Wednesday 4th April
So here we are, two years down the line and at the end of my treatment. Although strictly speaking I continue to have treatment for the next 4 years as I am on Tamoxifen, however it is the end of my hospital based treatment.
The day itself was delightfully uneventful, although I have discovered that steroids do have some wonderful and hugely pleasing side effects. At this time of year I suffer from hay fever and last year due to a total lack of immune system did not suffer at all - hooray! Annoyingly, when my immune system recovered it didn't have the common decency to come back and behave in a normal manner, so this year my hay fever has been really bad with the world's itchiest eyes. I have to take industrial quantities of steroids as a pre-med to stop my immune system going into overdrive with the Herceptin, consequently my immune system also stops reacting to pollen!!! Hooray for drugs! I could put up with the fact that the steroids stop me from sleeping for about 4 days if it means that I get relief from the hay fever.
I digress. As I said the day and treatment were uneventful. I had the honour of being seen to by the matron, who can find a vein at 500 yards in the dark! So good is she that I didn't have to put my arm in a bucket of warm water.
On leaving the unit I was hugged by all and sundry, which was nice. As I said to them I sincerely hope that I never see any of them again in their professional capacity.
So what have I gained/ learned over the past two years?
Never ignore lumps! Even though the lump that I found was actually a cyst.
Early diagnosis is the key to a good outcome.
I have seen the NHS at its absolute best. At no point during the two years have I ever thought "can we afford this?" "will my insurance cover this?" The staff have without exception been consummately professional and unfailingly good humoured.
I have realised what is and isn't important in the grand scheme of things. Whilst I hope to lead a slightly healthier life don't expect to see me running marathons any time soon. I can't run anyway, since I get slightly cross-eyed and trip over the pavement.
As I have said on many occasion, this is the worst thing that has happened to me but not the worst thing that could have happened to me.
I have been supported by friends near and far, and have been overwhelmed by the genuine concern from people I haven't spoken to in ages. Perhaps they thought they'd better contact me before it was too late! How often we put off that phone call.
Well that's it really. Out with a whimper rather than a bang.
Good bye and thanks for reading.
Love from
Corinne xxx
