I have bullied Stan into growing a moustache So we are crowdfunding for MacMillan Cancer care You can donate here if you fancy https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stan-akrigg Day 1 Day 7 Day 14 Day 21 Last Day Stan has decided he might keep it….Grrrrrrrr. Looks like I’ll have to bribe him to shave it off. Fund is nearlyContinue reading “Fundraising The Moustache”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Onward and Upward
I am now nine months post treatment and on two month check ups split between the surgeon and the oncologist. On my latest visit I asked about checking my thyroid hormone levels and my carotid arteries. Radiation to the neck can destroy thyroid tissue and 50% of people need thyroxine therapy so monitoring is advisedContinue reading “Onward and Upward”
This summer
Since then Stan and I have visited his mum and his children and grandchildren. We upgraded our camper in February to a bigger new mobile home so that our collie Bracken can come with us in comfort. We visited the Malvern Autumn Show and walked three miles there and back and I felt comfortable withContinue reading “This summer”
Drugs
Here is a list of the drugs I got through. Some are from my own team and some I got myself from MacMillan Community advice: Things for my mouth: Biotene mouthwash is nice and soothing Gelclair and Caphasol helps mightily with the mucositis A Benzydamine mouthwash called Difflam is a good numbing agent before youContinue reading “Drugs”
Results and a hiccup
Five weeks later there are a lot of people in the consulting room again and I am pitched into the dark again as I’m told that the PET/CT shows an 8mm hotspot and they need to biopsy but everybody tries to reassure me that they have never had a failure at this stage, especially asContinue reading “Results and a hiccup”
Recovery and scans
Two weeks pass and life begins to reappear somehow. I have an appointment to see Dr Banner in four weeks time. It seems a lifetime since I saw him. I forget what he looks like. I have been plagued with nausea from week three. I suspect it’s the morphine but I can’t do without itContinue reading “Recovery and scans”
Support
I have to add a few words about support here: The MacMillan nurses have been absolutely stupendous in propping me up. Both teams at the Singleton and in Carmarthen have been exceptional in their care. My brilliant daughter, Cat, has Skyped me from Berlin and sent me encouraging messages throughout. When I couldn’t face anybodyContinue reading “Support”
Treatment:December and January
December Treatment I can’t stress how important it is to keep well. Radiotherapy will make you tired, very tired. You have to rest and let your body cope. The cancer is going to take a year out of your life. Control the pain. Ask for different pain relief if yours isn’t working. Some people seemContinue reading “Treatment:December and January”
My Journey through thick and thin: August to December 2018
August Believe in your body and in your second sense. Usually if you know there is something wrong there is…trust me; women are particularly good at this. My GP couldn’t appreciate much to see but at my insistence he arranged a fast track referral. September A quick word here about waiting. You get used toContinue reading “My Journey through thick and thin: August to December 2018”
My Story
The first part of this blog is retrospective though based faithfully on my diary account. I’ve always been a “Glass Half Empty” girl. It’s the way I am. It’s a form of self defence. Expect the worst then be prepared for it. Positive mental attitude doesn’t cut it for me but I luckily have aContinue reading “My Story”