I pressed publish as I was dozing off last night and hadn't quite finished so here is the rest of my blog!
As I was blogging .... I have done quite a few Saunders Mountain Marathons in the past,so was a bit disappointed I was not going along to this one but have accepted now that climbing mountains might be a bit too much at present. There is always next year though!
I can now see that with lots of time off from chemo I will start to feel better and have just planned a coast to coast type cycle along Hadrian's way in mid August with all the family (husbands and partners), and am competing at a multi day event in Scotland (orienteering) in about 3 weeks time - shame I didn't get the chemo on time for this cycle as I would have felt better for the Scottish event. The Hadrian's Wall cycle which starts in Ravenglass, Cumbria on the west coast and takes you 174 miles north and then east to Tyne and Wear should be fun. It will be the last time we can do a family thing together before Sarah gets rather too rotund for cycling and then after January next year we will be needing a baby buggy on the back of her bike!
We are also moving house very shortly. Reading back over my blogs I can see the last time I wrote we were buying the Wadhurst house with big garden and large, large water feature in the garden - house was nice too. However since then the house we really wanted up the road in Brenchley came back onto the market and we bid for that one again and hopefully will be exchanging contracts any day now. I love this area and Brenchley means all my friends will still be close by and can drop in any time. We will be right in the middle of Brenchley which will be lovely and convenient. Can't wait to move now. These last few days before exchange are nail bitingly stressful!
So really exciting time ahead, new grandchild, new house, at least two holidays booked and more to plan and no more more chemo for a while now I hope.
See you all at the house warming!
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Exciting News!
I am going to be a grandma in January! Can now reveal - although have known for a while that Sarah is pregnant. Tim, her husband and Sarah wanted to wait until the end of the first trimester and the scan to announce it to all. This has meant I have had to keep this exciting news to myself for a while, So now I have finally been given permission to blog it. I better get on and finish the cot quilt I started 28 years ago before Sarah was born. I still have all the material cut out and appliquéd ready to sew on. Also need some lessons on how to be a grandma or will it be nanny or gran or granny - Don't of course feel old enough to be any of those names.
I have now finally finished the chemo - more exciting news. In my last blog I think I wrote that the plan was to do 8 sessions. However, when my scan was assessed, it revealed that although the cancer metastases are stable and have not progressed, they have not shrunk so it is not worth putting me through the rigours of two more cycles as they are unlikely to shrink the cancer more. However my liver function biochemistry looks much better. By the end of week three I am feeling a lot better, so I am sure it has done some good.
After the review two weeks ago it was decided to go through with Chemo 6 and then finish. When I arrived last Tuesday for my chemo and the bone acid infusion, only the latter was administered. There was not doctor's note to say prescribe the docetaxel (chemo cycle 6 of the programme). Some sort of communication error had occurred The onclologist Dr Rema had told the pharmacy and the treatment clinic to cancel the next lot of chemo - she meant 7 and 8, but I was arriving last week for number 6. In the end I had to go home and sort it out by ringing the oncologist. She was most embarrassed she had not been more specific. The letter she sent me was very specific, but the chemo nurses needed authorisation from the oncologist and she was in a different hospital. I did get another appointment for this week. So between cycles this time I have had 4 weeks respite and finally started feeling much better in week 4, did more walking and cycling than I have done for ages and at a more normal pace. I was staying in Surrey near the Surrey Hills this weekend as the rest of the family had gone to do the Saunders Mountain Marathon in the lake district. I have done quite a few of the Saunders Mountain Marathons in the past so
Friday, 3 June 2011
A New String to my bow, or is it Syringe to my bow?
Time to do an up date having now had 4 cycles of chemo. I was thinking quite happily that I had passed the half way mark, only to find that I will be having 8, not 6 six cycles of this nasty stuff. This means that I won't be finished until August but luckily we had not planned our big holiday until October.
Several of the side effects have caught up with me though. One is the neuropathy one gets in the fingers and toes which is irreversible. It is the sort of sensation you get when your hands or feet are cold and then start to thaw out. Th next doses will have to be reduced so that I tolerate the drug better.
