The Final Installment

21^st October 2013

I’ve now moved back home and I’m enjoying being back in Builth. Thanks to all those involved, packing and moving is never easy, especially with 7 boxes of clothes and a few too many shoes! Flo and I packed everything with military precision, every box labelled either ‘Home’ or ‘Dennis’ (my Mum’s uncle) who was the unfortunate recipient of half of my belongings to store! Flo and I had a lovely welcome home from the rest of the family – flowers, card and a welcome home banner were awaiting our arrival. On the weekend we popped down to see my goddaughter Lexy (who’s eight) and she told her sister Ebony (my cousin) that ‘the funny one’ and ‘one with two hair styles’ were on their way! Think she meant Flo and me! She has also told me how she prefers me with my wig on!

I had my first lot of scans at the beginning of the month – a CT chest scan and both a CT and MRI head scan. Whilst waiting for me to come out from the scans, a woman struck up a conversation with Flo. It was rather one sided though and Flo couldn’t get a word in edgeways! Even when I came out she didn’t stop talking, it was only when the nurse came along and told her off for not drinking her juice quick enough (in readiness for the scan), that she ended the conversation and Flo was finally able to ask me how it had all gone! Flo said she hardly had time to drink it as she was so busy telling her life story!

The results were back last week and I met with my oncology consultant Dr Spooner in Birmingham to discuss them. After a tense wait my name was called and I went in. Thankfully it was good news, they were all clear and I go back in 3 months for my next check up. I plan to try my best to enjoy life in between and not worry about what might or might not be. For now I want to focus on moving forward, first and foremost with my health and happiness.

The week of the move I met up with my work colleagues for lunch, in Lutterworth. It was lovely to see everyone and catch up with them all. A big congrats to those that took part in the 16 mile ‘Test Way’ walk a couple of weeks ago - a huge challenge, in which they raised money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

The weekend after moving home, on October 6^th, my family and I attended a presentation at the Rugby Club in Builth, hosted by the ‘Music on the Meadows’ volunteers. They kindly raised money for my family and I, along with Wales Air Ambulance and Naina Fundraising. The ‘Tractor Boys’ also generously donated some money, which was totally unexpected. It was a fantastic evening and I hope to support the event next year.

This will probably be my last blog post, as I’m sure nobody wants to continually hear my life story either! Thanks all for following my progress and I hope I continue on the road to full health. As for Flo, I think I’ve about finished her off, oh well you can’t win them all...

 

Blondes Have More Fun?

Upon arriving for my final chemotherapy treatment, all the nursing staff on the unit cheered and congratulated me, which was a lovely gesture and made me feel elated that my treatment was going to finally be over! The week went as well as usual and there were even a few funny incidences! Late the first night Mum went to the car to fetch her sleeping bag, which was in a bin bag and got stopped by security, asking her what was in the bag, if she was a visitor and where she was going!

Later on we finally set up camp for the night; I plugged in my electric toothbrush, phone charger and iPad – all the essentials! Meaning there almost wasn’t a spare one for my chemotherapy pump!

We had a few issues with the camp bed in terms of putting it up. Mike the male nurse eventually assisted us and promptly lay on it to test it out as it was a new model he’d never seen before. So I asked him if he was coming to the sleepover, to which he replied he’d get his pyjamas! 
 
I was on a four bed bay this time and felt like I was in a goldfish bowl one day, with a mass amount of visitors appearing on the unit, who were even taking photographs! They were obviously on some guided tour!
Leaving the ward after my final stay, I felt a mixed bag of emotions – relief and elation but combined with sadness for those other patients I was leaving there, who have become friends in this last year. A week later I was back though to deliver cards and cakes as a special thank you to the hospital team who have supported and cared for me over this past year. I will be back at hospital for my first scans in October and I have an appointment with my Oncologist, Dr Spooner two weeks later to discuss the results and plans for scans hereafter.

I went to collect my new wig a couple of weeks ago too! It’s completely different to the first one I had – people aren’t recognising me! A honey blonde colour, very long and a side fringe – only having a side fringe is definitely taking some getting used to, but I’m extremely happy with it and feel so lucky to have been offered another one.

