Saturday 15 June 2013



My Ups and Downs through treatment.



My first down was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 1 August 2012. 

I asked the consultant, "Is the cancer, just in my breast? He said “No could be elsewhere in my body. 



I had to wait 3 days for the results to come back and the results revealed it was not in my bones or liver. 

Results - Good news! Only dealing with Breast Cancer! Thank God!



My next test was to get an MRI and a CT scan to assess the cancer. The next information I received is that I have 3 further lesions in my body, that needed to be checked out for cancer:

1  Adrenal gland
2  Liver
3  Ovaries



Tests on the liver showed a concern. (Binge drinking - lol - only joking).  Had to get another ultra scan and more tests. So back to the CT scan to totally confirm that I did not have cancer in the liver nor a drink problem I have a very healthy liver. (I am envious of all Irishs' drinkers - get-it-up you.




Results - Good news! Only dealing with Breast Cancer! Thank God!

During my 2nd chemo session, I lost my voice, rushed into hospital for 2 full boring days with suspected glandular fever. Test results came back negative. 
Results - Good news! Only dealing with Breast Cancer! Thank God!


During my 3rd Chemo I had dizzy spells, shortness of breath and a pounding headache. Went to my local GP thinking it was my sinus and I just need sinus tablets. "Oh no how will I ever cope with a sinus problem lol bring it on"!!!!! 




Results - Good news! Only dealing with Breast Cancer! Thank God!




The doctor informed me that I may a have a blood clot in my lungs. Rushed into hospital for 3 long days. Test results came back negative. The symptoms were only from the side effects of chemo I knew there was nothing wrong the only problem I had was to stay in hospital with sick people lol.



Results - Good news! Only dealing with Breast Cancer! Thank God!



A few weeks after my operation, my left hand began to swell, Oh no! Am I getting Lymphodema. When to hospital the results were negative for lymphodema it was just bloody water retention lol.
Results - Good news! Only dealing with Breast Cancer! Thank God!


On 18 March 2013. I was due to start my radiotherapy for 5 weeks. I got a letter saying they were delaying my radiotherapy. My question.



Why? - because I was really looking forward to it"!



I was told my heart was too close to my breast bone and I would needed to have another CT scan. Ah well! 



I then got an unexpected phone call from the Head of Oncology informing me that there are serious concerns in giving me radiotherapy because my heart is too close to my breast bone that radiotherapy could damage my heart.

I was also told from the Head of Oncology that she had to employ the best physician to work over 2 full weekend to plan a strategy plan to give me radiotherapy with limited damage to my heart. I believe she successfully got the radiotherapy plan perfect.

On 1 April 2013, I started my first radiotherapy treatment. 

Bring it on I ready for radiotherapy to get rid of this breast cancer for once and all. Let the fight begin!


Results - Good news! Only dealing with Breast Cancer! Thank God!


So the moral of this story so far is: what will be, will be.



If I ever worried about my diagnosis, I would never get out of bed. So what I do I simply dont think about it and keep positive because it always works out for the best. So if bad news comes my way, I will deal with it head on with Irish strength and dignity Cant be bothered worrying until I know all the facts whats the point!



Results - Good news! Only dealing with Breast Cancer! Thank God!



On Monday, 29 April 2013 my oncologist decided to finish my radiotherapy after 3 weeks so that to avoid damaging my heart any further..

Results - Good news! Only dealing with Breast Cancer! Thank God!



But, during our discussion I told the oncologist I was being very sick during my radiotherapy. She then informed me simply that it could have travelled to the brain. Oh no brain cancer! What next.? I was told this information on my own no problem I am up for a good fight.
Results - Bad news! 



So then the oncologist organised a CT scan to further investigate. My appointment was scheduled for Tuesday, 4 June (6 weeks later) far too long to wait thats my first complaint that I will be taking forward so that other women dont wait 6 weeks for vital information.



On 6 May I returned to full time employment in St Mungos Academy. Simply felt good but needed to pay the bills because after 6 months I went down to ½ pay. So time to get back to work and normality and I love my job.

Just for the records  I love my job teaching pupils, I am not looking for promotion, I am now retired. "Get it up!"

In St Mungo's the Academy

  • I dont take cheek from pupils I dashed it out with Irish banter. 
  • I tell the kids stories all about my life good therapy and I crack jokes and slag the kids and have a laugh, 
  • i also been nominated for the msot strisites of teachers from S6 not S1 becasue I take my job and pupils education top priority
  • I thoroughly enjoy the banter with all the young kids in school and I get paid to do it. What a good life I have had in St Mungo's Academy - Glasgow. St Mungo's Academy's motto "Bringing out the Best."

