#LivingWithCancer

[coldphantompoetry]

Winter is coming

But my soul starts to blossom

Death provides living

[theretirementstory]

5/5/2024. Greetings, not from the Gare de Lyon but from my hospital bed yet again. This date is an anniversary I would rather forget, it is a year to the date since I was “blue lighted” to the hospital at Troyes, where the following day they gave me the news that my cancer had returned. However, a year down the line, although still receiving treatment, I am continuing to write my blog.

As you can imagine (or maybe you can’t) being confined to one room, looking out onto other parts of the hospital, there could be very little to report. However, as you will also know, family and friends keep in touch and so a part of my normality returns.

One of the comforting things about this hospital is that you can choose your own meals. The dietitian came to see me on Monday, she said don’t worry if I can’t eat the hot food as long as I am eating something she is pleased. I showed her “my stash” and she was impressed with what I had brought in. She is sending me extra’s too on my food tray.

Anie, has messaged sending photos of her garden, Monique too has been working in her garden and sent me photos. We have had strong winds and rain (apparently) and I am hoping that those budding cherries have clung onto the branches. I also hope that the wind hasn’t scattered the primulas, in their pots, far and wide around my garden. My American friends are back in Bar-sur-Aube and are waiting to give me a big greeting on my return. They had been back in the states for over a year now so it must be wonderful to return to their dream house in France. I know what it was like when I had four weeks away from my home last year, I am not ashamed to say, I cried as we approached Bar-sur-Aube.

One of my friends in the UK celebrated her 60th birthday at the end of April. Of course my card had been posted off in advance.

We have had the 1st May “jour férié” and people will be looking forward to 8th May “jour ferie”, celebrating Victory in Europe back in 1945. As my son informed me May is the month of holidays here in France.

Yesterday, my granddaughter had her birthday party at her Daddy’s house. Daddy, “The Photographer”, took some photos of her reading the card I had sent and opening her birthday present. I had a video call yesterday afternoon, it was wonderful, I was pretending to be asleep and my grandson was saying cock-a-doodle-do to wake me up. I saw the presents for the birthday girl. It was amazing and at one point the nurse came in to change the drip and my conversation continued with my grandson.

“The Jetsetter” took off for London on Thursday, stayed overnight at the airport and flew to Vancouver on Friday. This was something I had been thinking about doing before I was ill. Not to stay in Vancouver but to make my way to where my Great Uncle went to live back in early 1910’s. His life is something I would love to have more information on but there is no-one now still alive who can give me the information. I do know that he signed up in Victoria BC for World War 1 and was killed in France. I have visited his final resting place.

“The Trainee Solicitor” and the “The Reconnect Navigator” have had a relaxing end to the week. It’s good to recharge your batteries and although a week by a pool may appeal, sometimes it’s just as good to be at home. Of course they went to celebrate my granddaughters birthday too, I am sure she had a smile from ear to ear when she saw her Uncle.

It’s time for the music part of the blog again, I know that a lot of this music is so old but I do throw in “more recent�� records like Maroon 5 last week.

This week however, they are still oldies I suppose. The first is from 1980 it’s by Sad Cafe and is “What Am I Gonna Do?”. I actually remember buying the album, having just returned from holiday, with spending money left over. I was in Darlington and saw the album “Sad Cafe Live in Concert”, so I bought it. Loved it so much and still do.

The second song is from Melanie C from 2003 and it’s “On The Horizon”. I loved her “Northern Star”Album and also the album “Reason” from which this song is taken.

So Saturday and Sunday have been days without treatment and Monday is the day of my CAR-T cell treatment. It’s a big day but hopefully for me just a day nearer going home.

I will still be in hospital next week, but as with this week, God Willing, I will be back next week.

Have a good week until then.

