About Me
- About Me
- My name is Samantha, Sammy to many of my family, Sam to my friends. My blog describes the journey I have undertaken so far and the journey I continue to make having been diagnosed with Follicular Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Stage 4 in December 2009. With the exception of surgery at point of diagnosis I have been actively monitored under a "watch and wait" approach and achieved 5 years without treatment and monitoring only last December. My prognosis is approximately 10 years but for every year we watched and waited I have felt positive that this would be extending that prognosis. I am very happily married to Roy and celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary last October and we have a beautiful 9-year old son Callum. My Step-Daughter, 20-year old Hayley who lived with us is now at University. Our house is awash with my beloved pets, our 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, "Amber" and "Saffy", "Caboodle" the cat and "Elliott" the Rex rabbit. The opinions on this blog are my own and based on my personal experience.
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Northern Lights?
I understand that the Northern Lights might be seen as far away as South London this evening. I'm in Hampshire so not sure if I will be fortunate enough to see anything but I will be looking out anyway in eager anticipation. This has been a wonder I have always wanted to see so if tonight does not yield anything I think I may have to consider formulating a "bucket list".
Biopsy = Normal
Well the surgical procedure I had has been and gone, it wasn't pleasant but then I expected that. The biopsy has been returned as normal but my Consultant wants to still see me again on 3 February so I will need to discuss the ongoing pain I am in and how we move forward.
Tuesday 3 January 2012
Welcome 2012
I have been meaning to update my blog for some time now and when I actually logged in just a few minutes ago to add a new post, I was taken aback by how long it's been since I was here!
There have been so many events that have taken place during 2011; too many to list quite frankly and most of which have not been positive or not things I wish to dwell on.
On a positive note, "Lenny" remains stable, and I have managed to stave off any treatment requirements for another 12 months; so it's now 2 years since my diagnosis and I continue on watch and wait. The enlarged lymph node that was at the original site in my groin (that confirmed my condition) has nonetheless returned; as have a further 2 in the same groin, but I remain asymptomatic so there's no additional action needed for now. I have no idea what Lenny may doing throughout the rest of my body as I haven't had any further scans. I never imagined getting to this point, so on reflection, perhaps I have been more courageous and have had more strength than I have given myself credit for.
I'm still getting professional support for the emotional impact cancer has had on my life from some outstanding Therapists and Medics and there have been some very dark and testing times. I remain on medical sick leave for both the emotional and physical aspects.
More recently I have been experiencing additional medical problems; which could be linked to my Lymphoma. To the credit of the NHS, in the last week I have been referred to Specialists, met with my Consultant, had tests and this week (Friday) will be admitted as a day patient to have a surgical procedure which will help diagnosis the problem. Lymphoma has been mentioned more than once and I know that the Consultants believe there could be a link so I'm grateful in some ways to be propelled through the NHS system, although I do not relish what's ahead in the coming days; and if I'm completely honest I'm very scared.
My New Year's resolutions are now set - and it's all about me....finally.
My next routine Lymphoma checkup is mid- February, so if I don't report back before then re; the above, I promise an update next month.
Happy New Year - best wishes for 2012.
There have been so many events that have taken place during 2011; too many to list quite frankly and most of which have not been positive or not things I wish to dwell on.
On a positive note, "Lenny" remains stable, and I have managed to stave off any treatment requirements for another 12 months; so it's now 2 years since my diagnosis and I continue on watch and wait. The enlarged lymph node that was at the original site in my groin (that confirmed my condition) has nonetheless returned; as have a further 2 in the same groin, but I remain asymptomatic so there's no additional action needed for now. I have no idea what Lenny may doing throughout the rest of my body as I haven't had any further scans. I never imagined getting to this point, so on reflection, perhaps I have been more courageous and have had more strength than I have given myself credit for.
I'm still getting professional support for the emotional impact cancer has had on my life from some outstanding Therapists and Medics and there have been some very dark and testing times. I remain on medical sick leave for both the emotional and physical aspects.
More recently I have been experiencing additional medical problems; which could be linked to my Lymphoma. To the credit of the NHS, in the last week I have been referred to Specialists, met with my Consultant, had tests and this week (Friday) will be admitted as a day patient to have a surgical procedure which will help diagnosis the problem. Lymphoma has been mentioned more than once and I know that the Consultants believe there could be a link so I'm grateful in some ways to be propelled through the NHS system, although I do not relish what's ahead in the coming days; and if I'm completely honest I'm very scared.
My New Year's resolutions are now set - and it's all about me....finally.
My next routine Lymphoma checkup is mid- February, so if I don't report back before then re; the above, I promise an update next month.
Happy New Year - best wishes for 2012.
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