POSITIVE VIBES

Three hours of pre-admission tests and interviews yesterday. A huge thank you to my bestie who made the trip from Warragul to be with me and took 7 pages of notes! A very special friend indeed. My anaesthetist is female and who spent a copious amount of time discussing with me my past history - 39 years since my last operation when my recovery time was long - hence to date this has been my biggest fear about the removal of 'Dotty' - being put to sleep. I left her office feeling much more at ease and pleased she will be on 'my team'. A quick chat with a Dr regarding medications and painkillers - why do the medical profession find it so hard to believe I'm on no prescribed, over the counter or alternative medications. Glenda the admissions nurse I saw was very informative, ensuring I fully understood the procedure I'm about to have, my recovery, including a demonstration on how to put on those sexy long white pressure socks!! My blood pressure was a little high however this was possibly due to anxiety and the fact my arm was straight not relaxed - but nothing to worry about. An ECG showed no heart irregularities ... by now we were in dire need of a caffeine fix and some lunch. A chest Xray still to be done in the next few days and blood tests on Tuesday. Had a few errands that needed doing so I called in and had my Xray done - Heather's friend Theresa was the radiographer - another feel-good appointment - there's just something about a big heartfelt hug. Apologies to the two guys in the waiting room. Slowly managing to read through the BCNA My Journey (also an on-line application available now - probably more convenient but I prefer the hard copy) so much information and personal stories. Another night of broken sleep ....

3AM TEA, CRUMPETS AND MOVIES

So I now have a date for my surgery - Wednesday, October 2nd (yes 2 days before my 73rd birthday). The visit to my surgeon yesterday was a little confronting, even though I'd been through all the details the day prior with my breast cancer nurse. This was the first time I'd seen my mammograms and exactly where 'Dotty' has sited herself - even though 13mm in size 'she' cannot be felt by manual examination, nor can the other 10mm lump, which is benign, (this was only picked up by ultrasound) - I just cannot express enough the importance of regular self-checks, annual Dr examinations and mammograms every two years. Not a tear in sight whilst at the surgeons - proud of me! A beautiful message from Rachel & Kristen had me in tears Just sending a message to say we love you both so very much and we are sorry we won't be able to catch up this weekend. And I know you'll get through it and come through the other side because our family is made of tough stuff (just like those Bulldogs of yours). Sleep avoided me during the night and after lying there with morbid thoughts going round and round in my head I got up around 3am made a cup of Camomile, Vanilla & Honey tea and a buttered crumpet and settled down on the couch snuggled under my Bulldogs rug and watched a movie - went back to bed around 5.30 and slept until 7.15 Bill was already up and preparing breakfast. A phonecall from Di, Admissions Clerk at the Hospital with 4 appointments for tomorrow starting at 10.30 - the anesthetist, pre-admissions nurse, ECG, Blood tests, XRay, and hospital Doctor - my bestie Jan is coming up to go with me. A little bit of 'me time' and pampering with a haircut from Sarah at Zienna Hair .... next step will be a pedicure whilst I have my beautiful pink and floral fingernails removed unfortunately

WHAT A LEGACY - JANE MCRATH

It's a week now since my diagnosis .... Wednesday was a tough day - the emotions were up and down all day - Marg Centra our local McGrath Breast Cancer Nurse rang to establish contact and make an appointment to go over what I can expect and offer support, I was just not ready to talk then I still needed time to digest the diagnosis and what lies ahead. Family and friends called in or rang as the news spread - feeling very blessed - I'm going to have an amazing support group around me. I've named my offending lump 'Dotty' Thursday was a beautiful sunny warm day and I woke feeling quite calm and serene - Sale Cancer Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month and today was at the Greyhound Club where we enjoyed a lovely meal sitting outdoors trackside. I was able to say 'I have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer' without shedding one tear - GO ME! Mikayla sent me a lovely message via Messenger which did make the tears well, not sad tears but humble tears Wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you at this time You’re one of the most incredibly tough women I’ve had the pleasure of coming across and I’m so lucky to have an extra grandma like you Dylan rang and we spoke for 40 minutes, he'd previously sent me a message, just a simple love you grandma on Wednesday. I'm so so lucky to have such caring grandkids. Went to see The Sapphires (stage version) at The Wedge with Noelene on Friday night ... I also surprised myself by being early to pick Noelene up, well I would have been if I'd not sat for 5 minutes outside her place only to find I was in the wrong street!! now while I was doing this Noelene was outside her place and a car pulled up next door and she went to get into the car when a man alighted the car ... there's more in our comedy of errors - we were enjoying a leisurely glass of Moscato when Noelene decided her feet were thirsty ... the show was great though and certainly a great distraction from all the dramas of recent times. Saturday I set myself the task of cleaning up my desk and finishing a few tasks that had been in the 'too hard basket' including cleaning up my emails. Bursting with enthusiasm and energy on Sunday morning I went for an early morning walk, just a quick 1.5km round the local streets - it was lonely without my 'buddy' but I'm sure she was walking it with me. Coffee and cake with Heather, we'd planned to go to Macca's for the raspberry and custard tart, but every second person in Sale must have been at Maccas so we went to the Centre Bakery. Robyn and I had been waiting for the Dowton Abbey movie so Sunday I went with Pat & Geoff. What a brilliant movie. Both Friday night and Sunday I had a spare seat next to me - coincidence or was Robyn there in spirit. Yesterday was Carers Support Group meeting, a lovely group of ladies and just one male. I'd not really considered support groups and their worth previously but I've gained so much knowledge and made new friends plus the added bonus of yummy morning teas provided by Alison and Elaine from LVCH. Feeling much stronger emotionally I'd made an appointment to visit Marg Centra. What a legacy Jane McGrath has left - these Breast Cancer Nurses are so encouraging, supportive, informative and caring and overworked. Marg went through what to expect with my surgery, step by step, in simple language and diagrams so easy to understand and absorb. I was fitted for a free bra - one suitable to wear after surgery and during treatment and given $100 cash to treat myself to something nice or enjoy a romantic dinner with Bill, to spend on whatever buoyed me up/gave me pleasure. (We've decided to have a night in Melbourne when radiation is finished) plus a $100 voucher for Coles Express for petrol to help with transport costs - all through the generosity of the local community. I came home feeling confident, the chances of my cancer returning are 5% ... due to the type and early diagnosis - I urge every woman to have regular mammograms. Exercise and diet are going to be important with recovery so I've been walking the past few mornings, with my earbuds in - amazing how music puts an extra bounce in your step - gradually increasing the distance. Who knows 'Dotty' could just be the catalyst I needed to become a slimmer, fitter personl. Today my emotions are roller coasting, upbeat and happy to miserable and teary again ... maybe its due to the fact I've an appointment with my surgeon later today and the operation to remove 'Dotty' is getting closer.