[tiffanythielke]

It’s been a little bit since I’ve posted anything. The last couple weeks have been really rough. Last Wednesday I started cycle 9, round 1, my overall 17th chemo infusion, and it kicked my ass so much that I woke up in a whole new year 😂. I started getting a fever on Friday and basically went to bed and woke up at some point on Monday feeling a bit better, and then felt a lot better yesterday, just in time for another round of chemo today. It’s hard to spend the days between chemo feeling so crummy and missing out on so much to finally start feeling normal just in time for another round. Today was round 2 of cycle 19 and my 18th overall chemo infusion. I’m really hoping this one doesn’t hit as hard as the last one, but honestly, it probably will. This is hard treatment and, unfortunately, I have a lot of things going against me in this fight. But what I focus on is that the chemo is working, the cancer isn’t spreading, and my body is tolerating it well enough to keep on going. My only plan for this year is to live and enjoy life as much as I can because that’s all I have control over right now, even that is somewhat controlled by cancer’s side effects, but I’m excited for what I have planned so far for this new year and hope to have some more energy for art posts soon! I hope everyone enjoys each day as much as you can because you have no idea what is in store for tomorrow. I wish you all a very happy 2023!!! Im going to make the most of it, I hope you do too! #happynewyear2023 #happynewyear #cancersucks #cancer #pancreaticcancer #livingwithcancer #fargomoorhead #mnartist #artist #tltart #alittletouchofart (at Moorhead, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnAxpWZJ6Ue/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[nexussurgical]

How to Cope With a Life of Oesophagus Cancer

Like other cancers, esophageal cancer brings many undesirable side effects, such as hair loss and eating difficulties. If you or your loved ones are diagnosed with or currently undergoing cancer treatments, this article is worth reading as it provides practical tips on how to cope with a life with esophageal cancer.

[dramishchaudhary1]

Dr. Amish Chaudhary Director - Surgical and Gyane Oncology Fortis Cancer Institute Patient Testimonial Patient Name - Om Prakash For More Information - Visit: https://delhicancergroup.com Call: +91 9205645883

[newsfromtherooftop]

Children with Cancer given Beads of Courage

At every stage of cancer treatment, children receive a new Bead of Courage to form a physical representation of their journey, which represents key milestones | Children with Cancer partner with Beads of Courage #livingwithcancer #ChildrenwithCancer

Leading childhood cancer charity, Children with Cancer UK, has announced a new five year partnership with Beads of Courage UK to help support young cancer patients and their families. At every stage of cancer treatment, children receive a new Bead of Courage to form a physical representation of their journey, which represents key milestones including birthdays, events and completing treatment…

[growth-market-reports]

World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The day focuses on increasing awareness and educating people about cancer. It also takes action against the disease worldwide.

The theme of World Cancer Day for 2022-2024 is Close the Care Gap. The 3 years are dedicated to 3 key aspects, namely, uniting voices & taking action, uniting the community to help patients access treatment centers for cancer supportive care drugs, and involve world leaders to achieve a cancer-free world.

#healthcare #medical #thyroidcancer #prostatecancer #worldcancerday #cancerday #cancer #cancerfighter #cancerawareness #cancersurvivor #breastcancer #cancercare #cancerresearch #lifeaftercancer #fightwithpositivity #survivor #cancerlife #health #beatcancer #pancreaticcancer #chemotherapy #support #fightcancer #cancersurvivorday #livingwithcancer #nationalcancerawarenessday #cancerwarrior #cancersupportivecaredrugs #growthmarketreports

[michaelajane-gothwitch]

Need to get out in that cool rain so early trip to town. And done up a bit too! . . #breastcancer #cancersucks #fuckcancer #lifewithcancer #stage4needsmore #cancer #chemo #livingwithcancer #hairloss #hairstyles #hairinspiration #wig #wiglovers #goth #gothic #gothwitch #witch #witchesofinstagram #witchcraft #solitarywitch #pagan #pagansofinstagram #blog #blogger #bloggers #writing #bekind #nofilter (at Darlington, Co Durham) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgBfeV6tqLA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gman8569-blog]

As many of you know, I have been battling lung cancer for the last four years, and unfortunately my cancer has spread. I am currently undergoing aggressive immune therapy treatments, we are seeing good response but we experiencing some complications with my multiple sclerosis. To help with the costs of the medical bills we have started a @gofundme account. Any amount you can donate helps tremendously, and the more you share the more people we reach! I am truly humbled by the support I am getting from so many of you, and I thank you in advance. #cancer #livingwithcancer #livingwithcancerandwinning #livingwithcancersucks #cancersucks #fuckcancer #multiplesclerosis #lungcancer #rheumatoidarthritis #copd #pandemic #pandemiclife #crowdfunding #fundraiser #fundraising #gofundme https://gf.me/u/yug52t (link in bio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZfjI_HKNk/?igshid=jniyhmkl8d35

[reallyratherannoying]

The Really Rather Annoying Day They Told Me I Had Cancer

You know what it’s like when you head off for your mammogram, or maybe you don’t, maybe you’ve never had one. If you’ve not please don’t put it off when you get the call up. I’ve had three, in a portable mammogram unit in a rather run-down part of town. It reminds me of the mobile library which visited my childhood village every other week, parking in the tennis club car park. I’d read every book in that library, it was one of my favourite places as a child, so nothing could possibly go wrong when they squashed my boobs between those Perspex plates in this place; could it?

