See, I’m not very good at keeping a diary. Simon mentioned last night that he was avidly waiting for my next update!
Yesterday was lymph nodes results day. The biopsy has shown that there are no cancerous cells there so everything will continue as planned. I had prepared myself for it to be cancer, why else would they do a biopsy? It feels like there is something positive and that it hasn’t spread. They will take a couple of the lymph nodes out during surgery as, I guess, having lumps in them is not ideal. Surgery will be booked in for four weeks after the chemotherapy has finished. I need to research what the lymph nodes do …
Open here
What does the lymphatic system do?
The lymphatic system has different jobs:
It helps fight infection – inside the lymph nodes are white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes attack and destroy bacteria, viruses, damaged cells and cancer cells. When lymph nodes are fighting an infection, they can get bigger and feel sore.
It removes waste products – the lymphatic system carries destroyed bacteria and other waste products back into the bloodstream. The liver and kidneys remove these from the blood. The body then gets rid of this waste when you pass urine (pee) or stools (poo).
The lymphatic system and cancer
Cancer can affect the lymphatic system in different ways:
Cancer cells may travel through the lymphatic system
Sometimes cancer spreads from one place in the body (the primary site) to another place. It can travel through the blood or the lymphatic system. When the cancer moves to somewhere else, it is called a secondary cancer or metastasis.
Cancer cells may spread into and grow in the lymphatic system
Sometimes cancer from another part of the body can spread into and grow in the lymph nodes. This is called lymph node metastases or secondary cancer in the lymph nodes.
Cancer may start in the lymphatic system
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. It develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes become abnormal. The most common symptom of lymphoma is a painless swelling or lump in the neck, armpit or groin. If you notice this, it is important to get it checked by your GP.
… ok, so that’s a relief then! Does it show that I really don’t research anything beforehand? Sometimes the internet scares us more than the reality of things, so I like to stay ignorant for as long as possible. I still haven’t read all the booklets they gave me about chemotherapy. I will do that the day before.
There have been up and down days, but that may be because I’m struggling to sleep with my shoulder injury. The physiotherapist massaged it on Tuesday and has told me to ice it at least twice a day. So, freezing my shoulder before bed last night, meant that I went into deep sleep quite quickly and I feel so much better this morning. The physiotherapist is going to give me some advice and exercises to do to help my aches and pains during chemotherapy as well. I should’ve gone to her first instead of the physio at the doctors. Oh well, we live and learn. I’ve found her now so maybe that was how it was meant to be.
It’s the school Summer Party this evening, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again as this may be the last time I see some of them until I return in the New Year. That may be why I have had up and down days; I miss being at work and being around everyone. I know I’ll be fine during the summer holidays, I wonder how I will cope knowing they’re going back to work, and I must continue my chemotherapy journey for the autumn term. That’s usually the time I get to know all the new students. By the time I return, I will be the new person to them. Oh well, at least the Year 9’s and 8’s will know who I am!
May Contain Nuts 
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