Results!!

Ok so as I said before I had my clinic appointment on Monday just gone and the doctor had this to say:

Let me start with the 'bad' news - originally we thought that my cancer was only at stage 2b but it turns out that I was actually at stage 4. The cancer had spread below my diaphram and to my bone marrow.

So that should have been my diagnosis at the beginning but they couldn't find all the notes. Now, what the doctor said was he was happy to continue with the chemo as planned because all initial tests revealed that...oh I feel a bit like Chris Tarrent, "Shall we take a break?" Lol!

Test revealed that the cancer has been reduced by 50%!! This means that by September medical professionals are hopeful that there will be no more cancer!!!!!

I am a bit chuffed by this as you can imagine, however am slightly miffed as it's chemo week and I am unable to drink to celebrate!!! Grr! So shall be saving it up for next week! lol!

The bone marrow is nothing to worry about becuase it was only a small amount and because the tests show a decline in the amount of cancer present he is hopeful that the cancer did not have time to spread significantly to warrent a change in treatment, it just means that I will have to follow up appointments for 5 years instead of 3, this I can deal with!

The biggest tumour was behind my left lung, this was the one that the doctors were most concerned about and the CT scan showed that it had been reduced in size from 30mm to 15-18mm in diameter.

So all looks to be on track and I shall hopefully be able to return to Uni in October, graduate and go on to do great things!!

Lots of Love and God Bless
Charlie xxxx

p.s. To all those who are graduating this summer, well done!!! You're all brilliant!!!

3 month marker!

Hi everyone,

well as you can see from above I have been recieving chemo for three months, 6 gruelling sessions, but I am the other side of halfway and I can see the light at the end!!!

Unfortunately the sickness has appeared and although I do have good days, the bad days are becoming more frequent, it seems to be all change! As long as I don't do anything, including moving some days, I am ok.

I will not bore the horrible details, that is saved for my diary and those unfortuante enough to catch me at a bad moment (apologies to those people). So I will instead give you some good news.

At my last clinic appointment (approx.2weeks ago) I was told that all the tests they do each week were beginning to reveal that the levels of the various things I'm tested for were returning to normal. An initial examination by the doctor shows that the surface tumours I had in my neck and my armpit have gone!! And I am having my half way scan this Wednesday (25th) at 2pm to see what is happening to the tumours inside (behind my right lung and in my stomach), but given the test 'scores' the doctors are hopeful that those lumps are too disappearing!

So I ask that you can all be a bit more patient with me as I get more crabby, please remember that 9 times out of 10 it isn't personal!

Love to you all. God Bless and keep you safe!
Charlie xxxxx

No hair!!

Well it is now official, I am bald. Well not 100% I still have stubley bits, its quite cool though. So far I've been told I look like Sinead O'Connor, Sigorny Weaver in Alien and Demi Moore in GI Jane. All good looking women so I'm ok with that. Luckilly I have quite good bone structure so the look is working for me. It's a little cold and breezy, lol, but its ok in general. Just gotta get used to having no hair!

No other news so far. I have pics if anyone wants to see it, drop me an e-mail and I shall send them on to you.

xxxx

Hello lovely people! Just to let you know that my hair will be coming off this weekend! Just want to say thanks to all the people that have supported me so far and those that are continuing to support me!!

I aso want to thank the collegues of Big Dave who have sponsored Dave to shave his head alonside me and have sent a cheque off to Macmillan Cancer Support!!

A very very big thank you to everyone that is doing their bit!!

Keep Smilling!

Second Chemo

Ok, so today I have had my second lot of chemo for this month, so I am now officially well into my treatment.

I am feeling a little more tired then I was last time, but that is to be expected I guess. I was warned that some things will be the same but then I may feel a bit sick as the treatment continues. Hopefully it will ware off, I'm going to take it easy and have a quiet evening. This is my plan!

I am watching the Mighty Boosh and browsing the old interweb and may even visit the book of face (aka Facebook).

I'll give you an update later in the week with how I'm doing.

Keep it real!! xxx

Ok, so far I haven't really written much of interest but then nothing much has happened. I seem to be defying all the chemo odds and have yet to experience any sickness or anything bad. I feel brilliant, I feel ten times better than I have in months!!
I have my second dose of Chemo on Wednesday and I'm hoping that it will be ok like the last time.

So the only thing I've been doing is hanging out with some very cool people I know and thats about it! Have recently got an Xbox-360 so that will keep me entertained for some time and have a great many DVD's to work my way through.

I will wait to write again when I have something abit more interesting to tell you. For now I am sitting watching Torchwood (last episode) in tears (no surprises) and planning my afternoon!

Till next time dear travellers. Keep following that road...

Chemo - First Week

The last few days since the chemo have been really good. People try to prepare you for the things that may happen, but in the end only your body will show you what it can do.

I have not felt sick, in fact the only sensation I have at the moment is this tingling feeling in my mouth. It's not a burning but it can be affected by certain foods or drinks. However, I still feel better than I have for months. I have not felt this healthy since before Christmas. I am hoping that it stays this way!! I have been told that what ever I experience now will be become the norm from now on...here's hoping!!

In fact I have felt so good this week I have been able to go out and do things. I have had to take it slowly and often have to have a break, but I can still get out. On Tuesday (day before chemo) Mum and Dad took me out with Jo to a National Trust house, had a good day! Wednesday was the day itself - no problems. Thursday was spent at home because Mum had work to do and Dad wanted to work on the garden. Friday I went with Mum to take Dad to a trip in Oxford so we had lunch and did some window shopping, also went to see my Grandma and my Aunt Steph. Saturday Mum and I went to Basildon Park for cream teas, it was very very nice!! Saturday night Big Dave came down after the football. Sunday, Big Dave, Mum and I went to Studland Beach and had breakfast and a really nice day out. Went back via Oxford to pick up Dad from his weekend thing and went back via Grandma's again.

Tonight Big Dave, Mum and I are going to see "Son of Rambow" can't wait! We should be leaving soon as Big Dave wants to get dinner first. Should be a great night!

So far nothing really interesting to report, but at least I'm not being sick! I am sorry if this update bores anyone, but I just wanted to let people know that I am able to go out and enjoy myself, even if I do have to have a nap!! lol!

God Bless xxxxx