One of the other side effects is oedema in the leg. I thought this would go away and was maybe only affecting my leg because of the knee operation. However, the swelling in my right leg this cycle did not go down and when I discussed this with the oncologist's registrar this week, he ordered an urgent ultrasound which I had today. This revealed that I have a thrombosis in my calf (DVT) for which I have to have heparin injected daily. Fortunately I can do this myself. I was given another lesson in how to get the syringe in a suitable fatty bit of skin (I have lots of possible sites to inject!) and sent home with an enormous bag of syringes and a bright yellow sharps bin for the disposal of said articles.
The ultrasound procedure was slightly embarrassing as I am extremely ticklish around the knee area (not sure if I am the only one who has ticklish knees - David drives me mad trying to grab my knees to see the response.) As the radiographer got closer to my knee, I took a sharp intake of breath. she apologised as she thought she had hurt me but I then had to explain between giggles that my knees where extremely ticklish and I would try not to whack her hand away.
"Strange" she said "I haven't come across anyone with ticklish knees before," it's usually the armpits that make people giggle". I have always known I was joined up wrongly.
I was advised not to do any competitive exercise for at least a fortnight. Just as well then that I did the multi-day orienteering event last week-end in Shropshire. Although the swelling was bad then and according to the Registrar I was rather lucky that the exercise hadn't forced the blood clot towards my lungs. I was told to be very sensible for a week or more and only do gentle walking. Advice which of course I will follow to the letter!
The oncologist is also planning a CT scan for me to check that the chemotherapy is reducing the metastases and to find out why I am still having breathing problems. As it was impossible to get a cannula in to infuse the contrast fluid last time, I may have to have a pic line inserted this time. This is a permanent 'port' inserted into a more major vein in the arm into which can be plugged a variety of tubes to push things in and get things out of one's body. Sounds like fun as it is not done under anaesthetic. The registrar assured me it was a painless procedure. (Although that is what the dentist said when he was filing my teeth down this week! I have had toothache to add to the various bits of my anatomy to cause problems).
The good news is that my biochemistry looks very good. The result of blood tests show that all levels are now almost normal again. So hopefully the chemo (horrid though it is) is doing the trick.
The house moving is going ahead nicely. We have sold our house and found another one near Wadhurst. If all goes according to plan we are hoping to exchange and complete before the end of July. The new house has a fantastic garden complete with large pond, steps, decking and lots of interesting nooks and crannies. The house has lots of querky bits too and needs hardly any changes. I will have to start clearing the shed now. I have been waiting to plant all the vegetable plants that have arrived from the seed company. At present they are in big pots - so hopefully I may get them into the garden of the new house. I am hoping lots of people will come and see us when we move and plan a big house warming sometime in Autumn.
Until the next blog ................. Anita
Several of the side effects have caught up with me though. One is the neuropathy one gets in the fingers and toes which is irreversible. It is the sort of sensation you get when your hands or feet are cold and then start to thaw out. Th next doses will have to be reduced so that I tolerate the drug better.
One of the other side effects is oedema in the leg. I thought this would go away and was maybe only affecting my leg because of the knee operation. However, the swelling in my right leg this cycle did not go down and when I discussed this with the oncologist's registrar this week, he ordered an urgent ultrasound which I had today. This revealed that I have a thrombosis in my calf (DVT) for which I have to have heparin injected daily. Fortunately I can do this myself. I was given another lesson in how to get the syringe in a suitable fatty bit of skin (I have lots of possible sites to inject!) and sent home with an enormous bag of syringes and a bright yellow sharps bin for the disposal of said articles.
The ultrasound procedure was slightly embarrassing as I am extremely ticklish around the knee area (not sure if I am the only one who has ticklish knees - David drives me mad trying to grab my knees to see the response.) As the radiographer got closer to my knee, I took a sharp intake of breath. she apologised as she thought she had hurt me but I then had to explain between giggles that my knees where extremely ticklish and I would try not to whack her hand away.
"Strange" she said "I haven't come across anyone with ticklish knees before," it's usually the armpits that make people giggle". I have always known I was joined up wrongly.
I was advised not to do any competitive exercise for at least a fortnight. Just as well then that I did the multi-day orienteering event last week-end in Shropshire. Although the swelling was bad then and according to the Registrar I was rather lucky that the exercise hadn't forced the blood clot towards my lungs. I was told to be very sensible for a week or more and only do gentle walking. Advice which of course I will follow to the letter!
