Keeping My Fingers Crossed

Since moving home, i’ve had to register with a new doctor. Today i had an appointment with her regarding getting screened for breast cancer. A couple of months ago i asked at my old doctors only to be told that i am too young to be screened as i am not 50 ( i’m 47) and that no one in my family has had Ovarian Cancer or Cervical Cancer so i am not at risk!

Anyway Dr Stafford ( My new Doctor) had a good read of my  massive file, which was about 1 page thick before i became ill 5 years ago, and is now big enough to write a novel!!

She informed me that i actually had 3 cancerous tumours and not the 2 i thought i had.. Anyway she found the letter that had come back saying i wasn’t eligible for the breast screening and is going to try to refer me herself and she is going to state that although no one in my family has had Ovarian or Cervical Cancer.. i have and i really don’t fancy having breast cancer too thank you very much.

So fingers crossed that i get a referral

Life in Remission

Its almost a year since i wrote a post on my feelings been told i had Ovarian Cancer and almost four years since i was actually diagnosed. I suppose i should feel great that the cancer has gone, along with my ovaries and whatever nasty bits were lurking in there but i don’t.

Why? because of the side affects i’ve been left with.

Some days i feel fine, until i get out there and remember i am still ill.. Some people will look at me and think there’s nothing wrong as i try to “look” normal in my everyday activities. they don’t see how i try to walk at a normal pace but end up having to hold on to a fence or stopping in my tracks until i feel ok again to carry on.

This bloody Peripheral Neuropathy is really getting me down and my Oncologist did say it’ll get worse and affect my quality of life. it sure as hell is. I’m like an old lady when it comes to stairs/steps and if i see a dodgy pavement the panic start as i’m petrified i’ll stumble. even last week when i Learnt to Swim didn’t help as i couldn’t feel the bottom of the pool even though it was only 4ft 6 inches!

Now though its been confirmed.. I am disabled. I have a badge in my car to prove the fact. Who would have thought that good old Trace, the life and sole of the party with her dancing all night antics, would end up been bloody disabled!.

I really hope that one day a miracle will happen and my limbs will be my own again and my head will stop been fuzzy but as yet there is no cure. I'm not feeling sorry for myself by the way, i just felt i had to blog about how i feel as i find it easier to do this that to actually speak to anyone.

Today’s the Day

Its 8am and the day i dread every 6 months is here. My check up with Dr Bashir my Oncologist.

It’s not the going to see him that i don’t like, far from it, he’s a lovely man. No its the examination and when he tells me my CA125 blood results. I had my bloods taken last Monday at my doctors and as soon as i arrive today Dr Bashir will let me know what number it is. Last April it was 7  and in October it was 8. I really hope it hasn’t rose any higher.

Scary day ahead… think of me at 2pm

My Friend is Cycling Kenya to raise funds for Breast, Ovarian & Cervical Cancer

I met Sandhy over 2 years ago through the Ovacome website. I had just finished all my cancer treatment and Sandhy was starting hers, I sent her a message of support and our friendship grew.

Anyway You should all go to see her blog as its fantastic and lists all about her up and coming Cycle Ride . I’d really appreciate it if you could sponsor her too as she needs heaps of money, which she mentions about in her blog. I have added a Just Giving button to my blog which takes you to the secure fund raising page.

Feel free to steal this post from me to put on your blogs as i know a lot of you are affected with either Breast, Ovarian or Cervical Cancer.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and don’t forget.. Go see Sandhy's Blog

Here i am again…

Today i’ve appeared in The Sunday People magazine “ Take it Easy”

They were doing a health special and i had a call from the reporter asking if i’d be willing to do an interview about Me and my Cancer. If it means more people been aware of The Silent Killer, why ever would i say no.

Anyway, here it is in all its glory

Only 2 weeks ago i appeared in my local newspaper raising awareness there too

The Hull Daily Mail

.. Blimey all this fame and no flocks of people asking for my autograph hahaha

My Hospital Visits

Well that’s that for another 6 months, well on the Oncology visits anyway.
I went on Tuesday to see my Oncologist for my check up. He examined me internally and was quite happy with me and also happy that my stomach is spongy!

