Friday, 28 February, 2026
Moving took so much out of me. I had no idea that it would take this long to recover. Day six and I’m still slammed. Body pain, heavy fatigue, brain fog. I haven’t stepped outside, and I haven’t done more than a couple of half hours of organisational stuff each day. Blam!
I haven’t talked much about catch-up, or have I? That’s all the things you don’t have time or permission for while you are in treatment. So next week I begin my catch-up phase, with more to come. Week one, I see the eye doctor to restart my journey towards cataract surgery, and I go back to the cancer care clinic for my three-month (!) follow-up.. At that appointment, I get bloodwork and “onco-care,” which I assume is flushing out my port. Then I see the oncologist. Not sure what the agenda is there, but I will have questions. I also wonder if there will be more scans or the like to check how I’m doing. This seems inconsistent across the people I’ve spoken to or read about. Some oncologists or hospitals seem to do much more than others. I think in my case, there will be very little, if anything. Week two I will see someone for a knee and hip assessment in view of looking towards a knee replacement – at least I think so.
The GP visit went well. While I thought we were having two separate 15-min appointments an hour apart, instead we went in together for a full hour to see a resident. Every single thing on my list was covered, then our GP came in to talk to us further. The resident was very thorough, and I had forgotten how engaging my GP is. That and his good looks and striking tattoos made the visit feel informal … yet productive. Everything is in hand. I got a follow-up phone call on Wednesday, and I go back in a couple of weeks to tie up some ends. Done!
Monday, 9 February, 2026
Today was my follow-up mammogram – at last. I got ready, remembering not to wear deodorant and choosing clothes that were easy to take off. The scan was at Women’s College Hospital, where I worked for so long – although this is a new building now. I”m continuing this on its own page
Saturday, 31 January, 2026
Apparently, I can’t send out update reminders without paying the big bucks for a blog that, quite honestly, also costs big bucks I question each year – no matter. I have another evil plan for updating you.
Just when I thought the confusion was over, I had part whatevernumberitis the other day. While I’d been told that the surgeon’s office would be sending a referral for a mammogram to the Women’s College Breast Centre, I heard nothing. I emailed them on Wednesday (was it?) and mentioned I’d heard nothing. Back came the reply that I had to phone the Breast Centre myself for the appointment. So I did. Whatever.
The receptionist told me there was nothing until March 10, I suggested there might be something before my oncology visit on the 5th and, surprise, there was magically an opening for the 9th at 1pm. Go me!
However, here’s the funny thing — She told me that last bilateral mammogram was in September 2024. Oh, My. God. I have another breast! The one on the right! Good grief. I forgot it was even there. It’s gone without a scan for almost 18 months while my brain was focussed entirely on the left. Well, I do lean left. Did you know? Anyway, that makes for double scanxiety for the 9th. Never mind. Onward.
Thursday, 22 January, 2026
I’m going to do this LIVE style (Thanks, BBC) That is, I’ll add to the top of the page each time. I just have to find out if WordPress sends out Update notifications. It makes sense!
I haven’t heard about a mammogram yet despite waiting more than a week to hear anything. I’m not going to chase this because.
- I’m a little fearful of how much a mammogram might hurt when you have lymphoedema – minor reason really. It’s such a brief time
- I don’t want to have my result too far away from my follow-up oncology appointment on 5th March. My surgeon oncologist would book me for two weeks after the test. So, maths-head on and working backwards — a mid February date would work well.
I sent my doctor’s nurse, Tess, another email about getting a heart echo test. Supposed to be done every three months while getting Herceptin. This was my third or fourth attempt to get answers. She had told me in December Dr Watson said no echo because my Herceptin was done. I was concerned.
Hello Tess, re the echo, my last one was August 21. My Herceptin ended Dec 11 plus I had 25 radiotherapy sessions over the summer. Because all of this can damage my heart, I’m not sure why there’s been no follow-up since August to at least tell me if there’s anything to be concerned about. Please follow this up for me so that Dr Watson has some results for me before my appointment on 5th March. Thank you.
She called me. Yes, she said, You should have had a test in November. I didn’t get a call, I said. Then you should have one, we’ll set it up and I’ll let you know what Dr Watson says. Result! Or not. She called me less than half an hour later to say, Dr Watson says you don’t need an echo because your Herceptin is over. Sigh, I will push getting a second opinion. My friend in Ottawa who was on the same chemo and Herceptin regime along with me had one in November, and will have another in February — she finished her Herceptin one week after me (held up by the Christmas and New YEAR schedule at the hospital.) Why such a difference in opinion?
Stay tuned for the next chapter on each.
Neurosis corner: My eye, the one the optician uttered the awful word ‘melanoma’ about, is hurting. What? Can I stop obsessing? Hmm. My body aches from the Letrozole (famously). My nose has started bleeding again. A friend from my Support Group has started losing her hair again some time after finishing chemo. I’m OK on that score (did I just jinx myself?) And I’m experimenting a little with the causes of my diarrhoea. La la la.
Hmm, sounds as if the postcode lottery operates there as it does with the NHS here. Stay strong. 💪💪 That matzo ball soup will help! x