Dear Jo,

Have only just read your post and want to give you a big hug friend.No need for apologies from you as you have been such a giver on here so our turn to listen.

Would also offer to rub your chest to make sure you've got it all off.LOL.

It's the classic the good news and the bad news syndrome.

We don't want some of each in this situation thank you, we just want good news.

So it's very understandable that you left hospital rather deflated.

That said it's time to pull yourself up again and takle the next stage.

Once you've had the scans and heard from the MDT I am sure you'll feel more positive as you will know the direction you will be taking.

and we will be here routing for you my friend, or even rooting.!!!!

Speak soon and anytime.

hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel,

Thank you for your lovely words and the offer to rub my chest to get it all off!

Having had today to 'get a grip' and realise that I need to keep things in perspective, I feel much calmer and just want to get on with the next phase of the journey!

I have a day off tomorrow and I'm going to give the specialist nurse a call and let her know I can get to hospital if any cancellations become available!

As I said to Lorraine and Hope, I function better with a plan in place! Maybe I'm a bit compulsive, but it would help to know whether we can book a holiday in October or whether I need to tell the head teacher to book some supply cover for me etc! Maybe 'organised' is a better description!

I hope your London visit went well and you had a lovely celebration of little Ava's first birthday! Will PM you soon.

Love and hugs, Jo xx

Hi everyone,

As always, a huge thank you for your supportive posts!

Annabel, last night's scan was fine - an hour later than scheduled, but fine!

I had only been saying to colleagues how this particular hospital always manages to keep to the appointment times given! Famous last words! A glitch with the computer system meant that the radiographers didn't know the types of scans each patient should be having (unless the patients had brought their letters with them!) Ah, technology   My partner had to shoot off home as he'd left a joint in the oven, supposedly to be enjoyed when we got home! Thankfully, he saved it in time and it was very welcome when we finally got in at 9.00

I asked when the results would be available and was advised it would be 10 to 14 days. I know the PET results from last week are already available (2 days after the scan) so it's a bit frustrating to know half the info is there!

Hey ho, there's plenty of things to sort out at work to keep me distracted!

Will keep you posted when I hear the results,

Love and hugs to you all, Jo xx

Hi Jo,

I've just read through your post, I'm starting to find my way around a bit more now!

What a lovely person you are, going through the journey you're on and still posting supportive things to me on my posts.

The community here is amazing, in every sense of the word.

Carolyn xx

Good to hear you finally got your scan and dinner!!  Ahh  technology- amazing when it works, pain when it fails.  Glad work will keep you occupied pending results - such is the waiting game grr.

Having said that make sure you 'rest' as well.

I was amazed when went to hubby's GP this morning. We got there with a few minutes before due time (hubby not one for sitting around in waiting rooms and I laughingly said 'you never get seen on time anyway') and I had just planted my bot on seat (he had not even sat down) when doc appeared and called us in. First time for everything ha ha.

Thanks for your continuing support Jo, especially when you have so much going on yourself.  Chat again soon.Jules xx

Hi everyone,

Just back from the hospital for the latest scan results.

It would seem that the PET scan showed a new 'hotspot' in my abdomen. I had been experiencing some abdominal discomfort just recently, and when I discussed this with the surgeon today, that's where this new lesion is.

He wants to operate soon, but whatever he 'finds' when he operates, will determine whether he refers me on to the lung specialists. He explained that the PET scan only shows resolution of hotspots larger than 1cm so he can't be certain that he won't find further, smaller lesions. Once he's operated and determined whether the cancer is, in his words, 'behaving' or 'not behaving' he can decide about referral.

This op is relatively small compared to the last two I've had, so he doesn't anticipate a long hospital stay or even being on HDU this time

I hope to get a date through in a few days.

I feel remarkably calm about it all, but a bit dismayed that it's another hurdle to overcome before either the lung surgery or stoma reversal ops can go ahead!

But, as so many of you advocate, one step at a time!

Hugs to all you forum buddies,  Jo xx

Hi Jo

Thanks for your update though a shame you have to face another mini op before proceeding with other planned treatments.  How do you keep that wonderful sense of humour?  Sounds like your consultant is well on the ball and hopefully you will have a date through sooner rather than later so he can deal with the hotspot blighter. Did you ask for them to fit you in during half term break, I wonder?  Sorry you  have a small 'hedge' to jump before your next 'hurdles' but am sure you can win the race.  Sending load of virtual hugs.Jules x

Hi Jules,

Thanks for your kind words. I will confess to the sense of humour not always being apparent, but on the whole, I try to be upbeat . . .  I know how much this helps my nearest and dearest! It tends to be my partner who sees my melt downs though!

