One year on
It’s just over a year since my mantle cell lymphoma diagnosis was confirmed. And as this week is lymphatic cancer awareness week, I thought I’d write this update on my progress.
The quick summary is that there doesn’t appear to have been a lot of progress – at least as far as the advancement of the disease is concerned. Yes, the lump on the side of my neck is slightly larger, I get tired more easily than I used to (but that’s influenced by other factors, including age, work, study, not exercising enough …) but other than that, it’s been largely a non-event in physical terms. So far.
The mental effects are a little more pronounced, but only just. Most of the time I simply try to forget that I’m ill. However, because I’m on the watch and wait regime and my consultant appointment is next Wednesday, I’m just about to enter the ‘in-between‘ phase of going for blood tests and hearing the results. So I’m not likely to think about much else other than ‘worst case scenario planning’ over the next few days – so I apologise to everyone if I do appear to be rather more distracted than I usually am.
Being on watch and wait has meant that on my better days lymphoma doesn’t dominate my thinking – at least until I catch sight of myself in the mirror, or shave, or someone asks me how I am. I’ve experimented not shaving at weekends as a way of not having to touch the lump, but I find that the stubble drives me mad after about 24 hours and becomes a proxy for looking in the mirror or shaving anyway.
I remain determined to get what I can out of life while I’m in the watch and wait phase of course. It’s been great when my consultant has told me to carry on as normal, and I’m hopeful that the news will be the same again next week. I’m fortunate in that I have a supportive family, enjoy my job, have re-engaged successfully with my masters course and have even found the time to hatch a mad plan involving a Caterham 7 next summer. More of that later if it comes off.
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It is what it is. I’d rather not have MCL, but it has sharpened up some of my thoughts about the future.
Hello Tim,
so glad to hear that you’re still winning the race and staying ahead of the lynphoma.
You are as always an inspiration to all of us.
All the best
Liz Taylor
Hi Liz,
Nice to hear from you! I hope everything is going well for you too.
Tim.
Dear Tim, keep on fighting and I wish you all the strength to overcome the disease. You are very inspirational and your blog about OU studies helped to keep my focus and sanity. I finally completed my studies last year and I’m starting my Masters next week. Best of luck.
Hi Kate – thank you and all the best for your masters. Tim.