Update: July 2024

2024 07 10

 

Hi everyone – wow, already a month since my previous update. I’m feeling fine, with no more rib-region pain (it just faded away). And I’ve adjusted to the Tamoxifen now: feeling like myself again and just getting on with life, including (especially!) dancing.

We’ve been keeping as warm and dry as we can during the storms, and Gail is amazing with getting Neria out for walks the moment there’s a break in the rain. Quite an achievement as, according to my rain gauge (which I’ve at last put up), we’ve had almost 200mm since Sunday. (Photos: Sunday morning when it was all starting, and then a brief respite on Monday afternoon/ evening.)

My work life is a bit challenging right now, with two unexpected closures. (I’m very grateful that the work is to supplement my monthly pension rather than being my primary income!)

The work for one of my clients, editing their online legal training course content, ground to a halt about three months ago: the company has been liquidated (while still owing me for work already completed – they say I’ll eventually receive at least some of it).

And then, a week ago today, DM168 made the decision to stop proofreading all of the pages that I’ve been doing since I restarted there (lifestyle, wellness, arts & culture and a few more) for cost-cutting reasons. I worked my last shift on these pages yesterday, and am feeling sad about that today. All I’ll be doing for them from now on is editing the content of MavericKids (about 2 hours a week).

On the positive side, I’ve been enjoying editing some website and publicity content for an exciting enterprise recently launched by two long-time friends and associates of mine. (Thank you! You know who you are!)

I’m hoping to find further interesting editing and data analysis projects to work on.

I’m also using the time to complete the book I’ve been writing on my health journey, especially about last year. Most of what’s in it will be familiar to you, but watch this space anyway... I’m just starting the editing process with another long-time friend. (You know who you are, too! Thank you!)

Wishing everyone safety in the current extreme weather conditions (cold and storms here / heat and unexpected weather elsewhere in the world), the best possible outcomes for the many governance changes taking place all over, and success in every single initiative taken towards peace and compassion.

Lots of love  🌹❤️

 

Update: June 2024

2024 06 09

 

Hi everyone – just letting you know that I’m still standing (and dancing), after the first ten days of taking Tamoxifen. It’s never easy to discern what causes what, especially after being a bit knocked by finding out that the previous medication was no longer working. But I can assure you that Tamoxifen has not caused me to feel like jumping off anywhere (as the short-lived first one I tried in 2022, before Exemestane, did).

At the same time, I have had a few twinges here and there, which can be “flare” pain as the Tamoxifen starts to do its work (I learnt about this, first-hand, in 2022).

Since Friday, I have also had what feels like a sore intercostal muscle – I’m hoping that’s all it is, rather than a cracked rib (I do know that my ribs will always be at risk). If it isn’t improving by tomorrow, I will have it checked. I did manage to do (and teach) some gentle circle dances yesterday, and avoided any sort of pulling in the circle.

Several of you have been going through issues of your own: colds, flu (including swine flu), Covid, falls, medical procedures, ongoing cancer treatment, and tests ... I wish all of you an excellent and full recovery / best maintenance of wellness. And, for those who tend to overdo it ... please take time to stop and smell the roses!

Lots of love, always 🌹❤️

2024 06 11

Hi all – a quick note to say I had an X-ray today, and they couldn’t see any fractures or abnormalities in my ribs. So it does seem to be muscular, which is a relief. (Very early this morning, I had had a sensation that something had clicked back into place – the pain didn’t just stop at that moment, but it did seem to start easing. All these puzzles!)

Thanks, as always, for all the support and encouragement. I send mine to whoever needs it.

Lots of love 🌹❤️

 

Update: May 2024

2024 05 23

(The photo is from 10 days ago, when Gail and I went up the mountain in the cable car.)

Hi everyone – an update after having my three-monthly CT scan yesterday, and receiving the results at consultations with both Danie and Garth today.

This checkup was not the best I’ve ever had (I think last November’s one wins that prize hands-down), but nor was it the worst – by a very long way. It signals the return to exactly what I have been dealing with for almost three years now – breast cancer, as a chronic condition that we are managing, and where weird stuff is going to pop up every now and then.

For anyone who doesn’t like to read medical details: I’m basically fine, and we’re tweaking my treatment in order to keep me fine.

For those who want details:

From the lymphoma side: all is completely and totally good. There is absolutely no sign of lymphoma whatsoever. Yay yay yay!

From the breast cancer side: the neverending story continues. The existing nodules in my lungs are reasonably stable, but there is also a new one towards the back of my left lung, and there’s a thin layer of fluid outside that lung, near that nodule. In addition, one of the existing spots on my bones (this one on my right sacrum) has slightly increased in size.

To me, these phenomena constitute “weird stuff”, especially as I feel so well. (Although I did have some twinges in the region of that fluid a while back, but thought I’d pulled a muscle, especially when the twinges disappeared shortly after a Body Stress Release treatment.)

The treatment I’ve agreed with Garth is that we’re changing my medication from Exemestane (Aromasin) to Tamoxifen. The “weird stuff” is actually an indication that Exemestane has run its course. Garth warned me, when I met him, that this would probably happen. It’s rare for people with this breast cancer to be able to use the same medication for more than 18 to 24 months. I’ve had mine for 25 months. Please hold thumbs that I can deal with the side effects (or that I don’t experience any) from Tamoxifen! I have been able to deal with Aromasin (unlike the one we tried before it).

If Tamoxifen gets the “weird stuff” to subside, we won’t need to do anything more, for now. If it doesn’t, I’ll need radiation in both those areas.

We’ll check this in three months’ time, but I also have strict instructions to request a check sooner if I feel the need – if I cough or have more twinges in those areas. (Isn’t it strange how I didn’t feel the need for this week’s checkup at all, and yet it proved so very necessary! Early detection is key. Please remember that.)

After the elation of the past few months, I feel a little pricked-balloonish, but I’m sure I’ll soon feel more balanced again. After all, I’m alive and I feel well! I’m also thrilled at how well it’s going with the new circle dancing sessions (supplementary to all the existing ones) I’ve started up recently. Thanks to everyone reading this who has joined those sessions – I love having you there!

Thank you, all of you, for your ongoing love and support and encouragement. So much love from me to you! 🌹❤️