Missed info from ‘Warts and All’ plus the latest up to date information

Okay so here we go with the full background of ‘Warts and All’ first. This is going to be a very long post so you have been warned, no reading in the loo or in the bath!

Although I was discharged from hospital on 27th October, Rebecca and I on the 29th October returned via a taxi to the A&E department. I was in so much pain in my back due to the size of my tummy which has been caused by the lymphedema that I need to know if there is any medical reason why I can’t go to the toilet. X-rays were taken which left me in total bits as they insisted that I lie on my back and I can’t move. The pain is unbearable and I come out of the department sobbing as Rebecca knows how much pain that I would be in as they made me lie still on my back. The results showed that there was no medical reason why I couldn’t pass any bowel movements however the X-ray did show a mass of excrement that needed to be moved. I was glad there was no medical reason why I couldn’t go and so it was up to me to make this happen. We returned home via taxi and that cost us £60 that evening but it was quicker than waiting for an ambulance.

I talk about the £60 as this comes out of the awarded PIP money which the Ian Reenie nurses organised for me. Its a benefit which is awarded to any terminally ill people with less than a year to live. It is not means tested and I have been given the maximum amount of £139 per week. The taxi money was what this  benefit was designed for, supportive expenditure that you would not normally have to pay out on a weekly basis. This money has also funded the cleaner that I spoke about in yesterday’s post. Now the cost of the cleaner will take all of the weekly amount awarded but it’s worth it to reduce the stress to my loved ones and it enables me to focus on looking after myself the right way this time to ensure I am as healthy as possible.

As you know, I was lucky enough to be able to release some money from a pension fund due to my diagnosis. This has enabled us to do some work to make our home more comfortable for me. Daisy Den and the Hot Tub you all know about. I have also helped Steve buy a car as if I died we would not have a family car, as my car is a company car. I brought new furniture for the front room, this furniture reclines and is essential as it means that we can all be together as a family in our front room. I’ve ordered myself a new phone as my current phone is broken. Garden work to our home so that I can get around it safely. New patio doors for in my end of days room. New furniture for my end of days room. New office furniture for Steve as he works from home so much now and it is his responsibility to comply to with H&S. A new bed has been gifted to us by the BHS SOS fund. Finally a new fire to complete the front room.

Here are some of the photos of those changes taking place:

IMG_4894
Crane Hire
Platform ready  for Daisy Den :-)
Platform ready for Daisy Den 🙂
IMG_9703
Old Window going out for new Patio doors ready to go in
IMG_4907
New Patio doors in place
IMG_4893
Daisy Den being constructed
IMG_4943
Daisy Den with final base coat of varnish applied and ready to move in to

A few months ago I was given a prognosis of 18 months from diagnosis when we knew that the first chemo treatment hadn’t worked. More recently Dr Weaver was asked to write a report regarding my prognosis for our life insurance company. He is now saying that on the balance of prognosis that if the new chemo works and that the extra KRAS treatment layered on top of the chemo treatment also works that my prognosis may now be 2 -3 years. It is great to know that not only do they think my prognosis of life expectancy has or will improve and that as long as the cancer is not in my vital organs I could actually after completing treatment be one of the 9% that actually survive and beat Bowel Cancer.

My decision to take a sick note is massive for me as I have continued to work apart from the following dates. Signed off for one week on 7th Feb, signed off for two weeks from 11th Feb and finally signed off for 4-6 weeks on 28th March. Apart from these dates previous to that I didn’t have a sickness issue at work and I want to continue to work and contribute to the company that I love to work for and is so important to me. So I sent Amanda Taylor in HR this email to explain the plan to her.

