carasandler

02/03/2021

I cycled into St Bartholomew’s this morning and the street opposite the main entrance was lined with paparazzi – I presume waiting to catch a glimpse of me and desperate to hear how I’ve been getting on…

28/12/2020

I slept badly the night before surgery and was glad when the alarm went off. After a shower, Tom made me a big breakfast and I tried to drink as much tea and juice and water as possible, only adding to my feeling of nausea. I arrived at Barts early to check in to theContinue reading “28/12/2020”

20/12/2020

Yesterday was the longest I have gone without receiving chemotherapy for six months now and I feel great! Dealing with the last round of chemo side effects was tough as they had a cumulative effect, but I can gladly say that I feel as though I am over the worst of it now. Tom andContinue reading “20/12/2020”

28/11/2020

Last Tuesday Tom drove me down to London for pre-surgery scans. First I had to go for an MRI with contrast. This is the same scan as I had immediately after I had been given my diagnosis. I remember the first time I went for that scan, I couldn’t stop crying which was a realContinue reading “28/11/2020”

11/11/2020

This chemotherapy lark is really catching up with me. I have spent most of the past few days in bed and when I do eventually make it out of bed, I am horizontal. Usually the first day or two post-chemo I feel relatively good. I take a high dose of steroids for the days before,Continue reading “11/11/2020”

20/10/2020

Another round of chemotherapy done, six down two to go! Tom and I drove down on Thursday afternoon, completely forgetting that I was supposed to go in that day to get my bloods done to check that I’m healthy enough to continue treatment. I blame chemo-brain, I’m not sure what excuse Tom wants to use!Continue reading “20/10/2020”

26/09/2020

My goodness yesterday was long! It was my first day on the new, more targeted, chemotherapy drugs. Tom very kindly offered to drive me into Barts as it was raining. It should only be a 10 minute journey and we set off a whole hour in advance as I hate being late for anything. IContinue reading “26/09/2020”

06/09/2020

Three months in and I’ve made it to the halfway point of my chemotherapy treatment! On Friday I went in for round four of eight. This was also my final round on the drugs doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. For the final four rounds I will be given different more targeted drugs to the HER2 receptors onContinue reading “06/09/2020”

16/08/2020

It has been a busy week! I started off on Monday by driving Tom & Frank to London for an oncology clinic appointment. Luckily, Margot kindly said that she would look after Frank for the afternoon so that Tom could come in to my appointment with me. We met her at Barts and handed overContinue reading “16/08/2020”

28/07/2020

I did it! Or rather, on Thursday evening, Tom made the very brave decision to shave my head. I’m so pleased that I can finally tick that off my bucket list. My head has never felt so cold or so smooth. I’m very happy with the result although I do keep getting confused every timeContinue reading “28/07/2020”