04-06-2008, 03:39 PM
Evening everyone and thank you for the opportunity to share with you yet another part of my journey.
Where to begin????????
At the beginning I suppose.....I am a survivor! I have survived my boobs being trapped between two metal plates, I have survived a long needle blasted into the depth of my left boob and extracting my flesh....:rofl: I have even survived trying to find a one boobed dress fro a special occaision:innocent:
So, let me begin by sharing some updates I have sent to family and friends to lure them into the world of big suprises:-
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Dear family and friends
Again, my apologies for sending a 'group' email. It seems so impersonal but it's the only way at the moment to let everyone know what is happening in this gal's life.
I visited the Oncologist today to discuss the treatment plan based on the findings during surgery.
Histology:
I have a stage 2 cancer and there was a tumour in the lymph node which they refer to as metastatic which basically means the cancer has spread from the initial site into the lymph and onwards.
So, there are a number of stages I need to go through firstly to contain the cancer and stop further spread by killing off all the current cancer cells where ever they have decided to camp out in my body, then to make sure that in the next five years, I am taking treatment to block any further new cells from forming. So this is what will be happening:
1. They need to establish if the cancer has spread to my bones. So I am booked in for a full body scan tomorrow morning at 8.30am at Entabeni Hospital. The cost can you believe is R3500.00! They will inject me with an isotope which then has to be absorbed into the bones which takes between 3-4hrs so I will be sitting twiddling my thumbs for the morning. Then once my bones are soaked with the stuff, I go into the large tubular body scanner and the test will pick up any spread within the bones. It might also pick up if there is any brain activity!!!!
2. The next stage is for Chemotherapy which will be for 6 sessions with three weeks in between each session to recover. Apparently the Chemo compromises my immune system so there are challenges I will need to deal with.
3. Before the Chemo can start, I need to see a heart specialist to check the state of my heart muscles to handle the Chemo. That appointment has been made for May 29th.
4. Once the Chemo is over, then whatever cancer cells were in the body will hopefully be dead.
5. The last stage is then the ongoing treatment of hormone therapy which is taken in pill form by mouth. This therapy is designed to stop any new cancer cells from developing and will continue for up to 5 years or even longer depending on my bodies response to them.
So I think within 5-6 months, I will have undergone all that can be thrown at me to give me the best chance of beating the cancer. So Gemma, I should be ready to rock and role for your 30th!!!!
I have to say this because it is how I see it. I am happy that the medical profession are throwing everything possible at me in the next 6 months. I want this thing beaten and I don't mind what I have to go through to achieve that. The Oncologist, a really lovely lady said she was very happy with my attitude and said I have the right attitude to deal with the illness. she said so many people want to fight with her and are unhappy with Chemo. I say 'bring it on'. If it get's rid of the illness.....then it was all worth it!
So thank you for your continued prayers and positive energies my way.
Sue
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Morning Family & Friends
Thank you once again for all your prayers and positive encouragement.
I returned to the surgeon yesterday and I must admit that it was probably my lowest day so far as I was experiencing very real discomfort which the pain killers were not able to sort out.
The surgeon found a problem with swelling (a build up of fluid) around the chest and under the arm so he inserted a needle and drained the fluid. He explained to me that due to the removal of the lymph nodes (which act as drainage filters for the body) fluid was building up instead of draining normally hence the pain and discomfort.
The surgeon said I am not well enough yet to start the adjuvant therapy (treatment following surgery) so he has asked me to return to him on Monday and hopefully he can then refer me to an oncologist. Whilst I am booked off work, I am still able to work thanks to the wonders of 3G....and it's stopping me getting bored stiff :o)
The oncologist will work out a personal treatment plan for me and the surgeon in hopeful that because of the type of cancer I have, I will be a candidate for chemo/hormone in tablet form. This is known as systemic therapy which is used to reach and kill the cancer cells that have spread beyond the breast and nearby tissue via the lymph system.
So it is a case of one step at a time and listening to sound advice.
I am using my arm more and more and even baked two lots of muffins yesterday so things are looking up! :o)
Liz, I will be on the comrades table with you this year but I doubt I will be able to massage and bandage all those tired legs....but I can still shout and provide encouragement for the 17,000 runners !!!!
