Lovely morning chit chat - February 2026

Hi I’m OK my bloods are fine to do tomorrow’s chemo and fluid drained from lungs today 

my problem now is my husband has a raging sore throat and I’m terrified of catching what ever he’s getting 

firstly the thought of a cold on top of fluid filled lungs and feeling awful from chemo and secondly the terrible worry of infection 

I need to pull myself together and get into a positive frame but I’m struggling and already fed up with 5 days a week hospital appointments knowing this is how I’m going to live the rest of my life 

I know I should be grateful for being alive and not in pain but it’s so hard right now 

Claire 

Hi Claire

5 hospital appointment a week is very irritating and is known as time toxicity. I found NHS is not that interested in how the time toxicity impact patient’s quality of life. Is there anyway you can consolidate the appointments? When I was having chemo, I was able to have the blood done and chemo delivered on the same day. Otherwise it can become 3 appointments. It makes the day at the hospital longer but it was at least all done in one go. 

With your hubby’s cold, can you isolate from him? Sleep in different rooms and going to the living room etc at different times ? I had cold whilst on chemo and it was not any worse than normal. 

It is a hard path and there is no two ways about this. Try to do at least one thing you enjoy everyday. Make plans and that will keep you going. You don’t have to be grateful, no one would ask for this. Try to find some joy every day even is just listening to your favourite song on repeat.

Take care x

Hi Chelle, what breed is Alfie? He's so very like my Conan,14, and he's a soft coated Irish Wheaten Terrier. Some people ask me if he's a Labradoodle, but absolutely not. When he was younger I nicknamed him Conan the Vandal because he got up to all the mischief of the day, didn't know what he was going to get up to next!!

Tvman x

Hi thank you so much 

we’re doing our best to keep apart different bedrooms etc I’m keeping the windows open all the time he’s wearing a mask all the time 

I’m wiping everything down with anti bacterial spray  but it’s good to hear you weren’t worse than a normal cold I guess if I get it I just have to be even more vigilant of post viral infections 

I’m really hoping I can sort my appointments out when things settle down a bit 

some days I just cry a lot 

today I cried because the sun was out and the snowdrops and daffodils were beautiful 

I cried because my 7 year old granddaughter gave me the very first toy rabbit she had as a baby and it brought back such lovely memories 

I cried because the birds were singing and it felt like spring 

so ridiculous but then I’ve always been pathetic like that I’ve always cried when I leave my little dog to go on holiday

despite all this I did have a wonderful afternoon with my two granddaughters so much laughter 

thank you for being there 

Alfie is a mixed breed. Mum was a jack russell dad was a Shih Tzu. 

 Scared bunny 

you are going through such a lot I’m not surprised your emotions are all over the place. It must be wonderful to spend time with your grandchildren, something I have not been blessed with. 

Good morning.  I have only just caught up with the chat.  My niece , her husband and two little ones where here they are 11 months and 5.  Boy am I worn out who knew children where so exhausting.   Ha ha but it was lovely.  I really hope that your operation was successful Stacy and you are resting well.  I did think of you yesterday.  I hope you don't catch your husbands cold Claire.  Our pink cherry blossom is in bloom and it feels lovely that it is getting warmer.  I might try and get into the garden to do some tidying up, but first a walk in the woods with my hairy mob.  I had my nuclear body scan yesterday and it wasn't as bad as I remembered so I feel pleased it is over.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Lee 2 x

My 3-monthly scan this afternoon, consultation on Friday - always a tense time. Came home and went to the allotment with temperatures of 17 degrees, bliss after the long winter. To those of you wondering how my dog decision-making is going, well I need to get my wife on board because there will be times when she is lumbered with the dog walking etc so a work in progress.

Good luck with your scan today Patrick I have had 3 different scans and have to wait until 17 March to see oncologist.  Waiting is pants.  Regarding the dog I think yourself and wife will not regret the decision, has she had a dog before?  Sometimes it is daunting for first time pet parents.  Hope everyone has a good day.

Lee 2 xx

Thank you Lee, I wish you all the best for your scan results but, as Stella once said, worrying is not going to change the scan results. So best keep on enjoying life in the meantime. I hope it is getting drier now for going out with your dogs. Have a lovely evening, I have just poured myself a glass of dry white wine

Good luck with your scan results Patrick and Lee. I had my CT scan done today but the radiographer struggled to find the vein. Eventually a consultant came to rescue, he was stopped on his way to lunch! Review appointment next Friday- hopefully no chemo and no new spots showing up (other than the existing 2 small lung nodules). I try not to think about the scan results as it is already what it is. If I drift into thinking about it, I tend to think of a really good and realistic outcome. It won’t make any difference but does smooth the mind. 

To compensate for the ordeal (lol) Craig and I went to this French fusion bistro for lunch. It was really good as they grow all their produce on their own estate. Would definitely go back to have their tasting menu. Complete worn out now and just resting with Winston. 

X