On Tuesday, 28 May I returned to work after spending a brilliant weekend down in Coseley with my twin sister and bro-in-law. On Wednesday and Thursday 29 & 30 May I was off work with exhaustion. I then returned to work on the Friday, 31 May because I simply needed to pay the bills I felt good definitely good to return not once believing I was over pushing it because my health is worth more than money.

By lunch, I had a sore head and then I throw up in my classroom whilst two young girls were working in my class room working. I even pissed myself lightly whilst throwing up - lol  (reason having three 9 1/2 pounder babies) "Who gives a shit or Who gives a piss!"

Left work at lunch time my good friend linda Hyde walked me to my car - what a caring women and friend. when home and slept and by 2.00 am in hospital with a sore head and sickness. 

On Saturday, 1st June 2013, received my long awaited CT scan results Secondary Brain Cancer. 

Few days later spoke to specialists (no name mentioned) comments it's just bad luck and touched my knee and told Jim and I "we need to talk." Sorry, I am never bitter, I accept my illness. But I dont like anyone ever to patronised me ever. I am adult.

So here goes this is where my fight begins because I was also informed that I cant get my brain lasered because they can only do 3 lesions. Guess what I have 10 lesions (I am a greedy bitch). 

If I lived in England I would be given the drugs to help minimise it. 

If I had private health - BUPA, again I gett get drugs to help me live longer, but not a cure. My only option at this stage is a trial drug which is a hit a miss.

So my fight for life begins - NOW - my kids need you to help me to be there for as long as possible.

 

"Give me the cancer drugs, that will help me live longer for my 3 wee girls."



22 comments:

  1. Hi Annette, you and your family are with me in my thoughts and prayers!! I hope you get the treatment needed I will share this with friends and family. Keep fighting and stay strong! Love Lillian x

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  2. Such an inspirational woman! Your daughters will be so proud of you :-) Vicky Fox x

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  3. hey mrs B just a message to say stay strong and your in my thoughts and prayers i hope you get the treatment soon and i have shared this with my friends on Facebook and we are all behind you love you loads Terence

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  4. This is so devastating cancer is such a bitch. You are one of the strongest people I have ever met. a true inspiration dont stop until you succeed. I look up to for that! I hope you fight this till the end thoughts and prayers are with you and your family <3 Lauren Healy xx

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  5. Annette, having read through all of your blog posts, one thing I have to say is that you are just too funny!! Being in the position that you are, having beaten breast cancer, and about to put up another good fight, your attitude is an inspiration. I'm afraid I'd have given up a long time ago. Your girls are so lucky to have you and if they end up half the woman you are they'd be doing well. And as for big Jim Bredin, I'm sure he knows how lucky he is, glad to hear you've been being lifted and laid ;-)I feel sad that you got so little time back at work before this all unfolded because you have such a passion for it but again, imagine how many people you are inspiring with your crazy, mad, amazing, fighting Irish spirit. It will be good to see you soon on Irish soil. Sorry for being an absolute stalker today!! Lol. Anyway...ding ding let the fight begin xx

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  6. hi Annette may i say wat a strong and loving person u are keep fightin stay strong and it would b an abseloute honer 2 fight with u and 4 ur campaign my thoughts are with u and ur family and and hopefully with all y friends and everybody elses u will get the treatment that u need wat an insparation u are and 2 others <3 xxx

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  7. Hello Annette or should that be Mrs. Bredin.

    I was a pupil at St. Mungo's while you were there between '98 and 2002 and remember you well. Your big loud voice was excellent and I remember one day you were a sub-teacher for our class, thought you were brilliant.

    Anyway, I just wanted to leave a message of support and tell you I wish you well and I'm sending you loads of love. All of this will work out for you and your family, just have faith and keep fighting. You're an incredible soul! I've added a prayer to this given to the Irish mystic, Lorna Byrne by the Archangel Michael and it has given faith and hope to millions over the world. Please read it and keep it close and have your loved ones do the same!

    God Bless you, brave woman and I look forward to hearing of your full recovery!

    'Prayer of Thy Healing Angels
    That is carried from God by Michael, Thy Archangel

    Pour out, Thy Healing Angels,
    Thy Heavenly Host upon me,
    And upon those that I love,
    Let me feel the beam of Thy
    Healing Angels upon me,
    The light of Your Healing Hands.
    I will let Thy Healing begin,
    Whatever way God grants it,
    Amen.’

    Love and Light.

    Kevin Barry Brannigan

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  8. What an inspirational lady you are! Keep fighting, for you, your family and for others. The postcode health lottery is disgusting and I sincerely hope you win your fight against this and most importantly against the big C.

