During my recovery and travels, I was asked if I’d like to speak with PepperPassport, a fresh website on food, travel and people. They’ve split the interview over two articles, so take a look below – and check out Amandas’ (AJs) other blogs and articles.
Making cancer wait with Matt Dillon
http://pepperpassport.com/making-cancer-wait-with-matt-dillion/
Baking and busting those cancer food myths
http://pepperpassport.com/baking-and-busting-those-cancer-food-myths/
I had my second set of follow up scans at the end of October 2014. I will continue having these every three months until the doctors decide to make them 6 monthly. My neurosurgeon, Dr Karabatsou, removed as much of the tumour as possible, but unfortunately she could not remove 15-20% of it. Because there is still a tumour in my head, I will continue having these scans to keep an eye on the tumour to identify wen it starts to grow again.
The week between having the scan and learning the results was a very nerve-racking week. I thought I was fine but the closer it got to my doctors appointment, the more anxious I was getting. It is a hard concept to grasp that each scan you go in for could be your last. That this could be when the doctors say my time is up and its too late.
Luckily, this scan will not be my last. From what the doctors could see, the scans show the fluid filled space, where the body of the tumour was, is closing in and what they think is the remaining tumour has stayed constant. The original diagnosis and life expectancy of 3-5 years still stands. It’s like living three months at a time, savouring every moment. I accept my diagnosis, process it, then put it to the back of my mind and live my life.
What is really inspiring me at the moment is when I receive letters from my friends, and very personal messages from close friends like this. I then know that even in my misfortune of having a terminal cancer, by sharing my experiences, others are appreciating their life more.
“I’m so lucky to have a friend like you. You are one of my closest friends. As a result of you getting cancer, I’ve decided that from now on I’m going to tell everyone I love the most just how much I do care for them.”
Another three months off the hook. Another three months of living my life, travelling, socialising, exercising, improving my cognition, looking at going back to work part-time… and most of all – having fun!!!
These are the days that make people feel good. Travelling with good company, to beautiful locations and having amazing experiences. I’m very thankful for Topdeck helping me with extending my adventures. The next two weeks travelling around Europe holds my top two favourite cities and both of my most memorable moments travelling.
Continuing on from my last post, “Travelling around Europe (while managing my fatigue) – the first 2 weeks”.
Saving the best for last… ‘Continue Reading’ by clicking below
Many people may book a Topdeck tour months or even a year in advance. Given my circumstance, I didn’t have that luxury and the doctor advised to just go for the first 2 weeks, not the full 5 weeks. At the start of the second week, I felt like I was keeping the fatigue at bay and could manage it, so asked if I could stay on for 4 weeks. I would still miss the final week as I would have to get back to Manchester for my 6month catch-up with my neurosurgeon, Dr Karabatsou. The amazing team at Topdeck helped me facilitate this and we continued on after Rome (what was meant to be the end of my two weeks), and I stayed with the group continuing to Greece where we kicked on with 3 days of sailing the Greek Islands.
The month of travelling around Europe were some of the best days I could have imagined, and was exactly what I needed to help me recover. Some people joined, others left, but we always had around 40 people on the tour bus and at each camp site. Everyone got along so well and it just made for an extraordinary 4 weeks of travelling Europe. The places we visited are below, not including the 5th week where I was back in Manchester.
Top 3 cities – Dubrovnik (Croatia), Budapest (Hungary) and Florence (Italy)
Country for the best food – hands down, Italy
Most memorable moments – the sunset at Dubrovnik (Croatia) and sailing in Greece
See the last few locations on our trip below for the adventures of my favourite cities/towns.
‘Continue Reading’ by clicking below…
At the first set of follow up scans, the doctor said when my fatigue wears off I am free to travel again. That includes flying!!! It is not the flying that plays havoc on my head, but the takeoff and landing. The cabin pressure change severely affects my intracranial pressure (the pressure in your head) which could cause the onset of seizures.
To help keep my positive attitude going, I wanted to get the travels started immediately and get out there. After being confined for 5 months in recovery and sheltered from the world, I was excited to travel again and start socialising and enjoying my life again. I started my travels with local with a small trip to see friends in Edinburgh for a few days, travelling by train. That seemed to be fine, as long as I slept on the train and had regular sleeps during the day to assist fighting the fatigue. The following week, my good mate Luke moved from Brisbane, Australia, to come and live with me to provide me with support and to travel with me. He uprooted his life in Australia to come live with me, and for this I am truly grateful! The day after Luke landing on UK soil, we were off to Amsterdam for 3 nights. Cheap flights, relatively cheap accommodation through ‘Air BnB’, no plans, we were set! See more below…
