Good Luck Dixx
Just to let you know that the Old One has been falling down on her duties lately and has lost track of all the new Riders.I will always be here for anyone who needs me but while you are all fighting through all I can do is watch and pray.
Love to you all.
The Old Onexx
Hello again everyone - back again…
Had a good time - and a very yummy beef chiabatta and chips.
David is 12 and is at middle school at the moment - but his school is being turned into a 4-19 academy from this summer so they will be putting all the special group children in a new 4-19 building.
Theresa x
hmm educated in Scotland and now my girls going through the welsh education system,never heard of a 4-19 academy ? am i just being thick or does it do what it says on the tin i.e. takes in children between the ages of 4 and 19 ?
Some days my brain just doesnt function…
Well so sorry to all the patients that were behind me in the docs today as I delayed their appointments greatly…jeez how long does it take to get a coil out ? Was there for over half an hour legs akimbo while was poked and prodded and the threads just were playing hide and seek,poor docs hair was getting singed on the big lamp that was on trying to illuminate the problematic threads am just glad it wasn’t my bits getting singed,was bad enough walking funny out of there,now where did I put my horse !
Gota go back in 2 weeks for another go,things might have moved…maybe should try jumping up and down for a bit beforehand,you still got that trampoline Val,got a new use for it !
Sandra - they are getting very into these academies in northumberland at the moment… at the moment we have a three tier system 4-8 = first school, 9-13 = middle school, 14+ = high school.
They are going to have a 4-19 academy which will have different sites for mainstream - where david is at the moment they have a middleschool and a high school right next to each other. They are expanding the high school as it will be a 11-19 senior site and also have the local library. They are building a new 4-11 primary school and the building that David is in (the current middle school) is being adapted to become the new 4-19 special school building…
There is loads of change happening… it is going to have the church of england and the duke of northumberland as the sponsors and there is talk of new much stricter uniforms etc… Which will also be red whereas the current uniforms are blue… Be interesting to see what happens - Ashington is a very poor town with high unemployment rates (it is an ex mining town) They want the 6th formers to wear suits…
We live about 20 mins away in another town (where the current special group first school children go to school)
Hey all, round our way the middle schools have all but disappeared. Not heard of 4-19 accademies, sounds like it could be an idea from overseas Theresa, all encompassing.
Have you ever watched a John Wayne movie Sandra, it sounds like you had a similar walk…Ouch did it hurt??
Hey Jane, I managed to pot up just three plants, before I went inside for a nap…still got 17 to go, so might be a while before I get to your place!
Hi Val nice to hear from you…how about some of your special grits for dinner!!! yummy!
Hubbys taking me out to a friends for an hour…she usually comes here, but got to make the effort…onwards and upwards!!!
catch ya later
Helenx
Helen - you are probably right… lots of people are saying it is change for changes sake as there will be the one senior school and 4 primary schools each with their own head etc… (And one principle in charge of the whole academy)
Really one of the biggest changes is for the special group children as at present they attend special units attached to mainstream schools - so get to attend some classes, assemblies, trips etc with maintream children of their own age. Whereas now they will be in a definate special school set up instead and will have a fraction of the time spent with mainstream children…
The upside is they will get new therapy rooms etc etc etc…
Hi Everyone, before I forget all the very best for tomorrow Lizzie, will be thinking of you, and looking forward to hearing how well it all went.
It’s weird but I felt more nervous today seeing the Onc than I did for any of my other appointments. Anyway, she was first off very unhappy with the atate of my arm and lack of movement as it’s nearly seized up thanks to the leaking problem stopping me exercising properly, I have to do them whatever, and also have some physio.
Anyway the important stuff was that the tumour was 21mm invasive ductal with DCIS and was high grade, with some nodular involvement, also ER positive - the herceptest was +1 which is a negative isn’t it? I forgot to ask - I turned into a bit of a muppet really.
I have to start off with chemo, 6 x TAC and then she wants to talk about a radiotherapy trial and then hormone therapy but she didn’t go into detail on that but said we would deal with each stage as it came.
I wasn’t sure when I went in whether chemo would be a choice or what to expect really but she said there is no choice with this diagnosis, as Sal said half a dozen other Dr’s may have said differently? I can’t start anything until the wound is completely healed which is likely to be 3 weeks or so yet, I just want to get on with it now as I have a mental picture of rogue cells that have got through getting up to no good meanwhile.
