Some news from Aussiecat

Aussiecat

Well-known user
Feb 27, 2005
909
76
Bath
This is the hardest post I have ever had to write. This has become more than just a mere car club to me and I wanted to pass on some news to friends I have made through the club. I was going to send out individual PMs but then I was worried I would forget someone so now I have decided to do a general post. I needed to tell you why I am keeping my head down for a while, I am not even driving right now.

I realise that many of you do not know me and we have not met, so forgive this post if it does not mean anything to you. But to the very good friends I have here sit down before you read the following!




This is not easy to say but the time has come to tell you some news. I am afraid there is bad news but also there is good news.

I finally got my diagnosis in July as having cancer, but the one I have is non Hodgkin’s lymphoma which has a very good track record of being treatable with chemotherapy. I have had two chemotherapy sessions so far and these have gone well. I have been fortunate enough not to have any bad side effects and already I feel so much better.

The worse thing had been waiting for a diagnosis of what was wrong. In February I had an MRI scan, following by 2 CT scans and then 3 biopsies. All these were unsuccessful in making a diagnosis and as I had to go through the National Health Service everything took ages between the appointments. I then had an operation to remove one of the nodes from the abdomen so they could make a proper examination of it. In the meantime I was feeling worse and worse, more fatigued and the weight was falling off me. (What a way to lose weight)! Since the end of last year I have lost virtually 3 stone (40 lbs) in weight so there was no question that something was very wrong. When I finally was told in July I felt huge relief that we could finally get treatment underway.

Unfortunately I had got to such a low stage that I could not even keep water down, everything came back up again and I was very skinny to say the least! I could even feel the backs of chairs with every bone in my spine – not very pleasant, just goes to show we all need some padding! I was admitted to hospital urgently, they immediately started the rehydration and the next day the chemotherapy. I have to say the staff at Royal United Hospital in Bath have been fantastic, very professional and caring.

Since coming out of hospital I have put on 11 lbs in weight, my appetite has returned and I am feeling more myself again. I now feel very positive about the future once more. I will need 6 or 8 sessions of chemotherapy depending on how I go. I can already tell that some of the lymph nodes are starting to decrease in size as the chemo starts to do its stuff. The sessions are usually 3-4 weeks apart, depending on how you are going and they are satisfied with your blood tests that they take before each session.

There are times between sessions when you do not feel very well but this is small price to pay for good health returning. With any luck I should be clear of cancer by the latter part of this year – wouldn’t that be a wonderful Christmas present?


I realise this will come as a shock to many of you but there is no easy way of telling you. I have been very fortunate in having great support from various friends, I only have to lift the phone and give them a list and back they come with my groceries!


My very best wishes to you all,

Sincerely
Viv xxx
 
Shocked to hear this Viv although very pleased to hear that you are already feeling the benefits of treatment. Really hope it carets on being positive and you get the all clear, the father in law finally got his all clear last week which is massive relief.

Keep the mental side strong as well Viv that is just as important as the physical side.


JJ xx
 
Thanks Guys. I realise how important mental attitude is over this.

I am now very determined not to be beaten and although this sounds strange I am lucky to have this type of cancer because I have now heard of many others who made a complete recovery afterwards. It is not unusual for people as young as their 20's to have this and 25 years later they are still going strong.
 
Well Done Viv.
I know you have been agonising over how to approach this for a while but I'm sure the goodwill of your friends, old and new, will help you through. Lets hope there is now light at the end of the tunnel and your condition will continue to improve.

We're not far away so if there's anything you need please don't hesitate to get in touch.

All the best; Andy, Karen and the boys.
 
A bit lost for words that have not already been said by others Viv, really pleased you have found it early enough to deal with and your getting a positive result from the treatment.
The positive attitude is a real plus.. hang in there and we hope you get the all clear by Christmas.. keep us informed please..

Add & Cat.
 
