Tuesday 18 August 2015

Life's Curveball

Sometimes, just when you think everything is swinging along just perfectly, life throws a curve ball at you and throws you off balance for a while.  Two weeks ago I went for a routine scan for gallstones.  Whilst I was there the technician found two spots on my liver and called in the consultant to take a look.  From that moment things moved fast and I feel that the last two weeks have been lived in a blurry and scary place.
I was called back two days later for a contrast CT scan and then we had to come back from holiday for the day for an appointment with the gastroenterologist consultant.  He explained that he felt the lesions were probably secondary liver tumours and that I would have to have further tests to try to find the primary cancer site.  I had an MRI scan and further blood tests the same day.  As you can imagine, by this point I was convinced I was at death's door and feeling like every little twinge was a major symptom.
Yesterday I finally got a call to say that the liver consultant is absolutely certain that they are a specific type of benign tumour and that I could stop worrying.  They have checked every part of my body from the knees up and I am fit and healthy.  Such good news, I feel like I have been given my life back.
The last couple of weeks have certainly been a wake up call about what is actually important and what is superficial.  Top of my list of priorities now is my family and friends, everything else slides down the scale.  Pete has been my absolute rock and I am very lucky to have him by my side.  I know that there are many, many people who are not so fortunate as me and from now on I will be more mindful of that and help wherever I can.
Enjoy life people as you never know what is round the corner.






19 comments:

  1. What a scary time. I am so very pleased for you and for Pete that the outcome is good.

    Bless you

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  2. Oh Fran that must have been very frightening for you.
    Though as you have indicated, we quickly get a new perspective on the things that really matter; For I had a similar experience many years ago when told to go home & not to do anything strenuous.

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  3. Goodness me, how lucky to be having a scan of your gallbladder and to find those. Scary days but hopefully all behind you now. Did they do a biopsy to confirm his diagnosis? Hopefully you are back on holiday and trying to chill!

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  4. I was going to say what a worrying time for you, but having gone through the ups and downs of cancer myself, having scans and waiting for results, worry just isn't the word for it. I'm so pleased that you've got a good outcome, and I know what you mean about priorities and how it puts everything in to perspective, we spend so much time on trivial things that just don't really matter, these things do give us a wake up call. You don't ever know what it round the corner so we should enjoy every single day.

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  5. Jo - thank you :) x

    Mel - I hope your situation turned out as well as mine x

    DC - they try not to do biopsies on livers unless absolutely necessary. I am confident (after lots of googling!) that they can tell the difference with CT and MRI scan pictures x

    Jo - I hope that you are all okay now, I wouldn't want to go through that again or wish it on anyone else x

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  6. Mel - thank goodness for that xxxx

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  7. Good news indeed. I'm so glad all is OK, it's the not knowing that's worst.
    It was lovely to meet you both, I'm still looking for that ring!
    rain all day today so it's a good thing you were not camping this week

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  8. Thanks Sue, it was a relief. I'm now beginning to wonder if Scarlett swallowed the ring as it can't be found anywhere else. Funnily enough I have just said to Pete that I am glad we are not in the tent today! Xxx

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  9. Bless you. Awful time worrying. Xxx

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  10. What a terrible worry for you Fran. I am so pleased that it all turned out o.k. I can certainly identify with your feelings of having your life given back and realising what is important. After my suspected ovarian cancer scare I am doing my best to enjoy life and make the move out into the country that I have been meaning to for years. xx

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  11. Oh Fran, how frightening! And we knew nothing about it! I'm not surprised you've had a re-evaluation of what really counts in life. I know I should go for these scans too. Soon. I will do it. But right now, I am just so thrilled it's all turned out to be benign. Thank heavens for that, thank heavens for your wonderful Pete, and yes, for the boat. As your cartoon says, everyone needs a boat. Sending you huge hugs, and a few wet eyes too. So relieved for you! xxxx

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  12. Sorry you had a shock and a worrying time but pleased to hear that the results were good. We have learnt the lesson too of not taking things for granted and making the most of each day and any opportunities or events that come our way. Sarah x

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  13. So pleased to hear there was a good outcome for you, things like this really do stop us and make us review everything. Wishing you contining health x

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  14. Good Morning Fran, As I started reading I began to get nervous, but hallelujah . . . your story had a happy ending. I'm so pleased that you have a strong and loving husband by your side . . . that makes the hard times in life much easier to handle.
    Here's to many years of good health and happy times.
    Your blogging sister,
    Connie :)

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  15. What a stressful time - I am so glad you've been given the all clear and can move away from appointments and tests now.

    Thank you, too, for your black bag advice re. moving! I suspect there will be quite a few things thrown into bags like that - it is a helpful back up plan for things I don't manage to box up! And we're moving to Kent :-)

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  16. Frugal in Bucks - thank you :) xxx

    Chickpea - I think it does make you take stock, I hope you can get to make your dreams come true xxx

    Val - thank you and I knew you would like the boat saying. I have printed it off and now have it framed and on the wall xxx

    Sarah - it is a lesson that we should all take to heart and thank you for your good wishes xxx

    Quirky Bird - thank you and the same in return xxx

    Connie - I didn't mean to scare you, I have been scared enough for everyone! Thank you for your good wishes and we are both lucky to have our wonderful husbands xxx

    Kari - thank you. Kent is lovely, the garden of England as they say, you will enjoy living there xxx

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  17. So glad you have had the "all clear".

    Enjoy your life!

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  18. Sorry I'm late to catch up Fran but so glad that all is well! x

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