Cancer Diary - Part 12

Back to work on day 17 after the operation. I was glad that I took the full fortnight off my work. I might’ve been technically able to work, but I wouldn’t have been properly dressed and carrying my lunch bag would have been painful, so I really did need that extra week. Arm and hand bruises are all gone now.

I got a lot of welcome back hugs this morning. But by the end of the day I was shattered (I was quite surprised how shattered) and in pain (for the first time in a week). I also have a bit of a scab which I think might be from the guideline wire which wasn’t obvious as it was under the steristrips.

Some people have warned me not to do too much. Sometimes getting up and getting dressed and going out is apparently too much. I should have asked the doctor for a phased return. I guess I thought the extra week would be sufficient.

Cancer Diary - Part 13

Day 18 after the operation was my follow up appointment with Mr Romics at the clinic. He got caught in traffic so I ended up seeing Miss Reid and she was just reading from my notes. She said that there was no cancer in the sample from the operation. There was evidence of pre-cancer, but as that was now removed there was no need for further treatment. So I was confused by this. There is going to be no radiotherapy and no tamoxifen. Mr Romics phoned me later to explain a bit further and reassure me that all the best pathologists in the country had looked at this and the MDT had discussed it and they all agreed that there was no need for further treatment. This was of course good news, but having come to terms with a cancer diagnosis, to now be declared cancer free was a bit hard to process. The next thing that will happen in a mammogram in a year and for the next five years at the New Vic, but that will be all.

People have been telling me well done, but it wasn’t anything I did. I wasn’t exactly fighting or battling it in any active sense. I’ve got lucky. This is not an achievement I’ve worked for. Some people have said I should be celebrating, but as I'm actually still recovering from the operation and I feel that I've had the rug pulled from under me again, I don't really feel like celebrating. I feel like I’m still processing.

The next appointment for 25th Sept 2019 came in so this might be the last blog entry on this topic till then.