Living with Desdemona

Chemo Fifth Cycle, Week Three: Desdemona's Falling For Me

2026-08-28T06:25:46Z

For the last week, apart from a little on-going anaemia, I’ve been on good form. I feel that the anaemia is a little less impactful on this cycle, I’m certainly getting on with doing things. Shirley and I had a very relaxing weekend, pott...(read more)

Chemo Fifth Cycle, Week Two: Desdemona's On My Mind

2026-08-20T10:25:12Z

As far as side-effects go, week two has been quite straight forward. The anaemia is something to keep in check – I still struggle with estimating how much I can do before the inevitable breathless ‘wall’ hits me and I have to lie do...(read more)

Chemo Fifth Cycle, Week One: Desdemona's Fifth Date

2026-08-13T20:06:42Z

Wow, chemo five! Only one more cycle after this one, it really does feel like this part of my journey is coming to an end. Preparation: ‘Dexa’ consumed and I’m ready to go. As always, a combination of mild excitement and anxiety ab...(read more)

Chemo Fourth Cycle, Week Three: Desdemona Goes Green

2026-08-06T05:58:21Z

The Green Gathering was excellent, music, crafts, workshops, ukuleles and politics – what a combination; outdoor festivals are a pretty good option for the immunosuppressed. However, it’s doesn’t always go to plan. On the first even...(read more)

Chemo Fourth Cycle, Week Two: Desdemona Makes Me Breathless

2026-07-29T08:46:48Z

Well, this week’s been interesting. My tiredness continued to abate over the weekend, but then the anaemia kicked in. For me, the anaemia manifests itself quite differently from the fatigue and tiredness. Generally, I feel quite fine, then I&rs...(read more)

Chemo Fourth Cycle, Week One: Desdemona's Fourth Date

2026-07-24T07:36:27Z

As they say in football: ‘It’s a game of two halves’, well I am now officially on the second half of my chemo treatment. Knowing that there is less time to go than I’ve already spent on chemo is a definite boost. Preparation: ...(read more)

Chemo Third Cycle, Week Three: Desdemona Visits Durham

2026-07-16T13:46:16Z

Well, it’s the end of cycle three, week three, I have my next chemotherapy session tomorrow. For the last week I’ve felt much like my old self, but things do periodically arise that remind me of the reality of my situation. Last weekend w...(read more)

Chemo Third Cycle, Week Two: Desdemona's First Festival

2026-07-10T15:10:12Z

It’s Monday of week two, cycle three and we’re back from the New Forest Folk Festival. The festival was great fun, we have a new camping set-up which converts our Citroen Belingo into a camper van and it was its first outing. A bit of a l...(read more)

Chemo Third Cycle, Week One: Desdemona's Third Date

2026-07-06T18:47:35Z

It’s the Monday of cycle three, week one and things are going well, here’s an update of what’s happened so far: Preparation: the ‘Dexa’ was consumed on schedule, but my biggest concern (at the moment) for this cycle was ...(read more)

Chemo Second Cycle, Week Three: Desdemona Extends The Holiday

2026-06-25T21:34:58Z

I’ve had a great week three! I didn’t pick up any infections and the side-effects had all subsided; I genuinely feel fairly normal, although my energy levels are only about 70-80% of my pre-cancer levels. Even better news, I had my three-...(read more)

Chemo Second Cycle, Week Two: Desdemona's Take’s A Holiday

2026-06-18T09:29:42Z

Well, I’m now at the end of week two, post chemo-cycle two, and I’m feeling great. I’ve been a little more careful with trying to avoid infection risks this time, but not draconian, I’ve still gone out and about, just kept my ...(read more)

Chemo Second Cycle, Week One: Desdemona's Second Date

2026-06-13T07:02:28Z

Preparation: my Dexamethasone (or ‘Dexa’) has been consumed on schedule and I’m ready for the next cycle. The symptoms from my infection have all subsided, but my gorgeous wife is suffering from a proper bout of flu. She has a very ...(read more)

Chemo Impact, Week Three: Desdemona Back in Check

2026-06-03T20:17:09Z

I’m currently awaiting a blood test before my appointment with my oncologist; time to assess where I am before the next bout of chemotherapy. The anti-biotics did their thing and the cold / flu I’d contracted has almost gone. I’ll n...(read more)

Chemo Impact, Week Two: Desdemona’s Comeback

2026-05-29T06:16:35Z

I’m properly into week two now. Last Friday I had my first need to call the oncology hotline, I was having a slightly troubled night sleeping, when I measured my temperature it was 35.9 DegC, the information I had told me that below 36 DegC was...(read more)

Chemo Impact, Week One: Dancing with Desdemona

2026-05-22T07:38:59Z

Day 1: 24 hours after the treatment and physically, I’m feeling much the same as immediately before the treatment; I am surmising that this is down to the ‘Dexa’ steroids I had in advance. So, I have taken advantage of this and just...(read more)