Wednesday 11 February 2009

11 February 2009

On Monday I got the final cancer diagnosis on both breasts: the tumours are stage one (the earliest) & treatable by one oestrogen tablet a day, which may shrink the lot. I'll see that specialist again on 3 April, when I also see my lung man after my current chemo session ends, so let's hope it's happy news then!

I'm feeling rather well except for a little cold & the absolutely miserable weather we've been having -- every variation on piercing cold hovering above & below freezing, rain, snow & ice. Roy is recovering only very slowly from his fall. But the cat is better for the moment (it's not the thyroid), Willa flies in on Friday for six (yes!) weeks & the whole family are gathering here for the weekend, so that should be jolly.

Friday 6 February 2009

5 February 2009

Monday was an eventful day. Roy fell face flat in the hall outside the carpeted bathroom at 8am, his nose bleeding, his cheek badly bruised from his glasses & both his hands (skin unbroken, only slightly puffy & showing my bruises) pulsating with pain. The paramedic I had to call in to get him up did not think any bones were broken & our GP who came in that afternoon (house call!) agreed. But his hands were in constant searing pain, & he winced not only when asked to move them but even when they were lightly touched or he tried to turn the pages of a book. No painkillers of any sort worked either, so we ended up in the Ipswich Hospital emergency room at 2am that night, where an X-ray confirmed no breaks but nothing else & no real diagnosis. He has been in bed or his lounge chair ever since & is recovering very slowly -- now able to pick up a glass for a drink or hold the phone but unable to function properly at the computer keyboard.

Also on Monday I got confirmation of cancer in my right breast but have to wait till 9 February for final word about treatment (hopefully oestrogen pills). I had to have another more carefully targeted bit taken from the left breast for biopsy & the final results of this will not be available until 16 Feb. Meanwhile, I continue on my second course of chemo for the lung cancer for about an hour every other week until just before Palm Sunday. So far it's been as easy as the first time. Our cat, Dizzy (14+), is also awaiting a definite diagnosis. It's probably a thyroid tumour, as diabetes & kidney problems have been ruled out. And so it goes!

Thanks for all your thoughts & prayers. Keep them coming & going.