the treatment is over but apart from that and red / sore skin it will definitely be a lot easier than surgery & chemotherapy. It was great to be able to chat to Charis about it over the weekend as she's a qualified radiotherapist / radiographer (sorry Charis I always forget which is which!!)

It was lovely to catch up with Nicky for coffee yesterday & with Steve & Ruth last night. Dave's back is still giving him a lot of pain - it's been sore since Friday so we hope & pray it will improve really soon.

Day One Hundred & Eighty Nine

I made it back to the UK last night after a really great 10 days in Ireland. It was so good to spend time with family & friends and to spend the last couple of days with Dave & Peta & baby Rebekah :)

I got to see Charis yesterday afternoon as she picked me up from Peta's, we went for a lovely al fresco lunch and she dropped me to the airport yesterday evening. It was great to catch up!

But it was really nice to come home to see my husband last night :) He's got a sore back at the moment so has to take things easy - hopefully it will improve really soon.

We have a couple of days to settle down before starting radiotherapy on Tuesday afternoon and get into the routine of travelling to & from Oxford. In some ways it's great to be starting off on the final leg of this journey - and more than anything looking forward to finishing in a month's time!!

Day One Hundred & Eighty Six

It's been so amazing to spend time with Peta & Dave the last 24 hours and to meet baby Rebekah! She is beautiful....so tiny & so cute :) She was 1 week old yesterday & it's a privilege to be able to share in some of her eariest days....I get all the good bits & managed to sleep through the night while Mummy & Daddy looked after her changes & feeds!!

I'm here until Saturday & then head back to the UK in time to start radiotherapy on Tuesday. Healthwise, I've been doing very well, although my arm is still a little tight & sore when I stretch fully. I haven't been as good as I should be at doing my physio excercises so I need to work on that over the next few days so that I can stretch properly for radiotherapy.

Day One Hundred & Eight Four

It's been great to spend time with family and friends back in Cork the last few days. I had a lovely time this afternoon catching up with Rachel who is just back from Canada - it was fantastic to see her after more than a year! And it's been great to spend time with Heather & Tommy & the girls this evening.

I'm travelling to Dublin tomorrow to spend some time with Peta & Dave & baby Rebekah - can't wait to meet their little daughter :)

Day One Hundred & Eighty-Three

Sharon's little helper here for today's entry. I travelled back to Swindon today, but a very recent change of plans meant that Sharon is staying in Ireland for a few extra days and thankfully avoided the quick turnaround and a long trip back today via the ferry.

The weekend was fantastic and speaking for both of us, we had a great time catching up with family and friends prior to the next stage of Sharon's treatment which kicks-off a week tomorrow. We spent some of Saturday with Lauren, Isabel & Leah, and enjoyed a picnic at Fota.

On Sunday morning, we were able to meet up with some friends from the church in Youghal. It was a real highlight to catch up with friends we haven't seen for a while. Again, it was amazing to hear so many stories of people who have been praying about this situation over the past few months. It still remains an incredibly humbling experience to know that people are so concerned, and as a result, that prayers have definitely been answered.

Day One Hundred & Eighty

We have made it to the emerald isle - tired but well! Dave drove the whole way - 175 miles from Swindon to Fishguard & 109 more from Rosslare to Midleton, as well as an overnight ferry.

It's been so lovely to see Dad, Heather & the girls and spend some time with them today. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the family over the weekend too. It's been great to get to see some friends very briefly today too.... Happy Birthday Carolyn :)

Right now, about ready to get to bed & catch up on some sleep :)

Day One Hundred & Seventy Eight

I drove today for the first time since my surgery and went to Cirencester to meet Ann for lunch. We had a lovely time catching up and looking around the shops. It was great to be out and about and felling like I'm getting back to normal again.

This weekend is a bank holiday in the UK so we've decided to go back to Cork for a couple of days....we're taking the ferry (to avoid any ash cloud issues) and leaving tomorrow evening. Really looking forward to seeing my family, especially as Dave hasn't been there since November.

