It wasn't ovarian, it was lymphoma

[Ohjoyohbliss]

My original thread is nearly full, hence starting this one.

I knew I probably had cancer in late July 2025 but it took until the end of August to get a definitive diagnosis: Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, Stage 4.

I have had six rounds of chemo, the last of which was on 12 December. Had a lot of nausea and vomiting, plus an infection which left me hospitalised on oxygen and IV antibiotics for a while. I am extremely weak now, and waiting to find out whether the cancer is still active. (A scan at the half way point showed it was.)

Obviously things will be very different in 2026 and go one of two ways, depending on the scan result, which I will find out on Friday 16th January.

Previous thread:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/cancer/5382361-likely-ovarian-terrified-anyone-available-for-a-hand-hold

(Not sure why that takes you to the middle of the thread; sorry.)

Omg what a gorgeous puss cat!

I love your cat! And you are very wise to rest after doing all that amount of walking.
Well done, both for the exercise and the rest ❤

I'm not really a cat person but Oh my. What a beauty!

The cat says thank you for all the compliments. I think the combination of rest days and exercise days is working well.

I had a busy day today. Art/craft class this morning (my first for... I don't even know how long) which was lovely. Then a walk round the lake in a country park (nice and flat!) To the club to watch football on TV, home for my tea, (dinner for southerners) and finally picked DH up from the station as he had a long and not very happy away day.

I'm nicely ahead of schedule with the walking so tomorrow will either be a rest day or just a short walk.

I just read your update.
I hope you had a few days of rest. You seem to be doing lots between walks, the football club and your new art activity. You aren't mentioned lately any stomach issues so I assume that's now sorted.
It's great to hear you are doing so many things. And thanks to your lovely cat for acknowledging us 😁
I am hoping you have something nice planned for the weekend. xx

I'm actually going to London for the weekend! Other than one night in the Dales in March, it will be my first stay away from home since July 2025 (not counting hospitals.) I'm still quickly exhausted so hope I will be able to cope. E.g. I was planning to get the bus to the South Bank on Sunday as it will be less far to walk than the tube, but DH discovered that the roads will be closed for the Vitality 10k, so the bus isn't an option.

I haven't been sick since 12th (almost two weeks) so hopefully it's passed. The dizzy spells have also reduced but not gone completely.

My walks have been slow and steady. I had rest days Sunday and Monday, Tuesday I walked a greenway (former railway line so easy) and since then I just pottered around the village. I'm up to 25+ miles now, so less than 5 miles to go. Likely to do that this weekend.

We made it to London; train got stuck outside Peterborough for ages, apparently due to a broken down freight train blocking the line ahead, but we were just under an hour late so didn't qualify for a full refund.

I'm surprisingly excited about this weekend away. Used to come here regularly but it's been 18 months.

I was hoping to go to a rooftop bar tomorrow late afternoon/evening but the ones I've looked at, we [DH specifically] might struggle with the dress code, so I've not booked. Trouble with being this fatigued is that I can't really wander around on the offchance of finding somewhere; it's better to have a plan. Covent Garden on a Sunday doesn't appeal - too busy.

Had a quick search around Madison at New Change next to St Paul's might work as actual City of London tends to be quieter on a Sunday , (says you may need a reservation.
share.google/KkqKcoETk5y60F9Ji

I've been to this place - rooftop bar at the Standard hotel opposite Kings X station . It was quite trendy (70s style) and not cheap , but we as late 50 year olds had a couple of cocktails there at Easter - great view from the ladies loo .
share.google/xQ3O24OKXgvCaF0px

@nabanna Thanks for the suggestions. As it turned out, the weather wasn't great so we decided an indoor bar would be better. Went to Gong at the Shard. Stupidly expensive but kind of a bucket list item for me.

Looked online and there were no free tables available for booking until late at night but they accept walk ins so we risked it and asked the doorman. He said it was full. (Perhaps he didn't like the look of us?) I persisted, he phoned up, said we could sit at the bar. When we got up there, we were seated in the window! It was nowhere near full when we arrived although it was filling up when we left.

Delighted to hear about your progress.
I absolutely love The Shard in London, such a striking building. Great that you finally did something else on your bucket list. I would love to also do that, but I go to London less than once a year I think.
Please let us know when you complete your remaining 5 miles. You are amazing Joy.

I think I completed the 30 miles over the weekend but it was in such tiny bits and pieces that I haven't added them all up yet. I had to crop the longest one because Strava hallucinated a lot of extra mileage (it said I'd done 15 miles!) so it all got really fiddly.

Saturday I did 0.27 + 0.30 + 0.42 + 0.61 + 0.33 so that makes 1.93 miles.
Sunday I did 0.27 + 0.26 + 0.50 + 1.16 + 0.15 which makes 2.34 and then some more where I forgot to turn Strava on so I can't count it. So 4.27 miles that I can count.

The longer stretches incorporated sit downs on benches overlooking the Thames so I wasn't moving constantly. I used a walking stick both days.

Sounds like it! You said you were on 25+ miles on 25th so at the absolute minimum you're on 29.27 miles, and probably a bit more with 2 days to go! That's a great success, especially given you've had illness this month.

Congratulations Joy!! Amazing success, very inspirational for all if us x

I now think I need to do another quarter of a mile or so to make sure that the full 30 miles is recorded on Strava so I have proof. If only I had turned it on on Sunday night... DH said we were going to Spoons at St Pancras, which is no distance, so I didn't bother. Turns out he was joking so we ended up walking quite a bit further.

I'm having a rest day today, snuggling with the cat again. Forecast for tomorrow is wet early doors but nice later so I'll walk then.

The swimming pool changing room thread has reminded me of a couple of incidents on the tube this weekend. The first, we got on and there was one seat free, which I took. Said something to DH. Young man opposite (who was already on the train before it got to our station) asked DH if he would like his seat so we could sit together. How lovely of him. (DH declined but thanked him)

The second time, a young woman who got on immediately in front of me took the last available seat, a priority seat. I had my walking stick. I asked her, "Do you need the priority seat?" (I'm aware of invisible disabilities but thought that was a reasonable question.) She kind of huffed and shuffled a bit as if gathering her stuff -NB she had literally JUST sat down - but didn't immediately get up (nor say, yes, I need the seat.) A nice woman behind me quickly stood up and offered me her seat. The first woman sat and ate something at her seat and then got off at the next stop. She was only going one stop!!! Presumably wanted the seat to have her hands free to eat whatever it was.

Good you got a nice rest after another long walk.
Priority seats: I never seat on those, even if free. I don't think they should be used unless for people who need them, and as you said there are invisible disabilities, difficult to identify.

I’m recovering from Covid, Joy - never had it before and it appears there is a surge going on. I know you’re super careful, but best to be aware. ETA I am vaccinated, but waiting for my next slot in mid October.