Celebrating what might be the last 'normal' photo of me for a while!

The operation to insert the portacath through which the chemotherapy cocktail will be injected into a vein in my chest, scheduled for last Thursday, was cancelled at the last minute. Literally! Gowned up and prepped I was just about to go to theatre when a far more urgent case arrived. And so, reprieved for the weekend I was sent home. Yesterday the implant went ahead and today, a little tired as well as a touch battered and bruised, I'm back at the hospital for last minute checks and a 'walk around' of what to expect for my first session of chemo tomorrow.

Feeling a range of emotions, but mainly the desire to get on and do this thing. This tumour has to shrink away from the blood vessels and duct if there's to be any chance of removing it. But that would mean taking out other bits and pieces too, such as parts of the pancreas and small intestine, and perhaps a chunk of my stomach. Even then the cancerous cells may return.

So here's hoping for the best outcome. That over the next three months we blast it to death and kill it off completely. And given the toll this is taking on those closest to me, those I love so very much, the sooner this happens the better.