Friday 9th March 2018

Oh my, I've just registered the date... 12th March 2012 was the date of my first operation. The time when nobody was able to confirm the 13 cm tumour on my left ovary was cancerous or not, but really expecting it was,  the desperate waiting to have surgery. Wanting to know, wanting to be clear of whatever it was, wanting it out, but at the same time dreading to hear the news.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Six years later, two major operations, two cycles of chemo, two bouts of radiotherapy and now more chemo, and I am lucky. Having just come back from a weekend in London at the Ovacome conference and listening to one of the three lectures we had about how long it takes to trial new drugs, and how expensive the whole process is, I feel fortunate to have been offered treatment.

It's been an emotional week, the weekend was excellent, we had Dr Marcia Hall a consultant medical oncologist at Mount Vernon cancer centre. She is really in the front line and trying to keep as many clinical trials opportunities as possible open to patients.

Dr Rebecca Kristeleit is a clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant Medical Oncologist, doing research work at the UCLH, she has a specialist interest in cancer drug development.

It was good to be able to put faces to names, and meet other ladies that also use the online chat forum. This is Lee the fundraising manager who reminds me of a blonde version of my lovely friend V.

On Sunday we took a walk along the Thames and then caught a train out to Weybridge and met up with my eldest brother/sister-in-law. Having lunch bought for us was a bonus!

I had a busy start to the week, walking dogs, playing tennis, and badminton, felt fine.

Since the second operation where I think, unsurprisingly, I've been left with lots of scar tissue and from time to time ( I haven't found a trigger) I suffer from chronic stomach cramps, coupled with back spasms. It is excruciating. Heard of the vagus nerve?

What Is The Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body. It not only regulates the gut but also affects the cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, and endocrine systems. The vagus nerve innervates the liver, lung, spleen, kidneys and gut.

Here are some quick facts:

• Vagus is latin for wandering because the nerve has a long and circuitous path in the body.
• Vagus nerve dysfunction causes gastrointestinal symptoms. The vagus nerve increases stomach acidity, gut motility and digestive juices. 

Underactive vs Overactive Vagus Nerve

Both overactive and underactive vagus nerve activity can contribute to disease and cause vagus nerve symptoms.

For example, an underactive vagus nerve can lead to gasteroparesis or delayed gastric emptying. Normally, peristalsis - a rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the intestinal muscles pushes food into the small intestine for additional digestion. These contractions are under the control of the vagus nerve; damage to the vagus nerve impairs peristalsis.

An overactive vagus nerve can result in an abnormally low heart rate (bradycardia), fainting (syncope), and a range of other symptoms.

The vagus nerve helps counterbalance the sympathetic innervation of the heart. The sympathetic arm of the nervous system is what mediates the fight-or-flight response.

 Tuesday therefore was a bit of a write off, doubly sad as I missed Yoga and then netball in the evening.

Everything back to 'normal' by Wednesday, so I made up for lost time, taking out frustrations on racquetball and badminton!

Lots of events happening in the next few weeks, next Wednesday 14th my consultant KG is holding a talk on the Menopause at the local hospital. She is doing it for free as a fundraiser for Steph's London Marathon charity, Ovacome.

I've tried to share the poster and I can't, sorry, but please contact me if you wish to attend and I'll give you more details.

On Thursday April 5th we are holding a fun pub Quiz at the Post Horn in town, teams between 4-6 people, food included £12.50 a ticket, all proceeds going towards Steph and Baz's  charities, Ovacome and Alzheimer's. Again contact me for more info!

Without wanting to say too much, I have two very dear friends who are really struggling this week, it's at times like this that I feel so helpless, unable to find real words of comfort and support that I would desperately like to give.To those friends and all the others I know that are dealing with this terrible disease, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lastly, I had a blood test this week, no results as yet, just fortnightly check ups, I think , although things change.  I have a CT scan next Tuesday, no letter as yet about a blood transfusion. That again was pointed out to me that if I could play badminton, maybe I didn't need a transfusion?.

Took this picture today at our parish Lent lunch, was trying to get Dan to smile without realising Jack was trying to look equally sullen, what a pair. They also tried to tell me that my paying for lunch was an early Mother's day 'gift'. So how does that work? BOYS