One of the most annoying, anxiety provoking and frustrating things when waiting for any treatment to start is not knowing when things are going to take place and hanging around for results to come through. And when results are cancer related it makes the waiting so much harder.
I thought I'd do a timeline of events so that others might feel a little more at ease when time frames are unknown. Hope it helps, my cancer compadres.
13th November - I visited my GP and was referred for an endoscopy.
21st November - My endoscopy appointment. Here biopsies were taken and I was given a preliminary diagnosis of cancer. I was referred to Macmillan and I had my first meeting with my Macmillan nurse. I was referred to a dietitian and referred to a counselling service that specialises in 'cancer counselling'.
22nd November - I started telling family and close friends.
29th November - I had my CT scan appointment.
3rd December - I received the results of my CT scan and biopsies, which confirmed cancer. The CT scan showed that the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. I was told that I now needed another scan (a PET scan) to see how far the nodes had spread, which would then determine what treatment options were available to me. In my CT results appointment I asked if there were clinical trials I could be a part of.
11th December - I had my PET scan appointment.
12th December - I had my fitness assessment to see if I was appropriate for surgery (if it were to be an option).
17th December - I received the results of my PET scan results that informed the medics that surgery was an option.
18th December - I had a meeting with the surgeon who explained what my surgery would entail.
31st December - I had my first meeting with my Oncologist. They explained what type of chemo I would receive, when it would start and how long it will last, side effects, possible risks and answered any questions I had.
4th January - Pre-PICC line assessment. This was basically an information giving meeting where I was told everything you need to know about the PICC line... how it'll be inserted, where it will sit, side effects from the chemo and when to ring the unit if needed. It was a good meeting that eased any anxieties from having a PICC line fitted.
January 6th - Appointment at the fertility clinic to get sperm frozen in case I want kinds in the future.
7th January - The PICC line will be inserted
8th January - Second appointment at the fertility clinic (apparently you can freeze up to 12 samples!! Who knew?!)
9th January - First lot of chemo and discharged with a chemo 'pump' to have the rest of the chemo delivered over the next 24 hours.
10th January - Second day of chemo at home using the pump.
11th January - Chemo pump removed and PICC line flushed.
(To be continued...)