LifeTides

Having continued to work through my treatment when I could, it was great to be back to working more normally, if only from home.

I was getting my strength back, and I was thinking more clearly as the chemo fog eased.

My thoughts were around keeping my head clear and staying away from thinking about when will it return. As it is not something I have control of, however, I can control how fit I am so that I will be at my best if and when it decides to have another go at me.  

The good news is I am back on the bike outside, it has been an excellent way to build my fitness back up.  I’m grateful for having my indoor bike set up.  It’s been key to keeping my mind and body going. But there is nothing like getting outside in the fresh air.

August Lumps

Yep, that didn’t take long in the grand scheme of things. At the beginning of August, I found some small lumps in my neck and groin, certainly not what I’d hoped for but still, I felt well and I was due to see the consultant on the 14th of August.

I met with my new consultant without Richard as they were only seeing patients due to (COVID19). I told her I could feel lumps, but I was feeling well. She examined me and agreed. We chatted about the way forward. She said the next step would be to go for a Stem Cell Transplant using my cells, known as “autologous”.

But with the pandemic still going strong, it would be best to leave it till a more suitable time. And we would continue with the maintenance program.

I felt happy with that because it could be months or years before my disease could be aggressive again.

So, on I went, my next maintenance was due in October, and I carried on as usual.  Working and cycling, but not going out much as I still had to be careful of catching a cold or COVID19. In my head, it was most important to get my fitness back and be as strong as possible.

It was lovely to see friends drop by and it was fine as we sat outside in the sun as two-metre distancing was easy.

It was great to be out on the bike with my Bestie and Bike Buddie, known as BB. Social distancing was easy on the bikes.  We did do café stops but only outside and in places where it wasn’t too busy. Unfortunately, my immune system had still not fully recovered, so we were careful.

Maintenance 2 October 9th

9^th October, it was good to see the same nurses and catch up on their activities, and they are like old friends. It’s so easy to pick up where you left off.

We’re still doing the Rituximab slowly. Did I say this is Antibody Therapy and is also used to give relief from Arthritis.  I found that out when I asked why my joints feel good, and my carpal tunnel in my right hand felt better as I could sleep without a splint at night. But, unfortunately, it wasn’t keeping my lumps under control. There were more and getting bigger.

Maintenance 3 December 4th

I met with my consultant to catch up, and she confirmed that they were more and more prominent.  The next step would be to get a biopsy done and remove a whole node to see if it had changed.  I know we’ve been here before. She would try to get it done before the end of the year!

A week later, the biopsy doctor called early morning and asked if I could pop down and see him in the afternoon so he could chat through his thoughts, I said yes, we could.

We went, and he checked me over and picked a node in the groin.  He could do the operation on New Year’s Eve if I was happy to go ahead. He asked if I’d be ok to have it done under a local anaesthetic, and I said yes since I’d be in and out quickly.

Biopsy December 31st

Well, that came round quickly. I had to be at the daycare reception at 8 am.   The receptionist had trouble finding me on the list and said I had to go to another building, following instructions. Off I went.

A nurse met me. And she said someone would see me shortly. The staff had no idea why I was there, but they were very accommodating and made a phone call. About 10 minutes later, I was with the biopsy guy, and we were heading back to the daycare ward. He apologies for the mess up and reassured me a theatre was ready for me.

A nurse showed me to a bed and did my blood pressure, and I got into a gowned.  I signed the consent form, and then we walked to the theatre.

I got up onto the operating trolly, was introduced to everyone, asked what music I wanted (I was in the mood for a bit of Dolly Parton), and we were off.  The local anaesthetic went in, and all I could feel was pressure; phew!

Everyone was in good spirits. It was New Year’s Eve, after all. They kept chatting to me and checking that I was okay.  The guys with the blades seemed to be enjoying my company as I heckled them. Haven’t you finished yet!

It did take an hour, and I did have a 3-inch wound minus one Lymph Node. The results would be through in the new year.

So, Richard and I had a quiet New Year’s Eve, and we chatted about what 2021 would bring, health and happiness would be grand!

I healed fine, and ten days later, I was back on the indoor bike, happy days.

Thank you for taking the time to join me, I hope it enlightens you and I appreciate the opportunity to share my story with you.

If you have questions just email me. There is more to come in 2021, which will be out soon if you want to find out how it went why not follow me or subscribe, thank you so much!