The weather was sunny as I awoke, so I took the dog for a little walk as he was going to have to stay "home alone today"
I showered and got ready for the hospital visit, which we allowed plenty of time to get there, but the traffic was very heavy on the road to Canterbury and in the City Centre, you just cannot judge the journeys these days, as we have been fooled by the fact it hasn't taken us long before, but then its been half term when the roads have been so clear.
We finally got through to the hospital and in the Cathedral Day Centre we booked in at the reception,where Peter is always so cheerful , yet he has been a Cancer Patient to, today his back was playing up as his discs keep popping out and cause him pain.
A kind lady, who was sitting there, and I thought was someone who was waiting, asked us if we would like a drink, and made a cup of tea for Ray and a Coffee for myself, turns out that she is a volunteer and they provide their services to make patients feel welcome.
The other receptionist came out with a tin of Chocolates and filled up the pot they have on the side, this is for the patients to take, I had seen this in the Oncology Dept as well and I had wondered why on my very first visit but I realized that with the nasty taste Chemo gives you it is very pleasing to have a sweet on arrival.
The nurse came and ushered me into a Room where she proceeded to take blood from my arm, which will be tested for all the things, they never really explain what, but I do know one is to test the blood count as Chemo break's down the Immune system and also the red blood cells, everything has to be right for the Chemo session on Wednesday.
We also discussed the sickness I had and she informed me you do not put up with it as there are lots of different drugs that will help and its a case of finding the right one, Now she tells me, I thought it was normal to be sick on Chemo so had not panicked.
I then spoke of the swelling up and this was confirmed by very large ankles and my weight had shot up.
I was told to go to my own GP and get a prescription for diuretics as it was quicker than waiting for the Doctor at the hospital.
So we said our goodbyes and made a dash back to Whitstable to see if it was possible to get an appointment with my GP, when I asked at reception there I was told to sit down the doctor would fit me in as an emergency.
I cannot fault my own GP he is so good and has shown so much concern for me, he had me in his surgery and wrote a prescription there and then and asked me how things were going, after chatting off we went back to the Supermarket and while I was waiting for my pills I did some shopping and then collected them from the Pharmasist.
I don't know what I would do without our little car, all this running about that we have down since this all started, how do people get on if they have no transport.
On arriving home I took a pill and then a visit it the bathroom started and that's all I kept doing the rest of the day I could feel the fluid draining off and when I took the dog for a last walk with Ray I felt so much better and also my breathing was near perfect in the cold night air so that was a bonus.
I truly believe all that fluid they pumped in when I had my Chemo had not pumped out as it should have.
When I awoke this morning I have lost half a stone and my ankles are so tiny again.
Another day begins
Poem for today
Awareness.
I am of the Cosmos
My spirit roams free
I always have been
And will always be.
Do you hear my call
Across time and space?
I'm the voice in the night
Of that half-hidden face.
I ride the wild wind
And dance with the waves,
I'm there beside you
Wherever the place.
I am rapturous joy
Of life's beauty perceived,
The fragrance of roses
On a midsummer's eve.
Do you sense in your heart
The things you can't see?
Then you are aware
Of the essence of me.
By Rosetta Bailey (1934 - 2004)
Thanks uncle Norm for sharing this lovely Poem you darling sister wrote before she died.
