My lovely gorgeous wife, who I married in September, was diagnosed with breast cancer (2 types in her right breast) a month after we got married. She had breast cancer and reconstruction in her left breast 11 years ago (long before I knew her). She had a full mastectomy and reconstruction in December plus lymph node removal as a precaution. No radiation or Chemotherapy required (both were required with her left breast). We were over the moon as was the breast care team.
But then things started to go wrong.
Anne just was not well. Very tired. Temperatures and violent shivers. The worst coughing fits I've ever heard (probably caused by a rescue cat that we took on; although who ultimately prompted the full diagnosis).
Anne had various x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, full body scans. As a result she was diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer. Even more alarmingly this has seemed to spread very quickly. Firstly we were told it was in her spine, then her ribs, her pelvis and her femurs. On Monday a doctor told us it was "everywhere". The breast care team and oncology have been very proactive; Orthopedics have been frustratingly (I would suggest bordering on negligently) slow as it doesn't seem they're bothered about the cancer. It's been suggested she might need hip replacements, and even femur strengthening or replacement.
I had to call an ambulance for Anne on Monday as she has a high temperature and was delirious. The paramedics measured her temperature at 39.5 degrees. She was admitted immediately.
It transpires Anne now has sepsis and they're trying to control her temperature and use antibiotics to fight the infection (apparently a rare Group B streptococcal infection).
We're very close and talk just about everything. However, I'm trying to stay strong for her, but find when by myself I am a quivering wreck. I'm so scared that I might loose Anne. If she survives for a number of years it's going to have a massive impact on our lives (which doesn't particularly worry me), but I find I simply can't switch from caring for Anne to trying to earn money. I'm self-employed as a business development manager (sales), but simply can not switch mind sets. Money is tight to say the least.
To further compound things, we live in an old canal workers cottage with very steep and narrow stairs; its just simply not going to work going forward.
I guess I'm writing this mainly to offload. But any constructive ideas would be much appreciated.
Dan
