I know its been awhile since my last blog, so I thought I should write one to bring you up to speed on the past few weeks.
At the end of my last blog I said how we were going to Disney On Ice. Well we went and it was great the kids really enjoyed it. Especially after the show when one of my friends, Vicky Black, who skates in Disney On Ice in the US had organised a meet and greet with the characters after the show. Sophie was in her element dressed in her Mini Mouse costume. Sam was a little held back, but loved it too. When we had finished taking pictures and were walking away Sophie was looking behind her watching the characters go, so she wasn’t looking were she was going and she walked into a Wet Floor cone. It was quite funny.
Two days after Disney On Ice we went to Belfast for just over a week. Sam always hates the drive up to Cairnryan as it takes 5 hrs, then 2 hrs on the boat. But we got there without too many ‘Are we there yets?’. But when on the boat they are happy just to play in the play area. We stayed with my brother and his wife and caught up with a lot of friends and family. The one person who I wanted to see most of all was my 98 yr old Nana. She recently moved into a home after falling back in May. She is looking great and I’m happy to see that she is settled. It was a bit emotional seeing her, for the both of us to be honest. I also had a catch up with friends that I used to ice skate with, rep with in Majorca and go to school with. I know there were a lot of people that wanted to catch up with me and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to.
I did have a trip down memory lane and went to Dundonald Ice Rink, which is the place I basically lived at for most of my youth, as not only did I train there I also worked there for a bit. It was great to see so many familiar faces and they are all as lovely as always.
My hair also started to fallout whilst in Belfast. Each day I woke up and had a shower there was more and more on my pillow and in the bath. I was crying and Sophie came up to me and hugged me and said don’t worry mummy if your hair falls out tomorrow and your sad call me ok!! Shes such a cutie pie.
On the way back, as we were sailing down Belfast Lough it hit me that this could have been the last time I was over. That got me upset.
We got back on Saturday evening and on Sunday morning more of my hair had fallen out. I couldn’t take waking up every morning to the hair on my pillow and decided to take how my hair falls out into my own hands. So I made the decision to shave it. I haven’t gone completely mad, but had a number 3 all over. I’m finding it a lot better to deal with and may opt for a zero at some point.
On Monday I was back to hospital to get some fluid drained of my tummy, as it has been quite big and hard. Which means that I can’t really eat much and get very uncomfortable. They managed to drain over 3 litres off my tummy and although its not flat it is better than it was. On top of that I felt like I was coming down with a cold, which was worse the following day as I was sick and had a temperature. But luckily after some paracetamol my temperature came down and on Tuesday evening I was able to go home.
On Wednesday I went to the hospital for my second Chemo but it was decided that because of my cold it would be best to leave it for a week. So I have been at home recovering with warm drinks and resting.
Just to finish off some of the mums from Fradley, the village were I live, are doing a 10 mile walk. They are doing this as they have been touched by what I am going through and asked who I’d like the money raised to go to. So they are walking on behalf of Cancer Research UK. If anyone is interested in donating no matter how small please go to http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/tenmilewalk
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4 Comments
Yay its working now! It’s been lovely hearing all about your past couple of weeks with Dinsey on Ice and Belfast. Sophie is such a sweetie looking after you getting upset about your hair, bless her. As always I had a tear in my eye whilst reading your blog. It really is very inspirational Katie, and you are certainly touching a lot of people with what you are going through and the amazing way in which both you, Stuart and your family are dealing with it. It may not feel like it at times, but you really are doing amazing and we are all behind you every step of the way x x x
Hi Katie!
I just wanted to let you know that you have been in my thoughts since I was made aware of your condition whilst talking to your brother, Chris, one evening after a bowls game in August.
Chris gave me some of the background and mentioned that you were making a blog to make people aware of this awful disease. Tonight is the first time I have actually seen the blog, from a link in his Facebook page.
I really admire your honesty and positivity that you have are are showing – from personal experience I know that is not an easy thing to be able to do. I understand (in many ways) exactly what you are going through – you are facing all the hurdles with great bravery, yet I kinow it is also very scary for you and it is important to have the support of your family and friends and others around you.
On 3rd September 2010, at 11am I met with a specialist who told me (in front of my wife) that I had bowel cancer. That afternoon I was to play in a semi final of an Irish bowls Triples game at my home club, Old Bleach. Suddenly my life was turned upside down and all my priorities came sharply into focus. I was beginning a very daunting journey.
There are probably 2 ways you can deal with news like this – you keep it to yourself and try to deal with it privately, or you share with others and seek their support, not pity. After telling my family, I decided that it would be easier forr me to deal with by sharing – with my friends, fellow teachers and bowlers. I used Facebook to update people on how things were going – from the initial radiotherapy, bursts of chemo. and then my bowel operation in Jan. 2011 when I got a stoma. I was given follow up chemo for about 3 months and got back to work on a phased return in June 2011.
I was pleased to have overcome the initial bowel trouble, but in my Jan. scan in 2012 there was an “anomoly” which had to be further investigated, with a MRI scan. This led on to a PET scan where it was definitely established that I now had a pinprick of cancer on my liver. Back into hospital again, having the right hand side of my liver removed, in April 2012. After a period of time off work again, I have just been given the “all clear” in my most recent CT scan, allowing me to go back to work next Monday (12th nov.) on another phased return. It has been a long 26 month journey, but one where I have appreciated the support and prayers of so many good friends and family – I just cant thank them enough!
I have tried to stay positive throughout this ordeal and am so pleased that you are doing the same. Having read your blog, you are actually an inspiration to me, with your honesty, openness and positivity – please never under estimate how important those qualities are – both to your own well being as well as to others.
I hope you don’t mind me coming on your blog and sharing my own personal experiences with you – if you are anything like me, it’s just important to know you are not “unique” in what you are going through – it’s “not fair” is something I’m sure you feel.
I wish you all the best in your ongoing treatment – i genuinely feel very humbled to have had the opportunity to read your story and will be keeping a close eye on you in the future!!
All the very best with your chemotherapy, Katie, 🙂
Hi Katie,I’m Natalies other half 🙂 I love reading your blog as it shows how positive you are and you ARE an absolute inspiration to others. It also shows how you are really enjoying your time with Sam,Sophie and Stewart. After all life is about NOW,not the past not the future but now. I can imagine that you hair falling out can be quite distressing but you can join my club if you want as mines been falling out for 20 years 🙂 at least you can go to grade 3 🙂
Keep being positive and I’ll look forward to your next blog!!
Kind regards, Gary
I am following your story katie–always so happy for you and your lovely family when you blog about a positive experience that has happened..Disney sounded great! I have never been but it looks wonderful for children (and adults!) I know that losing your hair will be hard–but-hair doesnt make you the person that you are—Sean Connery doesnt have hair–think about how many people think he is handsome etc!! Seriously ,Katie and family—you are such an inspirational family–we have friends in similar situations to yourselves—thnking of you xx