I've read and re-read this, then typed and deleted several replies. I really don't know what to say or how best to say it.

I've only met you the once, Viv, although I've conversed with you several times via this forum. Your news has come as a shock, I've had a few family incidences with cancer and it's never nice. It sounds like they've caught it reasonably early and you're responding well to the treatment. I could not be more sincere when I say that I truly hope you beat this fully and completely and we're all sat with you at this year's Christmas meal, toasting your good health.

My thoughts are with you Viv, and my cap is doffed that you felt you could share this news with us as a club. I'm positive that I speak for us all, although I'm sure you already know, in saying that we will do our utmost to reciprocate that feeling, be it in moral support online or physical assistance from those of us in your vicinity. This club is more than just a club, it's a family and we look after our own.
 
What can i say Viv? You are obviously giving it the battle it deserves. Let's see you back at 100% again very soon as it sounds like you're on the up already.
All credit to you for even finding the time and courage to sit and type your post.

Alan
 
Terrible news Viv but so glad to hear that you are now getting your life back after all those months of not knowing. You are a very brave lady and I admire your attitude towards your illness. I hope the chemo continues to go well and that all the news from here on in will continue to be positive x
 
Shocked doesn't cover it.

I think you are a wonderful woman and you clearly have the resolve to give you a great chance of beating this.

Love and best wishes
 
Viv i have never met you but my hat goes off to your courage and fighting this,i also hope that you get the very special christmas present . By the sounds of it you have many friends and family willing to help and if ever you feel lonely then just pop in here and i am sure we could cheer you up.

ps many a time you have cheered me up with your jokes

lots of best wishes Mike & family
 
Viv, my heart goes out to most sincerely, having been through the process and eventually losing my mum 10 years ago to a close friend going through very similar in roughly the same timescale, I have had to fight back the tears a bit writing this, as Rich Elliott has posted, as a club we feel very honoured that you could post this on open forum, your latest pics on FB however had spiked a question in my head........sometimes i hate guessing right :-(
But it sounds like you have a good team working to get you through, from the hospital staff, to friends who do your shopping, and from us on here too.
Viv i wish you all the luck in the world fighting this, you have my utmost respect and i will be wishing you better!!!!!
Tony TopCat1127 xxxx
 
Shocked to hear of the battle you have been going through Viv - but fantastic to hear that the news is positive. The very best luck and wishes to you and lets hope that this Christmas is a bloody good one for you, your friends and family when santa delivers that 'all clear' (y)

John and Kathy xx
 
Hey Viv like others have said I'm shocked at your news..... There really is nothing more I can add that others haven't already said... So keep smiling and stay positive and you will beat this.....
Sending hugs from all the Mansell household.
 
Thank you for making that brave post Viv.
That's really terrible news.
We lost my father in law to cancer in February so we know how this disease can slowly destroy life.

I'm glad you're responding well to treatment and admire your courage and optimism.
Keep it up!

Both Mo and I (and Junior) wish you a full and speedy recovery.
 
To keep it brief, I've endured the loss of 2 people that were very close to me to cancer. The effect on me the first time was very very hard as it was my aunt who was not much older than me and left behind 5 young children. She'd been giving it her all in the fight for 10 strong years after initially being told she may only have a year or so. If there's one thing that I learned from that it was that the sheer determination she had and the PMA she applied to her life was astounding.

In your case it sounds as if everything is under control and that the road to full health isn't a very long one. From the depths of my heart I wish you well and that full recovery and remission Are things that happens much sooner rather than later. I thank you for sharing this with everybody, really can't have been easy.

You stick at it Viv, you're made of proper tough stuff and this is just another one of those little life tests that you're gonna fly through.

All our love and best wishes,

Kully, Becky and Karishma :) x x
 
You have my best wishes Viv, you seem to be a very strong woman, I am sure with your outlook on this you will not only beat it, you will come through it a stronger, better woman for it.
Good luck and I hope to see you in the future x x x