Welcome To Panda’s Progress
My name is Amanda (Panda), I am 35 (at time of writing) , I live in Poole, Dorset, UK and I live with my amazing fiancée Laura and my cat Mr Forbages.
On the 1st December I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer and this is my story.
My Progress
Read my progress via the blogs below.
Week 8 – Chemo
This week I didn’t have any additional symptoms from the previous chemo. Just the normal hot flushes through the night, and having more frequent nose bleeds, but I think I just need to leave my nose alone and it may stop! Ha! This week I bought the nurses a little...
Week 7 – Chemo & Date Night
This week was a much better week for me – no additional side effects which are great. Just the ‘New Normal’ continuing. Due to my news on Wednesday, Laura took me out for the first time in months! We actually went out – in the real world – what a scary place! Only...
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly – CT and Genetics Results
Today I had my catch-up with Dr. B, my Oncologist. Laura came with me this time as we would be getting results on the CT scan, but also to find out if I have the BRCA gene, etc. Dr. B was lovely as ever, nice and friendly and smiling us into the room. The conversation...
Week 6 – Chemo
Another Week Done – and more drugs injected and destroying this tumour! I am now coming to terms with my “New Normal”. It is normal that I potentially am not going to sleep much after each chemotherapy, I am going to have aches throughout my body, I am going to...
To marry, or not to marry??
On the 6th August 2021 – my girlfriend Laura hijacked her surprise birthday party that I had organised, and chose that moment to propose to me. I was in complete shock as we had always said that I would propose, but then again, Laura never really sticks to a plan or...
Week 5 – Chemo
Another round of chemotherapy done today! Glad I am getting through them, and I am generally in and out within a few hours. Some of the others are here pretty much all day getting their chemotherapy, so I am one of the lucky ones! Had a tough week this week,...
CT Scan
Just 7 days after I had asked my doctor, I had my CT scan appointment at Poole Hospital. I couldn’t believe how quickly I was seen! It was strange going to the hospital and going to a completely different wing. For the last month I had been going to oncology twice a...
Now that’s a close shave!!
Since chemo, this week has been one of the tougher ones. I believe it is down to having the Carboplatin, and having to take extra steroids this week, so my body has been aching non-stop, my insomnia is worse, and the heartburn has increased. Due to this, I have spent...
Week 4 – Chemo
Another round of chemotherapy was done and dusted! This week was the start of my second cycle, which means I had to have the Paclitaxel and the Carboplatin today which means that treatment took a bit longer – but I was still in and out in a few hours which is great!...