Thursday 29th June was to be my 4th PET scan. I was still not feeling great, really could have done with staying home if I am honest. Still with a chest infection, dodgy tummy and a mouth which feels like there are razor blades in there! I pre-warned Emma that I was probably not at my best. Funnily she didn’t notice nor did she agree haha! Felipe was also along to handle the filming aspects. How strange people act when you rock up with all that camera equipment haha. All formalities having been dealt with we were given as much access as needed, which meant that Emma and Felipe could even film the scan if they wanted, or at least a part of it where they would be allowed in the room. They were even given radiation monitors before I was injected with the radioactive tracer. So if they got to close to me, the beeper would sound, and it did! Hilarious but at the same time so scary right? The team at the Wellington PMC were awesome. Special thanks to Marionette who has assisted with 2 of my scans! Love a South African girl and the accent!

Weekend was good, Nathan was down and Bentley too. We didn’t have much planned but the Pithers Parlour was open for business on Saturday morning for Davey D and Denis. It’s just as well as I was not feeling fabulous as I wanted to. Nevertheless we took Bentley for walks at Cowdray Woods and did a bit more filming with the Go-Pro. It was to be our last weekend of filming and we were focused on Monday and getting the results. To me the weekend felt so long and I was feeling positive and anxious at the same time. Nathan was out in the sun lounger all day Sunday topping up his glorious tan and I must say he looks hot, well I think he does all the time lol. Evenings on the sofa, cuddles with my boys and just watched some good movies. Got to love Netflix and chill, well without the chill for now haha!

Monday has arrived and it’s time to get the train up to London – destination the LOC on Harley Street once again. It’s like a going home. Did I just say that? lol. Time to meet up with the film crew and Nathan was meeting them for the first time too. Standard stuff had my routine blood test which came back all good, which is re-assuring.

We had some issues with getting filming permission which was strange as I had cleared with Dr Marcus’ PA and she said there was no issue. But the LOC were not happy to have anything showing their logo and representing them. We were not advertising for them in any case, this was about a story. Bless Emma and Felipe as they had to jump through a few hoops to be able to make this happen, including showing them everything they had filmed which took forever. I really can’t understand the need to, especially as this is only a good thing for them and what they do, provide the best cancer care. Red tape eh?

While we sitting in the waiting area Dr Marcus came over to speak with Nathan and I  and said to me everything is ok. I thought he meant about the filming haha! He was telling me about my scan, where is my head! Once the penny dropped I said wow thats amazing, and he also said definately no Stem Cell Transplant in my case but we could talk more once we meet shortly. I guess you could say the CHOP chemo worked well for me, even though I can’t say much for how it makes you feel lol. Bad for you is the new good for you!

Once in his office Dr Marcus was able to elaborate more about the additional testing he had requested and the results came back as he had wanted so more reason to stray away from a Stem Cell transplant. He wants me to meet a colleague of his, to look at having radiotherapy to the localised area. He said that there is nothing statistically proving that it would be required in my case but it would give assurance that it would be unlikey to return. I am not a gambler really, prefer a sure shot if I can have one. There are risks of course, and they must be considered, thyroid problems down the line and saliva glands etc. Nothing comes without side effects or risks. I do want a future and I am not interested in any more chemo, fuck me!

Can I just say Dr Marcus is an amazing guy. I really appreciate his experience, expertise and I feel like I am being treated like an individual. Not some statisitic. He has a great bed side manner. My orginal diganosis was chemo and stem cell transplant, no other option, its the standard protocol I was told. We have come a long way from that back in Dec/Jan time. Dr Marcus also was also gracious enough to allow this meeting with us today to be filmed. He was on board. Secretly I think he enjoyed every moment 😉

I also want to express my sincere and special thanks to Kirsty Ettrick and the London Medical Concierge team as without them I would not be where I am today and with the options I have now. Don’t ever be satisfied with the first opinion you get, even the 2nd. I was adamant there was something else out there for me. Luckily thanks to my friend Debbie Elliott I was introduced to Kirsty. In a few hours and days after discussing my case with Kirsty I was in touch with the best, Dr Robert Marcus. Kirsty and I are still constantly in touch, she has become a part of my life. It’s not expensive, it’s well worth the money and time you will save getting connected with the best care available. I will be forever grateful.

http://www.londonmedicalconcierge.com/

I really do think real angels exist. Yes my dear friend KJ, the ones you send too ❤

I would also like to thank everyone who have been in constant touch and so supportive to me during this time. I won’t go on listing everyone here but you all know who you are. It’s one part of the my journey completed and I know the worst has to be over now. The amount of messages I received today and hits on my blog amazes me. I hope I was able to get back to everyone and if not, you are getting the latest here in my blog post.

Strange thing happend on Friday evening. One of my all time favourite singers from Quebec, Diane Tell send me a message via my blog (below) and is now following my blog as I am hers. Very special lady to take the time to write to me. I have been a fan since I was a teenager and been to see her in a few concerts and have all the music she has ever released. Diane you rock! ❤

Until next time. Love and light X X