08/10/20 – A Bertie Blip – 3yrs 2mths

Uncategorized

Hello its me again – you haven’t heard from me for months which is a good sign!

I hope you have all kept safe and well during this desperate year. I just have a little update for you.

A week into lockdown, I started suffering chronic back pain, turning acute and as of now remaining chronic. That same week I suffered 4 days of COVID symptoms – persistent cough and trouble breathing, a week after returning from a COVID hotspot in Austria. This happened again at the end of August. Both times COVID test was negative. Also a small swelling in my neck.

I didn’t have my normal review with the Doc in April as everything was cancelled, so it was not until early September I actually had a review with him by phone. I haven’t had anything to report to him since finishing Chemo and and Radiotherapy in early 2018. So the things above were enough to prompt him to order an urgent CT Scan, although my blood counts have just crept into the lowest level of acceptability. Oh my, this is alarming , the panic setting in immediately. It seems as if something is up, maybe Bertie has sprung into life and has seeped into my bones. I always knew this day would come, it was just a question of when. My imagination ran wild and I assumed I would be one of those patients whose cancer had advanced because of COVID delays.

I had the scan nearly 3 weeks ago now and only got the results yesterday after chasing them down.

It seems I have degenerated lumbar discs, exacerbated by RCHOP chemo (remember all my broken bones). So I along with a good proportion of the population I have a bad back and there’s things I can do to mitigate this. Apparently I also have a Sentinel Loop, an intestinal inflammation. Because I am suffering no issues with this, they aren’t going to investigate further, although I’m minded to disscuss this with my GP.

The main outcome though of the Scan is that there is no evidence of Lymphoma beween my nose and knees. I can’t tell you what a relief this is to hear – its been a fraught 3 weeks. I live to fight another day.

Just thought you’d all like to know.

Tina xx

Published

20 thoughts on “08/10/20 – A Bertie Blip – 3yrs 2mths”

  1. Tina,
    OMG another fraught time for you but so pleased that you are covid free and that the scan was clear. Chronic back pain is literally a pain in the back. Thinking of you and hoping that you can do something to alleviate the pain…… Take care stay safe
    Love to you both
    Sarah
    xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Hi Tina, glad to hear that the scare is over…time for a glass or two of wine to celebrate methinks. How’s the general road back to some sort of fitness going? All the best, Jim & Marie xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. I’m so relieved for you Tina. Great news about the scan, and at least you know why bits if you are playing up now. Take care and huge hugs to you both. Jxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Hello Tina, So pleased to hear that the news , when you eventually got it, was good.Sorry to hear about the worry about is, or is it not Covid. It is an awful time of worry and uncertainty and this virus is super crafty. It hides in corners and seems to want to shout “Boo” sometimes without being caught. I shield myself from the world out there as much as I can, figuring out that I have enough to bother about without a virus poking its nose in. I seem to keep well most days with just the skin mets. a problem although my oncologist says it is not life threatening .It just sits there reminding me every day that I still have an active breast cancer. Something I could do without!! Still I am glad of every day come rain or shine. It was my 77th birthday last week and I wonder every day ” How did that happen?” because I am only 32 in my head. But thankful and happy to still be here. I am as busy as I can be planting bulbs for next year and determined to see them bloom. My time is spent reading a lot and sometimes just sitting a lot! and Netflix of course is my saviour. I can lose myself in films that make me laugh and dramas that intrigue me and I can forget the worries of the world at present. I feel so sad for the students who are having a bad time, not what they wanted.It must be so difficult for them. Both my daughters are involved with university intakes and are both working from home,one at Sheffield uni and one in Leeds but the work that they have had to do to accommodate the students, to re write the curriculum to make it suitable for non contact /email production has been enormous. Indeed nigh on impossible. It is a challenge that has never happened before so no pattern to follow or no good practice to help only what they can devise. Such difficulties faced by academia and is unprecedented. However it is good for them and a great relief that they still have a job! So good to hear from you and so pleased that you are Ok. We are strong women aren’t we? and as such should be so proud of ourselves and very grateful, of course, to our Health system ,warts and all. Keep well, keep in touch, and all best wishes GillX

    On Thu, Oct 8, 2020 at 11:21 AM Bertie the Bombshell wrote:

    > tmurray478 posted: ” Hello its me again – you haven’t heard from me for > months which is a good sign! I hope you have all kept safe and well during > this desperate year. I just have a little update for you. A week into > lockdown, I started suffering chronic back pain, tu” >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Gill, good to hear from you, I’ve just found your email – sent to an old address, so I’ll reply to that. x

      Like

      Reply

  11. Tina I am so sorry , I wish I could be there with you, but that is not possible, I hope you can get some relief.
    Oh you poor girl, you dont deserve all this .
    I hope you can cope, but I also know you to be a strong and stubborn woman. I do wish I could help you, but you have a good husband, I am glad to say.
    I am expecting guest any moment, but I will phone you this evening.

    All my love

    Mum XXX
    Sendt fra Mail til Windows 10

    Fra: Bertie the Bombshell
    Sendt: 8. oktober 2020 12:21
    Til: fartenfar@hotmail.com
    Emne: [New post] 08/10/20 – A Bertie Blip – 3yrs 2mths

    tmurray478 posted: ” Hello its me again – you haven’t heard from me for months which is a good sign! I hope you have all kept safe and well during this desperate year. I just have a little update for you. A week into lockdown, I started suffering chronic back pain, tu”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. That’s really wonderful news Tina – a real relief to know that you are just suffering with normal decrepitude – like the rest of us!! – sending lots of positive thoughts and very best wishes
    Jim 😊😎🙃❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment