Tag: Royal Marsden

My third chemo session

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Two days ago, I had my third chemo session. Remember, I have them weekly, in smaller doses, as I have scalp cooling for my hair. This session marked the end of cycle one! Cyril is realising that he is not wanted and must leave. This brings me closer to the operation, which I am also happy about. When I walked into the unit on Monday, I didn’t feel the usual fears. Even the doctor noticed how calm I was! This is because I now  know what to expect. If it were last week, I probably would have freaked about being told my iron levels are on the low side, meaning that I might need a blood transfusion next week. However, this news didn’t panic me. I’d like to mention that this is a common thing that can happen when having chemo. I will be eating foods rich in iron this week to see if that helps, and if it doesn’t then, it’s not an issue. In the words of my dad, ‘after a transfusion, you feel on top of the world. You’ll have more energy than all of us!’
My brother joined us for this session.  We played a great game, similar to articulate, where you had to describe the celebrities on the stick you picked up. We had lots of laughs and some interesting guesses were made! Thank you @JennieDallal. I also had my regular foot massage from my amazing Auntie, who comes equipped with her oils and creams. The nurses have spotted her and told her how wonderful they think she is. The foot massage takes my mind off the cold cap, generally calms me down, and as you can see from the photos, actually sent me to sleep yesterday!
My wonderful nurse also came to me. I simply adore her. She is there to talk to whenever you need (phone and email). I feel I can ask her anything. For example, I was worried about getting gel nails, as I had heard there may be risks associated with the drying light, but she put my mind at ease. She has been there from day one, (from the night I was admitted with fluid on my tummy), and she will be by my side throughout the whole journey. It’s remarkable how quickly you feel a bond growing with the team of people around you. I have already shared my pixie collection with my team of doctors. They (the pixies, not doctors) are my good luck charms. I carried one with me when I got my results and when I met the professor handling my chemo. I want each person working to make me better to have a pixie. My nurse really liked the one that I chose for her!
I know it’s now only Wednesday but I already feel ready for next Monday. I am getting used to the process so it does not feel so scary. I want to get cycle 2 going, so I can continue to show Cyril who is boss. The start of round two will mean a slightly longer session, but it means more drugs will go in my system and remind Cyril to go away!

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#FindingCyril

My second chemo session

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Today marked the second milestone on my road to recovery. After having my blood taken and the test coming back as suitable to proceed, I started my second session of chemotherapy. Below are some pictures of my experience.

Thank you to doctors and nurses of the Royal Marsden for keeping a smile on my face and to my aunt for the foot rubs!

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#FindingCyril

Misdiagnosed as IBS

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“This cancer is aggressive. It could even have come on in a matter of weeks.” This is what my consultant told me after giving me the diagnosis. The shock of the diagnosis was even more compounded by the fact that I had a pelvic scan and CA125 blood test 7 months ago. My one saving grace is that the 4th doctor I saw picked on the cancer from the symptoms I had.

The aim of this blog is to raise awareness to the fact that these symptoms can be easily misdiagnosed as IBS. This is what happened to me 3 times in the space of two weeks. Initially, my GP, a gastroenterologist and an A&E doctor all assumed I had IBS and constipation after feeling my stomach and doing a generic blood scan. The symptoms I had included:

  • Severe abdominal bloating (I was asked by several people when I was due as I looked 4 t0 5 months pregnant)
  • Pain when urinating
  • Feeling full quickly
  • Severe constipation (I hadn’t gone to the toilet properly for almost a week.)

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Due to the misdiagnosis, I was prescribed laxatives. Whenever I took these, I felt worse and the pain and discomfort intensified. Once I was diagnosed properly, my doctor explained why this was. The bloating was from a huge build up of liquid around my organs (they drained off almost 5.5 litres). From what I understand, this liquid put pressure on my bowels, constricting them and stopped me from using the toilet. When I took the laxatives, I felt worse because I got more and more clogged up.

These symptoms came on quickly over a couple, of weeks and as they went on they intensified. It wasn’t until I went to A&E for the second time (due to the pain and discomfort) that they finally did a CT scan.

These symptoms can be too often be confused with bowel issues. If you experience these symptoms, please go straight to the GP. Nag, moan, complain and make a pain of yourselves if you need to girls but please make sure you get checked! I am just very thankful, grateful and happy that my symptoms were picked up on and that I am able to have the treatment to get better.

If you experience these symptoms, ovarian cancer must be considered regardless of age. It is rare at a young age but it can happen.

For more information look at the websites below:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer-of-the-ovary/pages/symptoms.aspx

http://www.targetovariancancer.org.uk/about-ovarian-cancer/what-ovarian-cancer/ovarian-cancer-symptoms

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/ovarian-cancer/understanding-cancer/signs-symptoms.html

#FindingCyril

Road to recovery

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I woke up on Monday full of fear wondering what the day would hold for me. Of course I was anxious, who wouldn’t be. But, I was a good girl and still had my breakfast!  I really want to try and keep my hair, so I’ve decided to try the Cold Cap which is like a helmet filled with a special gel and freezes the scalp to below -2 degrees.  We’ll have to wait and see if it works.  IV line in place and 6 1/2 hours of chemo started to flow through my veins.  How odd that to kill this disease, I’m being filled with poison.  Poison to kill a poison. If you’re wondering if it hurt…the answer is no. It’s so important that young people are made aware of the brutality of cancer and that it can attack anyone.  Cancer does not discriminate, it can effect anyone at any time and at any age. My first chemo session was documented by my father via texts to our family WhatsApp group!

#FindingCyril

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The start of ‘Cyril’

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This all started with stomach cramps and constipation. My stomach swelled to the point that I looked three months pregnant. My second visit to A & E in one week revealed abnormal blood test results. This led to them doing a CT scan, which revealed a concerning swelling on my right ovary. It felt like my world had fallen apart.

My parents had me transferred to the Royal Marsden because my gynaecologist is based there. He expressed his concerns about ovarian cancer. I felt like the earth had opened up and swallowed me up. I just felt numb. To deal with the potential diagnosis my dad decided we should call cancer ‘Cyril.’ I cannot explain why but that made the whole thing feel less frightening. It even confused my friend when I said in a text that it might be ‘Cyril!’

I was in hospital for three days, had over 5.5 litres of fluid was drained from my stomach and underwent a biopsy. My wonderful nurse came in with me. We discussed what we would talk about but I got so nervous I was completed sedated!

It didn’t take long for the results to be given and a plan to be put in place. I was diagnosed on a Thursday and the treatment started the following Monday. My consultants are so kind and caring that when they recognised my severe anxiety about hair loss they decided to administer the treatment in weekly doses to give me the best chances with scalp cooling. The first photo I will share is of my swollen tummy! It’s a key symptom to look out for and you must remember that ovarian cancer can be confused with bowel problems.

I thank God that the symptoms surfaced because there’s no screening for ovarian cancer and symptoms usually don’t surface. I hope that I can raise awareness for more women [including young women] to get checked. It’s rare in young women but it can happen.

#FindingCyril