So thankfully I was still able to have my treatment last week, I am so grateful to my usual cancer team who were able to sort it for me to attend another treatment centre last week so I could continue my weekly treatments, especially as some of them continue to suffer from COVID. I hope that they continue to feel better soon. Thank you also to the centre who took me in and treated me! It involved lots of extra COVID tests, including my first speedy one and I know you were already so busy given that it was a three day week so I am very grateful.
It was very strange to be in another centre. I was very well looked after but it was all very different. Things I had taken for granted in my usual centre worked differently here and it all just felt odd. I had to prepare my hair myself for my cold cap, this may not sound like a big deal but it felt like a lot of pressure! Thankfully my amazing team at my usual centre were only a phone call away and talked me through it. Now I appreciate going to a different centre and still getting treatment is as challenges go not a big one but when you are used to a routine for your chemo and such fantastic care suddenly doing anything different can throw you and boy did my body react to the difference! Although this was a Taxol only week for me I have felt the worse I have felt since it all started. My skin currently resembles a 14 year old acne sufferer, I have the energy of a very inactive octogenarian and over the weekend my brain power was that of someone who spent the bet part of a decade attending all the best raves taking all the wrong sorts of substances!
So I have not felt my best this week, add to that the announcement last night that schools will continue to be closed until half term and I am faced with weeks and weeks of juggling chemo, work and home schooling and it is hard to stay positive! But I must, I have learnt in the last few weeks that the days I get myself up and attempt to do something with my day, even a small task, I feel better. If I set myself small realistic, achievable goals each day I feel a sense of achievement and get to spend some quality time with my boys, their cheery faces do so much to keep me going. So I am back to work these last couple of days with a vengeance and actually it has done me the world of good. Yes juggling work and home schooling is itself a nightmare but I'm not alone in that struggle! Having something to do each day has helped me stay positive and get on with things and feel more like me. I do still get pangs of sadness when I think of the things I want to do but can't, but try to focus on the now and what I'm doing so hopefully I will be able to do those things again soon.
This new lockdown is going to be challenging for so many people. I hope that everyone who is needing treatment can continue to get it, all of you who are wondering about seeking medical advice about something do, don't put it off because it's probably nothing, it might be something and it is always better to find out!
Take care everyone, look after yourself and be kind x