Well, that was my day, I had brilliant thoughts of the Storm Riders in a congo line behind me and felt very brave! I came home with enough anti sickness tablets to open a pharmacy so they’re getting me prepared anyway. What’s all this about having to inject myself too?.. not so sure about that one!
Sorry I’ve rambled on, hope you’re feeling okay Jane and the blood tests sort out your problem. Hugs and thanks to everyone else and hope you’ve all had restful day 
Di xxx
Di - ooh i’ve never heard of anyone having to give themselves injections…:o
Are you getting a copy of your results so you get chance to take them all in later…?
I must admit i only thought about each stage of my treatment at a time… i didn’t read a thing about rads until christmas etc…
With the herceptin result - i don’t know how they score it. I know it is out of 8 for the ER and PR - but was just told that my her2 was negative - someone should be able to tell you over on the herceptin part of the site though…
Did she tell you how many lymph nodes were involved at all?
Sometimes get the impression some of the docs are good at telling you general things - but not the specifics for you…
Hi there Di…just got in. Oh my you have had a lot to take in love. It sounds like a lot of treatment…which will ultimately make sure that none of the ‘bad guys’ survive, no doubt about that…but taking it one step at a time is the thing…don’t think further than the treatment your on. You’ll manage brilliantly! You’ve got all the stormriders behind you, and a wealth of experience to tap into.
Get your wound and arm better, thats first!!!
Take care Di heres some {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}
helenxx
hope i’m back in the right place - seems ages since I dropped in . Please remind me when I have #4 epi that I must not be smug - I had thought #2 was a doddle, but this time they stretched Black Canyon and I’ve only just found the way out on day 10 !
I will never take ondansetron again - I think I’d rather feel icky than be constipated like that again.
Just taken delivery of a pair of anti-nausea wristbands - anyone else tried them ?
It may be pure co-incidence but I feel so much easier since I put them On.
Good luck with the op Lizzie and to everyone else in the firing line tomorrow - Ros.
Di, you stood up there like a Storm Rider First Class! Lots of whooping and shooting in the air! Now, down to the results. First, what’s this about injecting yourself? Erk! That’s got me too, never heard of it.
However, on the chemo, with your diagnosis my surgeon would have said the same the thing - you are on chemo followed by rad then hormone therapy. On the Her2, I’m negative, but my notes read +1 or something like that too. Nurse didn’t know what that meant either, but she asked the Onc and am definitely -ve.
While I was waiting for surgery and waiting to start the chemo, I went for imagining I was burning any crock cells away with a huge white light blasting out from me. Then of course we got well into the Storm Rider thing and that’s taken over. Positive imagery never hurts!
You did good today kiddo! Now focus on the treatment and getting rid of it once and for all. Yipeekaiyay, let’s get you riding for that border.
Ooooo, Ros, Black Canyon is a b@&&er at the best of times! You’re definitely back in Determination. Look, we’re waving our hands in front of you. How many fingers are we all holding up?
Lizzie, how you doing kiddo? Op tomorrow which is a major good guy. Rest up tonight, do whatever they told you to do on your op crib sheet, and don’t be worried. Just relax and let them take care of you. We’ll be there with you.
For Lizzie and Red.
There was a right of passage that all Storm Riders had to go through. One by one, they had been chosen by the Sheriff and one by one they had endured the lightning strike. Bilbo and Yorkie had been unfortunate enough to have to been chosen twice, but they had gritted their teeth and submitted for a second time. That had taken all their strength and at the moment they knew that their bodies were struggling to recover. But recover they would, with the help of the other Riders and the Old One’s good home cooking.
The Riders bore the scars on their chests with pride. It showed who they were and what they had borne with dignity and strength. Each of them knew the others’ pain and they all had a bond that would last for ever.
The Sheriff called Lizzie and Red into his office. They had been waiting for this moment with trepidation, but also with a strange sense of excitement. They knew that the lightning strike was necessary – without it they would never get out of Determination. Lizzie heard that she was first in line and felt a rush of adrenaline surge through her body. “Not long now,” she thought. “Then I’ll have my feet firmly on the road out of here.”
