Friday 8 March 2013

All change!

Crikey, a lot can happen in two weeks.

Firstly, I’ve got a new job and resigned from my current role. I’ve been with the company for 12 years, so it is a big deal (for me, at least!) but I think a change will do me good and give me a renewed sense of purpose. I need to feel that my life is moving forward again.

Ironically, I wasn’t really looking but I saw the post advertised in January and speculatively applied. Getting it though, did make me feel a bit guilty. My current company, AAT, have been amazing in their support of me over the last year and had been trying to revise my role. However, I do also think that the right things happen at the right time and I will wave farewell on Friday 22 March and, following a short break, start my new role after Easter.

Secondly, I have submitted a letter to the North West London Primary Care Trusts regarding my cancer treatment (and specifically the lack of fertility guidance/support) and have been advised that my GP will need to make an individual funding request in order to secure funding for any fertility-saving treatment for me past the age of 40. You have to be able to cite exceptional circumstances, which I think we can (and he has agreed to do), so we’ll see how that goes …

Thirdly, and related to the fertility issues, I met with the oncology team at the ‘Marsden. It was a very informative and positive meeting because (a) I am definitely not menopausal, and (b) they do not see any reason why (if Queen Charlotte’s Hospital thought it could be successful) I would not be able to take the necessary hormones for egg harvesting myself.

This is, of course, a big ‘if’ as my ovarian function has been significantly diminished by chemotherapy. However, the fact that they do not see an issue in the short-term application of hormones, and stopping my Tamoxifen for a month or so, was a very pleasant surprise. They would also prefer me to do this sooner rather than later as then I can have a much longer, uninterrupted period on the medication.

Lastly, I have seen my surgical team. They seem happy with the results of the ‘Coleman Fat Transfer’ so it’s full steam ahead for my implant operation on Thursday 2 May and a new pair of matching boobs, which were ordered today.

So, all in all, it’s been a very positive start to 2013.

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