My CA125 result was 8, up one from April but nothing to worry about he said. If he says don’t worry then I shan’t simples!!

Wednesday I went for my bone scan. My womans health Dr said it was best to have one as since I started an early menopause due to surgery, the bones get thinner and as I broke my arm last year too and it’s the first break I’ve ever had, it seemed a good idea.

All was well with that too although my spine looks weaker than anywhere else but she isn’t unduly worried and dosn’t want to see me for 2 years.

Wahayyy!!

Were You Born In The 1920s,30s,40s,50s,60s, Or 70s..?

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE
1920’s, 30’s 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us and lived in houses full of asbestos.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese & tuna from a can, and didn’t get tested for diabetes or cervical cancer.
Then after that trauma, our baby cots were covered with bright coloured lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets or shoes, not to mention, the risks we took cadging lifts.
As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.
A trip to the beach on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the stream and NOT from a bottle.
Take away food was limited to fish and chips, no pizza shops, McDonalds, KFC, Subway or Kebabs.
Even though all the shops closed at 6.00pm and only opened for a few hours at weekends, somehow we didn’t starve to death!
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We could collect old drink bottles and cash them in at the corner shop and buy fruit Spangles and some bangers to blow up frogs with.



We ate buns, white bread and real butter and drank soft drinks with sugar in it, but we weren’t overweight because……
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!




We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No mobile phones – no one was able to reach us all day. And we were always O.K.
We would spend hours building our trolleys out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. We built tree houses and dens and played in streams with matchbox cars.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo’s, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on Sky, no video tape or DVD movies, no surround sound, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms……….WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
Lawsuits from these accidents.
Only girls had pierced ears!




We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
You could only buy Easter Eggs and Hot Cross buns at Easter time…….no really!
We had air guns and catapults for our birthdays,
We drank milk laced with Strontium 90 from cows that had eaten grass covered in nuclear fallout from the atomic testing.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend’s house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them from the street!
Mum didn’t have to go to work to help dad make ends meet!
Mum & Dad didn’t need Brandy, Whisky whatever when they came in from work!

Footy had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn’t had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
Our teachers used to belt us with big sticks and leather straps and bully’s always ruled the playground at school.
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
The past 70 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned
HOW TO
DEAL WITH IT ALL!
And YOU are one of them!
CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.

My Chemotherapy record booklet

Today I found my little red chemo book!
This book was given to me before I started my first session of chemotherapy.
The booklet tells me about:

Infections and how to avoid them, including foods to avoid like raw or undercooked eggs, takeaways,
unpasteurised milk and cheese, live yoghurt and pate.
Things you need to tell your doctor.
Sex, pregnancy and family planning.
Medicines I took at home.

There’s also pages for me to make note of any side effects during the various stages of chemotherapy

I used to fill it in just before my next session was due. After my first chemo I had the nausea and sickness… patchy hairloss… mild constipation.. Mild pain…Transient drowsiness and a severe pain in my right arm and shoulder.

This pain was due to the needle been in that arm and after been prescribed with diclofenic tablets, it eased off by chemo 3

I was given 340mg of Paclitaxel and 700mg of Carboplaten as well as the pre meds of Dexamethasone 20mg, Ordansetron 8mg, Cimetidine 300mg and Chlorphenamine 10mg during all my sessions.

By chemo 2 everything was the same as my first session except the pins and needles had started.

By chemo 3 I had complete hairloss, I needed more rest and I’d started been sick quite a bit too as well as having diarrhoea and tingling and numbness.

Chemo 4 saw me having rest for more than half a day but the diarrhoea had stopped
For some reason I hadn’t filled in my booklet for chemo 5 and 6 !!

I'm so glad my chemo is over, i can honestly say it was the worse time of my life!!
My thoughts, love and prayers are with all of you going through this awful disease.

How my Cancer's began

I was diagosed with Ovarian cancer in November 2006. I'd been having very heavy periods and been diagnosed as having Endometriosis

After many tests they decided to give me a Endoscopy,unfortunately or fortunately as the case may be!
Because i've never had children, my cervix was very high up and without having a general anaesthetic the doctor said i would have had lots of pain.

