I’ve just received such a lovely message from someone who read my blog. I feel so honoured that someone who has gone through the same procedure and similar treatment plan as me feels that they are happy to share their story with me. So, Sophie, thank you.

When I was responding to her, telling her how my last op had gone I realised I hadn’t updated this. Apologies.

So, I had my last op on 9th October 2020 – it went really well except for a rockingly bad allergic reaction to all the internal stitches that were in me which lasted for about 10 days (itchy, scratchy doesn’t even cover it..). My theory is that after having them inside me on numerous occasions, my body had recognised them as the enemy and decided enough was enough!! 

After a few weeks of healing, the results of my op is a sparkling new left nipple and after the de-bulking (love that phrase!) I’ve gone down a couple of cup sizes (200gms to be precise) on the left hand side so now I am balanced.. Yay! It feels so good being able to wear a bra that actually fits both boobs properly. The scars are starting to fade and I actually do think that my confidence is starting to return, slowly, but I don’t mind looking at myself in the mirror now which is a pretty gigantic step forward for me.

I’d like to take a moment to say something…. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to Philippa Jackson and her team in the Breast Reconstruction department at Southmead and of course the heavenly ‘Caroline’s’ – Caroline Oates and Caroline Lewis – who have walked/supported/massaged me through my biggest procedures and lowest points over the last two years. Between you guys and Mr Raytor and the remarkable team in the Breast Care Centre at Southmead, the radiologists, research nurses, and the nurses at the Concord Medical Centre in Little Stoke where I had a lot of my chemo and PICC line maintenance, and of course Charles Comins and the Oncology team at the BRI – I owe you not just the physical rebuild and the treatment plan, but my life.  

So, where are we today… I’m still on the tamoxifen which has it’s ups and downs, I’ve only got two years to go but am not allowed to change to a different drug as my periods have made a reappearance after I thought the chemo had sorted out the menopause for me. Tamoxifen is the only drug which pre menopausal women can be on to continue the breast cancer treatment. It can make me feel a bit tired, bloated and constipated but I guess its a small price to pay for keeping the cancer away.

Do you know what, after a rather hotch-potch showing for the last three years, I have now had two proper periods on the trot, slightly heavy and marginally annoying as it was going to be the one good thing that the chemo was potentially going to halt, however, I do think that it’s my body sticking two fingers up to all the drugs which have been pumped into it, let alone the cancer and saying “Yep, is that all you’ve got..? Still here and still working…!”

Going forward, two things I must mention…

Firstly, I have done it, I’ve launched my dream, www.wevegotitcovered.co.uk – a website selling fun and comfy Head Coverings and PICC line covers and also Stoma bag covers.

Secondly, just for a laugh, I’m going to measure all my scars and see how many inches I’ve got… I’ll report back when I’ve found my tape measure…

Thank you for reading my waffle yet again…. Please do get in touch, I do love to have a chat/message/email with anyone who likes to compare notes or just needs a general download – I always say, a problem shared is a problem halved.

BIG HUGS to all and have a truly wonderful Christmas in whatever shape or form it takes.

xxx