I hold on to the fact that today, the doctor said he would continue to offer (or refer me for)  any appropriate surgery as long as he is able to. (And as long as the biology of my cancers support surgery.) He says I'm not curable, but treatable.

It's fair to say I'm anxious about the next op because of the 'unknowns' that may be lurking, but fingers crossed it's just another little hedge and not Beecher's Brook!

As for dates, it would be great if it tied in with half term, but already, the Head has reduced my teaching commitments and allowed me to concentrate on the special needs aspects of my job (just as well as there have been recent amendments to the SEN guidelines and it means a few changes to get my head around!) I think the Head rightly anticipated that my head may be full of other things over the past few weeks. I'm so lucky in my workplace!

Thanks for your continued support and all those hugs, Jules.

Hugs returned to you, Jo xx

Morning Jo

It so helps when the workplace can be adaptive to your needs (I have been offered 6mths unpaid leave if I need it at anytime) and lovely that you have a sensible 'head' who reacts to your changing situation.  Keep hold of your 'treatable' status and.of course, anxiety is tobe expected (meltdowns too) but continuing love and support of family and friends (virtual buddies too) are alongside your journey (as is your ongoing support for people including myself on this forum).  Hope your medical team are able to keep you feeling comfortable with pain control  and I am happy to listen to any necessary 'offloading rant/ramble' to keep you company.

As you know our family situation is a little different so I rarely have a meltdown with the other half (though I wish he would release some of his feelings so I could offer comfort) but I too am lucky in having supportive children (we help each other), workmates (they have been the tissue providers on occasions) and a couple of really good mates (plus this unbelievable forum) to keep me 'on the level'.   We all know that there is nothing easy about dealing with illness but having others beside you helps with the coping mechanisms.  Take care and have a good day. hugs Jules x

Hi Jo,

I was so sorry to read that you are facing another op, however on a positive note sounds like you have a good consultant who will continue to operate to ensure the cancer continues to behave.  You have faced so much and remain so upbeat, you are truly inspirational.  Wishing you lots of luck and best wishes for your next treatment and please keep in touch.  Hope x

Oh Jo,

I am sorry to hear about your latest problem. I love what you said about Beechers Brook and it just proves to me me that you still have that wonderful sense of humour even when you have just had bad news. Good for you Jo for I'm sure it helps. You know your forum buddies are wishing you well and are here for you just as you have been here for us

Sending big hugs, Brian.

Morning Jo,

Sorry I hadn't seen this thread earlier.

Dissappointed, with you, that you have to have further unexpected surgery.

As you say we advocate one step at a time but when new items are pushed into the agenda it seems rather unfair.

So it's just a little hop over a hedge for you this time. Not anything too grand like Beeches brook. !!!! LOL.

Your head sounds a very thoughtful person like yourself.

I am glad she is there for you and obviously keeping an eye on you.

Well I hope you get the op soon (and obviously half term would be convenient) and that it is easy to recover from.

How's that lovely man of yours?

And how's your little pup who no doubt is no longer little but no doubt still puppyish.

Will be here for you whenever you need.

Love and hugs

Annabel. xx

Morning Jo,

Sorry I hadn't seen this thread earlier.

Dissappointed, with you, that you have to have further unexpected surgery.

As you say we advocate one step at a time but when new items are pushed into the agenda it seems rather unfair.

So it's just a little hop over a hedge for you this time. Not anything too grand like Beeches brook. !!!! LOL.

Your head sounds a very thoughtful person like yourself.

I am glad she is there for you and obviously keeping an eye on you.

Well I hope you get the op soon (and obviously half term would be convenient) and that it is easy to recover from.

How's that lovely man of yours?

And how's your little pup who no doubt is no longer little but no doubt still puppyish.

Will be here for you whenever you need.

Love and hugs

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel,

So lovely to see your post.

My lovely man is being as lovely as ever! We went out for lunch today (my treat, giving him a day off from the kitchen, haha! )

We worked out it was nearly a year since we'd been out for a meal - mainly due to my 'stoma anxieties' but I'm much more confident about it these days - good job, as I get to keep it for at least a few months more!

Paddy the pup is pretty big now. I really hope he's stopped growing as he's certainly big enough as he is! He's still a very bad traveller and gets car sick when we take him anywhere! Not ideal as our families live 90 miles away!

I hope you're ok and not overdoing things at the cottages!

I'll PM you soon, but in the meantime, I'm off for a canter to get some training in for this next hurdle!

Love and hugs to you, Jo xx