C Ya Later Cancer - Being Completely Blindsided and a Busy Few Weeks



The Big C Festival



 I sat nervously waiting for my breast care nurse as they'd just had a meeting with the specialists about what they had removed during the operation. Karen came in and reported that they'd removed 16 lymph nodes and all the breast tissue and couldn't find any trace of cancer. The chemo has kicked its arse! I was therefore effectively cancer free! I hadn't cried tears of joy for a while, but there were many. I was in shock and completely blind sided. I hadn't expected such good news. Surely they would find something? Surely there would be more bad news? But no. It was amazing news and I just couldn't believe it. I actually couldn't. Even writing it down doesn't seem real as it’s the best news possible and it just doesn't seem true. But it is! All those months of grueling chemo and days feeling like crap have been worthwhile. Result.
 
It's also been a busy few weeks. I went back to work part time for a while. It was great to see everyone and feel like a functioning human again. Then Race for life took place which was an awe inspiring day. Standing there during the warm up surrounded by my team of zebra print clad family and friends I was overwhelmed by emotion. Seeing my name and the names of other loved ones fighting cancer on their backs it really hit me the effect of this terrible disease. I shed a little tear but felt so surrounded by love and so lucky to have such amazing people in my life to share this special day and get me through the last six months. We managed the walk in an hour and ten minutes and so far my team has raised £3295 for Cancer Research UK. Big thanks to Cavie at the Kings Arms in Georgeham who hosted our post race barbeque/party and donated £200 to our cause. I'm so stoked to think that our efforts will go towards research into fighting the Big C.
 
The Big C festival was another incredible day. The festival started to evolve a few months ago when I decided I wanted to organise a fundraiser and knew that Blakey was very kindly up for shaving his beautiful mane. Christian, Katie, Soph and I then met up about 6 weeks before and decided to go for it. We got on the case organising everything and Blakey set up the adventure race.
 
It rained all week leading up to the event. Not just a bit of rain either but proper, taking the piss rain. It was relentless. I had visions of a crammed pub and very soggy bouncy castle. But on the day someone was definitely shining down on us as it turned out to be the sunniest day we'd had in ages. The adventure race in the morning was great, even a few fancy dress costumes made an appearance in the blistering heat! The winning team did the cycle, swim and run course in 1 hour and 40 mins and consisted of the power houses Andrew Cotton, Ian Blake and Rob Sandbach; they won a month of boot camp sessions with Blakey's awesome Bay Fitness club, nice one! They were very closely followed, 18 seconds later.. By Ken Kerslake, Dan Rudman and Charlie Smith. Third place went to Sean Creely, Mat Turner (my lovely big bro!) and Mike Symonds who rocked up just over ten minutes later in awesome fancy dress! Massive well done to everyone who completed the course; an amazing achievement for a great cause.
 
The rest of the day continued to be brilliant. The garden was so packed at one point that people had to leave. The sun shone, great music played. The auction went better than I could of imagined raising £600 and I got slightly to into using the mic.. You couldn't get me off it! Blakey's hair had to be plaited before it could be shaved so that we could donate the hair to a children's cancer charity. We then charged a pound to cut each plait; this proved very popular and raised even more money. Charlotte Shirley did an awesome job of the actual shave and Blakey looks very handsome with a shaved head! The head shave itself raised around £1500, all I can say is wow.
 
The total raised is still rising but was at £4975 at the last count. All for the chemo unit appeal, a great amount for a charity very close to my heart and many others who attended. Massive thanks to all those involved (see below!) especially Christian, Blakey, Katie, Soph, Mum, Dad, Mat, Em, Bex, Chloe, Lisa, Lou, Kelz and Sunny. Special mention also to Andy at the White Lion for being so generous with his donation and hosting the event.
 
The whirl wind of charity fund raising was a welcome distraction and before I knew it I was ready to 'check in' to hospital. I'd been so busy I hadn't really thought about the reality of the op; probably best really. I used a bit of Jack Bauer to distract me the night before and then before I knew it, it was time to go under. I quite enjoyed being wheeled round the hospital to the theatre; I like to pretend its some sort of ride. After a little chat and confirmation that, yes, that is who I am on my arm band, then C ya! Waking up was not quite so much fun. I had to be covered by a bear hugger; which is a bit like a lilo being filled with hot air. This kept me very hot for the first 2 days and promoted the healing process. Luckily I was on a morphine drip as this kept me going through this phase. It wasn't the best 48 hours I've ever had, but it wasn't my worst either. Normal hemoglobin levels are supposed to be around 14 but mine dropped down to 6 as I'd lost so much blood through the op and in the drains. So I had to have a blood transfusion. This involved 2 bags of blood being pumped into me. I felt like I was in a Twilight movie. I wanted to say; sorry I'm a vampire I can't be around all this blood... But that's just how my strange little mind works.

I only vaguely remember Mum and Dad visiting on the evening of the op. I was completely out of it. Although I did manage to give Dad a list of instructions of who to let know what etc. Even in that state I can't help but organise things, which is a bit of a worry. I gradually improved as the days went on. First I was able to use my hands as the various drips came out. Then the drains were removed and I could walk around freely without carrying a little bag of blood drains. Don't get me wrong it's all very essential, but it's not a good look. I ended up staying in hospital slightly longer than expected as I developed an infection and my temp kept spiking at 38. A very small blip considering. Thanks so much to everyone who visited and for all the lovely cards, presents and flowers. Also huge thanks to the Doctors and Nurses on King George V ward (especially Rosie and Sandra). They did a brilliant job with my care; they are lovely and work so incredibly hard.
 
So now I'm home recovering! Getting stronger day by day and feeling incredibly lucky to be living above Mum and Dad and being looked after by them. Thanks Mum and Dad you are amazing. Right, well that's the longest blog I've ever written! I'll shut up now and concentrate on my recovery, C ya.

Ouch

The Big C festival - Special thanks to thanks to the amazing musicians - Melv, Christian, Sam Mayo, Sam Dowden, the White Lion Choir, Katie, Soph, Amy, Si, Jay, The Rockets and Pete's Gone Straight Edge!
And the local businesses who kindly donated to the auction and raffle: Get Wet Surf School, Ross, Bay Spas, Bay Joinery, Bay Fitness, Tiki, Kittiwell House, Devon Brewing Co, Hands On, Blue Groove, Kendra Pilates, Riverside, Aloe Vera Direct, Bright and Breezy Cleaning, Andrew Cotton Inc, Sirena Silver, the White Lion, Kenny Wells, Jon the Potter, Kittiwakes, The Rock Inn, Surfing Croyde Bay, The Corner Bistro, Second Skin, Gulfstream, Surfed Out.

The Bear Hugger