This time last year, I truly believed I wouldn’t be around by now. I was going through my first recurrence after eight years NED. Feeling really low, half way through eight cycles of carbo/taxol with two spells in hospital and endless outpatients visits for nephrostomy problems too, I kept myself from despair by planning a visit to New York and I actually made it across the Atlantic for the first time in my life last week! Had a really amazing time with my sister, Liz. And for several days I didn’t even think about bloody OC!
The Northern Lights are next on my list. If the next scan at the end of the month doesn’t indicate more treatment needed, I’ll be planning again.
With love and virtual hugs for any of you having a grotty day. Jo 🌺🌻🌼🌸🌹
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ShropshireJo
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Brilliant. What did you think of New York? I went after I finished first line treatment and said now 'been there done that wouldn't go back' even though we go to the states every year. I loved San Fran, so if you are thinking of another trip stateside I can highly recommend. Fingers crossed for your scan at the end of the month Jo, do let us know how you get on. Kathy xx
I thought. New York was a fantastic vibrant city. We stayed next door to Grand Central Station. It’s magnificent Hall is a must-see. We were lucky to have sunny warm weather and walked miles, rode the bus, the subway and the Staten Island Ferry. Loved the collection of Impressionists and Expressionists paintings at the Guggenheim and had pastrami on rye at Katz famous for ‘When Harry Met Sally’. Would love to visit San Francisco one day. Good to dream. Hope you have a fab time next time you visit the US. Jo 🌸
I love New York too, been 5 times now (last time was in July) and just can’t seem to get enough of it, we keep planning to go to other areas in the USA but end up back in the big 🍎. I’m so pleased you were able to get there and that you enjoyed it. The northern lights are on my bucket list too, take care and keep as well as you possibly can ❤️Xx Jane
Brilliant! It’s like one in the eye for cancer when we get to fulfil a dreamed of trip and forget this rubbish hand we’ve been dealt for a while! I also went to NY with my family this summer, had a fantastic time. Hope you get to see the Northern Lights!
It's great to hear that you loved NY and let thoughts of cancer go for a few days. I've just looked back at your previous posts so I understand how good that must feel, I can also empathise.. When I recurred I was told there would be no remission, only,, hopefully, 'control' of the tumours. I felt as if my life had ended, or would end very soon. I was conscious of the cancer inside me all the time. On holiday in beautiful nature in Anglesey (not quite NY!) I re engaged with the world somehow. Sometimes I didn't even think about the cancer and it was such a relief like a great burden being lifted. I hope your next scan shows no treatment is needed, you can plan another trip and enjoy lots more head-free-of-cancer time. I've just started on a drug called niraparib which they hope will delay the time until the next chemo. I'm waiting to see if it works for me so lots of appointments and ups and downs at the moment. But maybe this is a treatment that might be helpful to you in the future? In the meantime wishing you many more months and years of stability and a fab trip to see the northern lights!
Thank you for your lovely response, Elizabeth. However much love and support we get from family and friends, real empathy/understanding really only comes from others along this dratted road. New York or beautiful Anglesey, it doesn’t matter where we find those blessed moments, even hours or days if we are really fortunate, I do hope niraparib works for you and gives you an extended break from chemo. I hope to get beyond January when it will be a year since the last chemo then I should be able to have more cisplatin. Do hope things settle down soon and you can carry on with your current treatment. Jo 🌺🌸🌻🌼🌹
Sounds like you had a fabulous well earned break after having such a thought time on chemo! Hope you get some good news after your scan and can plan the next trip to see the northern lights!!! Best wishes jo xx
Hi Jo: While I was lying on the miserably hard table waiting to start my MRI, I was thinking to myself: So I have another limit put on my timeline. So with my time, what do I want to do, accomplish, say, see, create, in my time. Yours was the first post I read when I opened today's mail. It was just the encouragement I needed. It knocked me out of the vicious circular thinking that I have a habit of getting into. So for right in this moment, I am going to get the broom and start sweeping up the mess on the floor, [probably a metaphor for what my brain looks like] and make a list and start making plans for how to accomplish it.
So thanks for your post and maybe we can plan to see those Northern Lights together.
Thank you Eileen. You’ve made me realise I need some more impetus. NY was such a big project and we had such a great time, I am feeling kind of flat now. Making a list and getting organised is just what I need to do. Perhaps we ought to have an Ovacome group visit to Iceland in the Spring? x
Thanks for your post. I am in much the same place as Eileen, having just been told I'm facing my first recurrence and reading your post has helped me get towards a more positive frame of mind.
Hi Lou. I’m so glad to be able to help albeit in a very small way. Finding out about the first recurrence was worse than the original diagnosis for me. All the very best for your treatment. Jo x
Hi Jo, Sorry Your back on chemo but you did manage a good 8 years, so hope you can tipple that and maybe your next trip could be Sydney Australia.. Cheers and best wishes Lorraine xx😎
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