LifeTides

Here we go again!

With September going so well, I decided not to mention that I did have some raised lymph nodes. My team had decided they needed to get a CT Scan, Echo and Biopsy done as soon as possible. However, I didn’t want to think the worst, so I parked it. And I carried on, as usual, not doing the what-ifs.  

The biopsy came first on September 21^st, the department was running very late, and I finally went in an hour and a half after my appointment. The doctor picked a suitable lump and showed me on the ultrasound screen (I’m fascinated by all this tech). He then proceeded to take three samples.

Needle biopsies are fine, the anaesthetic works well, and all you feel is pressure.

The CT scan was on September 29^th. Still a scan in the van. It is a very efficient machine. However, the new CT scanners were on test in the hospital, so I guess it won’t be the van the next time I go.

The Echo was on October 3^rd. Again, this is another fascination for me to see the heart valves opening and closing it’s just amazing.

That afternoon the phone went, and it was the team to say all the results were back, I had relapsed, and my lymphoma was back in full swing. Lumps were in all the usual places. It was looking bulky including one 9.5 cm mass in my abdomen. And at this time, it is still the same Follicular Lymphoma, but they want to go back to the radiologist to see if the mass could be biopsied. The thinking behind this is that there would be more treatment options if the biopsy proved it had changed from low grade to high grade.

Seven months after the Stem Cell Transplant, I was gutted after all my hard work to get my body working again and be as fit as possible it was back to slow me down. Of course, we always knew it wasn’t curable, but we were hoping for at least three to five years of freedom. Richard and I were so disappointed.

So, I had a wobble for a few days. I’m so tired of fighting to only get a few months of peace at a time. Then I found my big girl pants, and my positivity returned. We’re still waiting to see if there will be another biopsy, but meantime, front-facing and onward.

We had our Wedding Anniversary and Richard’s birthday to look forward to, and the bubbles were out. I cooked a lovely meal for our WA, and we also had a carryout for his birthday.

I’ve been keeping up my walking and cycling, although it’s a full winter kit for me on the bike. And it’s been nice seeing the leaves change to their autumnal colours on the trees before they fall away.

Charity walk update, we raised a fantastic total of £1070 for Lymphoma Action, and I want to thank everyone who chipped in and made this happen. You are awesome. Thank you so much!

And then there was COVID caught it for the second time. No idea where it came from. I’ve been masked up at my appointments. It is also much worse than the last time. It’s like full-on flu. Thankfully, I am still eligible for the Antiviral Tablets Paxlovid. Six tablets a day for five days, day two, I am starting to feel better.

The girls are well and getting ready for winter. They are also due for their annual vaccines. They are staying in a lot more, as it has been wet and cold.

So, as I finished this blog, I can confirm that I will have the biopsy on November 4th. At least then we can have a plan for the treatment and the way forward.

Meantime, I’m concentrating on my recovery from COVID, I can walk three miles, but I need to rest well afterwards.

#bekind

Take care all and Happy Halloween, Carole