The letter arrived a week late; ‘abnormal’, ‘routine’, ‘most people fine’, blah, blah, blah. I’ve still got it filed away in my rather cute Orla Kiely ring binder, an absolute steel at £8 for two from TK Maxx. Every bloody cancer related letter is in there, I actually have a thing about filing paper away, just in case. Just in case what? I have no idea. I have every single piece of paper my children brought home from nursey and primary school. Not just the cute indecipherable drawings and paintings, but also the ‘your daughter has been selected for the cross-country team’ and the ‘your son slept for twenty minutes and was unfortunately bitten by Stanley, Stanley’s parents have been informed’ letters. I take proud parenting to a whole new level.

So here’s my blah, blah, blah letter, here’s the world and his wife telling me their sister-in-law’s, best friend’s aunty got the letter and they were fine so of course I will be too and here I am at the Nightingale Breast Cancer Centre having another mammogram (I’d forgotten about that one, so that’s four not three as previously stated). And here is the doctor telling me he can’t feel a lump but there is something not right. I however feel strangely euphoric, obviously not because he’s saying there’s something wrong but because I’ve not missed a lump, imagine if I had I’d feel terrible. Then this doctor, who is hard to understand, maybe because I’m in shock, scans my left breast and this is how I find out I have breast cancer: he tells the nurse he needs a yellow from and abruptly the atmosphere changes. Now there’s a McMillan nurse holding my hand, I’m lying half naked on a hospital trolley, alone in a room full of strangers and the tricky to understand doctor is telling me he ‘wants t see how far the disease has spread’.

I’m looking at the ceiling lights, and I’m crying and I’m alone and I have breast cancer.

And it’s really bloody annoying.

[theretirementstory]

22/09/2024. Bonjour à tous 👋, it’s a cloudy day and not particularly warm at 17c.

The photo above was taken on the 16 October 2017 from the window of the apartment I lived in when I first arrived. The church, Saint Maclou, had been closed since about the 1950’s and was becoming an eyesore. A European Fund provided money to restore the building, to become what, I am still unsure. Obviously with Covid, work was halted and it seemed as if the restored building would never appear. However, a walk to town on Friday, took me past the church and I am pleased to report that the portacabins and shuttering are no longer there and the church looks amazing. It is one of the 12th century churches in town and it’s wonderful to see it come to life again in the 21st century. (See photo below). Apparently, the outside work is complete it is now the interior work that needs to be finished.

As I only had one hospital visit this week, I was going to have more time for ME and the things that I like doing.

I was awaiting the arrival of the man to finish cleaning the exterior walls of my house, on Monday. He had said around 9am but as it was a dull morning he didn’t put in an appearance until 2pm. Anyway, he worked like a good ‘un, as we say where I come from. He didn’t finish until 8pm 😳 any later and I would have left him to it and gone to bed!

Having watched the neighbour two doors up preparing the ground and building breeze block pillars to put a motorised gate on his property I was feeling that I needed to tidy my front garden before the winter arrives. Monique had said she would clear the weeds from the raised bed in the back but to be honest the nettles are almost two foot high and it is really bugging me looking so untidy. Can I wait for her to put in an appearance?

On Friday I seemed to have found someone else’s energy and after two walks I still felt ok, so went outside to clear weeds and cat poop from the potager, then cover it with cardboard. Well that’s the idea, the cardboard is too big and I can’t cut it (am hoping a friendly neighbour will do it for me). The friendly neighbour brought home a bag of bark from the supermarket and having found just short of half a bag in the garage, I set to and spread that out. Well it looks as if I will need a few more bags, plus I found a bag lurking in the bottom of the storage box outside. Anyway, to say it looks a little better is no exaggeration.

