Friday, 7 June 2013

Pouring

I'm sitting at Cancer Care Centre, waiting my turn. After today I will be almost 2/3 (#11) of the way through the seventeen Herceptin infusions.
Six more treatments to go, through to October.
Three more blood tests.
Two more heart scans.
One thousand seven hundred and sixty odd , anti-hormone tablets (and maybe an extra 1865).
Not that I am counting.
I am going well, all things considered.

As always, it is a stark reminder that so many people are 'coping' with cancer. Fridays are a quiet day apparently.It's still busy.

It is pouring today .
I'm not complaining, we really need this followup rain.
To fill our tanks and dams.
To grow oats and grass for the cattle.
It's been so dusty for so long.
It's been foggy lately too. My brain not the weather.

I saw a new surgeon Wednesday for the Neurofibroma in my thigh (left leg) , it's the biggest he's seen , so he told me. It's been getting slowly, progressively bigger over the last 10yrs, or so. It's the size of a large orange, 7cms. My breast cancer was 6mm and 25mm in comparison.




He wasn't interested in my little lump in muscle where my right breast used to be. He was ranting about my GP not putting the correct breast cancer diagnosis - she had written - DCIS - [Ductal Carcinoma inSitu] , I also had was IDC [Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (malignancy)]. He said it was very important and a big difference. My thigh tumour wasn't related but I get it. He said he would write it in the letter back to her. She is a lovely , caring GP -why hassle her.

He asked me had anyone talked about prognosis , cancer returning and why I had a double mastectomy ? my surgeon ? He knew my Surgical oncologist well, he said. New surgeon is a breast cancer surgeon too. WTF? The HER2+ is a mark against me , he said, as  I squirmed uncomfortably. He said 5% risk.

Then we moved onto Neurofibromatosis, had my tumour been biopsied ? , then the risks of it being so close to femoral and other nerves. Most likely he won't touch it, after I have an MRI, he will decide. To see if the tumour is close to the nerve matters.

I risk permanent numbness and losing sensation down my entire leg. I already have progressive, distal numbness in places, down to my ankle, odd sensations when I run or twist my leg a certain way. Nothing too bad.

He said I'll probably have to see a Neurosurgeon; they fly in/ fly out to Base Hospital or I can be referred back to Sydney. At the moment it is still ok. It doesn't bother me too much.

Lots of small grievances in one day.When I went to book in for the MRI, he hadn't signed the form. Oh well, we all make mistakes ;), like my GP. I have to go back and get it signed. A small bother but they won't do the scan unless I do. I have a 3 wk wait. Enough time.

The MRI receptionist wouldn't believe me about the titanium screw in my head for my BAHA hearing aid. I told her I'd had a previous brain MRI. Fortunately, I knew where I'd had the brain MRI a few years ago, in Sydney, she called them to make sure and to fax the report.

The new surgeon's receptionists were 'agitated' because my abbreviated name is on my Medicare card and my full name on Health fund care . They said I had to fix it, despite it not being an issue for 20 yrs ...did I tell you my MIL & I share the same name. Small annoying things. It stuffs their computer matching apparently.

It was FUN having my MIL open my confidential mail when she lived with us with for six years [mostly good times people] and especially medical stuff. So I changed it with Medicare. [I now get my medical records confused with another local woman with the same name.]

I feel like six million dollar woman with all my spare parts and accessories.Thankfully , I was not frisked when I got selected for an explosive check at the airport a few weeks back. It was just a scanner thingy waved over my body, shoes and bags. For a moment I had visions of being strip searched ; with lumps where I shouldn't have lumps and I was wearing my breast protheses that day too.

Time's up - my 280ml infusion is almost done. I'm going home to sit in front of the fire and catch up on blog reading and make cauliflower pizza crusts. I might have a nap too.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Comments (18)

Loading... Logging you in...
  • Logged in as
Sharyn Williams's avatar

Sharyn Williams · 630 weeks ago

i only recently found your blog and have started reading through your blogs. This most recent blog you have written - what a day and what a story. I have to say (and i hope you dont mind me saying this) i admire you and you sound like an amazing lady - you have been through a lot (and it certainly makes me put my medical issues in perspective). When i get time, i am going to go and read more of your previous blogs. take care and i wish you great health and happiness xx
1 reply · active 630 weeks ago
Thank you Sharyn.
Trish, you give really valuable insights into living with cancer, whether you know it or not. All those "little things" are frustrating to a well person, let alone someone whose physical and mental stores are diminished. You are very patient. xxx
1 reply · active 630 weeks ago
Rachel, battling with age and menopause related memory loss too - I know what you mean about mental stores - I should have checked - he had signed it . I'll be paranoid now.
Lucky today I remembered they had not given my heart scan form. Last time they cancelled my treatment because it was 1 day short of 3 months and I was having Heart scan the next day.Had to wait to end of week.
Today, I had to go back inside - at least it was in my medical records, I had asked 3 weeks ago - the lovely nurse wrote it out and had the DR sign it but someone forgot to give it to me.
What a great way to explain what cancer is like for you! The medical system must be so frustrating for you. I love reading your blogs :) 2/3 of the way there must cause for some kind of celebration.
My recent post Kambrook Chop and Store and an Afternoon Tea Recipe
1 reply · active 630 weeks ago
Yes, 2/3 of way is a good feeling. The medical system has been pretty good most of the time, it is just that we all make mistakes under pressure and when overworked I think.
I've put off doing anything about my leg neurofibroma for years , first because I was breastfeeding (4yrs) , then a holiday, then moving ...you see a pattern - all good excuses but I've run out of them now and have to bite the bullet I've been dodging. Thanks Elise.
WOW! This is the first time I have read a cancer post.
I admire you.
You say it how it is.
You seem like one strong lady!!
Sending you some hugs and hoping some positives come by for you soon.
My recent post Meal Plan June 4 2013
Your blog and your honest words can give a lot of motivation and hope, there aren't any organizations like that here in Eastern Europe, although the cancer doesn't recognize any country borders...
My recent post Hochwasser überall
1 reply · active 630 weeks ago
Thank you Elke.
What a day! Hope it ended on a better note for you. xx How did those cauliflower pizza crusts turn out? They sound interesting.
My recent post A Milly moment, hypochondria and nicknames.
Bloody hell, all those silly hoops you have to jump through Trish. I hope you're snuggled up by fire - eating something tastier than cauliflower pizza crusts -(no offence) aka CHOCOLATE! Have a lovely weekend! Em x
My recent post The movies – a place where you can undo your pants and enjoy two hours of pleasure!
1 reply · active 630 weeks ago
Thank you Em , it felt a bit like that. I did eat some chocolate - no cauliflower crusts for me because hubby wasn't home and I was waiting for him with ingredients, then it was too late so we made toasted cheese sandwiches.
Have a great weekend too.
Beautiful Trish, you have so much grace. Sending you love, light and strength. I admire you so so much xxx
My recent post Boy to Man
You impress the hell out of me with all your honest raw words Trish. That is all. X
My recent post Greatest Fear on Earth...
Love to you Trish. Geez these medical professionals don't make the process any easier for you, do they?!
So much to think about, Trish ... it is quite overwhelming. Hope you are staying warm this weekend. xxx

Post a new comment

Comments by