On waking up i was told they couldn't get the camera in but that my uterus was the size of a 20 week old fetus and that i was "riddled" with fibroids.
I'd most definately need a hysterectomy.


A few days later i got a call from the hospital, they asked me to go and see them. Off i went, expecting to be told a date for my operation.. I drove straight from work to a different town.

On getting there i was asked if i was alone and did i mind if the nurse came in with me to see the Dr. I presumed she was training as i've had a few student nurses sitting in on my consultations.

The Dr told me that while i was under anaesthetic a few days earlier, when the camera couldnt be inserted, The Dr had decided to do a biopsy.
Unfortunately it had come back that i had cancer, but by this time the ovarian cancer was the only one detected.I do not remember driving back to work, it was all such a blur.
I'm so pleased she did the biopsy..

I had a total Hysterectomy and a Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy

When i came round from the operation i discovered i had a 7 inch scar going from just under my naval down to my pubic bone and 14 metal stitches.
When my consultant came to see me to let me know how the operation had gone, he told me that my left ovary had burst as he tried to cut it out as the skin was so thin and also that i was one in not many women to have 2 types of cancer going on in the same area as i also had Endometrial Cancer.

I had 6 sessions of Chemotherapy lasting 8 hours each time and at 3 week intervals. I also had 2 x 10 hour sessions of internal radiotherapy too, this was because of the  Endometrial 
Cancer and a precautionary measure due to my left ovary exploding!

The Chemo i was on was Taxol & Carboplatin


I've had surgery again in December 2008, this time for a hernia which was right under my 7 inch scar from my hysterectomy!!
I had keyhole surgery and all seems ok.
I still have weepy days...i still faint a lot! but in all i'm still bonkers.
I now visit my Oncologist every 6 months and see him next on the 20th October.

Thanks to all the wonderful friends i've met on here... I'm keeping laughing too

Over and out

Look Good, Feel Better

When i was going through Chemotherapy i had no help what so ever in looking like a woman, if that makes sense. Other friends from around the country mentioned about going and having their nails done, having makeup put on by proffesionals and even having fun trying wigs on.

It seems now i'm hearing of allsorts of places i could have actually gone and felt like a woman again instead of looking butch!!

Anyway, i felt i'd like to share this website i discovered today, we go through so much having Cancer and deserve to be pampered.. just wish i'd have known about it 2 years ago.

Look Good, Feel Better

Cervical Cancer. The Stages:

A DIAGNOSIS is devastating. But there are effective treatment to kill the cancer cells and stop them spreading.
Cancer Research UK says the best treatment for you will depend on the stage of the cancer.

Stage 1 - the cancer is just in the cervix.

The usual treatment is surgery or radiotherapy. But if the cancer is larger than 4cm, your specialist may advise you to have a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Stage 2 - the cancer has begun to spread around the cervix

If the spread is downwards towards the vagina, then the usual treatment is surgery or radiotherapy or both. If the spread is mostly upwards into the womb, then research shows that a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is best.

Stage 3 - the cancer has spread into the pelvis

In stage 3, the cancer has spread away from the area surrounding the cervix, such as into the lower vagina, the muscles of the pelvis, or upwards towards the ureters (they join the kidneys to the bladder). This stage is usually treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, because research shows that this combination can give the best success rate.

Stage 4 - the cancer has spread into other body organs

This stage is more advanced because there is secondary cancer in other organs, either in the pelvis, or further afield like the lungs. It’s treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these treatments, depending on where the secondary cancers are.


Having radiotherapy for cervical cancer


Radiotherapy can be given externally with a beam of rays focussed on the cancer. It can also be given internally, when a small radio-active source is inserted up the vagina and into the uterus (womb). Sometimes, both methods are used.


Radiotherapy is often very successful in treating cervical cancer. However, you should be aware that you won’t be able to become pregnant afterwards.


For more info, see cancer help.org .

I had radiotherapy internally, 2 x 10 hours worth as i had stage1. I knew i had Ovarian Cancer, but it wasn't until i came round from my hysterectomy operation that my Consultant informed me that he'd also found Cervical Cancer down there too and this is why i would need the internal radiotherapy.

