Not Just a Pretty Face!

Thursday 19^th December 2012

The week following my discharge from hospital after my first session of chemotherapy was an interesting one. For a few days my back ached (Mum said I was walking like a Lego man, I told her at least my hair cut didn’t look like one!), my mouth was dry and pale and I was lethargic – felt a bit like jet lag, shame it wasn’t from a holiday!

As the week went on I thought I was getting better, however, looking back I was really going downhill from Day 1. The weekend following I was re-admitted to hospital after having a high temperature – Florence had to drive me to A&E at 5am Sunday morning. I take one of my many hats off to her – she’s a good nurse on occasions! A bed became free at 11am and I was back on the Young Persons ward once again. I was lucky to have a private side room, this one even had a better view than the previous and it was more cheery, painted in a bright sunny yellow. It had a dog and I heart NY wall stickers, like it had been done out specifically for me – wanting a dog and to travel to America at some point.

After a course of antibiotics I felt a lot better and finally managed to persuade them to let me out on day release on the Tuesday, with the understanding I would come back the following morning to have my blood samples taken and tested again. My immune system had gone down to zero but was now back up, however my platelet count had dropped. Thankfully the next day the platelets were back to normal and I was discharged once again, feeling like my usual self.

Also on Tuesday last week, I saw the plastic surgeons understudy for a check up on my head. He said all was looking well and told me I could now wash my hair – well what was left of it! The best news ever, as I hadn’t washed in since my operation in October! I’ve only managed to wash it once, as it’s now started to fall out anyway. My lint roller has replaced my hats as my best friend as I find I’m malting everywhere – perhaps this is good practice for my dog!

I have also been for my wig fitting at a salon in Bromsgrove. I thought I fancied a change of hair style, maybe long. However, the Morticia Addams look didn’t do a lot for me and neither did the one with the sideburns – as I wasn’t keen to look like my Uncle ‘Brother David’! So I reverted back to what I know best and got one which pretty much resembles the hair style I once had, although in a darker shade. I was told to be careful with it though, as it’s synthetic and not to cook in it, otherwise I might be cooked to a cinder myself if I venture to open the oven door! Lucky for me I’ve got Rosemary Shrager at my side.

I will at some point when my head’s healed, take a trip to Nicky Clarke’s in Manchester to get my real hair wig made. I’m fancied something dip dyed perhaps, love this one done by Kelz Cutz!

My eyebrows have not fallen out yet, but I think they’re planning to make a departure soon! So in preparation I’ve purchased myself some eyebrow stencils, sealer and eyebrow ‘cake’. Wish me luck with this one!

The Teenage Cancer Trust Youth Support Coordinator Sarah, also organised a Body Shop pamper afternoon last week, which I attended. It was lovely to have an afternoon free from Florence and I’m sure she’d say the same, being able to escape from me! I got to meet some of the other young girls undergoing cancer treatment on the ward and their families. I also got to have my make-up done and nails manicured, which was a lovely little treat.

Pick Me Up/Chat Magazine have been in touch – my story will probably be published in the New Year! I’ll be receiving £200, which I’m planning to donate to Ewing’s Sarcoma Research. So be sure to look out for me!

Back in hospital yesterday – in a day earlier than planned to start second session of chemo, to ensure I’ll be out in good time to hopefully enjoy Christmas. I had a busy morning baking with some of the other patients and got to sample my delights including gingerbread men in the afternoon. Rosemary was of course in her element! We even got Christmas gifts including a nail art kit, which was really lovely.

 

I’ve been told that Rod Stewart might also call by – just an average day for me now as a celebrity! He’s released a single in partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust and wants to talk to people on the Young Persons Unit, who are in around the Christmas period. Hopefully I can persuade him to let me stay at his Beverley Hills pad when I visit America! Or maybe he’d like to do a home exchange?! Builth would certainly be different to Hollywood!