The oncologist is also planning a CT scan for me to check that the chemotherapy is reducing the metastases and to find out why I am still having breathing problems. As it was impossible to get a cannula in to infuse the contrast fluid last time, I may have to have a pic line inserted this time. This is a permanent 'port' inserted into a more major vein in the arm into which can be plugged a variety of tubes to push things in and get things out of one's body. Sounds like fun as it is not done under anaesthetic. The registrar assured me it was a painless procedure. (Although that is what the dentist said when he was filing my teeth down this week! I have had toothache to add to the various bits of my anatomy to cause problems).
The good news is that my biochemistry looks very good. The result of blood tests show that all levels are now almost normal again. So hopefully the chemo (horrid though it is) is doing the trick.
The house moving is going ahead nicely. We have sold our house and found another one near Wadhurst. If all goes according to plan we are hoping to exchange and complete before the end of July. The new house has a fantastic garden complete with large pond, steps, decking and lots of interesting nooks and crannies. The house has lots of querky bits too and needs hardly any changes. I will have to start clearing the shed now. I have been waiting to plant all the vegetable plants that have arrived from the seed company. At present they are in big pots - so hopefully I may get them into the garden of the new house. I am hoping lots of people will come and see us when we move and plan a big house warming sometime in Autumn.
Until the next blog ................. Anita
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Sleep at last!
7.30!!!! Wow managed to sleep from 1 am till 7.30 a.m.. Things are definitely getting better. Have now finished the steriods, but was having dreadful problems with night cramps. Apparently not part of chemo, but never had them before. I am inpossible to sleep with, as during the night I jump out of bed Banshee style screaming and stamping the floor as the painful knot in my calf will not undo. Clearly this is not conducive to Dave's beauty sleep and he has found refuge in the guest room upstairs where he says he can still hear my night time antics.
I read that night cramps are due to a lack of various minerals, potassium, calcium etc. I already take calcium tablets as the treatment for the bone cancer - zoldonic acid takes a lot of the calcium out of the system and you have to take calcium tablets to put some back. With a view to improving the potassium, I have taken to eating a lot of bananas - or rather bananas fried in butter and tossed in rum and sugar - yummy, but doesn't seem to help the night cramps. In desperation therefore I asked the doctor for quinine tablets which are meant to help - At least I won't get malaria this summer! I had the first tablet last night and like magic the cramps have gone. Bliss. I am a new woman.
House buying and selling is proving a wee bit troublesome. We were out-bid on the house we wanted - gazzumping still goes on, although I suppose we didn't offer anywhere near the asking prize for the house that we wanted. We also lowered the price of ours to ensure we secured a buyer in rented accommodation as the people who were going to buy our house were in a chain and the people at the bottom of the chain pulled out.
Now we have the buyers, we don't have a house to move to. However tomorrow I am off again to look for a Dez Res with lovely garden, big kitchen and not a lick of paint needed. Have about four to look at. House hunting is a bit voyeuristic. It is an insight into the different ways people live. The house inhabiting public is made up of clutterists and minimalists I think with shades in between. However, when trying to sell a house, one would assume that the clutterists clear up a bit. Not at all and we have seen some very cluttered houses. The idea I think is to look beyond what is in a house, but I am not very good at that. I am definitely good at knowing which house I like though - usually within the first 5 minutes. If I feel coming home to a house would not make me think - oh I am glad to be here, I don't even want to go on. That discounts most non-period houses and houses on estates where there are lots of houses that look the same. Hope I don't sound a snob - oh what the hell, I probably am.
I have finally organised our 30th Wedding anniversary week-end. Last August Dave and I should have celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. However I was half way into my first lot of chemo and the momentous day was marked with a quick head shave (Dave decided my hair needed a bit of a tidy up) and a celebratory drink of tap water. In discussion with the hospice physio I saw yesterday - we were working on improving my breathing and she is a native of Holland - somehow we started talking about flowers, perhaps even having enough breath to smell flowers. She told me that this weekend is the famous Dutch Bloemencorso - flower festival which takes place between Noordwijk and Haarlem (not far from Amsterdam). One can watch the procession and then cycle along the coast to see the wonderful flowers in bloom. We abandoned any pretence at a physio session, got on the computer and planned it all - her notes will surely mention 'suggest practice breathing techniques in practical session this week-end!' So it is off to Holland via the car ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland and two nights in posh hotel. We can take my electric bike so I will be able to cycle as easily as the next person. Who says all stops when you have chemo!
I read that night cramps are due to a lack of various minerals, potassium, calcium etc. I already take calcium tablets as the treatment for the bone cancer - zoldonic acid takes a lot of the calcium out of the system and you have to take calcium tablets to put some back. With a view to improving the potassium, I have taken to eating a lot of bananas - or rather bananas fried in butter and tossed in rum and sugar - yummy, but doesn't seem to help the night cramps. In desperation therefore I asked the doctor for quinine tablets which are meant to help - At least I won't get malaria this summer! I had the first tablet last night and like magic the cramps have gone. Bliss. I am a new woman.
House buying and selling is proving a wee bit troublesome. We were out-bid on the house we wanted - gazzumping still goes on, although I suppose we didn't offer anywhere near the asking prize for the house that we wanted. We also lowered the price of ours to ensure we secured a buyer in rented accommodation as the people who were going to buy our house were in a chain and the people at the bottom of the chain pulled out.
Now we have the buyers, we don't have a house to move to. However tomorrow I am off again to look for a Dez Res with lovely garden, big kitchen and not a lick of paint needed. Have about four to look at. House hunting is a bit voyeuristic. It is an insight into the different ways people live. The house inhabiting public is made up of clutterists and minimalists I think with shades in between. However, when trying to sell a house, one would assume that the clutterists clear up a bit. Not at all and we have seen some very cluttered houses. The idea I think is to look beyond what is in a house, but I am not very good at that. I am definitely good at knowing which house I like though - usually within the first 5 minutes. If I feel coming home to a house would not make me think - oh I am glad to be here, I don't even want to go on. That discounts most non-period houses and houses on estates where there are lots of houses that look the same. Hope I don't sound a snob - oh what the hell, I probably am.
I have finally organised our 30th Wedding anniversary week-end. Last August Dave and I should have celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. However I was half way into my first lot of chemo and the momentous day was marked with a quick head shave (Dave decided my hair needed a bit of a tidy up) and a celebratory drink of tap water. In discussion with the hospice physio I saw yesterday - we were working on improving my breathing and she is a native of Holland - somehow we started talking about flowers, perhaps even having enough breath to smell flowers. She told me that this weekend is the famous Dutch Bloemencorso - flower festival which takes place between Noordwijk and Haarlem (not far from Amsterdam). One can watch the procession and then cycle along the coast to see the wonderful flowers in bloom. We abandoned any pretence at a physio session, got on the computer and planned it all - her notes will surely mention 'suggest practice breathing techniques in practical session this week-end!' So it is off to Holland via the car ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland and two nights in posh hotel. We can take my electric bike so I will be able to cycle as easily as the next person. Who says all stops when you have chemo!
Sunday, 3 April 2011
The next step, Reviews, steroids and moving house.
Okay its 5 in the morning on Monday 4th April I have been awake since 3 a.m. Have now given up trying to get back to sleep and have a cup of Ovaltine by the side of the computer.
The reason for the insomnia is quite obvious. I had to take 16 mg of steroids yesterday ready for 2nd chemo cycle today. These wonderful little happy pills have helped enormously whilst feeling ill - giving me back my appetite and stopping pain. The side effect is being slightly euphoric all the time - even more loquacious than I normally am and far too wakeful at night. That however was on a maintenance dose of 2 mg a day - one tablet. Yesterday and for the next three days I have to take 8 tablets. I am now bouncing off the walls! I managed to get three and a half hours sleep by adding to this 16 mg of happy pills half a bottle of Baileys. This did the trick from 11.30 p.m. till 3 a.m.