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  9. Hi Mrs B! Your story was definitely inspirational to everyone, you are such a strong woman, always finding the best out of a bad situation, full of humour & you know you are the best! Thoughts are with you and your family! From Yasmine xxx

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  10. Hi Mrs Bredin,

    My deepest thoughts are with you and your family! You are such a strong woman and you will be in my prayers every day! I know you will keep fighting for your 3 girls and family.

    Thank you for making my time in your Higher Admin class unforgettable with your banter! "Mrs B cos i'm always busy".

    Praying for you and your family,

    Natalie Maxwell

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  11. Hey Mrs B!
    Just wanting to let you know how much everyone in St Mungo's is supporting you!
    Also wanted to remind you that we voted you 'Most Inspirational' in our S6 yearbook, and after reading your blog it's clear that we couldn't have given it to anyone better!
    I've never seen anyone take on cancer with such an amazing attitude! Cancer clearly messed with the wrong lady!
    Keep up that Irish banter!


    Ps. You should see my Facebook right now, one of my friends posted your blog, within half an hour over 30 more had shared it, and I'm pretty sure even more shared it then too because people were posting it on twitter too! xx

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  12. You weren't at any point throughout my 5 years in St Mungos my teacher, but you were always a laugh. If someone tried to rip the a***, you'd give them as good as they got. However, what I've heard from several friends of mines who were in fact your pupil at some point, you were a fantastic teacher. A person that brings both a fantastic personality and a great learning environment to a school is a rarity, never mind a privilege to the pupils you have educated.

    I hope you receive all the treatment you both need and deserve, and wish you and your family all the strength in the world to deal with what you are going through right now. Use all that fightin' Irish spirit and beat this horrible illness!

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  13. Hello Mrs Bredin

    I have been so inspired and touched by your fight with this awful disease. It has hit home so strongly with me because my father is currently suffering with secondary cancer. So your words have meant a great deal. I love your attitude, what an amazing example you are setting to us all. I cant emphasis that enough. Me and my sister were both taught by you at St Mungos and we remember our classes with you fondly. I remember you being tough, fair and loveable. You had a great way of teaching. We all achieved great grades because you made us work for it and care about our futures.

    Keep on fighting and thank you for sharing your journey so far.

    Much love and positive thoughts

    Margaret Ann Daly

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  14. Mrs B
    The whole of St Mungos are thinking about you and your family, you're such a star, and I take my hat off to how you have handled this so well, just shows you how wonderful you are, really hope you get your money as I can't be leaving the school without knowing some little kid won't be getting it tight like me, and even told the lidl story, all the best <3

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  15. Annette,good luck mate,u have a strong spirit

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  16. Hello Mrs B just had a few texts and was told to check out youre blog really cannot believe it will say a prayer for you and the family stay strong you know you will always have the backing of everybody who had the pleasure of knowing you ,as you told me when i was struglling with work in accounts "when the going gets tough the tough get going" youre story is an insparation to all hope to see you well again and slagging me off once more god bless just remember "you cant beat the irish"

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  17. Keep up the fight Mrs B ! I know you wont give up this fight untill you have won. Such a strong woman and a inspiration to all. Your daughters and family will be so proud of you. If it wasnt for you i wouldnt be where i am just now doing admin for a living. Best teacher ever and thats a fact.

    So keep your head held high and kick cancers ass. All of st mungos are behind you.

    Prayers are with you and your family that you win this battle.

    You can do it Mrs B !!!

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  18. Mrs B, I'm gutted to hear what you and your family are going through.

    You are a fantastic woman, a great teacher and a brilliant laugh. I believe you can beat this, tell that cancer to "SIT DOWN, NOW". We're all behind you and we'll do absolutely everything we can to help you. I'm appalled about the drugs situation between England and Scotland, I've created a petition about it, but I'm waiting for it to be approved before I can start collecting signatures, I'll keep you posted!

    Stay the strong woman you are, thinking of you, Jim and the girls.
    xx

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  19. Hi Annette, What a great teacher and great lady.Stay strong, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Denis McFadden former PT maths St Mungo's.

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  20. Hi Annette, just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you and your lovely family. Keep up the fantastic attitude that you have towards this illness and we'll help in any way with your campaign for getting what you need to fight this. Love your banter on the blog.x




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  21. hey mrs b we all hope you live long we all love you here at st mungos you made my last period on a friday feel worth the long wait for the weekend your the best and funniest teacher in stmungos! (don't tell anyone i said that lol) we're all we can to help you raise money come on mrs b make sure you kick cancers ass! we're all behind you at st mungos - rachel agnew

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  22. Rip mrs b u were the funniest teacher ever:):)

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