 

Hi Amanda,
It was lovely to talk to you today and here follows the plans proposed for the next two months:

Chemo starts on 18th November until then I have an enforced break from treatment to ensure that I am able to cope with cycle 5 of the planned 12.
If I can cope with the normal chemo then at some date they will administer the extra KRASS chemo which could extend my life by up to 30%
Last date of intravenous treatment at home is 5th November. Then no more treatment at home at all until we start again on 18th November, following suitable blood tests.
I have attached a PDF file of a sick note which covers me from 03/11/2015 for two months and then I will be in contact as regards my health and the possibility of returning and commencing with project work at home.
I will be taking a long weekend break somewhere before my treatment starts again as a short holiday and I’m telling you this as I want to be open and honest with you all.
I will post the original sick note into yourself tomorrow so that you have it for my file.
Please could you inform Kingston BHS of the sick note so that my wages can be processed correctly.

I hope that this is acceptable and that this email completes our paper trail for your records.

I would just like to add a massive thank you for your support and understanding throughout this difficult time.

This PDF is a copy of the doctors sick note

img20151103_16132119

So yesterday morning I had my bloods taken as well as intravenous treatment. As this treatment is due to finish on 5th November I also had a home visit from my Doctor who brought me my sick note, she checked all of my vital signs, which were all fine. The District nurses arranged a prescription for the enema which I was comfortable to do myself as the pain I am in is putting pressure on my already swollen tummy due to the lymphedema and if I can open my bowels then we believe this will relieve some of that pressure plus I have to be able to control my bowels on a daily basis. The enema was successful and finally I was able to move my bowels.

My swollen Belly
My swollen Belly

3rd November, yesterday I had already contacted my mom to inform her of what was going on and that I would call her later. She was worried that I had left this so late, so update with her complete I was just about to return to Steve when the phone rang. It was a doctor who had received the results of my bloods and that he wanted to come and see me, this was about 10 pm. My bloods were showing that I had a very low potassium level. He arrived and took all my vital tests again, blood pressure etc and asked if I was short of breath. I explained that I do struggle to walk around the house as I am weak on my right leg due to the lymphedema but this hasn’t changed. He said that the levels were so dangerously low that I may be at risk from a heart attack which would be fatal. Steve had to go before midnight to a pharmacy to collect the potassium prescription and that I must take straight away. He said that the blood tests would be run again tomorrow to see if the bloods changed or if the levels had returned to normal and that in the event of any symptoms of accelerated heart rate or shortness of breath I was to call 999 immediately. So after putting down the phone to my mom saying everything was fine I was back to a potential life threatening prognosis. After taking the potassium within about 1/2 hour I did actually feel better within myself. It’s now 3.30 pm today and I have just received news from the Doctors that my potassium levels are completely normal and I am not at risk of dying at any moment! How much stress can I take? Plus I was advised  to stop taking the prescription.

This morning I had a delivery and I had no clue what it was. It turned out to be a present from all of my BHS family the HR team at Head Office just to cheer me up and here are the presents.

How lucky am I?
How lucky am I?

IMG_4955

Last night prior to the doctors call I was arranging the planned break to one of the nominated stores to do a weekend away as pre arranged with BHS. Honesty is very important to me and we now have a delivery date to my house of the Calendars for this Friday, 6th November. All 10 stores will now receive their full promotional packs by Tuesday 10th November, confirmed today by Leanne Sinclair at Beating Bowel Cancer and the Calendars will be on sale in the 10 nominated stores by Wednesday 11th November. The plan for the 11th store, is for me visit the Isle of Wight. The hotel and ferry are booked. The photo opportunity, signing of the calendar my Mrs October herself will be a fantastic promotional opportunity for BHS as a company and the Calendar sales. So it’s all systems go with the planned visit to the Isle of Wight, the agreed treatment break but with BHS aware that I am going away, and will be continuing with my blog.

I’ve also just had confirmation that the new bed will arrive on 25th November and the new fire will be installed on 27th November.

So there you have it complete transparency and honesty with everyone.

Final thanks to Rita who upon hearing all the good news has gone to church to say prayers of thanks. Thank you my Angel.