Huge congratulations to David & Peta who have just had a baby daughter - Rebekah Louise Joyce was born in the early hours of this morning :)

Day One Hundred & Seventy Seven

I've been resting a lot over the last few days, especially sitting in the garden reading a book & enjoying the sunshine...although it seems to have disappeared again today :(

This morning we went to visit a friend of Marilyn's who has been going through chemotherapy over the last few months. As a consequence of the drugs, she had a blood clot and was seriously ill a couple of weeks ago. She's now recovering well at home and we had a lovely time with her. But I realised yet again how fortunate I was that my chemotherapy went so well and I didn't have any severe reactions. I am very thankful for that :)

Day One Hundred & Seventy Five

We've had a great few days, making the most of this fabulous sunshine....sitting in the sun, reading, having BBQs - it feels like Summer is here at last :) We spent the day on the south coast yesterday & the beaches were crowded!

Healthwise, it's 3 weeks since my surgery & I've been feeling really well. My arm is still a little stiff & sore at times, especially when I stretch it so I don't have full movement yet but it's getting better all the time.

Day One Hundred & Seventy Two

It's been a really good two days!! It was so good to see Charis and Sandra over to visit on their way to the Isle of Wight. We made the most of the fabulous weather on Tuesday & had a BBQ :)

On Tuesday I went to see the oncologist in London and he was really pleased with the surgery & all my progress up to now. He was very positive about everything and said that the likelihood of the cancer coming back is low and that he's very optimistic about the future. He wants to see me for my next check up....in Feb 2011!!

I was being given the most amazing news all over again and it is really starting to sink in :)

It was really nice to see some of the doctors & nurses that treated me during chemotherapy....and more importantly it felt so good not to be going in there for treatment this time :)

Yesterday Charis & Sandra took me to Oxford for my radiotherapy appointment. It was great to have Charis there as she's a qualified radiographer and was able to talk me through everything.

They put me on a simulator scanning machine, pulled me round to get me into the right position for radiotherapy, took some scans, took photos, drew on me with black marker & even gave me some little tatoos!

I will start radiotherapy on 8th June and finish on 5th July. I need to go there everyday Monday to Friday but the actual treatment will only take 5 or 10 minutes. The main side effects are red / sore skin & tiredness but this is definitely the easiest bit of all the treatment!

Day One Hundred & Seventy

This afternoon I'm off to London to see my consultant (the oncologist rather than the surgeon). Although I'm not expecting him to say anything new it will be good to see him and get his views on the surgery & radiotherapy and to ask about the next steps / check-ups etc.

Then, I have an appointment in Oxford tomorrow afternoon for radiotherapy planning so I'll hopefully have a better idea of when they will start treatment after that.

In the meanwhile, I can't wait to see Charis & Sandra this evening - they're coming to see us & staying in Swindon for a night on their way to the Isle of Wight!

Day One Hundred & Sixty Eight

The meeting with the oncologist in Oxford went well on Thursday evening - she's a really lovely lady. I've been so impressed by all the medical staff I've met over the last few months and she is no exception.

I will have a four week course of radiotherapy; it only takes a few minutes to receive treatment but I need to go every day from Monday to Friday for 4 weeks. It will be in Oxford as there's no radiotherapy centre in Swindon so it means an hour's journey there and an hour back each day. I'm not sure when it will start yet as I'm waiting to hear from the radiotherapy department but they usually start about 4 - 6 weeks after surgery, provided the wound is healed enough.

I am continuing to feel better each day and I've got more movement in my arm the last few days but I've still been taking things easy. Poor Dave is feeling sick today with headache & sinuses so we've both been on the sofa all day :(

We got to see lots of Dave's family this weekend (Aunts, Uncles & cousins) and also had a great BBQ at Ashley & Nicky's last night - trying to convince ourselves that Summer is here :)

Day One Hundred & Sixty Five

I've been improving every day this week and feeling less swollen and sore each day. The physiotherapy exercises are helping me to get more movement in my arm & it feels a lot less stiff the last few days. I have an appointment with the oncologist in Oxford this evening to discuss radiotherapy dates and timelines.

I have been getting out and about more and walked into town & back yesterday. It was great to catch up with Andrea back from Portugal & to see Alan, Lai Shan and the kids last night :)

I have so many Thank You's to say - Thank you to Duncan & Andrea for the amazing flowers, Thank You to Claire for the fabulous arm pillow - it is such a great idea! Thank you once again to Leslie & Grace for the beautiful flowers & hope you are having a fabulous time in South Africa! And Thank You again to Marilyn who has been looking after us for the last week - cooking, washing, ironing and driving me places!

Also want to say Happy Birthday Heather!!

Day One Hundred & Sixty Two

I've been feeling better today & less swollen but I've still been taking things easy and resting....I've read three books in the last week or so which means I have slowed down a lot! I did get out to see Dave's Aunt & Uncle this afternoon which was great! Thank you again for all your encouraging texts & messages about the good news!

Day One Hundred & Sixty One

Ralph, Cherie, Christopher & Kalena came to visit yesterday on their way back from their trip to Kosovo. It was SO lovely to see them all - thank you for coming all the way out to Swindon to see us and for the Krispy Kremes.....we would put up a photo but there's not many left!! It was great to see Sue this afternoon and thank you so much to Sue & Julie for the beautiful flowers :)

I've been feeling a bit sore & swollen the last couple of days but that's only to be expected as it's only been a week since the surgery. Just planning to rest up and recover over the next few days and I have an appointment to see the Oncologist in Oxford on Thursday to plan the radiotherapy.

It's just beginning to sink in that the cancer is now completely gone....it's such an amazing feeling :)

Day One Hundred & Sixty

Smiles all round - Celebrating in Starbucks (last night)

Fantastic News!! We saw the surgeon last night and he gave us the best news we could have hoped for....the tumour has been fully removed and no disease is left and the tests on the lymph nodes were negative so I don't need any further surgery or chemotherapy! There was some indication that the lymph nodes may have been diseased in the past but six months after being diagnosed with breast cancer - it's now completely clear :)

The journey is still not over as I still need to recover from surgery and then have a course of radiotherapy for 4 to 6 weeks but this is a huge milestone and we are so delighted & thankful to God for this amazing answer to prayer. Thank you again to each of you for your tremendous support over the last few months.

Day One Hundred & Fifty Nine

Thank you again to everyone who has been sending cards, messages & calling. We so appreciate your support & apologise that I haven't been able to respond to everyone as yet. Thank you to Ashley & Nicky for the fabulous flowers you sent yesterday :)

I have been feeling well since I got back from hospital and have been resting lots! The feeling is starting to come back now but I'm thankful that I still don't have much pain. I have physiotherapy exercises to do and I have almost full movement in my arm already.

We're going to London this afternoon to meet the surgeon, get my dressings changed and to get the all important results from surgery & subsequent lab tests. We are hoping & praying that this will be good news & that all the cancerous cells have been removed.

Day One Hundred & Fifty Seven

I'm home!! It feels good to be rid of the drain and to be able to move around properly again. It was amazing to actually go outdoors and get some fresh air for the first time in a few days :) I'm continuing to feel well and haven't had much pain so I'm just resting and taking things easy - and I'm not allowed to do anything!!

It was so lovely to come back to a welcome home banner and balloons & lots of cards from people thinking of us...Thank you again to everyone - we are continually humbled by your thoughtfulness & concern.

We got back just in time to spend some time with Dave's sister on her birthday - Happy Birthday Andrea!

Day One Hundred & Fifty Six

I'm still at the hospital, relaxing & enjoying my 5 star treatment! Breakfast in bed (panckaes!), watching tv, reading, coffee, lunch, dinner, more coffee....and most importantly spending time with Dave, who has has sat by my side for another whole day (apart from when he was bumping into celebrities!). He has been such a huge support the last few months but especially this weekend.

I'm getting up and about more and walking around the corridors & stairs as well as doing physiotherapy exercises. I still don't have much pain but I'm quite stiff and the feeling is starting to come back now. I didn't see the consultant today but it looks like all the fluid has drained off so I'm expecting to be allowed home tomorrow morning :)