Leveling Up For The Boss Fight - My cancer journey

This last week as been pretty hectic.  I've had my first chemo treatment, I'm officially having to shield due to my chemo treatment, and had my first full week's worth of radiotherapy.  To top that, I'm a day behind with my usual posting date.  However, I didn't stress about getting this done yesterday, as I had to listen to my body and decide what was best. More about that later! This time last week, I had my first chemo treatment.  I was apprehensive about this one, mainly due to potential side effects.  Turns out that was the least of my worries.  I'll run through the day.  I was booked in for a 9 am start, and first you get weighed and measured.  I then had to provide enough urine to make sure treatment could get underway (some patients don't drink enough, and you don't want chemo sitting in your kidney's all week).  I always have to have a bottle of water or squash near me, I get nervous if I don't have enough fluids. My nur...

It's been a busy week so far.  I've had my blood tested on Monday, on the mobile cancer unit.  This is a bus with equipment inside, and you wouldn't think it's a bus when you're in it, it feels like a very comfy ward (the chairs are super comfy, I could nap in one!). Tuesday I had a call to go through Radiotherapy (I'll likely shorten this to Rad), including when I arrive, what the process is.  She talked me through the whole procedure, so when I arrived this morning (I'm writing this on the day of publication), I experienced exactly how she described.  I wasn't nervous anyway, as I had been given plenty of information before hand.  However, it was nice for that added reassurance. Wednesday I had a call to go through chemotherapy.  It was much the same as the radiotherapy call, however I'll be there the whole day, compared to the Rad treatment.  I'll go through more of the chemo next week, as I have my first treatment tomorrow (Friday 22nd...

This time next week, I would've had my first radiotherapy treatment.  A week tomorrow, I'll be having my first chemotherapy treatment.  I'm a little apprehensive, but looking forward to starting the treatment. I've had a few days where the pain has been frustrating, and a few really great days.  However, I'm not down, depressed, or feeling sorry for myself.  There may be small things that are a victory, and I focus on them.  I've said before this is as much of a mental battle, as well as a physical one.  Speaking of mental health, my first week of treatment starts on mental health awareness week.  This years theme is kindness, and I have to say, you have all been incredibly kind with your words either on here, or on my social media posts.  You've also respected that I asked I didn't want to be inundated with direct messages and phone calls.  This has helped me enormously by letting me focus on me, and my body.  For example, many o...

"If we open up a little bit more to each other, and share our stories, that's what breaks down barriers."  Not only did I create this blog to aid communication to you all about my journey, I also hope it can provide help and support to those going through a similar journey.  With not being at work, and in between my naps, I do some reading or listening to podcasts.  The above quote is from Michelle Obama, Becoming.  She has such a soothing and reassuring tone that I have occasionally fallen asleep listening to the audiobook, and have no idea where I've got to (another voice I fall asleep to - you know who you are).  She's so strong minded, yet has so much empathy for others with being so grounded from her upbringing.  I like to think I have a bit of her spirit with me.  Her book is definitely worth a read (and I've not even finished it yet!). This week I've had no appointments, but I've still been moderately busy despite a few days where I've s...