The Sheriff took Red aside when Lizzie had left. “There’s gonna be a slight delay before you get yours Red, but there’s a reason for that. What I’ve got in store for you is tough, but I know you can take it. It’s gonna take all your courage and strength and we need to get you rested and fattened up a bit. So I want you to go back to the Old One’s place and take it easy for a while. The lightning’s gonna be hard for you, and there’ll be times when you doubt me and curse me, but it’ll be worth it in the end. All the other Riders have been there, they know what it’s like and they’ll take care of you afterwards.”
Red took a deep breath. She was scared but she wasn’t going to show the Sheriff. When she got outside, Lizzie was waiting for her. “Bad news?” she asked. “Yep,” said Red, feeling a bit wobbly. Another deep breath… “But what’s gotta be done has gotta be done. I CAN do it.” “You betcha,” said Lizzie. “And at least it gets us off Steel’s dratted chores rota for a while!”
They looked at each other and grinned. “Better get the saddle bags packed then, including plenty of ammo.” Said Red. “And I think we may have to sneak a couple of bottles of the strong stuff into there too. We’re gonna need it!”
That’s a lot to take in Di, like everyone says one step at a time. I’ve read somewhere on here, about self injecting but can’t quite remember where. Don’t think it’s anything to worry about though, unless you have a needle phobia. A friend of mine self injects for M.S and finds it really easy. On the dizzy front I’m fine Di, it’s been going on for some time now and could well be a symptom of fatigue. I’ll get my results next week but don’t think it’s anything sinister.
Has any one else noticed that there seems to be a lot of gingham shirt type blouses coming into fashion? Do you think it’s coincidence that we can all spend spring looking like cowherds, or is one of you ladies a secret fashion designer?
Couldn’t have put it better myself Sal and I’m sure Lizzie and Red will appreciate the story very much.
All the best for tomorrow Lizzie. Do you know how long your going to be in? We’ll all be thinking about you and sending lots of positive vibes for a speedy recovery. (((((((((((((hug)))))))))))
Di - I know what you mean - I came home from seeing the oncologist and felt really flat and even more anxious - spose it made it all real and definite. I’m still waiting on her2 results but keep trying to tell myself I’ll prob need the herceptin knowing my luck and if I don’t then its a bonus and the hickman line (once its in) can come out earlier…you concentrate on your arm and fight thru the burn with the exercises and then you might even heal better - they say the exercises help increase the 02 supply and encourage healing…we’re right behind you, you’re in amongst us and we’ll all fight the bu&&ers together!! mary x
Great chapter Sal…poignant (don’t think thats how to spell it).
Well Lizzy very nearly there…whoopy do! The best thing is being able to close your eyes, go to sleep, then wake up and its done yeh!
Are you having a sentinel node biopsy too ?(SNB)You’ll be just fine!
Take a book though, it helps to pass the time! And if you have short legs, like what I have…then ask for a step to get onto the trolly. The nurse had to give me a leg up!! haha 
Hey there Nikki, hope you are feeling a bit better today!!
I’ll be here with a selecion of the ‘hard’ stuff lined up on the bar girls, just help yourselves…but no flirting with the bartend, think Scotia might not like that!!! teehee!lol
You rest up Jane! I haven’t been into town for a bit, but the designers have obviously heard about us stormriders…I quite fancy a gingham shirt!!! Takes me back in time!!
{{{{hugs }}}}}
…and thinking of you for tomorrow lizzie…xx
Another brilliant chapter Sal, love the descriptions - I even read it in different voices for each person!! One day we’ll put on a play eh??!! You and Carole are clever clogs.
Ros, glad you feel better with the wristbands, are you heading for Determination Saloon now?!
Thanks Helen and Mary for the boost, yes I will cope with this thanks to my SR buddies, what a medicine!
This self injection is the same anti sickness one they give you in the hospital, straight in the tummy … ooooowwwwwww!!! She said they may be able to get a district nurse in to do it if I can’t manage but as they’re as rare as rocking horse you know what, that’s unlikely. Hey ho…another challenge. Yes Ros, have a copy of results on the way, only 3 nodes infected - they removed the first tier she said.
Carole, I like the thought of a white light, however it may now have to be little mini cowboys getting stuck in there with their shotguns at the ready.
Jane - loving the gingham … what colour shall we all get!!!
Anyway time for a tipple methinks so set 'em up Nell, this one’s on me, Di x
martina is on the up - been stuck down Black Canyon with Ros me thinks but is climbing out as we speak…you know I don’t think we realise just how strong we are to get through all this cr*p with the side effects etc but we do, somehow…((((hugs)))) mary x