Afternoon blog buddies,
I am just back from having a minor operation to change my stent to make sure my kidney is kept free of blockages. I am scoffing cake because well that is allowed when you have just had an operation isn't it?
Hopefully the stent change will mean an end to the pain I was experiencing on my right hand side. I also have a date for a head scan, Dr Oncologist rang me the day after I spoke to my Macmillan nurse and readily agreed to a scan to put my mind at rest. A good doctor is worth more than their weight in gold, I think he understands my need to 'know the insides out of a dog's rear end'.
I didn't get my chemo yesterday which ordinarily I'd be a miffed about but even though it took 4 hours for them to decide this I veritably skipped out as I knew it would be better for my operation today if I hadn't had it. And the best thing yet is because I am away next week I get a bonus week off! Two weeks off, bliss. Although predictably I am now fretting that because I am missing a dose of chemo my tumour will suddenly grow back or might not shrink as much as it might. One step forward, two steps back. I need to stop worrying, not sure how to though? Answers on the back of a postcard please?
I am excited. Next week I am going to Worcester with A and the twins. I am attending the Universtity of Worcester for two inset days for my new university course about childbirth and raising small children. When I first received my terminal diagnosis I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with the course but I decided I would as it would give me a focus and a distraction. I just have to write a 500 word reflective writing piece on my feeding/birth experience. Doing it in 500 words is going to be hard! Despite the essay I am still quite excited about the prospect of being a proper full time student after 6 years of Open University part time study. I am going to get myself a student railcard and student union card too!!! Little things give great pleasure. Indulge me ;)
On the note of chemo...I have been waiting for my hair to fall out. Every shower/bath has been a bit of a russian roulette, will it, won't it suddenly come out in clumps? Well to date. Nothing. Nada. Zip. I am still the proud owner of a tired blonde highlighted dried out bushy do. After I got those lovely wigs too. Never mind at some point in the future I will have to have chemo again and may well lose it then after all so I shall be uber prepared.
We are still really lucky three months in that people are still sending us home cooked, delicious hearty food to eat. It arrives usually on a Thursday which is normally chemo day and it is a true blessing to know we have an easy, quick nutritious meal to eat. I was worried that people may get compassion fatigue and am keen to be sure that we appreciate all their efforts enormously. Both A and I find it difficult to ask for and accept help but having done so can honestly say it has truly made this whole crappy experience infinitely easier to bear. Don't be afraid to accept help when it is offered, if nothing else the feeling of knowing that others are thinking of you helps your mental well being enormously. Good for the soul.
The children are back to school next week and we are looking forward to our childcare workload decreasing a little. We are also looking into arranging a couple of nursery places for the twins so A and I can spend some precious time together.
I am off now to start Moomin number 3 for oldest Master H, when the stuffing has arrived for the first two and they are assembled I promise a picture ;)
Plus I think more cake later is definitely on the cards...
Take care x