Yesterday, I had it in my head to cut back the clematis, it’s never been done which is maybe why I haven’t seen it flower. I cut the roses back by a third and had cut the hydrangea back too (not too harshly). As the garden is a jungle of weeds I thought to try and sort those out. Imagine my surprise when I found the majority of the weeds were actually in my neighbours garden and had just grown high and come through the fence. So now not content with the neighbour on the other side with six foot high nettles which come through into my garden I have the neighbour on the other side with his weeds coming through! He has the front of his hedge (forsythia) all looking spic and span and just behind the forsythia loads of big weeds growing into my garden 🤔.

I messaged the gardener to see if we are coming into the time for grass cutting to end and if it’s time for weed killing (like the ivy under the shrubs). No response as yet.

My friend, Sarah, a fellow Brit who lives in Haute Marne, came to see me on Tuesday. We had a wonderful natter and she had insisted on bringing lunch. We had steamed salmon, green beans with roasted tomatoes and new potatoes, followed by (a bought) succès cake. These cakes are delicious my absolute favourites. It made such a change to see someone different and being English it was easier to converse.

Then it was the day of the hospital visit, of course, being Wednesday the cleaner was here at 9am, it was a quick lunch and then the taxi arrived at 12:45 not 13:00 as had been arranged! Anyway, my blood results were good for haemoglobin and on the rise for platelets. I had my platelet transfusion, two injections and my PICC line cleaned and dressed. It was still 6ish when I got home but at least that was only one day.

I do like to think I can have a lie in, but my tablets start at 7am so I think if I have slept from around 10pm to 6:30ish I have had a good rest.

Friday saw the return of the knitting group but unfortunately I wasn’t there. I got a photo of them all waving to me and I sent one back. I really must write a resignation letter so that I don’t have that pressure on me. I will be sad to give it all up but my heart isn’t in it anymore.

Anie came to see me last evening. She brought me golden raspberries from her garden along with a posy of beautiful flowers. We sat and talked, looked into my garden at the four areas of cyclamen and looking for birds. Monique has been unwell with ongoing pain in her back, sciatic nerve and leg. She said she had been finding it difficult to drive. She is hoping to come and see me this coming week. Lise, the lady who was in charge of the office at HUDA ( the refugee office) had her baby at the beginning of September. A little girl (or not so little) she weighed 4 kilos (8lbs 13oz) at birth 🤔 same weight as one of mine. Her name is Leonore, what a pretty name.

I am pleased that my life seems to be more mine rather than the hospitals. Sometimes I have felt that I have done nothing else but get into taxis and visit hospitals. I feel quite “normal” now I am sure you understand what I mean. I have time to cook and prepare some wonderful meals which is great as I am eating lots!

Last night I made a pizza and I ate half with salad, it was delicious and I was pleased I made it.

“The Recovery Coordinator” and “The Solicitor” have been eating healthily this last week. She messaged to say that she has lost 5lbs in weight and is very pleased. Work has been tough but she did work from home one day.

“The Solicitor” has been taking his lunch to work and thoroughly enjoyed what he has been eating. It’s good to see that they are on a health kick, getting out for walks as well as enjoying fruit and salads.

To be honest I have been eating lots of salad and really enjoying it. When I went to the hospital I had had soup and a sandwich which was quite filling. However at 4pm my stomach started rumbling and I could have done with having something tasty to eat. I am cutting out crisps, I had enjoyed them with a sandwich and they seemed to fill me up but I was conscious of the fat and salt content.

“The Photographer” went to London midweek and his company were very pleased with the photographs he had taken. This weekend he has his children, he took them to get some clothes for autumn and they were telling me what they had bought. My grandson went off to find his hoodie which had Marvel characters on it, then the three year old, quite patiently, explained to his aged grand-mere who each character was. I really wanted to laugh it was total role reversal 😂, he is just so adorable.

Now the music section. The first song is by Prince, it’s “Thieves in the Temple Part II” it was released in 1990. A bit of a change from me really.

The second song, is one I am surprised I haven’t had already, it’s by Labelle, it’s Lady Marmalade from way back in 1974.