My Four month check up with My Oncologist

What a week! 2 days gone and a hospital appointment on each day.
Today was my 4 monthly check up with Dr Bashir my Oncologist.
This was my first visit where I actually knew my
CA125 blood results before my internal examination
I also went armed with my notebook and pen and had a list of questions for him, poor man.
I did actually ask my previous Oncologist, who retired a few months ago, these questions but he mumbled and I really couldn’t understand him.

Anyway, my CA125 before surgery was 381 and after Chemotherapy it was 5.
It now fluctuates between 5 & 7 and today it was 7, he’s really pleased with my progress, as am I.
Apparantly I was a stage 1C Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer that was caught early, I’ll add a note at the end of this blog that says all about it. All I’ll say is its uncommon!! Trust me to be different hahaha.. What with having Ovarian Cancer then after my hysterectomy the Consultant discovering I also had Cervical Cancer, I just have to be different!!

I also asked Dr Bashir what size my tumour was and he told me it was 12cm x 12cm and 13cm deep.

Oh and he doesn't want to see me now for 6 months.. woop woop.

Here's all about my "Special Cancer"

Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary

Clear cell cancer of the ovary is an uncommon
variety of epithelial ovarian cancer. It accounts
for about 1 in 25 patients (3-5%) in the Western
World and yet in the Far East, in Japan, Korea
and China, it may account for up to 20% (1 in 5
of patients with ovarian cancer). It is likely
that the cause of clear cell cancer is different
from the common variety. There are different
blood tests, which may help to distinguish it
from other types of ovarian cancer.

The prognosis for women with clear cell is
greatly influenced by the stage of the disease.
Whilst initial treatment will be the same as for
the common form, i.e. total abdominal
hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
(removal of the ovaries and uterus and tissue
called the omentum), postoperative treatment
may vary. In addition to the removal of the
pelvic organs, fluid will also be sampled from
the tummy cavity. In some situations removal of
the lymph glands in the pelvis and back of the
tummy may also be carried out. Following this
the pathologist will examine the tissues in detail
to try and decide how advanced the cancer is.
Many tumours are, in fact, confined to the
ovary and thus carry a much better prognosis.
However, in some cases there will be spread to
other organs including the womb, the lymph
glands and the omentum.

It is usual to recommend some form of back-up
treatment following hysterectomy and this
would normally involve some kind of
chemotherapy or drug therapy. The standard
chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is to use two
drugs called Carboplatin and Paclitaxel.
However, there is some experience from Japan
and the Far East that suggests that other drugs
may be as or more effective in clear cell
cancers. A number of specialists in the United
Kingdom are currently participating in a clinical
trial which is being carried out internationally in
which the standard treatment of Carboplatin
and Paclitaxel is being compared with Cisplatin
and Irinotecan. You may be invited to take part
in this trial and your specialist will give you
detailed information about this. All clinical
trials are voluntary and your participation is
therefore at your choice.

If you do not participate in the trial it is likely
that you will be recommended to receive the
two drugs Carboplatin and Paclitaxel, which will
be given as an intravenous infusion (via a drip)
once every three weeks for up to six
treatments.
The usual side effects will include tiredness,
nausea (feeling sick), hair-loss and tingling in
the fingertips and toes. Occasionally muscle
and joint pains may be noticed. You will
normally take three to six months to recover
from this.

Following your treatment you will need to be
carefully followed up by your specialist either in
the Gynaecology Clinic or in the Oncology
Clinic or sometimes in a joint clinic where both
your gynaecologist and your oncologist will be
present. You will normally be seen every three
months during the first year, four-monthly
during the second year and, if all is going well,
six-monthly thereafter. Your blood may be
checked for a chemical protein called CA-125
and you may be asked to have scans
periodically.

At the end of five years, if you are feeling well
and have no problems, you are likely to be
discharged from follow-up.
Written by Dr Nicholas Reed, Beatson Oncology Centre,
Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, February 2008
ovacome
PO Box 6294, London W1A 7WJ
please call us 0845 371 0554
please visit us www.ovacome.org
please contact us ovacome@ovacome.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 1058026

Ovarian Cancer & Cervical Cancer buttons

Thanks Sandhy, for discovering these fantastic buttons.

