At the start of chemo, which is an age ago now, I remember asking my oncologist about travelling and some weekends away. Looking back, I think she thought I was bonkers, but I do recall her saying that she would not recommend staying in a hotel, due to the risks of infection etc. She didn’t mention camping…..
We (and you know I mean hubby) packed up the car and off we set early Saturday morning for a quick trip to the Isle of Wight. Clearly this constitutes a proper holiday by the way, as we had to get a ferry. We had a lovely sunny day, enjoyed some nice walks, browsed the shops in Cowes and rolled up to the wonderful Windmill Campsite for the evening.
It was at this point that the ongoing battle that regularly rages in my stomach between Messrs D&C took itself to a new level, and it dawned on me that I probably hadn't drunk enough water all day! There were a few moments of regret, and to be honest more than a little concern, that I was 2 hours and a ferry ride from home, and sitting in a field. I quickly drank a pint of water, looking longingly at the pint of cider nicely chilling in the coolbox. Checking my temperature (yes, I had brought the thermometer, didn't you know I was a Girl Scout) things settled down after about an hour and we went on to have a lovely relaxing evening, sitting outside enjoying a BBQ and a warm evening.
The other thing I didn't really think through was the number of times I now have to get up in the night to pee. This is all quite new to me, I've never had this as a problem. Now it's bad enough normally having to crawl out of a cosy warm sleeping bag and wander from the tent to the toilet block, but our tent is a roof tent. Yep, you read that right, it's on the roof of the LandRover! Climbing out of my sleeping bag takes on a whole new meaning st 3am as I reach tentatively down with my foot, looking for the next rung and hoping it's not too slippy!
I am pleased to report we are now back home safe and sound from our adventure and I'm wondering if I should fess up to my oncologist or not when I next speak to her. But honestly, how great to be doing something normal, even if I should have thought through that it's only Day 11 of my 3 week cycle!