Well we are heading into the last week of September, today is the autumnal equinox and here is a fact which has brought back memories of my visit there. “The staircases at the main Maya pyramid, El Castillo, at Chichen Itza, Mexico, are built at a carefully calculated angle which makes it look like a snake of sunlight slithers down the stairs the moment the equinox occurs.”

Well let’s see what the coming week has in store for me. Someone close to me will celebrate a birthday……. to say he has been looking forward to that day is an understatement. We will find out more for the blog next week!

Have a good week until next week!

[thrivingwithtori]

Today’s the day I get to see the oncologist. August 13th, 2019! Since my thyroid has been removed I’ve continued to have issues. I’ve mention many of them in my previous posts. To name a couple different ones I have issues with swallowing my pills, talk as I lose my voice and extreme fatigue.

Anyways time to see the oncologist I’m so excited. I wake up my voice is shot, the right side of my throat is swollen and man I’m soo exhausted. I get to the Drs, get checked in, go to the back. Now I’m at a cancer clinic so it’s extremely cold and my body knows it’s cold but I’m pouring sweat. Why am I pouring sweat?

I do my Intake Dr walks in and we discuss my issues. He asks to to sit on the table and again I’m still sweating, I can barely talk and my throat is swollen. In the deep back of my mind I’m thankful for all of this to be present while I’m seeing the doctor but in the front of my mind I’m thinking “for fucks sake get it together body”. Lol.

Let’s rewind to before surgery I’m seeing my endocrinologist I explain to him “hey look I have swelling in my lymph nodes on the right side of my neck” in which he replies “oh it’s probably allergies they don’t look cancerous”. Now most of you don’t know but I come from a long family of people in the medical field a long with I went to school to be a medical assistant so me being me I’m like ok cool let this dude fuck in and see what happens.

FYI don’t ever challenge the world like that because me having the knowledge I do I should of said “Hey umm you can’t see if they are cancerous or not as it’s an ultrasound”. However, I failed doing so and now here we are.

Fast forward back to present day. The oncologist goes over everything I explained above, asked why I didn’t do RAI and so forth for me to have no answers. I explain my blood work which my thyroglobulin antibodies were fine but my actually thyroglobulin was elevated( this only happens when there is still cancer present within the body and it’s typically due to an autoimmune disease).

This has my oncologist even more worried so I now go for a PET scan next Wednesday. This will help determine where else I may have cancer. From here it’s lots of sleep, mindful eating and taking it easy.

[missfliss88]

Books I’ve Read:

My Review....I'm not going to try and add anything more to reviews about this book. Nothing I could say hasn't already been said a hundred times, a thousand times! I will say - if you want to read a book that puts your life into perspective, read Michael's story. If you want to read a happy story, because in spite of everything this is a happy story, read this book. If you want to try and make yourself a better person....read this book. 4 stars

(via Kids Don't Get Cancer: The Remarkably Inspiring Story of Michael Crossland by Michael Crossland | Goodreads)

[tiffanythielke]

Tomorrow I start my fourth chemo cycle. Each cycle is three weeks; two weeks of chemo and one one week off. However, this will only be my sixth infusion instead of my eighth because two cycles had to only be one week of chemo due to covid exposure and fun vacations. Since I have unlimited amounts of chemo, missing a round here and there won’t hurt, which is great because I have a lot of life to enjoy still. I’m super excited for a couple trips I have coming up in September and I can’t wait to share them with you all as well. . For now, remember to enjoy life, because you never know how much time you have to really live. . #cancersucks #artisttouch #alittletouchofart #art #letteringart #artoninstagram #artist #TLT #TLTart #fargomoorhead #mnartist #artistoninstagram #livingwithcancer #pancreaticcancer (at Moorhead, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChVElv5JVgI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[maimellowlife]

Heh hi^^ so I finally made a video about my cancer in more detail. Link in bio♡ Hopefully, it will clear up some things ♡ https://youtu.be/IC3s-j-6cLw 📸Follow me on here @maimellowlife 🎥Twitch.tv/maimellowlife 🖥YouTube.com/maimellowlife More on 🐧linktr.ee/maimellowlife #terminalcancer #pecoma #sarcoma #cancer #younglivesvscancer #youngpersonwithcancer #asian #czech #video #YouTube #cancerinmy20s #chemo #chemotherapy #travelling #traveling #lifeplans #life #lifewithcancer #livingwithcancer https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfowk-wIg6V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=