July 2020

Okay, so here we are month 7 of 12...bring it on!

Wednesday 1st

I was supposed to go for my pelvic scan today.  I was also meant to accompany Mum to her cancer check up (which was a-okay, back again in 1 year).  Very convienient they were at same place on same day!  But alas, I am instead in bed feeling like crappola!

Thursday 2nd

If you read the June post, you would already know what happened today.  

But for those that didn't, firstly here's a raspberry!

Secondly... Great news, the Covid-19 test results were NEGATIVE! 

But on the not so great side, I'm still coughing up my lungs and struggling to breathe, despite preventers and regular ventolin. 

It's got me thinking you know, imagine if I was still smoking!!!  How the heck did I used to do it?!?  

And on that note, I am now 7 months smoke free.  Do I still feel like one, you betcha!  But, I won't, because I'm strong enough to withhold, and besides they stink LOL.

My quit buddy stats for today!

Monday 6th

Feeling a bit better so I finally managed to get my pelvic scan done in Ballarat hospital today.  Can't say it was a pleasurable experience.

Holding onto a litre of pee for a bumpy 45 minute drive was hard enough LOL.

Monday 13th

Had Gyno appointment via telehealth today.  Bottom line, he agrees with the recommendation from my oncologist (Prof. Bruce Mann) at the Familial Cancer Centre to remove my ovaries and tubes.  I have a face to face appointment on 5th August to fill in paperwork and get the ball rolling.  When in there we'll discuss the cervical follow up stuff too.

Term 3 started today (for regional kids only)!  I however, have decided to keep the boys home.  I just don't trust what is happening with Covid-19 at the moment - especially considering we are all classed as high risk.  It just doesn't make sense to me that metropolitan areas are in lock down and yet, metro people can attend/teach at our regional school.  I mean, no offence to them, but my Mum (a metro) can't visit for at all, but the students/teachers can be around my boys for 6+ hours a day...go figure right!?!

Tuesday 14th

My fur babies had their boy bits snipped today.  They did really well, although have been acting a bit cray cray since returning home - nutters!

On the way to the vets, curious kitties.

Back home again!  I think we either need a bigger carrier, or a second one.  Mindyou, they love snuggling close together.

Wednesday 15th

Today we were up and on the road bright and early, to make it into the RMH ready for an 8.40am appointment.

It may have been just a little bit chilly, and foggy too; a beautiful masterpiece of orange haze.

Have to admit that we were nervous about going into the RMH, but saftey proceedures were in place which allowed us to feel a  smidge more relaxed.

I saw Satomi this time (female surgeon).  The lump in my leg was again drained with a huge ass needle, although it was a completely different experience to the last.  No lollypop, and leg held by doctor while nurse drained the leg.  Talk about gentle!  

The lump in foob is necrotic fatty tissue.  Have to say it is a major head f%@& to find a lump after removing breasts because of lumps eeekkk!  I should say, find another lump; this one is at the side near my arm pit and I found it because of the deep shooting pain that goes through it.

Talking about pain, the nerve pain I'm experiencing in my foobs is called Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome.  Ofwhich, I am already pretty much doing all I can for it, but if it gets too unbearable I can be referred to a specialist.

For most part every thing looks great and recovery is going really well given the bigger picture!

I have to say, it was nice being asked how I am doing, and feeling as though I was really heard.

The Covid-19 check point at the Bacchus Marsh exit.  Quite a few cars were pulled over however, we were the lucky ones who were waved through.  I did tell you that Melbourne is in lock down stage 3 yeah?  Regional is not, hence the check point to make sure only locals come into town - other than those who have medical reasons, or work commitments.

Thursday 16th

I had a psychology session today.  Something that is really synchronistic, is she summed everything up for me in one word...resillience!  I told her all about my blog and how I had chosen that as my word for myself also, she was as 'blown away' as I.  

I worked through 9 modules on helping health anxiety before the session, and there were a couple of key points I took from each, but nothing earth shattering.  Anyway, I have one session of my six bulk billed left; we have scheduled it for three months time.  Maybe I will have something to talk about and need help with, maybe I won't.

Friday 17th

I had physio today, but due to feeling like crappola (TTOTM) it was more like a debrief.  Nothing added, or eliminated from my exercise prescription, but a slight modification made.  Which reminds me, I will blog about my physio exercises one of these days, if for no other teason than to document it.  I should have remembered to do before and after videos...oh well, still lots of improvement to be made.

Monday 27th

As we are regional the department will not approve the school assisting with remote learning (some teachers did and for that I am thankful).  Also the boys need to achieve a certain attendance percentage to pass.  So, basically my hand has been forced to send the boys back to school today!  Not happy, but I don't think it will be for long...stage 3 or 4 coming our way I feel, I hope!  

Have to say I did have several sleepless nights grappling with whether it was actually best to just send them back to school, or not!  But I decided to focus on the pros, such as: they get a proper education, and get to participate in the hands-on subjects they like and have been looking forward to doing.  They will pass the year they are in and won't have a fail looming overhead, due to not achieving attendance percentage, and completing assessment tasks.  My guilt of not being able to adequately homeschool will be reduced.

I will be honest, I'm still not 100% at ease with my decision, but I've decided to take it day by day.  In all honesty, Moorabool cases are low, so my cons are more fear based but real all the same.

Tuesday 28th

The boys had the day off to do course counselling interviews today to pick their subjects for 2021.  With all this covid-19 stuff it is so hard to visualise anything other than what we are experiencing in the now.  Regardless of this, we plan ahead.  Ace has decided to take the vcal route and do a certificate II in Building and Construction.  Jazz surprised me by saying he wishes to become a mechanic.  

As long as both live with good moral standards, I don't mind what they choose to do as long as they are happy.

Wednesday 29th

I had a telehealth appointment with the RMH plastics team this morning.  Seems that on top of the surgery Dean has booked me in for, Satomi wants another tissue transfer op.  Hmmm I'm a little confused.  Not like its going to happen in a hurry though, as Covid-19 has put a hold on elective surgery here in Vic, unless emergency (life or death) category 1.  It's a little disappointing, but the positive is I get to fully recover and hopefully drop the recovery kgs I've gained from being a sloth!  

Besides that, with everything going on at the moment its scary enough going to hospital for an appointment, let alone being in there for a couple of days.

Friday 31st

And just like that another month is behind us.  I've not really expressed my 'feelings' much in this post, but believe me I've experienced all the 'feels'.  I've blogged about some of them, but to be real with you I am a little hesitant to post.  Mind you, the whole point of this blog is to keep it real; to be raw and unscripted...so maybe I will be brave.  Maybe!