Lack of sleep is no big deal really. I have never needed much as close friends will know. Managed my teaching degree by doing most of work in the middle of the night. Have always done out of hours teacher prep in the early hours of the morning and when oldest daughter was a baby (lovingly referred to as the baby-from-hell), rarely had more than two consecutive hours a night for about 2 years. In fact if I add up my waking hours compared to rest of the population I have probably been awake for at least 10 more years that the rest of you. So my limited shelf life isn't that bad really. Means I have experienced more in my 57 years than some.
So now is the time to update blog before tomorrow's nasty dose of toxic drugs (docetaxel).
On Wednesday I had a review with the lovely Dr Rema, my oncologist. She confirmed that this particular chemo regime is indeed not very nice to lots of people and my side effects were common - e.g. nasty stomach cramps and diarrhoea, breathlessness and extreme tiredness. She was most impressed that I was still getting on the electric bike to to do 10 - 20 mile country trips in the second and third week. The electric bike must have been the best thing I ever bought and has saved my sanity. It is still wonderful seeing the lovely Kent countryside near us on a bike and I can now do hills with ease once I press the little button that says sport mode! As it was Mother's day yesterday, had a wonderful cycle with aforementioned daughter (who now sleeps all through the night) and her husband. We had a mother's day meal en route at the top of Kilndown Hill and then did rest of ride (about another 18 miles) to work off the 3 courses. They had cycled down from London and so clocked up over 100k compared to my measly 35k.
Dr Rema also added that at the beginning of this nasty regime you have all the side effects of the toxic drugs and none of the benefits of feeling better. By cycle three to four things should improve.
As things are going at present the first week is the worst. By week two I am feeling better and by week three, whilst still breathless I can at least walk faster than a snail. Sort of fit octogenarian style of walk. So now can start planning diary again based on this knowledge.
The next item to add is that we are moving house for a variety of reasons. Firstly we were always going to move anyway when I retired. House is now too big for the two of us and because of knee problems and deterioration of health, this house is not ideal. We had thought (or rather David had) of moving out of Kent. I have always loved this area and brought up the family in a wonderful environment which they are always happy to return to. I get strong withdrawal symptoms if I don't see an oast or an orchard at least daily and love coming down the hill from Brenchley to see the fantastic views in the Teise valley. However fore-bearing husband agreed that a big move away would be traumatic and we have been looking at houses in Tunbridge Wells, Wadhurst and the villages nearby. Having seen at least 10 we have decided on a house in Brenchley. It was the old Bournes Cheese and Wine store. It is really in the centre of the village and just behind and up the hill a bit from the Bull - where I celebrated my 40th birthday just before the second lot of cancer. Hope to celebrate my 60th in the Bull again if possible. They say you know within the first 5 minutes if you like a house. This was so true of this house for me. Not least because of its lovely light and airy set up inside, but also because it has a pretty south facing garden with views, a room downstairs just in case I have to sleep downstairs and it also has what I have always wanted a big Rayburn that I can cook on. Our one is more for decoration than use and just boosts the central heating in the winter.
Our house is now under offer and there are three buyers below our buyer all desperate to move. I do hope the chain does not break and we can then be out of here and in the new house in May. A big house warming will follow so watch this space. They say moving is stressful, but so far so good and I am busy sorting out clothes and crocks. Not worn or used for more than 2 years and it is straight into the recycling bags. I have even seen David throwing away some nuts, bolts and nails! Does he really need 4 hammers and various drills - some of which pre-date the first world war I am sure.
On top of moving I am also retiring on ill health grounds at the end of April now, rather than June. The new house which is more expensive than this and even more expensive if you add the £30,000 it now costs to move will be partly funded by my retirement money. Having worked for over 30 years with only 2 years off when I had the girls, I suppose I have done my bit as a teacher of the deaf. It has been a fantastic career and I am really happy that I chose to work with children with hearing problems. I feel I have helped the odd family and child over time and worked with fantastic colleagues in Kent both in education and health. I have always been a bit of a workaholic and I still can't get used to being retired, but love not having deadlines to meet and paperwork to do, but have to admit to still missing the children I used to work with. Giving up the job means giving up the car and I am still waiting to find the correct replacement. Car searching is proving to be great fun too - almost as good as buying clothes in size 10.
