Maggie's Centres  are fantastic places for anyone who is affected by cancer , be they a patient , a relative , or a friend . We in Glasgow are very lucky to have two centres , one based at The Western Infirmary and one at Gartnavel Hospital . To be honest , I was a bit dubious about going in as I felt I didn't really need them , but I am glad I did make the effort . I had a spare half hour between appointments for my oncologist , so decided to wander in and see what it was all about . There were a few people just sitting chatting over a cuppa , some were reading papers , some were on computers. A member of staff approached me and introduced themselves and asked if I wanted a cuppa . We sat down and had a chat and he told me of the different programmes that were on offer at Maggie's . I said I would have a think about it and get back to them . I did sign up for one session which I had heard about , "Look Good Feel Better" - a fantastic organisation which gives free advice and a free make-up demonstration to women undergoing chemo-they also provide you with a free bag of cosmetics and perfume to take home .
Maggie's also provided advice on returning to work , and actually ran a six week course entitled "Where Now? ".This is a quote from Maggie's website - "Where Now?: Finishing cancer treatment and getting on with life can be a challenge for people when hospital has become a regular part of life's routine. Where Now? is a course providing the tools to address the physical, emotional and practical needs that a person and their family may have have now that cancer treatment is over. During the six weekly sessions there is an opportunity to gain information, skills and resources to optimise your health in terms of exercise, nutrition, emotional and practical issues and medical management." They have full timetables at both their sites and are very useful .
I did eventually sign up for one of the courses and went along for six weeks . I met people there who had all been treated for various cancers and all had different stories to tell , but we all had a common bond in that we were living in limbo from one check-up to the next - nice to know you are not alone !
Talking of check-ups ( See ? This isn't just thrown together ! ) . After my course of chemo was complete , I received a date for my colonoscopy - great ! I had never had one before as I was treated as an emergency and there was no time for the finer things..
Anyway , I got the letter with all the instructions and the bowel prep - in my case it was a preparation called Klean Prep , very catchy name , very efficient product ! Had to go on a low residue diet three days before colonoscopy , then stick to fluids , only , for the next few days . Had to start taking the Klean Prep on the evening before my test - four litres of a vanilla - flavoured drink . I chose to take two litres in the evening and the rest in the morning as my scope was in the afternoon . As I said , it was a very efficient product and I took the advice which said , 'Don't stray too far from a toilet !" . My own advice , not to put too fine a point on it , would be - "Never trust a fart , because what you think is a fart might not be!" Sorry for being crude , but I believe in telling the truth !
On the day of my test , I finished the Klean Prep and continued to drink clear fluids - why is it that when you are told not to eat that that is the very time you fancy something nice!
My sister gave me a lift to the hospital and was advised to go home as I would be there for a few hours at least . After being checked in , my surgeon came to see me and said I was first on the list so wouldn't have to wait about too much . We discussed sedation and he said it was entirely up to me if I wanted it or not . I said I would rather do without it as I did not want to be dopey - I am dopey enough ! So , I had my colonoscopy without sedation . The surgeon said the procedure would not be as long as a standard colonoscopy because I had a lot of my bowel cut out . It was long enough , though ! The nurse explained that air would need to be injected in to the bowel to inflate it so that the surgeon could see the bowel - that was the uncomfortable part - felt like really bad colic . There was a screen above my head where I could watch all that was going on - quite fascinating to see the inside of your own bowel , and more exciting when you realise that it is all clear too ! I could see the anastamosis  , where the tumour had been removed , and it was lovely and clear ! The surgeon said that he was happy with the result and that I was free to go home straight away as I had had no sedation . My sister was just arriving home when I phoned her and asked her to come back for me as it was all over ! One thing I was advised though was that , as there had been a lot of air injected in to the bowel , it would need to come out again , and there was only one way that was going to happen ! To use an old Scottish expression - "Where ever you be , let your wind gang free , in church or chapel , let it rattle " , and rattle it did !!

Ho hum-How lazy I have become ! I had intended to keep this blog up to date on a regular basis , but sometimes life just takes over ! Since I have been asked by a few people what has happened , I had better try to update things . I am not going to list all my chemo days and treatments , because I am one of the lucky ones , in that I never had any horrendous side effects or problems along the way - I was prescribed twelve treatments and that is what I got . Towards the eighth treatment I was feeling the neuropathy really badly, so the doctor said he would reduce the dose slightly. I must admit that I felt if I was getting a reduced dose I would not be getting the full treatment , but the doc reassured me that I would still be getting a therapeutic dose . During my treatments , I managed to pop up to my work place to visit my buddies and colleagues - they were such a tremendous support when I was sick and it was lovely to see them all and get loads of hugs-very therapeutic!

My colleagues after the Race For Life in Glasgow 2012

Every year for the past five or six years , I have taken part in Race For Life in Glasgow , which is a wonderful and very moving experience . A whole lot of women , all shapes and sizes , and a sea of pink! I usually walk the course (I am built for comfort rather than speed ) anyway , it is not important how quickly you finish , it is the taking part that counts . This year I was fully intending to take part , but was dismayed when I couldn't manage it because of the chemo and neuropathy . I was annoyed because I had said I was not going to let this thing beat me . I was deeply moved when I heard that my colleagues were going to do the race , and was delighted when they raised in total well over two thousand pounds for Cancer Research UK . Thank you "Annie's' Stars!" I am so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends ! I fully intend to take part in it in 2013 - just try and stop me!

Carolyn on her graduation day - she is a clever girl!

I was also very touched by a get well card I received in May . The senders' address was Mark Trevorrow.... Now anyone who knows me will know that I am crazy fan of the Australian comedian Bob Downe , whose real name is Mark Trevorrow . I thought to myself  " What's going on here - am I imagining things?". My hero had sent me a get well card and written a lovely message inside , all the way from Melbourne , Australia ! I couldn't imagine who had arranged this lovely surprise , but I had my suspicions ! A few days later , my friend Carolyn sent me a message asking if Bob had been in touch - mystery solved ! Carolyn is a big Bob fan too and she had sent him a message on Facebook asking him if he could send me a message . Nobody will ever be able to imagine how happy that card made me - just the boost I needed ! I am eternally grateful to Carolyn for arranging it and eternally grateful to Mark for taking the time out of his schedule to send it.

Me and my hero Mark Trevorrow aka Bob Downe after his performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

I have been a fan of Liz Earle skin care products for over ten years now.While I was having chemo , my skin became very dry , especially on my hands and feet . I found her stuff was very useful in preventing any problems . Her shampoo was so gentle , which was a bonus for my thinning hair! She launched a new range of cosmetics and I was lucky enough to be invited along to the launch in Glasgow , shortly after I had chemo- I wasn't going to go because I didn't feel at my best , but was glad I did because I got the chance to meet her and chat about her range . She was so lovely to speak to and seemed genuinely interested .

Me and Liz Earle

Before

After

After my final chemo in mid-June 2012 , it was time to have my PICC line removed . It had been my companion for the past six months and had served me well - no blockages or infections , and hand't migrated too far from its' original place ! The plan was to go back to the hospital on the Friday that my last 5FU infusion was due to complete , and the nurse would remove the line as well as the pump . I was a bit nervous about how this would be done as I knew it was pretty long . I needn't have worried . I went to the hospital at the allotted time and was taken straight away.The nurse removed the infusion line and said she would now remove the PICC . I sat in the chair waiting for something spectacular to happen , but there were no fireworks or shocks ! I never felt it getting removed at all and was surprised when she told me that it was out ! Goodbye old friend.....