Back to Work!

Hi folks,

I had surgery on Friday (19th Sept) to put in the tissue expander. It was just day case which was nice (shame they don't do it in the Day Surgery yet though, then my friends could have looked after me!). I went in at 07:30am and had to wait until 12:30pm for my op!!!!! Mr Desai came round and drew all over me and I looked like a dressmaker's doll with dotted lines everywhere. He measures across my chest, to align the boobs I guess.

As usual I didn't mind the anaesthetic bit, they gave me some Midazolam which is a lovely drug that just makes you a bit floaty before they gave me the actual 'put you to sleep' one when I totally conked out in a matter of seconds!

I went in to Surgical Admissions (the old ENT ward) and afterwards was transferred to Surgical 7. I remember waking up in recovery and Sheree from work was there which was nice - a friendly face! I struggled to keep my eyes open though.
And indeed for the rest of the day I struggled with talking/eyes open stuff! I just wanted to sleep. Ashley's Dad's wife Lynn came in to see me as she works in the hospital and then later Ash came in too and stayed with me, The nurse looking after me was a bit dippy and wasn't sure whether I was supposed to be going home or not. Well I WAS! There was no way I was staying overnight, what a waste of a bed for one thing - I was fine to go home. Mum came and picked us up although I had to get Ashley to push me in a chair to the car as I still felt a bit wobbly.

Got home - straight to bed and up late on Saturday. Felt a bit light headed still on Saturday but it wore off eventually. Actually felt a bit like a hangover - well it was - an anaesthetic hangover.

Saturday Ashley also told me some bad news - he had had a phone call from work on the Friday informing me that I have been overpaid and that I would not being getting my wages on Wednesday but would just be on Statutory Sick Pay. That means I will be getting about £250 a month. Not nearly enough to live on - not enough to even pay my HALF of the rent, let alone all the other bills. So that was a bit of a blow and a pain as there was nothing we could do about it over the weekend apart from worry.
In reality what it means it that instead of having 4-6 weeks recovery from this operation, I am going to have to go back to work this week. That's a bit pants but if that's how it's got to be then that's how it's got to be. I would have gone back the last few weeks but the unit had moved because of building works and I had no where to actually go.
Anyway, I don't mind too much but now I am going to have to work hard because every penny counts. At least I am not feeling quite so tired as before, the chemo has really worn off now.

So much so in fact that Ash and I did a six mile hike last week! We walked from Orpington all the way up to Biggin Hill to have dinner at his Dad's. It was a really good walk and I didn't stop or slow down too much so I am definitely getting better!

We also have new - we have a new cat at the moment. He is called Winnie and is OLD, anywhere from about 17-20. He needs rehoming as his present owner is moving back to New Zealand. We are trialling him out with Dora as we are not sure how they will get on. They have been hissing and growling a bit at each other but no fur flying as yet. He is pretty chilled out actually, it's just about whether she will accept him.

That's all for now, I'm going to get dressed now and then my friend Gemma is coming over for the day.

Lots of love
Liz
xxx

Ballooning Pictures (in backwards order!)

A Normal Life

Hello,

A little update to let you all know that I am doing well - the hair is growing back in full force now and I had my first hair cut last week from Emma as I was starting to look a bit messy around the ears!

Good news! Emma (Ashley's sister) gave birth to her first child on Sunday so we had a cuddle. It was a boy, 9.6lb, no name yet! He is lovely, as we didn't know what he was before the birth we haven't been able to buy anything but now we can go and buy funky clothes and toys for him etc. Congratulations Emma and Steve!!!!!

I am still working away at the eBAying. It is getting more exciting as we have more visibility online now so more people are seeing and buying (and spending more) on our stuff! It keeps me out of trouble which is the main thing and I am getting out of the house most days instead of mooching about in my dressing gown.

I do miss being at work in the hospital and can't wait to get back to my friends and colleagues although I am not looking forward to the exhaustion of work again. I will get a phased return i.e. I will be broken back in slowly. But that is only for 6 weeks and then it's back to normal. Apparently it takes about a year to return to full fitness after an illness like cancer. I can't NOT go back to work so I think it is one of those situations where I will have to be really aware of how I feel and make sure I don't overdo it. I have a tendency to push myself and have a real problem saying 'no' to people so I will have to REALLY watch myself.

First week of Slimming World went well - I lost 3lb which is OK. I have relaxed into it a bit this week and am actually quite enjoying the challenge of doing more cooking and trying to make our favourite dinners more healthy! Ashley is doing it too now, officially. He joined up last week but luckily there was ONE other man there so they could give each other moral support! He doesn't have very much weight to lose. Also as he is now cycling to work on his new shiny bike he is doing the exercise program. He is so going to get more certificates and stickers and things than me!!!!!!!!! The challenge is on!
One little note about the new bike - it's MASSIVE! I tried to get on it and had to go up about 3 stairs before I could even attempt to get my leg over - and then my feet didn't touch the pedals properly!

Check out the hair!



Lots of love

Liz
xxx