It seems important to record the sequence of events at the moment, so this is just an update on the biopsy issue. Yesterday morning I managed to speak to the specialist oncology nurse. I had left a message on their answerphone on Monday, but still no reply, then yesterday I tried several times to get through and the line was engaged. It seems the office had been unanned on Monday and she was doing all the phoning on her own yesterday. I'm not the only one!
I explained about talkng to my surgeon friend and his view that there was a possibility of this secondary being from the breast. She was slightly huffy about this, saying that Dr Biswas had all the information in front of him and was in the best position to advise me. She mellowed a bit when I explained that I had been offered a biopsy while at the same time being advised that it wasn't necessary, and that Dr Biswas himself had admitted he could not tell me definitely where this tumour had originated. She agreed to speak to him in case he would need to see me and set something up before my planned pre-chemo appointment on Jan 26th.
I had e-mailed Sam, my surgeon friend, on Sunday after he had spokent to me at church, and asked him how I might tackle this, so I let him know that I had requested an appointment. He had been thinking it through carefully and set down the case for requesting a 'definitive diagnosis' very clearly. It gives me a lot more confidence, as Sam has over 30 years experience in treating breast cancer, and was also the surgery professor at UEA so he thinks very clearly and logically.
Last night we did our annual 'carols by streetlight' outside Ian and Sue's where we hold our church cell-group meeting. Every year I design a flyer, the church prints it, and Sue and Ian deliver to all 61 houses in their road. We serve mulled wine and mince pies, a friend comes with his accordion and various neighbours join us for a half hour of carols and fun. We thought the weather might put people off this year, but it had started to feel a littel warmer, and both rain and snow held off. We had more neighbours than ever, including a small baby who thoroughly enjoyed the singing.
Afterwards our cell-group went inside and shared a sit-down meal together. We all bring something; Dave's contribution is always a curry, and that went down a storm. I had made the mince pies for the carol-singing, with the help of two new cell-grooup members who came to help. It was a lovely informal way of getting to know them better. Sue came too, although she bears the brunt of the organisation and seating arrangments. This all sounds a bit trivial, but for myself I just wanted to record that in December 2010 I am doing all the things I would normally do, and enjoying them. Oh, and the choir items were a great success on Sunday. Those who are available have been asked to sing to the residents at Eckling Grange on Christmas Eve, so we get our moment of glory again.
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