Ahhhhh back home....
We have just arrived back today after a week away in a caravan with the children, a good time was had by all!
The caravan was a lovely big static on a peaceful site with a river running through it, we had no internet or phone signal on site either, so had to rely on books and in my case crochet to keep our minds occupied. Brought back many memories of such holidays of when I was younger and we would go away as a family. You may find it very odd but I love all the little cupboards and cubby holes that caravans have, the miniaturisation or clever storage solutions. It makes me happy :D
The children really enjoyed themselves, bedtime was a bit relaxed and due to the bedroom arrangements Little Miss H slept in with me and the Twins in with A. Was nice having my little girl cuddled up next to me, even if she was nattering on until quite late.... I also planned ahead and stuck a few BBC programmes on my downloads on iplayer so I could watch them late at night without needing to stream them. However, Little Miss H particularly liked one about Sellafield which I can confirm I have now watched twice a night for an entire week. If I wasn't up to speed on nuclear physics before then I am now.
We visited a castle, a few towns, plenty of beautiful countryside, I crocheted some Moomins and we saw lots of weather. We also were lucky enough to have a visit from some dear friends I have made through the Open University, was a really lovely day, chatting and eating nice food.
One thing that happened that really made us all smile was following some rain as we were driving over the moors we saw the most beautiful, the clearest and brightest rainbow we have seen in a long time. Nature is truly beautiful. Also a sign of better and brighter things maybe?
My blue badge came through too, I know that I am entitled to it but feels very weird using it. I feel fraudulent I guess. I think this links in with the lack of acceptance of my illness maybe. Goes to show though that not everyone's disability is visible, another valuable lesson for me in not judging a book by it's cover.
On the note of keeping with the positives, Ugly Yellow Handbag was also re-auctioned this week for Team Verrico making more money for more tomorrows for more families. Fantastic!
The cancer was kept at bay for the most part this week. I did 'normal' things, if there is such a thing as normal...I looked after my family as I feel I should be. It made me think that maybe there might be a point in the future where I might be able to do this full time again. I might be able to walk my children to school again, do their washing, make their meals and just generally look after them. For the first point since my diagnosis I was able to visualise a time past the treatment. Keep on shrinking.
Admittedly it was my week off chemotherapy and perhaps I should not get ahead of myself but still made me feel good. The only slight downside is some of the pain is back, not sure why and trying not to panic but as I am a worrier and cancer makes you paranoid I am starting to stress. I think this paranoia must be normal.
We finished our week away releasing Little Miss H's birthday butterflies at the campsite before we waved goodbye. She received a butterfly garden where you get caterpillars and watch them turn into chrysalids and then emerge as butterflies, great fun and Little Miss H really loved watching them.
Back to chemo this Thursday, will be on my own so figure it is the perfect opportunity to spend some time on my essay again so that is what I shall do. Or procrastinate. Whichever...
