"A little disappointing"

So I got the all clear in September 2015.

In July 2015 I developed the world's worst stiff neck. So I go to physiotherapy and things improve.

In November I am put on a new drug Arimidex to replace the Tamoxifen. About 2 weeks after I start the new drug my ribs start to hurt for no apparent reason. I see the GP, have an X-ray and told to come back if things don't improve.

I go back and various scans are organised for December.

On December 9th at about midday I miss my footing stepping off a pavement sending a violent and shuddering shock wave through my body. The pain in my back is indescribable, but eventually recedes.

I have my bone scan on the 22nd of December. I go to see the oncologist on 7th January to be told that the pain is my back is the breast cancer cells taking up residence. She says that this is "a little disappointing" but is totally treatable. "A little disappointing" has to be the understatement of the year.

I have a further CT scan the following Tuesday to see if it has got anywhere else.

I get an urgent call from the oncologist's secretary the following day to come in on Thursday morning. This is not really what I want to hear, so have a sleepless night.

The reason for the urgency is because I have fractured my T1 vertebrae, which I now realise I did on December the 9th.

I need an urgent MRI to see if it is stable. If it is not then I need an operation at Charing Cross Hospital, to stabilise it.  For this I have to be admitted, so off to A&E I go. The MRI is done at 2.30pm and the images should be sent off to Charing Cross Hospital where the experts are. So now we wait and wait and wait.

I have to go on to the assessment ward where there is a bed and have to stay the night. I am also told to lie flat on my back for the rest of my stay in case the fracture is not stable. This makes going to the loo somewhat problematic. I have to use a bedpan whilst lying flat on my back and it requires 4 nurses to log roll me on and off it. There is absolutely no dignity in this and further it is incredibly difficult to wee lying flat on one's back.

I spend a very uncomfortable night, getting stiffer and stiffer. The woman in the bed next to me leaves her mobile on all night so whilst I am disturbed by the various notification bings she sleeps through them.

At 6.30am I am moved to another ward, orthopaedics and gynaecology. An interesting mix. I am put on a side ward and left.

At some point in the morning the most welcome sight is the Macmillan nurse Nicola who has come to find me. Apparently my images didn't go to Charing Cross the day before but are going now.

The Northwick Park Neurosurgeons are fairly confident the the fracture is stable so I can get out of bed to go to the loo. I will never underestimate the simple things in life again.

I eventually get the all clear and am discharged. Nicola returns to tell us to go to Mount Vernon Hospital to start my radiotherapy. This is good because had I needed an operation then the radiotherapy would not be able to start until the wound had healed.

This involves yet another CT scan and 4 tattoos.

I eventually get treated at about 6pm. The treatment itself is uneventful.

I return home never more thankful to see my bed.