Update: March 2025 

2025 03 11

Hi everyone –

At the start of this journey of mine in 2017 I wrote, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” (By the way, that quote from 1957 is the same age as me – it’s by writer Allen Saunders.)

When I sent out my update after my consultation with Garth, I didn’t mention something else I was dealing with, although many of you know it by now – due to its comprehensive interference with all my plans ever since!

Sciatica. Ouch!

The pain had started that very morning, after my push-me-pull-you swim in rough waves at Muizenberg the evening before.

After four Body Stress Release sessions, it’s improving but by no means gone. I can sit or lie flat without any pain, but walking, driving and dancing aggravate it, which is maddening! I’ve had to cancel one circle dancing session and miss three others. I’m missing the dancing hugely! (Confession, though: during the first week, I went ahead with two long-standing special circle dancing commitments, which I absolutely loved but which left me in agony. A hard lesson.)

So by the time I started the Letrozole it was almost a non-event! (Appreciation to the people who asked how it was going, even before I started.) I am feeling quite daunted at the moment, but my guess is that – even if there is some “eish” – it’s more about the sciatica than caused by the Letrozole. Especially as I’m fine when good things are happening – and they do!

This past weekend was one leg of my Class of 1975 reunion, at the school for Founders Day where they especially honour the 50-year cohort, and then a dinner on Saturday evening. Most (but not all) of it organised by me. (Some of you reading this know all about it, either through being there or through being part of the plans for September – thank you!) Also our dear friends Jimmy and Alec from the UK have just arrived for a brief visit, and it’s wonderful to see them.

Last but not least, I’m able to sit at the computer with no issues, so have been able to work and do various other things, including making a start on finalising my book – it’s back from my wonderful editor, Liz M. Should we add a chapter on sciatica? Nah ... don’t think so. But perhaps we should emphasise the lesson of patience a bit more: it seems that this hasn’t yet been thorough enough.🙄 Not much fun for Gail, either.

This book-writing process is so much more than I’d expected. I had believed it was ready to roll until Liz pointed out – sensitively, perceptively and kindly – how it could be improved. So that’s what I’ve started on, now. Next comes taking the plunge to publish it.

I hope you’re navigating your way through wild seas more successfully than I did – I’d love to know how you are!

Lots of love 🌹❤️

2025 03 20

Hi everyone –

Thanks for all the support after my previous message!

It had not occurred to me that the sciatica could be linked to cancer-related spinal issues, but two doctors I’m close to (thank you – you know who you are!) recommended that I should let Garth know what was happening. He immediately requested an MRI of my full spine, which I had yesterday. He has just phoned me with the results (yes, way after hours – that's how he makes sure he gets round to everyone). Even though it’s a mixed bag, as I've come to expect, I'm also feeling reassured. Here we go:

A lot is going on in my spine (bones and discs), to do with degeneration related to my age and, especially, to metastases (even the ones that have been successfully dealt with can also be part of general weakening). It’s extremely likely that there’s an undisplaced fracture (which means that the parts of the bone aren’t misaligned) in my left sacrum, as there’s inflammation in that area and the symptoms are the same as the pain I have.

A “normal” fracture of a healthy bone would be left to self-heal, and the Letrozole might possibly also help with healing over the next while, but radiotherapy will help more quickly and will be able to target the bone deposit that’s causing the problem. We are going to go ahead with this. It’s complicated by the fact that I have already had radiotherapy on my left hip (the ileac blade) and Garth must be cautious about cumulative treatment in the same area, so he has to calculate a reduced radiotherapy dose and target the placement very finely. I’ll have a preparatory scan in a week to 10 days’ time (we have to wait for the medical aid authorisation), then Garth will calculate the dose, and then – all going well – I’ll have about 8 to 10 treatments, starting in two or three weeks’ time.

At present, I must continue to do very little exercise: no going for walks; no dancing (other than minimal teaching when standing, or some seated dancing); no driving for now; no swimming in rough seas!

So why am I reassured?

Because I no longer feel doomed by this.

I no longer have the fear that my next step is into a wheelchair. I can look forward to dancing again. These are worth a great deal!

Wishing everyone a Happy Equinox (here in Cape Town it was at 11:01 today), and the South Africans a Happy Human Rights Day tomorrow.

(Photo: my patchwork trousers – a favourite. They remind me of me: we keep putting new patches on the bits of me that have worn out.)

Lots of love 🌹❤️