BC And Me

Hello my dear friends

Well, the first round is over and I hope we have dealt that damned cancer a good knock-out blow and put it on the canvas for good.  Round one to us! (my surgeon, his team and hopefully myself).

This is my first time back on the computer so I do not want to overdo things.  There is so much I could share with you but that would take a novel.  Becky is wrong, I will not regale you with all the gory details.  Things happened very fast when I was admitted.  I was very scared in the preparation room, sure I was not going to wake up, I remember crying.  Only one person was allowed to go in and stay with me until they put me under, Mike could not face it. I nearly had the nurse in tears over things I said to Mike just outside the door.  Becky was the one who came in and held my hand all the time.  There was a sea of faces around me all telling me their names, I cannot remember any of them.  Becky was holding my hand, then I saw my surgeon bending over me with a big grin on his face.  I do remember telling Becky I felt funny and that was that.  Within two hours I was sitting up in bed drinking a cup of tea.  Boy, that tea was the best I ever tasted.

I have some photos to share with you, firstly the view from my window

Trying to put a brave face on for the world, but the eyes tell a different story

Dig those sexy stockings 

Back from surgery and very relieved

Some of my battle scars

As you can see, I bruise easily.  Public decency prevents me from showing you anything further. 

Guess what? When my consultant came to check on me after surgery, he told me that all had gone well and they had removed everything they wanted plus a bit more to err on the side of caution.  He told me not to get a fright when I looked in the mirror.  You see, I have a turquoise nipple now, well rather half a turquoise nipple.  It is the dye they use.  It does not wash off and could well be there for several months. "Typical" I said. He asked me what I meant. I told him it would have been far better if I had had the brightly coloured nipple in the days when I did topless glamour modelling, I could have commanded a much higher price and made an absolute fortune in blue movies as "The girl with the rainbow tits".  He guffawed.  He told me they had removed the cancer but my sense of humour had certainly remained in tact!!!

The best photo - going home

I had a drain in and I cannot tell you the times I fell over that because I forgot it.  Up to totter to the loo either dragging the bag behind me having forgotten to pick the thing up or tripping over it.  Trying to get back into bed to find it wrapped around my leg like an umbilical cord.  Originally I was coming home with it in but the consultant said things were going so well I could have it out before I left.  The nurses have been coming in every day to change the dressings.  The incision on the breast is now completely dry, the one under the arm almost.   I have been told I can have a shower tomorrow - Yippee!!!!!!!  Only plain water but at least I will feel clean.  I had to manage with wipes in the hospital.  I could not put my hands in water because of the canula and drip and then the dressing on my hand so it was make do and mend. 

Him indoors washed my hair for me this morning - bliss.  I had to kneel over the bath to make sure I do not get any water on the incisions but we managed.  We take these little things for granted don't we?  Washing, shampooing our hair, it is only when for one reason or another we cannot do them that we realize just how important they are to us.

I also have to do exercises twice a day.  They were a little painful at first but now I find them easy.  Was I in great pain?  No -  more discomfort than pain.  I had the minimum of painkillers which surprised the staff. 

So, as I said, that is round one over.  Seconds out for round two when I attend for my appointment on the 2nd April. Round two will be what treatment follows on from here. I know for definite it will be anti-cancer drugs but still not sure on radiotherapy or anything else.  Will take that as it comes.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support, your love and good wishes, your cards.  I tell you honestly that you did help to make it easier for me because I knew you were all behind me all the way.  God bless you, each and every one.

Now I am off for a little lie down.