The last time I wrote a blog
post, I was about to go into hospital for my seventh chemo session. I’m pleased
to say the session went ok, with best friend Libby there to support me while
Flo went back to Builth for a night. During the time in I also started my
radiotherapy. I’m taken down to the department in a wheelchair by a porter,
with Mum having to scuttle alongside to keep up with his fast pace of around
90mph! On the second day of treatment one of the Radiographers said “Oh I see
you’ve bought a friend with you today?” (Meaning my drip) To which I replied “Oh
no that’s just my Mum!”
I have now completed fifteen
sessions out of twenty eight. The process of having the radiotherapy is fairly
simple, with me wearing the mask (which I explained about in my last blog post)
while the radiotherapy is given and it only lasts a couple of minutes. I have
had to use aqueous cream on my head a few times a day to prevent it from
becoming sore, which is a common side effect of radiotherapy. Another possible
side effect can be short –term memory loss....now then what was I saying?!
Whilst recovering after the
chemotherapy, both Flo and I nearly ended up back in hospital at A&E! One morning
whilst taking a shower (which is positioned over the bath) and lathering up, I
slipped and fell hitting my head in the process! Upon hearing the commotion Flo
called upstairs to check I was ok, but there was no answer as I couldn’t hear her
because of the sound of the shower. She dashed upstairs in a panic, thinking I
must have fainted, nearly having a cardiac arrest on the way! Luckily I was ok
apart from a sore head and perhaps now a red face from admitting I’m a bit of a
clumsy fool!
Last week I had my wig cut and
styled and I know a lot of you have seen it via Facebook. I was overwhelmed by
the amount of ‘likes’ my picture got and it gives me confidence to know it
looks good! I was advised by Nicky (the hairdresser) to keep the length long
and he suggested I looked more of a ‘structured’ type of person, so to go with
a Jessie J style blunt fringe. I told him she’d already copied my style by
having it all shaved off! I was happy to go with his advice as he said it’s
quite different cutting a wig to normal hair. I’m really pleased with the
outcome and it makes it so much nicer and easier to go out, especially in the
evening time. With this in mind I decided a celebratory night out was in order
and my Uni friends Lisa and Dani came down to Birmingham for the night. We
headed to Brindley Place for a meal at Piccolino’s and to Pitcher and Piano and
Walkabout for a few drinks and a boogie! The night was really good; especially
as it was the first proper night out I’d had since September!
Lisa and I also went pottery
painting last week, as we fancied trying something a bit different. It was
actually really good fun and very therapeutic! You could choose from an array
of items to paint including plates, bowls, trinket boxes and cups and saucers.
We decided to both select plates and used floral stencils to create Cath Kidson
style designs. I’m picking them up next week when they’ve been glazed and fired
and would love to try this again in the future! Flo took this opportunity to
escape once again and headed into town on the 99 bus! I’m always laughing at
her fascination with buses here in Birmingham; I guess she’s never seen so many
as it’s quite different to Builth where you only have one every two hours!
In the last couple of weeks my
sister Becca and her boyfriend Luke have visited, along with my Dad which has
been lovely. Mum’s friend Sandra also came up for the weekend and we all
enjoyed a canal boat trip over Brindley Place on a lovely sunny day. My former
boss Matt (from George) and his wife Josie also called to see me last Sunday
and we spent a lovely few hours catching up.
The London Marathon has also
taken place since I last posted, so I’d like to take this opportunity to
congratulate Rachel Williams on her fantastic achievement, completing the race
in five hours (with an injured hip) and raising over a £1250 (+ gift aid) for
Teenage Cancer Trust and the same for her Mum’s chosen charity Pulmonary
Hypertension Association. Thank you to all those who provided sponsorship, I
know the money will be greatly appreciated.
I can’t believe it’s nearly May
and I’ll have been living in Birmingham for around six months! Although we’ve
made friends with a few of the locals, our neighbours clearly don’t think too
much of us. The occupants of the two houses opposite have up sticks and left
and the neighbours next door are moving to Australia as soon as they sell!
Think it must be something to do with Flo’s singing or perhaps it’s her
neighbourhood watch tendencies?!
Flo and I are glad the winter is
over and the nights are getting lighter, which makes going through all of this
so much easier. Tomorrow I’ll be going back into hospital for my eighth chemo
session. That’ll be eight down, six more to go.