Take care everyone
Sue
Where to begin????????
At the beginning I suppose.....I am a survivor! I have survived my boobs being trapped between two metal plates, I have survived a long needle blasted into the depth of my left boob and extracting my flesh....:rofl: I have even survived trying to find a one boobed dress fro a special occaision:innocent:
So, let me begin by sharing some updates I have sent to family and friends to lure them into the world of big suprises:-
*********************************************************
Dear family and friends
Again, my apologies for sending a 'group' email. It seems so impersonal but it's the only way at the moment to let everyone know what is happening in this gal's life.
I visited the Oncologist today to discuss the treatment plan based on the findings during surgery.
Histology:
I have a stage 2 cancer and there was a tumour in the lymph node which they refer to as metastatic which basically means the cancer has spread from the initial site into the lymph and onwards.
So, there are a number of stages I need to go through firstly to contain the cancer and stop further spread by killing off all the current cancer cells where ever they have decided to camp out in my body, then to make sure that in the next five years, I am taking treatment to block any further new cells from forming. So this is what will be happening:
1. They need to establish if the cancer has spread to my bones. So I am booked in for a full body scan tomorrow morning at 8.30am at Entabeni Hospital. The cost can you believe is R3500.00! They will inject me with an isotope which then has to be absorbed into the bones which takes between 3-4hrs so I will be sitting twiddling my thumbs for the morning. Then once my bones are soaked with the stuff, I go into the large tubular body scanner and the test will pick up any spread within the bones. It might also pick up if there is any brain activity!!!!
2. The next stage is for Chemotherapy which will be for 6 sessions with three weeks in between each session to recover. Apparently the Chemo compromises my immune system so there are challenges I will need to deal with.
3. Before the Chemo can start, I need to see a heart specialist to check the state of my heart muscles to handle the Chemo. That appointment has been made for May 29th.
4. Once the Chemo is over, then whatever cancer cells were in the body will hopefully be dead.
5. The last stage is then the ongoing treatment of hormone therapy which is taken in pill form by mouth. This therapy is designed to stop any new cancer cells from developing and will continue for up to 5 years or even longer depending on my bodies response to them.
So I think within 5-6 months, I will have undergone all that can be thrown at me to give me the best chance of beating the cancer. So Gemma, I should be ready to rock and role for your 30th!!!!
I have to say this because it is how I see it. I am happy that the medical profession are throwing everything possible at me in the next 6 months. I want this thing beaten and I don't mind what I have to go through to achieve that. The Oncologist, a really lovely lady said she was very happy with my attitude and said I have the right attitude to deal with the illness. she said so many people want to fight with her and are unhappy with Chemo. I say 'bring it on'. If it get's rid of the illness.....then it was all worth it!
So thank you for your continued prayers and positive energies my way.
Sue
********************************************************
Morning Family & Friends
Thank you once again for all your prayers and positive encouragement.
I returned to the surgeon yesterday and I must admit that it was probably my lowest day so far as I was experiencing very real discomfort which the pain killers were not able to sort out.
The surgeon found a problem with swelling (a build up of fluid) around the chest and under the arm so he inserted a needle and drained the fluid. He explained to me that due to the removal of the lymph nodes (which act as drainage filters for the body) fluid was building up instead of draining normally hence the pain and discomfort.
The surgeon said I am not well enough yet to start the adjuvant therapy (treatment following surgery) so he has asked me to return to him on Monday and hopefully he can then refer me to an oncologist. Whilst I am booked off work, I am still able to work thanks to the wonders of 3G....and it's stopping me getting bored stiff :o)
The oncologist will work out a personal treatment plan for me and the surgeon in hopeful that because of the type of cancer I have, I will be a candidate for chemo/hormone in tablet form. This is known as systemic therapy which is used to reach and kill the cancer cells that have spread beyond the breast and nearby tissue via the lymph system.
So it is a case of one step at a time and listening to sound advice.
I am using my arm more and more and even baked two lots of muffins yesterday so things are looking up! :o)
Liz, I will be on the comrades table with you this year but I doubt I will be able to massage and bandage all those tired legs....but I can still shout and provide encouragement for the 17,000 runners !!!!
Take care everyone
Sue