Now treatment has finished it’s finally time to start packing up and making tracks back to Wales, until I get back on my feet - I’m definitely ready for a dose of normality. Packing has commenced at the Brummy pad and we plan to move at the beginning of October. Florence says she’s winding down her duties and must hastily hit the shops before rural life suppresses her addiction! Dad tells us there’s going to be some new rules when she gets back home, but he’s yet to inform us what they actually are!

The Final Countdown...

Sunday 1^st September 2013

It was Mum’s birthday a few weeks back and with some of the money she received, we decided to treat ourselves to some sightseeing, courtesy of the Big Brum Open Top Bus Tour! Although an enjoyable and interesting experience, it was quite windy and there were a few low trees, meaning I did have to hold onto my wig a few times! Still, we decided that if it did get stuck in the branches, we’d just have to do the tour again to retrieve it!

 
Talking of hair, I was fortunate enough to be offered another wig through Teenage Cancer Trust a few weeks ago! So on Saturday, Mum and I travelled to a salon called Aesthetics near Solihull, for an appointment with the owner called Adrian. He was a nice guy and between us I decided to opt for a blonde/brown mix in a long length, which I’ll have cut and styled in a few weeks time when it arrives. Watch out for the pictures!  

But eventually I hope to have my own hair back in some form. I had an appointment with my surgeon, Mr Peart on the 20^th August to discuss any operations he could do to sort my hair out. I hadn’t seen him personally since last year and since the radiotherapy, so was unsure about what he’d say he could do for me, if anything at all. Luckily he didn’t seem fazed by the procedure he’d have to undertake to give me back my hair. He said he could do an operation in about a year’s time, once my hair’s grown back fully on the one side of my head and I’ve recovered from all the treatment. He said he would do something called tissue expansion to stretch the skin and hair follicles across my head. I’m pleased by what he’s said he can do and happy it’ll be in a year’s time, giving me a chance to get back on my feet, to full health and normality for a while.

I was asked during my last chemotherapy session, whether I’d like to be on the interview panel, to interview for a new teacher on the Young Person’s Unit. As the ward is primarily for 16-24 year olds, many are at school, college or University and require support and tutoring so they are able to continue with their studies alongside treatment. I was thrilled to be asked and spent a day helping to question potential candidates, before contributing to the discussion about who we thought should be selected for the post! Hopefully I was of some help to the rest of the panel!

Rachel and Hannah (friends from home) visited last week to present a cheque for £1,482.25 to Teenage Cancer Trust, following Rachel’s amazing achievement of completing the London Marathon earlier this year. Mum and I had a lovely day with them both, dining out at Red Peppers for lunch and then onto a few shops...well we did have to show them the sites of Birmingham! ;)

 

I go in for my last session of chemotherapy tomorrow. I can’t believe I’ve actually made it to the end of treatment. Remembering back to that very first session, I broke down in tears after what was an extremely tough week, struggling to see how I could cope with any more. Thankfully with the support of many people, I have actually done it! I’m looking to the future now, although many scans and results await me for at least the next five years, which is a scary prospect. Although I know I’ve got amazing support to help me through it.

Music on the Meadow

Saturday 10^th August 2013

On Friday 2^nd August my family and I attended Music on the Meadow – an event held every year at Muttley and Jean’s barn, Builth Wells, to raise money for different charities and people through musical performances. This year was the events 10 year anniversary and I was very kindly asked if they could raise money for me, alongside the Wales Air Ambulance and Naina Fundraising. The night was a huge success with a great turn out and fantastic performances from Owen Morgan, Tri Tenor and Tony Royale.

On the 7^th August it was one year since I was diagnosed. To think it’s been a whole year is crazy, looking back it seems to have gone fast, although there have been days it was difficult to see when the treatment would come to an end. I have now completed my twelfth session of chemotherapy and I’m back in on Monday for my thirteenth of fourteen. Not too many more to go! I also have an appointment with my surgeon from The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham on the 20^th August to discuss potential operations on my head to sort my hair out, after my treatment finishes.

