So....... where do I begin.  I initially did this 2K charity swim as an excuse to visit the Lido and meet my great and very amusing London swimming friends Anne and Helen. I had not really planned to raise charity money.   However, two weeks on, it appears I have experienced the fear of ovarian cancer?  I have been through various scans and investigations and now face surgery in the hopefully not too distant future.  Currently I have a complex ovarian cyst and await surgery to remove and analyse it.  No lymph glands involved thankfully and hopefully it will be benign??

This has been  a big shock to me and just demonstrates it can happen to anyone.   This year I have been eating more healthily and taken part in a couple of Triathlons.  I learnt to run better with the help of lovely Zillah, so I have felt really fit!!

After sleepless nights, wondering how to tell friends and colleagues (who have provided amazing support) about my current situation, I have decided to develop this page and give something back to charity. I hate the focus on me and shun sympathy. So, I guess this fundraising page is a distraction for me and a way of making things more positive as that is how I feel (at the moment anyway).

By the way, I hope very much to recover fully but in all honesty the future is currently not exactly certain.  I am sure the great team at Southampton General Hospital (where I have worked for 36 years now!!) will do their very best and look after me well.  They have so far........ Drs Linden and Bella especially, thank you xx

HALLOWEEN UPDATE

I went to meet the surgeon yesterday as planned.  Essentially the news is the same, the lump will be removed soon (I hope) and I will have a total hysterectomy.  I am on the urgent list.  I guess the news is no different and I will not know what the lump is until histology results are back, it is also a fair size apparently.  Writing this I feel slightly numb, however I have a plan.....................

I am developing an exercise chart, I cannot work but I can get myself fit in order to optimise a speedy recovery.  The plan includes light weights, a Mediband and walking lots. I also plan to continue to smash the target on this 'justgiving' page raising money for MacMillan whilst hoping I never require their support......

So to all my family, friends, all my swim buddies, colleagues etc, look after yourselves, keep happy/positive and enjoy life, be nice to each other.  Life is precious, much love and thanks to all who have donated to this page.

BONFIRE NIGHT UPDATE

I have my pre assessment 25th November and the operation is booked for Saturday 6th December, so in thirty days and I will have had my 'womblectomy', as I call it!!  Obviously I am a bit scared but glad to have a plan.  It may be sooner if there is any cancellations. I am not at work currently as I am a bit uncomfortable at times but,  mostly my mind is all over the place (yes, worse than usual)!!  So just planning to do a few nice things over the next 3 weeks.  Re exercise: I am merging weights with yoga and Tai Chi to music, all very odd but good fun. I could set up classes after all this........? maybe not!  

Time is flying by so.........watch this space.  Much Love xx

THREE WEEKS TO GO!

Well, still not sleeping well so get tired easily.  I am actually not too scared and I am actually I am looking forward to surgery very much.   I know most of the team professionally and socially so know I am in expert hands.  After 6th December,  I can hopefully focus on a speedy recovery an get life back to normality.  Waiting and wondering are not good.  

John took me to Brighton and we had a great time, the sun shone and I won 2 lucky elephant key rings on the 2p arcade machine on the pier, that has to be a good sign.  I did Aqua aerobics on Friday which was good.  I have had a bit of a throaty thing so trying to rest up between exercise. Not quite as fit as I would like to be as my tummy is getting bigger.  

Thanks to all my friends who have been there for me and kept me entertained.  Mostly thanks to John who is my sole mate and doing everything just right to keep me sane (ish!!).  

Today I am refashioning a drawer and making it into a shelf.  I am also adding more colour into my home, much inspired by the artist Minky.  If anyone is reading this, keep smiling and laugh lots - I am xxxx

FAST FORWARD TO 24TH NOVEMBER 2014

Late update as I had an unexpected call Friday 21st offering me an early date for surgery on Monday 24th, which obviously I accepted. Much less time to prepare/worry etc.  The weekend flew by and we walked up to the hospital at 7.00 a.m. there was a beautiful sunrise and it was all so surreal.  Not long after I walked into the anaesthetic room , then into the operating theatre in my dressing gown and slippers (a place where I usually wear scrubs) with the most fantastic colleague who was now my Consultant Anaesthetist.  Being put to sleep was my biggest fear, but not this day.  I was so well supported and my spinal anaesthetic was done in a flash and next thing I heard the Consultant telling me to think of 'swimming somewhere nice'!! I thought of the turtles that I swam with in Sri Lanka.

Next ' Lynda, your operation is over', I thought this was a very unkind joke and was about to swear when I realised it was!!  Hoorah it was fact!! The surgeon had cracked on and it was indeed over.  So am now home: I have had a few odd days and need some ongoing medications  I am very grateful to have had the 'thing' removed and now await results on that, still a worry but less so as it is not inside me! The medical and nursing team on Bramshaw ward are all fantastic, especially Dr S, who has been with me throughout this journey.

So today Saturday 29th November, the sun is out, the sky is blue.

I may venture outside for a potter later but need to rest loads (3 months apparently?? - we will see!).  Trying to be sensible for a change, I want to keep moving forward.  Thanks for all the cards, flowers, Gin and Tonic Lip balm(!) etc .  Knowing you are all there is a great comfort and support.  Hope to be able to catch up with some of you v soon, keep in touch.

Love and Smiles Lynda xxx

THE FINAL BIT TO THIS JOURNEY

I met with the surgeon yesterday.  John and I were extremly anxious and have been since early October in fairness.  12th Dec 10.30 a.m. was the time for the results. The last 10 minutes waiting for the outcome re: my future was the worst, we both felt that it was not going to be good news..........

'I have good news for you, it was benign' were the surgeons first words.  John made him repeat it, we could not believe this fantastic result.  It is amazing also hard to take in.  It has been such a long wait for this and despite my eternal optimism, I was losing my focus towards the end.  My tummy is not perfect and I have been pretty run down and exhausted and back on antibiotics.  However this is nothing now, I can conquer this.

Next - I have an 8 week rehab programme starting monday.  Hope to return to the water in January, where upon.........I am training for .................wait for it................................a channel crossing from Europe to Asia end August with Joe (son).  Quite a challenge 5K in rough sea but it will be easier that the journey described above and hopefully a lot more fun!!

So as I sign off this site, all there is left to do is to say THANK YOU to John, Joe and Jenny for caring so much, keeping me grounded and making me laugh!!  Also sincere thanks to all my friends, colleagues and acquaintances for donations, cakes, hand crotchet slippers!!!! xx, Florida flip flops for the next Swimtrek, healing amythysts, flowers, all my cards, messages, and such kindness.  Final thanks to my private nurse Mel and superstar Dr L.S. (O&G)

Keep happy, healthy, and laugh lots this Christmas and throughout 2015.

Love Lynda xxxxx

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.