Dawn has arrived - it is now 6.15 a.m. If I put in my hearing aids no doubt I would hear the dawn chorus so time to stop blogging and get on with the book and the breakfast. Next blog may even be in the new house.
The reason for the insomnia is quite obvious. I had to take 16 mg of steroids yesterday ready for 2nd chemo cycle today. These wonderful little happy pills have helped enormously whilst feeling ill - giving me back my appetite and stopping pain. The side effect is being slightly euphoric all the time - even more loquacious than I normally am and far too wakeful at night. That however was on a maintenance dose of 2 mg a day - one tablet. Yesterday and for the next three days I have to take 8 tablets. I am now bouncing off the walls! I managed to get three and a half hours sleep by adding to this 16 mg of happy pills half a bottle of Baileys. This did the trick from 11.30 p.m. till 3 a.m.
Lack of sleep is no big deal really. I have never needed much as close friends will know. Managed my teaching degree by doing most of work in the middle of the night. Have always done out of hours teacher prep in the early hours of the morning and when oldest daughter was a baby (lovingly referred to as the baby-from-hell), rarely had more than two consecutive hours a night for about 2 years. In fact if I add up my waking hours compared to rest of the population I have probably been awake for at least 10 more years that the rest of you. So my limited shelf life isn't that bad really. Means I have experienced more in my 57 years than some.
So now is the time to update blog before tomorrow's nasty dose of toxic drugs (docetaxel).
On Wednesday I had a review with the lovely Dr Rema, my oncologist. She confirmed that this particular chemo regime is indeed not very nice to lots of people and my side effects were common - e.g. nasty stomach cramps and diarrhoea, breathlessness and extreme tiredness. She was most impressed that I was still getting on the electric bike to to do 10 - 20 mile country trips in the second and third week. The electric bike must have been the best thing I ever bought and has saved my sanity. It is still wonderful seeing the lovely Kent countryside near us on a bike and I can now do hills with ease once I press the little button that says sport mode! As it was Mother's day yesterday, had a wonderful cycle with aforementioned daughter (who now sleeps all through the night) and her husband. We had a mother's day meal en route at the top of Kilndown Hill and then did rest of ride (about another 18 miles) to work off the 3 courses. They had cycled down from London and so clocked up over 100k compared to my measly 35k.
Dr Rema also added that at the beginning of this nasty regime you have all the side effects of the toxic drugs and none of the benefits of feeling better. By cycle three to four things should improve.
As things are going at present the first week is the worst. By week two I am feeling better and by week three, whilst still breathless I can at least walk faster than a snail. Sort of fit octogenarian style of walk. So now can start planning diary again based on this knowledge.
The next item to add is that we are moving house for a variety of reasons. Firstly we were always going to move anyway when I retired. House is now too big for the two of us and because of knee problems and deterioration of health, this house is not ideal. We had thought (or rather David had) of moving out of Kent. I have always loved this area and brought up the family in a wonderful environment which they are always happy to return to. I get strong withdrawal symptoms if I don't see an oast or an orchard at least daily and love coming down the hill from Brenchley to see the fantastic views in the Teise valley. However fore-bearing husband agreed that a big move away would be traumatic and we have been looking at houses in Tunbridge Wells, Wadhurst and the villages nearby. Having seen at least 10 we have decided on a house in Brenchley. It was the old Bournes Cheese and Wine store. It is really in the centre of the village and just behind and up the hill a bit from the Bull - where I celebrated my 40th birthday just before the second lot of cancer. Hope to celebrate my 60th in the Bull again if possible. They say you know within the first 5 minutes if you like a house. This was so true of this house for me. Not least because of its lovely light and airy set up inside, but also because it has a pretty south facing garden with views, a room downstairs just in case I have to sleep downstairs and it also has what I have always wanted a big Rayburn that I can cook on. Our one is more for decoration than use and just boosts the central heating in the winter.
Our house is now under offer and there are three buyers below our buyer all desperate to move. I do hope the chain does not break and we can then be out of here and in the new house in May. A big house warming will follow so watch this space. They say moving is stressful, but so far so good and I am busy sorting out clothes and crocks. Not worn or used for more than 2 years and it is straight into the recycling bags. I have even seen David throwing away some nuts, bolts and nails! Does he really need 4 hammers and various drills - some of which pre-date the first world war I am sure.
On top of moving I am also retiring on ill health grounds at the end of April now, rather than June. The new house which is more expensive than this and even more expensive if you add the £30,000 it now costs to move will be partly funded by my retirement money. Having worked for over 30 years with only 2 years off when I had the girls, I suppose I have done my bit as a teacher of the deaf. It has been a fantastic career and I am really happy that I chose to work with children with hearing problems. I feel I have helped the odd family and child over time and worked with fantastic colleagues in Kent both in education and health. I have always been a bit of a workaholic and I still can't get used to being retired, but love not having deadlines to meet and paperwork to do, but have to admit to still missing the children I used to work with. Giving up the job means giving up the car and I am still waiting to find the correct replacement. Car searching is proving to be great fun too - almost as good as buying clothes in size 10.
Dawn has arrived - it is now 6.15 a.m. If I put in my hearing aids no doubt I would hear the dawn chorus so time to stop blogging and get on with the book and the breakfast. Next blog may even be in the new house.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Next Chemo and Portugual
Really glad I went to Portugal. Had a fantastic time, lovely countryside with lots to see. Weather was good and competition we entered was really worth doing. I managed to compete in all 5 events - and not even last. We stayed in very up-marked accommodation for a fraction of English prices.
So it was back to England and straight into Chemo on Monday. Really long session as it was a new regime - Dotaxele for those that are interested. This one is clearly affecting me more than the other one. I feel dire at the minute, but at least the tummy ache has gone and I just have the trotts!!! I am sure this will be short lived and by about day 5 I should surface again.
Spending time buying smaller underwear in Marks and Spencer - has to be a must do for the new Spring wardrobe and shopping for a car. Have to give my lease car back as am retiring, so for the first time in years I am car shopping - mustn't only concentrate on colour and storage space, but it is tempting. Have decided on a Picasso zara or some such name in desire - sounds the ultimate. I like small people carriers especially ones that don't have a bridge in the middle to get all bits under. I am looking for an automatic as knee is problem and automatics must be less strain on knees. Any advice greatly appreciated. Also want stay clean seats - leather maybe!
So all is not doom and gloom. Lots more holidays to look forward to so best get back to surfing where to go when this lot of chemo comes to an end in July.
So it was back to England and straight into Chemo on Monday. Really long session as it was a new regime - Dotaxele for those that are interested. This one is clearly affecting me more than the other one. I feel dire at the minute, but at least the tummy ache has gone and I just have the trotts!!! I am sure this will be short lived and by about day 5 I should surface again.
Spending time buying smaller underwear in Marks and Spencer - has to be a must do for the new Spring wardrobe and shopping for a car. Have to give my lease car back as am retiring, so for the first time in years I am car shopping - mustn't only concentrate on colour and storage space, but it is tempting. Have decided on a Picasso zara or some such name in desire - sounds the ultimate. I like small people carriers especially ones that don't have a bridge in the middle to get all bits under. I am looking for an automatic as knee is problem and automatics must be less strain on knees. Any advice greatly appreciated. Also want stay clean seats - leather maybe!
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Update from latest Scan done on Monday
As I am always short of breath and because of flying to Portugal on Friday the Consultant wanted me to have a pulmonary scan to make sure there was not fluid on the lungs. These scans require you to have a contrast fluid passed into your veins through a cannula. Due to my tough wriggly veins they could not cannulate me and had to do the scan without contrast - had nine attempts and after an arm like a pin cushion and 3 different medics from nurse through to doctor had tried, they threw in the towel.
I got the result today. Even without the contrast they could tell there was no fluid on the lungs - good news so okay to travel and I am packing now! Bad news cancer has spread to lungs - they could see that without contrast so now in liver, lungs and bones, but I am sure there are lots of bits that it hasn't reached yet - toes still seem okay! Anyway the chemo I had planned for Monday 14th March is the same whether it is in lungs or not so no change to treatment plan, just got to get back and get treatment started and hope it slows down the progression. Having found out how much of a lump sum I am getting for my retirement on ill health grounds from KCC, I need a bit of time to spend it. Thought I would include photo of family at birthday meal recently - Nice frock don't you think!
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