Blimey, I don't believe that it's 6 weeks since I last updated my blog. I guess the Christmas planning and purchasing frenzy has banished all thoughts of liver cancer from my mind (if only!) This year we're having a freezer special Christmas - no cooking from scratch, I'm afraid!
The morphine patches continue to do their work - I have good days and bad days, but mostly good, which is great. I'm also on steroids and diuretics, and the size of my kitchen drawer drug collection has doubled. I've also got something called a 'just in case' box of drugs, which I'm not supposed to touch - it's sealed and contains all sorts of mystical potions and implements, and sits on a high shelf out of harms way. Sounds like quite a good idea for those of us who live in rural areas where finding the right kind of drugs is sometimes a bit of a run around. I'm a bit worried about being caught out over the Christmas period - but I guess it'll be OK. My first Christmas without any alcohol - hey ho!
My big problem at the moment is oedema - legs and ankles, and abdomen. I've put on about a stone since October, when it all started, even though I'm eating a lot less. It makes me very breathless when going up hills or climbing stairs, and there's no chance of looking glam on New Year's Eve, I'm afraid - though if any of you have the same problem, M&S do a great pair of stretchy wide leg trousers with an elasticated waist, which are so comfortable, and can be dressed up (hope this doesn't break the advertising rules too much). I'm off to the hospice's lymphoedema clinic next week so hopefully this will help.
I feel seriously lucky to only have had a couple of month's ill health so far, even though I've got such a poor prognosis - I guess this is due to the health care support we get in Wiltshire, as from reading other people's blogs it doesn't seem to be the same everywhere. Though I always feel as if I'm tempting fate when I write something like this....
I share my blog with my dear daughter (she's 24 and lives in Sheffield) - so thanks very much to all of you who have replied in the past. Your comments and support make it so much easier to get through the bad days. Especially for her, it's really helpful to know that we're not alone. Have a great Christmas everyone!
