Week 38-43 - Thursday 21st January 2021

Hello friends!

It's been a while since I gave an update, and today seemed fitting, as I had my 3 monthly review with the oncologist. More on that later.

December I went back to work on a phased return, using my annual leave to plug the financial gap when I'm not working.  This was a combination of building stamina, and getting back into the swing of things.  To start with I was wiped out after 3 hours and the journey there and back.  I would end up having a sleep when I got home to recover.  As the weeks went on, the nap time would reduce to then not napping at all.  However, getting to sleep at night has been a struggle, but that's down to it being SAD season.

At the beginning of January I ended up getting the flu.  It was definitely the flu, before anyone asks. My symptoms started and I was knocked out within an hour.  I had at least majority of all symptoms listed on the NHS website.  I was wiped out for almost a week, and was pretty much bed ridden, it was horrid. I pinned it getting it from a customer on New Year's Eve.  I hadn't been anywhere else apart from work for over a week, and I've been really careful with taking all the precautions I could take.  I'm over it now, and onto the next hurdle.

As of next week, I start my training course before I finally get to run my own store. It's been a long time coming, as I had applied for the role before lockdown 1 happened, and before I went to my doctor feeling severely unwell.  I wasn't quite well at the time, but attributed that to other factors, which at the time would've seemed normal.

Today I was down to go to the hospital for my appointment with the oncologist, but unsurprisingly this was changed to a phone appointment instead, due to the pandemic.  She asked me how I was feeling, overall I'm continually improving.  However there are a couple of things I wanted to ask her.  

My bladder control is far better, and I'm not having to go to the toilet at night.  However, my stools haven't returned to "normal", although they are better.  This may be as good as it gets, but she will review again in 3 months, and may be some options to improve it a bit more.  However I'll keep a food diary to see if I can help it as well.

I've also had a couple of minor uncomfortable pains, bit like a period pain, but it only lasted about 5 minutes for a couple of occasions recently.  She has said that if these continue, to get in touch with my specialist nurse, and they'll look into it.  As with anything else, if I notice a change, to get in touch.  So far it's not a concern, unless it gets worse. I feel quite reassured, as I could tell in her voice that she wasn't alarmed, but was a little concerned if things escalate.  Fingers crossed it's all a one off.  However, if that's not the case, I feel very fortunate that I have a brilliant support network at the hospital to get things checked out.  I honestly feel very lucky with the treatment I've received and the ongoing post treatment reviews.  I'm not sure if it's down to where I live (that's probably an element of it), but I really can't fault anyone in the NHS here.

Overall, it's all looking pretty good.  Still not out of the woods, but miles better than I was this time last year.

As always, stay safe, stay well and look after each other x x

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