Phew, the weeks are still whizzing by!
I had chemo number 5 last Friday and thankfully the cannular went in first time, so no tears or shaking from me for a change. I told my youngest daughter, that my appointment was an hour later than it was as I didn't want her to witness the distress I get into with it all. It took three painful attempts to get the cannular in last time. By the time she got there, all was calm and the nurse was already syringing the chemo into me. She is just 23 and is really struggling to cope with it all. She is doing the strong thing and won't talk about her feelings, which makes her very fragile. I guess I have to let her do it her way, but its hard as a mother seeing her like this. :-(
I am still juicing! I bought the Phillips 1861, which is brilliant. Its a bit of a pain to wash afterwards, but it really doesnt take that long to do and I have the time to do it anyway! I also bought a mini kenwood after going to my last Penny Brohn retreat. A tin of sardines in its oil, grated carrort, lemon juice and a dose of turmeric is totally delicious and so nutritious.
My neulasta injection to boost my bone marrow worked last time to push up my white blood cell count, so that was a relief as I dont want anymore chemo delays.
I drove to Llanelli on Saturday after the nurse had been to give me my injection. A dear old friends daughter is running three half marathons for the Penny Brohn charity and that was the first one. I stayed overnight at a hotel close to the start/finish line, so that I could be there bright and early in the morning to cheer her on. She ran in the freezing cold and did it in 2hrs 21mins, which was brilliant. Two days after chemo, I was pretty shaky and I was exhausted by the time I had driven home yesterday afternoon. I have two days of resting at home now and I feel better today. A pic is below.
I have my free back massage and reflexology session this afternoon, courtesty of a local cancer care charity called 'The Rowan Tree' and am really looking forward to that!
I'm still busy organising a charity ball to help raise funds for Cancer Research Wales - we are up to 200 guests so far - the response and support has been overwhelming! My neice is running the London marathon in April for the charity too and I will be there to cheer her on with family and friends!
The already frustrating fatigue got worse a couple of weeks after chemo number 4 and whilst I am still doing pilates and yoga, I have missed a few as my body needs more rest. I struggle to get out of bed before 10am and some days I stay in bed and do some admin stuff, like today. Its amazing what you can do from the comfort of your bed with the aid of technology! I will be sorting my car insurance out later.
Amazingly, my hair seems to be growing back even through chemo! The top resembles a fluffy chick, though I have a few bald patches, particularly on the back of my head.
My next update will be after my final chemo number 6! I can't wait!! :-)
xx
