Hi Girls
I had a visit today from my Manager and the Occupational Health Doctor from work. They were great, have given me whatever time I need to get back into work and then reduced hours etc. My boss has someone caretaking my role and this will continue when I get back until I am ready to take over full time again. I asked to work from home during the next few months whilst my chemo treatment is ongoing and they have agreed that there is some project work that I can undertake. This will solve my problem of going down to half pay in the spring.
Well Dyzee you have bitten the bullet with your hair. How are you feeling now? I am wearing a hat at the moment because I have big bald patches with stubble patches in between. I will brave the ‘naked’ look again once all of the stubble has dropped out completely. We haven’t had any snow here in Milton Keynes, it is pouring with rain at the moment.
Hi Julie, I love the sound of your tea shirt, what a great sense of humour your friend has. You seem to have lots of plans and like you I want to work so was pleased to discuss this with my manager. Are you as lucky with your employers in terms of their attitude? I do think that spending sometime working will help my recovery and it sounds as though you feel the same. The Doctor did confirm to me that it is now widely recognised that working is therapeutic for some people so employers have to be flexible and all cancer sufferers fall within the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. Not sure of all the details but this includes adequate sick leave; flexible hours etc. So you are going to be another chemo chick next week – this select club is growing!
My hickman line is needed because my veins are sensitive and ‘gritty’. They can get the needle in but it broke through the vein wall once in so they had to find another vein and this was difficult so they are concerned about damage etc. It was sore when one of the drugs was being injected (the red one!). They just don’t want to risk it. The line stays in permanently for the duration of chemo, it is inserted into a vein just above my heart through an incision in my neck just above the collar bone. The line is then channelled under my skin across my chest and out again through another incision on my chest just above my armpit and stitched in place, the original entry incision is then stitched up. It will have to be cleaned once per week at the hospital.
Louise, so sorry to hear about the pain in your underarm. Are you using any moisturiser or anything to keep it supple? I am using Bio Oil , it is quite expensive but you don’t have to use much and it lasts for ages. It may help a little. I am thinking of using it on my head which is getting dryer by the day. I know what you mean about seeing people you know and not wanting to have to explain what is going on, it just makes you so emotional some days doesn’t it.
Dear Shonagh, Hope you enjoyed the lakes. I will be thinking of you next week, I hope all goes well for the op. Please let us know how you are when you get out of the hospital (as soon as you are well enough).
Dylis, I don’t think I am brave just that the hair thing, for me, doesn’t seem so important within the overall scheme of things. I guess I am just lucky to have that mindset because I do know how devastating it is for most people and I do empathise. Hope Sophie picks up soon, it must be so bewildering for her.
Maddy, so very sorry to hear about your uncle. Funerals are hard at the best of times so my heart goes out to you having to attend one whilst there is so much else going on in your life. Certainly is good news about your rads! What will come next for you (sorry if I have missed it in an earlier posting!). How is little Benjamin?
Well, I have rambled on for ages again as usual – still I recommend that the next time any of you have insomnia just read one of my messages and that should do the trick!
Take care all, Wendy.