Its not very often you find Ovarian Cancer & Cervical Cancer buttons. As i'm a survivor of both of these awful cancers, i was really pleased to see these mentioned on Sandhy's blog.

Special thanks to Farrah for making them. You must go and look at her blog.. keep up the good work xx

CA125 results and Medical Notes

Since been diagnosed with Ovarian & Cervical Cancer in November 2006, I’ve never actually asked any details on how my CA125 results are doing compared to when I first was diagnosed.
Basically all my chemo friends have there bloods done and get the results when they have their 3 or 4 monthly check up with their Oncologist. I’ve always had my bloods done straight after I’ve seen him so never any wiser!
I have a new Oncologist now, Dr Bashir, as the old one retired.

4 months ago when I saw Dr Bashir he said he’s changing things as I should know my results when I see him. So last Tuesday I went to my doctors and had my CA125 bloods taken and by the time I see Dr Bashir on the 21st of this month I’ll know how I’m doing.
Today I rang Trish, his secretary to see if I can have a copy of my medical notes as I feel I’d like to know what actually went on and what was took away etc. I know I had a full hysterectomy and some other bits but feel I’d like to know more. I was told at the time but to be honest it was all a blur, especially as there were some other things going on in my life at that time too.

Trish has put me in touch with a lady who is going to send out a request form for me to fill in.
Also I asked Trish if she could get all the results of my CA125 ready for me so I can see how the numbers have gone down, I don’t even know what stage cancer I had!
Apparantly all I need to do is ask Dr Bashir when I see him and he’ll print off all my blood results.
Is it weird that I’m quite excited about this?

Rethink on Cervical Smear age

Women below the current age limit of 25 could soon be offered cervical smear tests.

The Government is carrying out a review of the current age limit in England which is already in line with World Health Organisation recommendations.
In making their decision, a panel of leading experts will assess the impact of HPV vaccinations on future levels on cervical cancer in young women.

They will also assess the awareness among women of cervical cancer's symptoms and likely take-up rates of any new programme.
Tony Kerridge, international spokesman for Marie Stopes, said: "We are delighted that the Department of Health are re-considering their decision to cut routine screening for under 25s. Cervical screening currently begins at age 20 for women in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but women in England have to wait until they are 25.

"Jade Goody's case has shown that cervical cancer, whilst extremely rare among women under 30, does nevertheless represent a potential threat to their lives and wellbeing."
He also warned that the HPV vaccine programme does not offer cast-iron protection against the disease.
"The vaccine is not a bullet-proof shield against cervical cancer but there is concern that, once vaccinated, some young girls may think they are 'safe'. It is therefore vital to encourage girls to start thinking about their own cervical health as early as possible, and to develop a screening culture amongst young women to ensure as many cases of this preventable form of cancer are detected as possible."
National Cancer Director Professor Mike Richards said: "It is important that we look at any emerging evidence so that we can be sure, and can assure young women, that this is still what is best for their health.

"Early detection and treatment can prevent around 75 per cent of cervical cancers developing in women so we will also look at what more we can do to highlight the importance and benefits of screening."
Health Minister Ann Keen said: "We are very proud of our cancer screening programmes in the NHS, which are internationally recognised as world-class.
"Cervical screening saves around 4,500 lives every year and we want to ensure that our programme remains in the best interests of young women.

"Experts will review the latest available evidence in this area as well as consider how we can increase awareness of the importance of screening and encourage more women to decide to take up this important service."

My first scary post
Right then.... Here we go, go, gooooooooooooooo
I have no idea why i'm blogging to be honest as i'm really boring. But Sandhy told me to get my arse in gear and get doing one, so here i am.. Blame Sandhy hehehe

Well after finishing all my cancer treatment, i now visit my Oncologist every 4 months so he can have a prod, poke and general rummage to see if everything is behaving itself and upto now its all been good news, which i'm thankful for.
I had my checkup last week.. Dr Bashir is my new Oncologist as my original one has retired and is a lovely man.. he's changed things around for the better regarding my blood tests. Prior to seeing Dr Bashir, my CA125 bloods, were always done after my visit to see the Oncologist, so i never got any results on them.. Last week he told me to go and get my bloods done 2 weeks before i see him, that way he can let me know whats what... My next visit is March 2009.