Everyone’s response to my update from the oncologist yesterday has been amazing. I am overwhelmed by the support I am getting from all my friends and family.
I was talking to my Aunty Joan in Canada on Sunday. Although now retired, she was a nurse all of her career in various roles but latterly in palliative care. She commented on the amount of support I was getting through this blog being so beneficial. The thing is, there are loads of people who don’t comment on the blog but call or send a card or email with words of encouragement and love so the support network I have is so much more than this blog – the enormity of it astounds me. I am still, and will continue to be humbled by it. When I read that back it sounded a bit like I was bragging but that is not the point I’m trying to make;)
The thing is, when we went to the oncologist yesterday, I hadn’t really considered the ‘what if it’s not working’ option.
I talked to Pat my support nurse from Red Arc about it this morning (another source of great comfort and knowledge). It’s not that I was super confident that the chemo was working, I really had no idea if it was working or not. It’s just that if it hadn’t been working, I didn’t know what would happen. There was no ‘plan B’ in place so there was nothing to consider.
Now some may call this naïve but as you may recall from one of my early posts, I have been a bit of a control freak at times (putting it mildly) and being totally out of control is not generally a comfortable place for me. My coping mechanism therefore has been to completely let go and allow the professionals to do what they know and trust them to get it right. Meanwhile, we control what we can – Nutrition, hydration, exercise and relaxation.
That may have triggered an ‘ah-ha’ moment for some of you. Now you might have a better understanding of my mild obsession with nutrition, hydration, exercise and relaxation!
Talk to you soon
Lots of love Mand xxx
Lots of love and we are thinking of you in Scotland Aunty Mandy, so pleased to hear about your positive progress. LOVE the unicorn mug! xxx
More positive thoughts, wishes & hugs coming from Canada. Chris & I are so pleased with your recent results, we both think that it is your positivity that is making you stronger, along with those unicorns 😉
Lots of love to you & Phil.
Xxx
Rose & Chris
I didn’t doubt for a minute that the news would be anything but good!! Just shared this on facebook, hope that’s OK (too late now!)Love you.
Booie and Dave X
Great news Mand. Keep up the good work ❤️ Penny x
Sending you tons n tons of love xxxxx
Lots love from us. Speak soon xxx
I am a facebook friend of your sister Louise. I have not had the pleasure of meeting her in person, but I know I like her a lot. She and Dave were good friends with my brother Andy from the Crystal Harmony. Andy spent time at their restaurant, his favorite place before he passed a few years ago. I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog. I had my own battle with breast cancer 8 years ago. I just saw my oncologist this morning and found I am still clear. You and your oncologist will become good friends as time goes by. Mine told me years ago that we would grow old together. I see her every six months. You have the exact right way of looking at your fight. Your attitude is perfect. I had similar thoughts about my treatment. I just did what I was told and did my best to take care of myself. I came through the chemo & radiation with mainly fatigue but I was able to work from home for 3 months of chemo and then worked while having daily radiation for 6 weeks. It goes by fast and when it’s over you kind of miss all the wonderful attention you received while you were ill. I love Sugar. I never wore a wig due to the hot flashes I was having. I did scarves and hats. I look forward to your next blog. Best of luck.
Thank you Emily, that’s really sweet XX
What fantastic news, I am so happy for you, all your hard work has paid off, well done and keep going, you can do this love Di xx
Ahhhhh the mug 🙂
XXX
I too am a friend of Louise and Dave. I wish to share all my good thoughts and positive energy toward the healing and rebuilding of your body. My spouse is now 10 years in remission from breast cancer. She has participated in the crew and support team in the 3 day Walk For Breast Cancer for 39 miles for over 12 years She carries a list of those fighting cancer . It started with 10 names of friends/family that we personally knew. Very soon that list began to grow when others became aware of her list. We cannot even count how many are now on her list. This is the first year she has not participated but her enthusiasm and support is still strong. Keep up the good work!
Hi Mandy,
I am SO pleased to hear not only from your blog, but from your Mum and Richard today that you have had such good news this week. Your positivity is quite infectious and you deserve to do well, so, keep up with the good work. Bless you.
Love Ruth x