Ok. now that Mr Oncologist wanted to consider me for the chemo-remainers-club, I decided I was going to play a bit of hard ball.
I have a theory of Big things v Small things. in this journey I tell myself to give my undivided attention to the ‘Big’ things.
So, I wrote a letter essentially stating that the big thing (tumour) will likely kill me faster than the small thing (lung mets), and so I pushed hard for starting chemo-rad. And blow me away – when we met next he told me that it could now be an option.
Yee-Haa!
So although I’ve just done chemo #6 I’m hoping I will be granted a bit of a reprieve and perhaps be put on a reduced dose of folfirinox, or something else. For, after all, I probably will have radio-therapy side effects to substitute.
For my readers on the blog, I thought I’d let you know that I was approached by several editors amongst our local press, and asked if I would do a column (for one) and a one-off article (for t’other). They both felt it would give their readers some inspiration. I guess having someone outspoken about chemo services on the NHS and enduring the cancer journey makes interesting reading. Aside from my (hopefully) enduring positivity, I hope I have shown that you can still retain one’s humour and personality, whilst the machinery of the cancer unit reduces you to slowly moving parts.
On a different note entirely, it was very special to be at the wedding of the daughter of a special friend. 5 months ago I thought I wouldn’t be here to see the day. But – we made it. And what a special day it was. Takes you straight back to your own wedding, which felt like a million years ago. But one’s grown up children bare testimony to the fact we cannot deny the passage of years, nor the journey we have had along the way. Maybe – if I get some help from G-d who decides everything – I might live long enough to see one of my elder children get married too.
Its been a hectic week or so with all the younger kids on half term. Busy with arts and crafts and a bit of Dancing with Louise. Thanks to those lovely people who thought of me and helped make their half term so special.
Nonetheless – for me – hospital and other appointments keep going relentlessly.
Without further ado, we’re moving on to cycle 7 now.
Jacqueline x
...When all is said and done 