Some of you who receive these messages have been in touch with us since my last "bulletin" at the end of September but others have not so here is an update.
Sandra finally finished a course of radiotherapy, almost daily treatment over 6 weeks, on Monday last week. The daily travelling was itself a considerable burden and we were very grateful to some kind friends who helped out with driving duties. Sandra found the whole experience extremely stressful and it has been an exceptionally difficult time. She has hypersensitive skin, so she was fearful of being burned severely over all the extensive irradiated area. Thankfully this did not happen (we think this is due to liberal applications of pure Aloe Vera Gel) and the reaction has been within the bounds of "normal", i.e. the burning is not too bad, although those areas of skin which are not still numb after the mastectomy are now very sensitive. She is currently in the recovery stage so is very tired much of the time, and is sleeping quite a lot: the consultant said the average full recovery period is about 6 weeks.
The Herceptin treatment is continuing uneventfully, except that the nurses seem to be unable to access the portacath (an entry port just under the skin) properly to get a line in and every time, after a few attempts at stabbing the needle into her chest, they have had to call on the consultant anaesthetist to come and do the job: not because she needed an anaesthetic, but because he is the only person able to do it. On the last occasion 2 weeks ago he had to come in from a day's leave - and even he experienced some difficulty! The port itself is not a problem - unlike the previous central Hickman line - but it's a bit worrying as it was supposed to overcome the previous problems with accessing veins. There are still a lot of appointments during the next 2 weeks, for various scan procedures, clinic check-up, etc. and then the 3-weekly Herceptin. Also Sandra has started on a course of acupuncture in the hope that it will help with the frequent hot flushes caused by the Arimidex drug (anti-oestrogen therapy) which will have to continue for 5 years.
Our calendar becomes a little more clear from the beginning of December, although 7th December is the "diagnosis anniversary" and we are intending to go and stay somewhere at that time as Sandra wants to be away from home on that day. Most likely we shall choose a really comfortable hotel, with lots of flunkies to wait on us, as she will probably still not be feeling too energetic by then and we are both feeling the need for some serious rest and relaxation right now. The next major hurdle will be the consultation with the plastic surgeon on 15th December.
Thanks for the kind messages and good wishes which we have received, which are much appreciated.