h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Went to the hospital with mum yesterday for the results of some tests she's had recently. The cancer has returned, this time in her bowel. It last turned up in her ovaries 2 1/2 years back, and 5 years prior to that it was in her breast.

They are going to give her Chemotherapy again, and they have a new drug that wasn't available 2 years ago that they will be trying. She didn't loose her hair last time, but she will this time because of the new drug. That seems to be the one thing that she is worried about. The NHS will provide her with a wig though. I've told her to look on the bright side. At least she can have a different hairstyle each week, will never have to have a 'blue-rinse' and if she feels like she missed out on the whole punk experience, then she can get a pink mohican and easily change it if she doesn't like it

She was admitted to hospital at the beginning of April for a week, and then two weeks later she was back in for a further 10 days. She has abdominal pains and the consultants thought it was probably a hernia or adhesions caused by the hysterectomy she had to have last time. It may sound strange, but in a way we are relieved that it is cancer because we knew it would be back. At least now we can start the 2 year clock counting down again without worrying at each quarterly checkup that it has returned.

After her last scare 2 1/2 years back her doctor told me she wouldn't make it into 1999, and she surpassed their expectations by almost 18 months. In two years time they will have another new drug available, so all is not lost.