I am brand new to blogging, and have been pleasantly surprised this morning about how easy it has been to set up. I am not sure how it compares to other blogs which I believe are out there in the blogasphere but I am sure I will improve as I go along, so please bear with me.
So, it has been quite a week for me. I should probably start with a potted history of the last few months which have lead up to this point, to make this easier to follow, but I will keep it brief as a lot of it has been quite boring and quite grim. So here goes...
... A routine procedure to deal with abdominal pain associated with being a girl discovered some abnormal cells in the lining of my abdomnen. Six consultant specialists, four general anaesthetics, two sedations, seven telescopic cameras, two MRI scans, a CT and a PET CT scan, many ultrasounds and lots of appointments and invasive examinations later, I have been diagnosed with Cancer of the Cervix, the rarer kind known as Adenocarcinoma, (which is the kind not always picked up on smear tests in case you were wondering). I got this news late on Thursday evening, and yesterday I met with two Oncolological experts who outlined the treatment plan for me and allowed me to have a good nights sleep - the first in a little while.
My husband, who shall be known on this blog as Mr Man, has been away on business for a few days this week which would not have been a problem if the pathology lab's usual time frames had been met, but on this occasion the results came in early so he was not here to come with me on yesterdays fact finding mission into the scarily brilliant world of oncology. So, instead I was luckily able to call on my calm and supportive friend of nearly 30 years, G, who came with me, listened attentively, asked lots of intelligent questions and above all talked to me pretty constantly about lots of diverse things so I could not think too much about what was going on. Mr Man was there when I got home armed with hugs and the requested Thai Green Curry, and so I ended the day with the answers I have been waiting so long to find, and a yummy dinner.
Since this blog is labelled with looking for the silver linings amongst life's many clouds, I shall finish with this thought. My cancer is at stage 2, which means it has spread a little but not onto anything critical, so it is treatable with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a lot of happy thoughts. The side effects of the treatment should be manageable and we can start with the preparations for the 8 week programme next week, so there is no more waiting. Compared to where I was before, when I knew I had some kind of malignancy but did not know what, I can now put plans in place to move forward, and that has got to be a silver lining worth smiling about.
About Me
- Queen of Silver Linings
- East Dulwich, London, United Kingdom
- To me the glass is always at least half full. This was not always the case but over the past few years I have started to learn just how brilliant the human mind and body are. In September 2011 at the age of 34 and after 4 months of extensive medical invasion and severe abdominal pain, I was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma Cervical Cancer. I have too much on my to do list to be thwarted by such a cowardly disease, so I am using positive thinking and all my mental and physical toughness to win, as I really don't like losing. During the long and painful diagnosis phase, many friends said that they didn't know how I could be so calm and strong. To be honest, looking back neither do I, but I am starting this blog to capture my feats of positivity whilst I beat this pesky disease.
Hi Nikki ok I have worked it out now ( see my e mail to you about 1 hr ago !) you're an incredible person to face this in the positive way you are. That will see you through. I will keep in touch but please know that my positive thoughts are there for you at this time Chris ( Harvey) x
ReplyDeleteHi Nikki - great idea to make a blog! Good on you for not letting this get you down and staying so positive. I'm sure we'll see you soon but just to say good luck starting the treatment - I'll be thinking of you! If there's anything at all I can do to help just let me know! xxx
ReplyDeleteHi, Great blog! Am sending you virtual hugs. and as ever, I'm on the end of a phone at the drop of a hat should you need anything. Much love Jen xxx
ReplyDeleteNikki my love - so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I just want to wish you well and send you love and positive thoughts as you start your battle with the Big C - it really is a total bugger isn't it. If this is anything to go on, you sound so strong and positive, so in a great place to start things off. If there is anything at all I can do please let me know as we are now back in the UK - maybe an old girls get together is well overdue??? Sending you so much love, George xx
ReplyDeletep.s. I can't walk past a piece of Emma Bridgewater pottery these days without thinking of you xx
Oh Nikki mrs it sounds like you have been having such a rough time...I am genuinely sorry that I don't live round the corner and can pop by to give you a big slobbery kiss and a cuddle. I agree with George, if ANYONE has the positivity to get through this, its YOU - you can do this mrs and we will all be here for you - even if its just in online form at the minute. And yes, it would be lovely to meet up with you all soon....DEFINITELY overdue! And George - welcome back...why aren't you in Solihull ;@)
ReplyDeleteHi Nikki, it is brilliant you are staying so positive. I know you will beat it and then you can look forward to skiing with us next year yay!! Lots of vin chaud and tartiflette and also lots of trips to visit Katie in Barcelona! Thinking of you and hoping you get well soon xx
ReplyDeleteNikki best of luck, you're a strong lady, and reading your blog puts everything into perspective. Stay positive and know that you have tons of well-wishers along for the ride with you :-) And when you feel up to it, come out to Morocco, I think I'll still be here :-) big hug, Emily xxxxx
ReplyDeleteSo, on the day that Spooks made a welcome return to our screens, my wife bestowed upon me a codename. How exciting! It was only whilst at work today that I realised that rather being an International Man of Mystery, following in the footsteps of Connery, Brosnan and Craig, the inspiration may have actually come from one of THE Mr Men. But which one could it be?
ReplyDeleteMr Clever, Mr Funny and Mr Perfect instantly came to mind but then I also have a suspicion that TQoSL would also consider the likes of Mr Lazy, Mr Greedy and Mr Grumpy to be apt. (Humph).
All I know is that my Little Miss Brilliant is taking on Mr Brave and Mr Strong at their own games, and beating them hands down.
Hi Nikki, thanks for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteYou are a very strong and brave person and I am sending you a lot of positive and happy thoughts! I cannot imagine what it must feel like to be in your position but I hope you keep your spirit high and that all will be good in the end!
Thinking of you ...
Hi Nikki,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the diagnosis. It's inspirational to hear such bravery and positivity. Sending you lots of positive and happy thoughts!
Best Wishes
Tom Griffiths x