 

I’ve been up to a few nice things whilst being out of hospital these last couple of weeks, to cheer myself up, including afternoon tea at Netherstowe House, which was delicious and a fabulous experience! I’ve also caught up with friends, family and an old school teacher (Wendy) who’s had a baby since we last saw each other - he’s so cute! And it’s Mum’s birthday today so it was shopping in Solihull yesterday for the pair of us! I think a chilled weekend is in order now, ready for Monday’s session.

 

 

A Little Ditty...

Friday 12^th July 2013

For my latest blog post I have decided to write a poem, something different to sum up my time on the Young Person’s Unit at the QE Hospital and describe the nursing staff.

 

This is a poem about the nursing staff,

A lovely lot who make me laugh,

Professional yet caring, they sure are a busy clan,

They make my time there the best that they can.

 

Calm and composed, Dr Sarah is head,

Once checked in, I’m shown to my bed,

She gives me the once over, looking at my body,

An expert is her field, her work is never shoddy.

Del the staff nurse is forever on the go,

But she always finds time for a chat when you’re feeling low,

I find her entertaining; her stories are the best,

I have her running ragged, she never gets a rest!

The lone male nurse is Scottish Mike,

He always walks to work, doesn’t own a bike,

Continually super efficient, never running late,

I’d like to see him in a kilt; I think he’d look great!

 

Then there’s Sarah Turley, the organiser of fun,

Tuesday is the breakfast club and she goes on the coffee run,

Her personality is bubbly; she has everything under control,

We’ve even got a juke box, so everything’s rock n roll!

There’s also Laura and Elizabeth,

Charlotte and Maddy too,

Really too many to mention,

So those were just a few!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little ditty,

About how good the staff are at the QE,

I think Florence should take note,

And make me a cup of tea!

I’m Too Sexy for My Shirt

Sunday 23^rd June 2013

I’ve finally managed to get my iPad back from Flo (an extremely difficult feat it has to be said), so able to take back the reins on my blog this week! It’s been another busy few weeks at the Thomas HQ since the last post and as most of you will know, has included two trips back home to Wales.

I was back for a fashion show event, ‘Fun, Frocks and Fizz’ hosted by local businesses at The Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells. It was such an overwhelming afternoon, with the local community coming together to support my family and I, for which we are so very grateful for. On behalf of my family and I, we’d like to thank everyone involved, those who attended and/or sent donations. There was such a lot of people there, we can only apologise for not having a chance to properly catch up with all that we wanted to. Everyone worked so hard to make it a success and it was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. A complete mix of emotions really, from the laughter at the boys on the catwalk, through to pulling of the heart strings from Aunty Sue’s speech and to seeing my sister Becca in a wedding dress!

On Monday morning we left Builth to head back to Birmingham Hospital, for my tenth session of chemo. We dashed in the house with our bags, quickly repacked and were once again on our merry way to the QE! Whilst settling in during the afternoon, Flo exclaimed “Who’s that shouting all the time?” and began playing detective, investigating out of the window. She couldn’t decide where it was coming from or see anybody, so decided it must be workmen. This went on into the evening and after a night’s sleep, began once again. The next day my friend Libby came to visit me and Mum quizzed her as to whether she could hear it! They both listened intently, telling me to be quiet on several occasions! In true Libby style she watched and listened, head out the window, ear prised against the wall and finally the pair both got on the floor! By this time they had decided it was a cry for help and were scared that somebody may be trapped! The voice was calling, “Let me out, you’ve got to help me!”

Sherlock and Dr Watson couldn’t contain their worry any longer and made their concerns known to the nursing staff. They however, dismissed the idea that anyone could be trapped in the air vents, but the undeterred detectives were not convinced and set off donning tweed coats, pipe and magnifying glass – ok well not quite that farfetched, but you get the picture, taking the lift to the lower hospital floor to probe further into the mystery. That night the noise appeared to stop and it was finally decided that the victim had either escaped or was dead; either way at least we were in for an undisturbed sleep!

