It's A Date

After many months of waiting after I had the biopsy of Annie in Bristol in June 2013; I can now say that I have a confirmed treatment plan and date which will hopefully shrink my brain tumour (Annie). The confirmed plan is, that I will be having 6 weeks of IMRT radiotherapy in Bristol, I will receive this everyday apart from weekends as well as Christmas Day and Boxing Day. This means my family and I will be spending Christmas at the CLIC Sargent house in Bristol this year, which will be something different, but at least it's only one Christmas and I've got many more Christmas' to look forward too. Also, it will only be my Mum and I who will move to Bristol so that I can receive treatment. My Dad and sister will stay at home in N. Ireland and my Mum and I will fly home to see them and vice versa. Before I start IMRT radiotherapy, I will be meeting with my oncologist in Bristol this Friday (Friday 1st November 2013), on this day I will also be having scans taken of my brain as well having a mask made that I will wear when having my treatment. My family and I will then be flying home again that weekend. On the 25th November I've to go back to Bristol to have everything confirmed and then on the 26th November will be day 1 of IMRT radiotherapy. It's going to be a tough journey ahead, but with the support of my family and friends I'm sure I will be just fine. If IMRT radiotherapy doesn't work, there are two other treatment options that have been suggested, but I'm not going to jump ahead just yet and take each day a it comes.

Just like I did when I had the biopsy of Annie in Bristol, I will keep you up-to-date with my journey through my blog as well as my Facebook and Twitter pages, with short updates and photos.

As you can see, so far I've ticked off one thing off my list called, 'Things I would like to see/do before I go to Bristol for IMRT radiotherapy'. I've still got time to do the other things, some of which have been put in place, which I'm very excited about.

I started steroids several weeks ago, I'm now on a reduced dose which started this week. My cravings have been completely different this time compared to the first time when I was taking them. This time I've been craving scrambled eggs on toast everyday for breakfast (hmm hmm)! Where as last time, the first time I was on steroids, it was Fanta lemon, Sour Cream & Chive Pringles and the hospital's cafe paninis from RVH in Belfast, when I stayed there over the summer due to Heidi (hydrocephalus).

I've decided to take a year out of school this year, which is the last thing I wanted to do. Although, I think it's the best decision for me, as my symptoms have become worse, especially my eyes. I also don't want to push myself too much where I don't get the results in my A-Levels that I hoped for and may have to repeat the year again anyway. As I'm not in school I'm keeping myself busy by doing mini art projects suggested to me by my CLIC Sargent in Northern Ireland Social Worker, as well as my fundraising and awareness raising of brain tumours. The art projects have been great fun to do, although I've just about got one done so far. I've made (very nearly finished) making a cork board of memories from when I was in Bristol over the summer having the biopsy of Annie. I kept the wristbands that I had to wear when I was in hospital in Bristol, as I do for every hospital stay, so I've pinned those on the board too.

As Halloween is coming up, my sister and I carved a pumpkin each yesterday (Sunday 27th October). My Mum also brought a 'Munchkin Pumpkin' for my pug Harry, which my sister carved a face into as well. I must say it's very cute, as it sits outside beside my sister's and I's pumpkins.

My sister, Rebecca; pug, Harry and I with our
pumpkins ready for Halloween.

Danielle X