 

 

 

Published by

Wend

Married to Steve, I have two children - Rebecca and Richard. Steve has two children, Lauren and Chris. Rebecca lives with us (nurse Rebecca) and my mom Judy also has become nurse and housekeeper but lives in the West Midlands. My son is in the Army and comes home when he can. I am 47, born in 1967 and I was told I had bowel cancer on 22nd Feb 2015 and this blog is my journey through it. I hope it helps you as you were the reason I started it.

16 thoughts on “Missed info from ‘Warts and All’ plus the latest up to date information”

  1. Glad your ok after all thats happend… keeping my fingers toes and everything else crossed that this treatment works Wendy and you are in that 9% keep those Prayers coming Rita….wow how busy are you….so looking forward to seeing you on Monday, providing you are feeling up to it that is, lots of love xxxxx

  2. What did I say when we met……..you ain’t going nowhere yet.praying you get those extra years in your fab new home get you like a film star with your studio and hot tub.love as always xxxxxx ex x3

  3. Well it’s another OMG from me, honestly Wend I don’t think any of us can truly comprehend what you have experienced this past 3 or 4 weeks let alone since January x
    The last 24 hours have been mentally horrific with what the medical team saying “you could die at any moment”
    I don’t honestly think your average person could have gone through what you have and continue to fight xxx
    You young lady ain’t goin anywhere anytime soon lol

    I will continue every week with Prayers & Candles, for with the love of God get you, to be one of the 9% xxx
    You have so much still to give
    You will be an amazing ambassador for Bowel Cancer going forward, giving hope to hundreds and will fight to get the testing age brought down & get the drugs available to all.

    So let’s celebrate the here & now, gather your strength and get ready to kick into touch the next batch of Chemo x

    Thank goodness your looking after yourself and your family <3
    The Cosy Daisy Den <3
    Sofas to enjoy family time again all in the one room <3
    A bed to sleep in, actually sleep in AND with Mr Wonderful <3
    And outside in with the patio doors giving you nature if you can't make it upstairs<3
    I know how much you love being outside & the freedom you feel with it<3
    You have suffered so very much I'm now thankful that there's the correct comfort you need in all the rooms in your home<3
    Family Time has Resumed <3<3<3

    Love all the gifts you've received from our HR Team,
    There constant support warms the heart X

    More candles going up tomorrow it's important to Thank God when everything in Wendys world is going right xxx

    Love & Hugs xxx

    1. Thanks so much Rita, it’s been so hard to cope with everything everyday.The worry and stress for all of us is just unbelievable plus coping with recovering from the illness. But I am a strong old bird and and fight I bloody well will 🙂 thanks for all your prayers, love and support my Angel xx

  4. “How much stress can I take”? The fight in you is incredible Wend. Honestly….? I think I would have cracked long ago.
    You’ve gone through more than anyone should have to bear, so let’s just hope that’s it for you now and that you will be part of the “9%”.

    Love and hugs to you my Lovely. x

  5. Oh Wendy you have been through so much again your emotions must be all over the place and your families Rebecca is so amazing coping with everything I’m sending her an extra big hug XXX
    I’m so glad that you have managed to do all the things you wanted in your home so you can all sit back relax and spend very precious time together.
    Really exciting news that we get our calendars next week can’t wait to see it
    I hope you have a good night sending you my love and hugs XXX

  6. Awwww you are so cute – explaining everything like it’s a bit naughty.

    Just the chance of being in the 9% club is the most fantastic news.

    Oh jeez louise if someone told me heart palpitations or shortness of breath was a 911 I would have been panting like the Shep, the Blue Peter dog at the very suggestion.

    You are a proper ninja fighting off all these assaults on your health. You are the Lara Croft of the medical world.

    Goodnight Wendy x

  7. Can’t believe you have had another scare mate. Hope you are over it now and you can pick yourself up as you always do. All of the adjustments to the house look amazing. Can’t wait to see the rest of the changes when I next visit. Any idea when I can visit again as I know you want a weekend away Let me know. Loads of Love to everyone. Xxx

Leave a Reply to Rita Jackson Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *