After the treatment, 1st day of 2nd cycle of chemo

Hi,
It's lovely to see so many of you interested in today's post, - thank you.
Well, it went down the same as last time. (see post 13.12 10).
I was there with different people this time.
Actually got chatting this time, and I will be meeting them again at my next 'full hospital visit'.  (26th Jan).
So that will be good.
(We discussed bringing a game of twister and the kareoke machine, lol!)

I did get a telling off for using my phone again, and I was texting......... so I need to ignore everything that I was told about phone use, no calls no texts...no nothing!

I felt like a naughty child, Lol!
That was fun!

Back to business......
Pete came and took me to hospital, I managed to nab the same spot as last time, next to the loo!
We discussed my side effects, seems that I was very lucky to get off as lightly as I did.... probably, be worse this time. (Not if I can help it!)
I did mention my vision being affected, and I was told, yes it can be an issue, but it is very rare,
(Might have bloody guessed!) Lol!
I will see the optician next time that I am in town..............
Mum came at about 13.30....armed with more magazines and coffee!
(Pete said that he had a heavy day today, so we had a taxi back home).

I feel very light headed and tired.
That much so, that I needed physical assistance to make my way to reception to meet the taxi.
Mum helped me, bless....
If I had've gone over, we would have both ended up in a heap together.... the sick helping the sick! Lol!
But WE ARE SUPER HERO'S, and didn't....Lol!

Great to get home, I can take my head gear off and give my head a jolly good scratch!
I am really hot too, and my chest and neck are bright red! No itching or rash, just red!
I will have to see if I have a blouse to co-ordinate , Lol!

I need to take the same chemo tablets as last time for the next 2 days, along with compulsory anti-sickness meds and additional, if required ones).
(Didn't need the additional anti sickness meds last time).
I have my bucket ready and waiting by my bed, just in case!

Really have to go now, I am soooooooooo knac*kred!

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

5th Jan 1st day of 2nd cycle

I am scared.........

Mum was going to come with me, but she remembered that she had a hairdressing appointment at 12. 00, so she is coming afterwards.

Just as well really, I would prefer her not to see me looking like a scared rabbit! Lol!

Mum sees me as stong and dependable, so I would like to keep it that way, after all, she came to live with me so that I can care for her, not the other way around! Lol!I will be settled and feeling a bit better when she comes. (I hope, anyway).

I should be settled and more confident and less scared then.

Well, 06.45 now, Pete's coming at 08.00 to take me. (Thanks Pete).

I will have another coffee, pack my bag with 'the paperwork', magazines and other things to do for 9 hours, then have a shower.

Shouldn't take me long, as I don't have to 'tat' around with may hair! Lol!

Then I will sit quietly, and take my head to a happy place.

Ooooooo, that just reminded me of a song, do you remember it?

By Napoleon XIV.....

They're coming to take me away Ha ha,

They're coming to take me away Ho ho,

To the happy home,

With trees and flowers,

And Chirpping birds..............

Lol!

No idea where that came from.......

That's brought a smile to my face!

.

I will let you know how it went when I get back.
Have a good day.

4th January, after bloods

Well, I have definitely got some blood!
A bit was taken, I was there and back in half an hour.
Tomorrow is the 1st day of the second cycle, I am not looking forward to it al all.
But, sais la vie and all that..................

As I said, I shaved my head last night because I was fed up with hair in my food and all over the place.

This one is shaved and proud! Lol!

With my 'head gear'! Lol!

I bought the hat from Hooties at £0.39!
(This is $0.60, Euro 0.46).
The scarf was £3.00! ($4.63, Euro 3.53).

My head feels so much better since I shaved it.
There is no soreness or tenderness now, so that is fab!!

Anyway, see if I still have that silly grin on my face tomorrow!!

Have a good day, talk to you tomorrow, before I go, and when I get back if I feel able.
Wish me luck!

4th January morning

Hi,
Sinusitis again this morning, no scalp ache because I shaved my head last night, as I said I would.
I am off to the hospital this morning for my blood tests.
I will let you know what happened at the hospital when I get back, and I will post pictures of me with no hair.
Can't do it now because I have just woken up, taking my first coffee, not a pretty sight.

3rd January '11 - 21st day of 1st chemo cycle

Morning!
Felt tired yesterday after noon, but managed to stay up until 10.00pm. Wow!
I had my shower yesterday morning, and was wondering why the shower wasn't draining, so I checked the plug and cleaned it out. It was full of my hair,
Water drained OK when it was all removed.
Dare say that it will happen again this morning when I get in the shower.
My scalp was sore all day yesterday, and is sore this morning.
I had a headache most of the day yesterday, which is unusual for me, and woke with sinusitis again this morning.

I am off to the hospital tomorrow for tests and then again on 5th for the 2nd infusion of chemo, which will take about 9 hours. That will be the 1st day of the 2nd cycle of chemo....you see, I have worked it all out now! Lol!

I did cook dinner, and no one complained of having  hairs in it, so that was good.
Depending on how much falls out today, I will probably shave it off. It is a little weird finding hairs every where at each turn of my head.
It will certainly make getting ready in the mornings a lot easier! No hair to wash, no 'blow drying'.......
I will just include my head in my face washing! Lol!

Getting back to B&Q............
I felt guilty sounding off with out letting B&Q that I was unhappy, so I wrote an email making an official complaint.
It was polite, and stated that the staff were good, but that it was the policy that I disagreed with.
I haven't heard anything back.
Mum, Derek and I went to Machine Mart and bought what we wanted.
 It was their last one, but they DID sell it to us!
The only thing is, we left a piece of it there, so I have to go back and get it today!
Damm!

Life is back to normal now after the holidays, so I have a number of calls to make today in response to letters that I received during the holidays, that will take a couple of hours.
(You know, after I have pressed button this then button that with the options, hung on because 'My call is important to them',   'They will answer my call as soon as possible'........whilst I am hanging on the line, they will make things even more unpleasant in the hope that I will hang up and call back later by playing some bloody awful music! - to top it all, I will probably be humming it for the rest of the day!)
Grrrrrrrrrrrr!

Never mind, I will think lovely thoughts,  put a smile on my face and wait, just like always, Lol!

2nd Jan '11 - 20th day of 1st chemo cycle

Hi!
Not a lot of change really, still woke with sinusitis, had a bit of a nose bleed. My  scalp stopped hurting yesterday, but started to hurt again just before I went to bed. Brushed my hair, and quiet a few hairs came out. I have noticed that they come out in the area that was sore.
This happens to be on the top, in the middle.
Shall look a bit like this soon!

Derek, Mum and me went out yesterday, we went to B&Q to get some stuff.
Well, we saw what we wanted, but they wouldn't sell it to us because it was the display model, and they had no others in stock!
Is it just me..........
Why do you want to display something you haven't got?
Why do you want miss a sale at a difficult time for retailers?
I wouldn't mind, but it is the 4th time that this has happened! And always at B&Q!
I tried to buy-
A shed, there it was, large as life! No, can't have it because it is for display purposes.... For goodness sake, you haven't got any, why display it!
A set of 5 wicker storage caskets! No, can't have that.............
A shredder, for the garden, you know, the ones that make chips from branches,...Can't remember what they are called, and something else that I can't remember.
I wouldn't mind, but I have only been to that particular B&Q 4 times, well, I shan't be going again!
Bloody madness, I was livid, spitting nails!!!!!!!!!
Well, I had a bit of a 'paddy'.
Mum and Derek decided that I should leave B&Q.
Humph!!!!!!
I did get a bit angry.

Keep calm, keep calm! Deep breath, count to 10.....................

Then we went went to have dinner at a lovely little place on the Stafford Road.
I had a Balti Kashmir, with naan and pilau rice. Mmmmmmmmmm, yummy scrummy!!!!
I pigged out and calmed down!

1st January 2011 - Day 19 on 1st cycle of chemo

Happy New Year!!!
Hope that you wont be 'hung over' this morning!!!!

Well.......
Woke up with sinusitis again, a bit of heart burn and a very sore scalp.
The sore scalp started yesterday afternoon/evening.

My hair has started to come out.
As soon as I think that I have lost enough, I am going to shave the rest off.

How do I feel about it?
Oddly, I am not really bothered.
I was expecting it, I have prepared for it, and getting upset really doesn't help.

Sometimes you can loose eyebrows and eye lashes, that will probably upset me a bit more if it happens.
I think that my eyebrows are my best feature! Lol!
I quite like my eyelashes too.
You may remember that I have bought false eyelashes, just in case.
Apparently, it will all grow back.

My hair may grow back a different colour, and it may be curly instead of straight.
With the marvel of hair straighteners and hair dyes, I should manage.
If my hair grows back pure white, I may even leave it.

Maybe I will look like this, (I can dream).

(Urgh, hope that if I loose eyelashes and eyebrows, they don't grow back curly, I had better start to think of something that I can do, just in case. Growing back white I could cope with, the glory of mascara and eyebrow pencils!)

I probably wouldn't even bother with a wig, but compared to the more than ample proportions of my bottom, thighs and chest, my hands, feet and head are quite small, so without hair, my head would look like a pimple on an elephant's bum! Lolol!

The most annoying thing at the moment, is that, for example, while I am merrily typing this blog, lonely little hairs are failing on to the key board. Not loads and loads. just one or two, so I am thinking that I had better cover my head when cooking or some one could get a hair in their dinner....not a nice thought.

Hmmmmmm...........maybe I can use this to my advantage and get someone else to cook! lol!!!!!!!

OK, that's it for today.
Have a wonderful day, and a better year!

So excited!

I am so proud to announce that my cousin, Jean Bartlett has been awarded an MBE in this years Honours list!!!
Well done Jeanie!!!
Very much deserved!
Go Jeanie! Go Jeanie! Go Jeannie!!!

Friday 31st December - Day 18 on 1st chemo cycle

Good Morning!
Well, once again I woke up with sinusitis, not as bad as it has been, but I know that it is there.
Still a bit concerned about my eyesight. I will ask about it on Tuesday, when next at the Hospital for some blood tests.
My skin is drying out, and is starting to look like crocodile skin, particularly on my thighs and back, despite slapping moisturiser all over it.
(I put that much on that if some one hugged me, I would shoot all over the room! Not a pretty sight!)

A bit like this!

I was really tired again late after noon yesterday.
I was falling asleep at about 7pm, and went at bed at 8pm,  slept until 06.30!

Keith and Sarah left at about 12.30 yesterday, and my friend Claire, came to visit as they left.
I had a great after noon with Claire.
Doreen phoned, and we had a long chat, then I made some more jewellery, bit of an experiment, but I think that it turned out nicely.
Not a lot more to report, so have a great New Year's Eve, and a lovely New Year's Day!

30th December Day 18 of first chemo cycle

Again, I woke up with sinusitis. Not as bad as yesterday though!
Still up at silly o'clock. Temperature taken, so if it gets worse I can take some paracetamol.

Keith and Sarah came and stayed over yesterday, that was a lovely surprise.
Philip and Faye, my brother and niece came for a visit yesterday evening too, another surprise. What a great day!

I went and had my wig trimmed, that looks good now.
My own hair is beyond redemption, so I will just have to make the most of it!
I went out for a lovely walk, I really enjoyed it!
All in all, it was a very great day!

I am collecting magazines so that I will have something to do whilst at the hospital all day on 5th Jan, starting my second cycle of chemo. I have 'quite a pile' now.
The difficulty has been not reading them as I buy them! Lol!
If you remember, I was unable to use my computer or make calls last time, so I got quite bored and restless.
Getting a bit nervous again now.
Ho Hum! What will be will be..............

Well, I am off now to prepare myself for the day that is unfolding itself before me.
Coffee, paracetamol, shower and BAMM! Launch and lift off!

29th December

About yesterday's blog....
It wasn''t 'Fritz the Dog'.......
It was 'Fritz the Cat'........
Should have been 'Fritz the bloody Rabbit'. Lol!

Anyway, enough of that.

I  woke up with sinusitis this morning.
Every head movement feels like my head is going to explode and fall off!
Particularly when I bend my head forward. It is actually making me feel nauseous.
I have already taken my temperature, so I can have a couple of paracetamol now, well, in a minute, when I have done this.
No, I am going to do it now..... be back in a mo!

Ahh, that's better, made another coffee too, sorry to keep you....Lol!

Today, I am off to the hairdresser.
My hair just won't do as it is told! It is still all there, but it will not be 'guided' by me any more.
'Guided' is a bit of an understatement. I always put that much gel and spray on it, that it could do some serious damage to anyone touching it!
So, I am off to see if the hairdresser can do anything with it.
I am going to take my wig along for a trim.
Great style, lovely hair....there is just so much of it.  It makes me look like I should be in  an advert selling Dulux paint.
(For those of you that don't know this advert, it uses an old English Sheep Dog). See pic.

Beautiful, isn't he? (or she).

28th December - Day 15 of 1st chemo cycle

Should start loosing my hair over the next couple of weeks. Start the 2nd cycle in 8 days, although I have to go for more blood tests the day before.
Hopefully, the side effects don't get worse with each new cycle, because they were manageable last time.
I would like to keep it like that.
We shall see what we shall see..........

The thaw is on!!! Yaaaay!
I have been feeding the birds and squirrels, and it has been great watching them!
(Still better than the TV), however, I have enjoyed the animated stuff....Over the Hedge, Ice Age, and all of those.
Cant resist a cartoon!!!!!!!

Liking cartoon got me into a bit of a jam when I was younger.

I was working as a pupil nurse.............
I was on a half day/early shift.
On the way home, I noticed that there was a cartoon showing at the cinema, so I thought that I would go and see it.
Paid, went in, sat down, made myself comfy.
Well, it started!
Oh my word, I was so embarrassed, I daren't get up and leave in case I was noticed, so I sat all the way through it, and at the end, I hid behind a seat until everyone had left....
I went to see
'Fritz, the dog!'
(For those of you who don't know it, it was just cartoon animals bonking each other!)
I still colour up just thinking about it!

27th December

Well, as I said I would, I gave myself a firm talking too!
I played 3 games of tennis on my newly acquired WII.
I made 3 complete sets of jewellery, (very nice, if I say so myself).
I designed another necklace, Oh, to die for! Amethyst, Sugalite, Agate, Rose quartz and Ruby lace Jasper!
It is a bit OTT, so I have left it in the design tray to 'review', lol!
Did loads of washing, (mainly bedding because I had the guest beds to change).

I will probably have a go on the WII again today, and then look at where I am with this book...............

This morning, I woke up with sinusitis and a nose bleed. Not really a problem, just a bit of a surprise, because I was under the impression that I had already worked my way through the side effects for this cycle.
Maybe they aren't side effects, and I would have woken up with them today even without this chemo stuff?!

My vision is still a bit of an issue.
It feels like I am wearing the wrong prescription contacts and glasses. It is the biggest problem when doing delicate close work, like making my jewellery. I am finding that I have to move the work or my head around to find the 'right spot' to maximise my vision.
Anyway, see how it goes, If it doesn't improve, I will take a trip to the opticians. There you go, easily sorted!

Right, I know that there are many of you reading this blog............1,598 hits so far, which is great.
Please feel free to comment, I would love to hear from you.

26th December

Good Morning!
How did your day go yesterday?
I hope that it was all that you wished for and that you had the company, food and gifts that you desired!
We had a quiet day...
Apart from short 'flurries' of activity, the day pretty much just 'dragged' on.
Lots of calls and texts, beautiful gifts, more than sufficient food and a couple of reasonable films on the TV.
Apart from the absolutely necessary, (like cooking dinner, clearing up etc), I did very little.
I was feeling pretty 'washed out' all day.
To be honest, I was just waiting for the clock to indicate that it was a reasonable time to retire to my bed.

How do I feel today?
Well, it is weird really,
I feel how I imagine a caged Tiger would feel!
Bored and frustrated with a complete lack of purpose.

What am I going to do about it?
I am going to write a list of things that I need to do, you know, the uninteresting things that you tend to put off,
like sorting cupboards and drawers, organising important paper work.......
Then I shall FORCE myself to do one task a day.
I am also making a list of things that I want to do
Like take a walk in the woods, walk along the canal, finish a book that I started writing, write some more poetry....lots of stuff really.
Then I shall FORCE myself to do them.

I am lacking motivation, the ability to concentrate and energy at the moment, so in order to achieve the goals I have put down for myself, I need to motive myself and instil some enthusiasm.
That, of course, is going to be the hardest part.
Perhaps an hour of exercise each morning will help with that. That is something else I am going to have to force myself to do.

If I think about it, now is the best time.
I have been presented with an opportunity to do all of these things, I certainly have a bit of time on my hands!
Time has always been an issue, well, circumstances have given me the time.
I think that I am going to have to give myself a 'jolly good talking to!'
Get myself motivated and give myself a kick in the a*rse!
In fact, I am going to go off and do that now, over a cup of coffee!!!

Just writing this has has helped actually......

So...............CHARGE!!!!!

25th December

24th December - Day 11 of the first cycle of chemo

Here we are again, at silly o'clock! (05.08).

For years, I have been complaining that I never get the opportunity to 'lay in'.
Now I have all the opportunity in the world, and I am blowing it!
(I dare say that Freud would have something to say about it)!

Anyway, I am feeling fine.
When I spoke with the Oncologist yesterday, she gave me the impression that by yesterday, I should have experienced any side effects that I am going to have, - for this cycle, anyway.
I thought that it may be useful to others who may be embarking on their first journey through chemo, to list the side effects that I have experienced so far, with a 'scale' to indicate the severity. I thought 1 - 10 would be as good as any.
1 being the mildest and 10 being the worst.

• Palpitations                                                                  2/10
• Heartburn                                                                    2/10
• Lack of concentration                                                  4/10
• Continence issues                                                        4/10
• Lethargy and tiredness                                                 4/10
• Sore/bleeding mouth                                                    4/10
• Drying skin                                                                  3/10
• Bleeding nose                                                              1/10
• Tenderness to the body                                                2/10
• Headaches                                                                   1/10
• Food and drinks tasting weird                                       1/10
• Dizziness                                                                      3/10
• Runny nose                                                                   1/10
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)                                                 1/10
• Mild alteration in vision                                                  1/10
• Nausea                                                                         1/10
• Sore, dry lips                                                                 2/10
• General irritability                                                           2/10 *
• My 'innards' feeling heavy and tender                              3/10
• Swelling and feeling bloated                                            2/10

* I think that my family are suffering from my irritability more than I am - aahhh, bless, lol!

Some side effects won't have kicked in yet, hair loss, for example.

I may have the same with the same rating during the next cycle, they may be more apparent....who knows!

I don't think that any 2 people will be the same.

Today, I intend to get some washing done, do a bit of cleaning and tidying, a bit of 'silver surfing' and make some more jewellery!

Generally, so far.... I don't feel as bad as I was expecting to, for which, I am very grateful!

However, there is still a long way to go. 

Been to the hospital.

Not a lot to report really.
I was examined, and although it was clear that there was tenderness, no lumps were found, which is great.
Other than that, is was mainly to make sure that I was managing the side effects well, which I am...and to see if there was any additional medication or help that I could make use of to make me more comfortable...........
which there isn't
The rest of the time was trying to find a 'main' present for my husband. - Bloody nightmare!
What can you give a man who has the best wife in the world, and most other things that he wants!!!!! Lol!!!!

23rd December - 10th day of first chemo cycle

Good Morning!
Feeling well today, went into a bit of a dip yesterday when the family left, but I am feeling fine now.
I have to go to the hospital today to see the Oncologist. Appointment is at 10.20.
I am having this possible lump checked out. Not sure what it is, but it is giving me the same sensations as the original one that was removed. Probably nothing, but worth having it checked anyway.
My temperature is still within my own 'norm', so that is good.
My mouth is a bit sore and my jaws ache, (that is probably all the talking and laughing that I did when the family were here!)
STILL waiting for the Critical Illness Insurance to pay out! (All the more to look forward to in the New Year.)
Ooooooooooooo! In time for the sales!!!! Whoooooohoooooo!!!

I will report back when I have been to the hospital.
Last day at work for a lot of  you, I imagine.
Have a good holiday!

Well, they've all gone

We had a great dinner, chatting, laughing....it was fantastic!
Keith and Sarah need to go to Cheltenham and Leicester, Roxanne has got to go Leicester as she is back at work tomorrow.
It made sense that they all went to Leicester first, so they have gone.
I feel so sad. I am feeling very tearful as I write this.
Physically, I feel fine.
Emotionally, I am a complete wreck.

22nd December - 9th day of first chemo cycle

Well, my mouth is a bit sore on the inside. It bleeds when I brush my teeth.
My lips are getting dry and sore, but I have lip balm.
I have had to cut all of my nails as they were ripping.
I am still having to 'toilet time' myself.
I am still 'peeing for England'.
Heart burn under control, not too much of a problem as yet.
I haven't had the tenderness on my back and shoulders since I last mentioned it, so that is good. The only thing that I can say, is if I am laying on a crease in my bed, on the sheet or my night wear, I do have to get rid of it before I can sleep as I can feel it.
I am still getting tired quite easily, and I am starting to feel a bit dizzy at times.
My skin is drying out a bit, but I always use moisturiser anyway, so that is helping. I am 'dolloping' it on now though. Lol!

As I mentioned, I have the family here at the moment, so we are having our 'big dinner' today, so I have to crack on and get that all prepared ready to go.

Will keep you posted!
Have a good day!