Well after a year's wait I can't beleive that I will finally be having an operation on Monday, November 19  to remove my kidney.

When I was diagnosed in Nov 2006 I was told that the only options open to me was pallitive care.  

But I am so stuborn I find it hard to beleive that doing nothing can be an option. So regardless of if is right or not I am now achieving what I set out to do - give myself a better chance.

Going down to London with our campaign was such a sense of acheivement for all of us.

 

Although I have not had my answers yet from Gorden Brown, I personaly know that the help to highlight my ordeal has actualy had an effect on other sufferers lives.

I have been contacted by others telling me that because of me they are aware that other options do exist. They too are now on the treatment, after being told that there were no other treatments other than the ones given by the NHS.

 

So you see, it has been worthwhile going through with it and facing up to all the barriers that were in the way. All we did was to remove them and carry on.

I needn't tell you how I am feeling about my operation on monday November 19. I just want it over and done with now so that I can move on to the next stage and that is to treat the cancer that has spread to my bones.

 

However I do feel very supported in my quest by Professor James and Dr Bhatt the surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Birmingham, and that is such a good feeling. I know I will not be cured but I just want to live and cope with my illness and get the most out of my life rather than just give up. 

I now feel that I am giving myself that chance. However long I have I will not think about that one because nobody ever knows the answer to that.

I believe that all situations can be changed just by doing one thing differently then expected, or by changing what should be the normal.

As I am a statistic in this cancer war I have already statisticaly changed what comes next.

I have had my pre-admission check-up and that was ok. I just get to do the easy bit, that is have a good sleep whilst the surgeon takes my life into his hands. I've told him to have a good sleep the night before so he does a good job on me.

My sister Loretta has coloured my hair for me (what little bit I have) to hide the grey as I won't be able to ware my wig all the time in hospital. She has also trimme it to try to give it some style.

All my family are so good to me and I am the luckiest person ever.

 

I hope that they don't worry too much about my op because I know their love will see me through.

So to John and my sons, grandchildren, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters and everyone, I love you all so much and we will have a nice family gathering as soon as I am able to.

I have had some radiotherapy treatment for a painful back so I just have to wait and see if it works.

John came with me to the hospital and the procedure is that they kind of tattoo the area then set up the computer to the correct posision using the marks that have been drawn on you to align the machine correctly.

My tattoo was drawn on my abdomen then the machine goes round under the bench that you lie on and administers the radiotherapy to the back.#

John has been up to his old tricks again by not using his glasses when I was showing him the marks drawn on my abdomen he said oh yes but what is the pink cross for? I looked at him not realy knowing what he meant then the penny dropped. I had a pink bow on my underware and from the angle that he was looking at me it looked like it was drawn on my tummy.

He always manages to make me laugh even when it is not intentional. I dread to think how he will go on when I am in hospital I have now started to call him Mr Magoo after the short sighted cartoon character. 

I hope you all keep your fingers crossed for me over the weeks speak soon. Angelena.