So as you can see, Mum and I are enjoying the simple life here in Birmingham! Apart from mingling with the celebs there’s always the daily chores to be done – i.e. cleaning, cooking and washing. Mum now has the title ‘Florence and the Washing Machine’! Shame her singing skills aren’t quite on par with Florence Welch – don’t think she’ll be duetting with Rod anytime soon anyway!

I have also been asking about Complementary Therapies. I have been told I can have a massage. Definitely taking up that perk, especially since the physio is a bit dishy! ;)

Better go now, I’m being asked for a few autographs….shame it’s just some consent forms from the nursing staff! Merry Christmas all!

 

 

 

Have We Arrived at Our Destination?

Wednesday 5^th Dec 2012

For those of you who have never been to the new QE Hospital in Birmingham, it is not a small building by any means. Upon going through the large revolving doors, you’re met by an even larger Information Desk, WHSmith and Costa Coffee. And in the words of Libby Adams, ‘It’s like an airport terminal!’ Unfortunately that’s where the similarities end and the only place I was jetting off to that morning was the Young Persons Unit on the 6^th Floor! My accommodation was pleasant though, even having the word ‘CAKE’ on one of my walls – think this might have been selected purposefully for me?! Looking at the two beds within my room, I opted for the larger and more comfortable unfortunately for Mum! Mum’s was a slimmer affair, not appropriate for her Rosemary Shrager style body! Arriving at 9.30am and thinking I was off to a good start I was ready to get going with the first chemotherapy session. However, a chest x-ray showed my PICC line was in the incorrect place so had to be adjusted. Bloods also had to be taken to check my blood cell count.

An ultrasound on my liver also had to be carried out, after the CT scan I had last week showed up what were thought to be cysts. I was taken down in a wheelchair by a porter, but felt a bit of a fraud as could potentially have walked and didn’t dare get out once down at the clinic waiting room! I felt a bit like we were Lou and Andy ‘I want that one!’ I commented to the porter that the hospital was very big. He replied that yes he used to be 19 stone when he first started! I think he was joking....The results from the scan said different, they are like birthmarks but think they are benign. However, an MRI scan will be carried out for confirmation in about 6 week’s time.

Finally started chemo Friday at 4pm – the weekend that followed was an intensive, hard and emotional one. Being pumped full of fluid and drugs continually definitely drains you. Needing the loo every hour was also a continual pain – although Libby again followed with some wise words that all that drinking and weeing was surely the sign of a good night out?! Each time a new drug is administered two nurses check your identity wrist band, felt like I was in Passport Control; unfortunately I was going no-where! Since being discharged I have also felt quite lethargic and a bit nauseous, but have been out for two walks today and eating well thanks to Rosemary’s homemade cooking skills! Mum, Dad, friends and family have all been supportive as usual – Mum staying with me every night, Mum & Dad both sitting with me during the long days, cousin Lou and partner Dave visiting from London broke up an afternoon and other family and friends sending kind messages.

Spoke to my sister Becca and boyfriend Luke also today from Cambodia. It was lovely to hear their voices and to catch up with them on both sides as to what's been going on, even having a few jokes (mostly at Little Diane's expensive as usual)!

The doctors, nurses and all the staff have been fantastic on the ward and I know they’ll endeavour to make my next stay as easy and pleasant as possible. I even received a luxury bag of cosmetics from the ‘Look Good Feel Better’ day I was unable to attend last week due to sickness.

I have a heart scan next week as some of the chemotherapy drugs can affect it, along with a check up on head with my plastic surgeon. My head is healing very nicely though. When showing one of the nurses a photo she exclaimed “Ooh lovely!” – I told her it was the best reaction I’d had to it that’s for sure!

My next chemo session commences on the 20^th Dec, hopefully I’ll be out in time for Xmas. Hoping to make it a good one, even if it is just me and Flo in Birmingham J Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and New Year! If you’re happy and healthy that’s all you need...and do me proud on Boxing Night Builth – I would have liked to bust a few moves in Jimmies and sampled a few too many cocktails in Bengos!