Around a week later Flo and I headed back to Builth once again for the Presentation evening. A gobsmacking £2,850 was presented to the family and I, which will genuinely make a huge difference. Libby made a speech on my behalf to thank the committee and I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank her and all involved once again.

This weekend it was my turn to return the favour and support Libby with her 24 hour Bike Challenge. I attended Rockingham Speedway, Corby, where she had to ride around the track with three other colleagues from the M&S Kingsditch store in Cheltenham, to raise money for a number of cancer charities. Over 1,000 employees took part and the day was a great success, with Libby having risen over £600 currently. If you’d like to donate money her link is still active and can be found at:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Kingsditch&isTeam=true I know she’d really appreciate anything you can give, however big or small and I’m so proud of her amazing achievement. Well done Libby!

My other friend Sarah has also recently completed the ‘Race for Life’, back home in Wales. I’d like to give her a mention to say a BIG well done, an amazing achievement also!!

I’m back in hospital 1^st July for my 11^th session of chemotherapy – counting down now, only four to go!

From Flo’s Perspective

Tuesday 28^th May 2013

Well, we’re nearly at the end of May. Can’t believe how far we’ve come on this journey and there is light at the end of the tunnel - although I thought somebody had turned it off at some point to save electric! Only five sessions of chemotherapy left out of the fourteen, each one another step nearer for my return home. I suspect a ‘good bottoming’ will be required after leaving Gary in charge of the feather duster! (For those who don’t know, this means a good clean and nothing rude!)

Since moving to Birmingham back in November, we have said numerous times it was the best thing we could have done under the circumstances. A swift count up adds up to fifty nights in hospital and we’ve lost count of how many outpatient appointments there’s been so far. On occasions we’ve been at the hospital until late and thank god there’s no two hour trek back to Wales, fifteen minutes and we’re home and dry.

Watching your daughter go through such gruelling treatment requires an inner strength and commitment I didn’t know I had - (although having been married to Gary for 35 years has given me good practice!) However, out of the two of us I think Rhi is the stronger. She never grumbles or moans about any of the treatment she has to endure. I won’t say she hasn’t shed a tear, because we both have. Sometimes the days have been long and dark (and the nights too when sleep evades you and your mind starts to wander and worry what the future will bring). But morning comes and I think of Builth High School’s motto of ‘Carpe Diem’ meaning ‘Seize the Day’ and get up and face whatever the day has in store.

Looking back at some of the lowest points it’s been hard to always stay strong and positive. Standing by the bed when they took off her bandages after her major operation, I didn’t know what to expect and neither did she. Things were worse than I thought but with time and care things have improved greatly in that area. Radiotherapy was also particularly heart-wrenching. Sitting there while she was left alone in that room when the radiation was being delivered, I often found myself to be quite emotional. Her hair loss has probably hit me harder than it has her. Thinking back to all the times she used to love doing her hair – whether it be blonde or red, she never left the house without it being immaculate. Her fertility, well I try not to think about it. She’s done what she can in terms of freezing her eggs and hopefully one day I’ll be a Nan! But from a selfish point of view I think as long as Rhi’s alive it doesn’t matter whether she has any children or not.

The Young Persons Unit at the QE has become our second home. I have met many mothers and fathers, who like me, have a story to tell about their child. We all agree that although life is tough, they seem to have such courage and determination, enduring any treatment that’s thrown at them, facing life with great optimism and hope for the future.

Before I leave you, I’d just like to say that it’s not been all doom and gloom. I think most days we have found something to laugh about – whether it’s been her new nickname ‘Argos’ (because she says she looks like the aliens in the advert and there’s now the added Olly Murs reference!), the many bush tucker eating trials she says I make her endure or wondering whether we’re in the right clinic for radiotherapy when we see two men walking around with women’s handbags and thought perhaps we were in the gender change department?! They say laughter is the best medicine and I’m sure they’re right, whoever they are! It’s certainly helping in Rhi’s journey, that’s for sure.