Six-month clear

This last week was quite busy. The highlight however was on Tuesday when I've received the six-month "all clear". After some blood tests the week before, Dr. Jones, my oncologist, seemed very satisfied with the results. The medication I am taking, and in all probability for the next 20 months, has it's side effects. This is medication prescribed for breast cancer patients as well as woman struggling to fall pregnant. I can see and feel the effects as my cycle follows it's hormonal journey every month. But, my doctor wasn't ready for me to just stop using it and for the time being I just have to cope with the slight discomfort.

I felt very anxious the day before the appointment - you just never know what the results are going to say. It was a great relief to hear her say "everything is fine and the blood results look great". She confirmed yet again that my results after the operation, which was a pathological complete remission, is the best possible result you can hope for. Auxiliary involvement (the amount of lymph nodes also affected by cancer) is a very good indicator for future recurrence. The more nodes involved, the bigger the changes. Literature suggest that with four or more lymph nodes effected, your chances of recurrence or even metastases (when the cancer spreads to other body parts like the liver or bones) jumps to 60%. In my situation we do not know how many nodes where initially involved, but only that they (or maybe just one...) tested positive. The pathology report however shows a good and positive outcome with regards to recurrence.

But with the days in between we feel very home sick, especially when experiencing the Soccer World Cup from so far away. Yet, we feel so proud so be South African in these trying times. We're having a family long weekend in a UK CenterParcs resort (Longleat, close to Bath), It's similar to an up market Aventura resort - a lovely facility where you can get back to nature, ride a bike all weekend long and just relax.

Today was also my middle sister Karien's thirtieth birthday (Happy, Happy!) as well as my dear friend Santie's little Sune's third birthday. And it is just days like these that you wish you were so much closer to home. I miss all of them dearly!

Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy the soccer - or football as we refer to it here in the UK ;-)