First day of chemo - good

So far so good ...

Full night's sleep
For the first time since my diagnosis, I slept through the whole night.  I woke up at 6.45 am - fantastic!

Morning walk

Martha and Katy are both knitting before we leave for school.  They are both really enjoying it.  After school drop off, I head off for a walk down the meadows, with Mike - one of the dads.  The sun is shining brightly, and we can see the mist floating up from the nettles along the brook.  I am not sure you can get the experience from a still photograph.  The mist was rising up in little clouds all along the river bank.

Shopping

I then head to the shops to collect groceries.  I have bought a Hairy Biker Dave cook book in the book club at school - it was £5, and full of recipes that are suitable for my diet.  Katy chose a main course and a pudding, so I stocked up on the ingredients and cooked the meal with her at tea time.  We had enchiladas followed by apple and raspberry crumble (with cornflakes in the crumble).  Martha will choose our next cook book meal, next week.

 

Chemotherapy

I have followed my schedule.  I have been very careful to eat the correct balance of fresh food today, to help me avoid getting "bunged up" by anti-sickness tablets.  I have only taken one anti-sickness tablet too, hoping that this is all I will need.  I will take more if I start to get nauseous.  I have had no side effects so far.    :)

 

 

After lunch, I sleep until 3pm. 

 

Football Tournament

I then get picked up to go to watch Katy play football.  Her friend Rosy is not there because she is poorly, so Katy became the goalie.  It is a painful experience watching your daughter play football.  Every time she made a save, I thought I was going to have a heart attack!  She did very well.  They won 2-0, 1-0 and drew 1-1 (to a team with an extra player - I was told this on the way home.  How I wish that I had noticed - I would have gone and told the referee.  I can't help but be totally competitive on a sports pitch; I would not have been able to let this go.)  Here is Katy in goal.

 

 

At home, Martha and Katy start knitting again ...

 

 

To conclude - day 1 of chemo has passed without any consequences so far.

 

 

Have a good Friday :)

 

lots of love

Sarah xxx







The rest of my day

Knitting
Martha is completing a Chorlton Challenge.  To gain the award, Martha has to:

• keep a journal of news for one month
• learn two new skills
• make a presentation
• other tasks linked to knowledge of the world

Her first "new skill" is to learn to knit.  Katy is joining in too.  We went to Anna's tonight, for a knitting lesson.  Both Martha and Katy are very proud of their progress.

Katy is making a cover for her phone

 

Martha is making a bag

 

Sasha is learning to knit cable stitch.  I wish I had taken her photo too.  Maybe next time ...

 

Martha's audition
Martha completed her audition.  She doesn't think she did very well.  Uncomfortable with her props in front of her class, she only took the walking stick.  Without her hat, she forgot some of her dance; even the key moves, it seems.  She wants to know what part she will get.  Her preference remains Willy Wonka or Verucca Salt.  In the end, she will be happy with any key role. 

She told me Sasha's performance was really good and that she would make a good Willy Wonka.  I said,  "that would be fantastic", and she scowled at me.  I had to add, "if it isn't you, Martha".

Bev's birthday

Here is Bev in her new cat cardi.  Not to my taste at all, but when I saw it, I had to buy it for her.  It looks good!  Bev is a massive cat lover.  Her cats are black and white too.

Helen goes to Everest tomorrow
Enjoy every moment of your experience.  I can't wait to hear about it when you are home.

Have a good week
love
Sarah xxx

Chemotherapy 2

My 9.30 am appointment with Dr McBain lasted until 1 pm.  Dave took me to the appointment.  It took until 10.45 to see Dr McBain.

This is what I learned:

• I take 250 mcg Temozolomide every day for 5 days.  This is chemotherapy, and double my previous dose.
• My next appointment is 13th November.
• I then repeat the 5 day chemotherapy.
• This pattern continues for 6 months.

I also take:

• Ondansatron twice a day - anti sickness drugs, with
• Metoclopramide as a back up anti-sickness drug

In the morning, I take:

• Omeprazole - stomach protector
• Dexamethasone - steroid (0.5 mcg)

My drug and eating regime will be like this for five days:
Before breakfast:                            Omeprazole
Breakfast
After breakfast:                               Dexamethasone
                                                        Ondansatron
Walk
At least one hour before lunch:       Temozolomide
Sleep
Lunch
Potter
Collect Martha and Katy from school
Tea                                
                                                       Ondansatron

Flu Jab - yes, I must have a flu jab in three weeks when I have completed the first phase of chemotherapy.

I also agreed to take part in a research study.  They are trying to find possible causes of brain tumours.  I filled in a questionnaire and gave a blood sample.

Wish me luck over the next five days!

                    

All Ok

Sorry, it is too late to write tonight.  I am feeling well.  I have had a busy night with Martha and Katy.  Martha has her audition tomorrow; Katy has had friends over to play and been to swimming club.  I will write more, tomorrow.
love
Sarah xxx

Questions for Dr McBain

Appointment with Dr Karabatsou  (next week) - my surgeon

• I still have a sore jaw, and cannot open it properly.  Should I go to this appointment to discuss this?
• Will I regain the feeling in my scalp.  It remains numb.

Appointment with Dr McBain

• Steroid reduction:  now on 0.5mcg.  Gain agreement that I manage the reduction in steroids.
• Macmillan Nurse supporting me - Andrew Evanson
• What are expected side effects of chemotherapy programme?
• Running out of steroids and stomach protectors - can I get a prescription at Christies?
• flu jab - can I get one?

Trafford Centre on the bus

 

 

Martha gets up at 6.30 am for a shower and nit check.  We have a nice morning together, a hot chocolate and breakfast.  Katy is the late riser today.

 

John Lewis Fan

We all walk to school together and then I go to get the bus to the Trafford Centre.  In John Lewis, I exchange Katy's shoes.  I also ask for a chain for my blind, and I am given one free-of-charge.  I head home having spent nothing except my bus fare.

 

I mend my blind

I have a sleep.  I wake to fit my chain, and I cannot wait to sleep tonight.  My blind has only half-closed for months.  There is a street light at the end of my cul-de-sac that shines through the gap.  Tonight there will be no gap.  Fantastic!

 

Katy's boots arrive

Katy's football boots arrive.  She ordered these on line, using her trumpet money.  She has not yet got a place in the trumpet group, sadly.  Here she is, very happy with her boots.  She is excited to play football in the tournament, this Thursday.  I am hoping to go and watch, if I can get a lift there.

 



 

 

Martha has been working hard tonight on her news journal.

Chemotherapy starts again on Wednesday
I am building up to my visit to see my consultant.  I start chemotherapy on Wednesday.  Let's hope that the side effects are minimal.  I will do another page on questions to ask at this session.

Have a good week
loads of love
Sarah xxxx

Quiet Sunday

Not surprisingly, I have been tired today.  My day has been a simple blend of cooking meals, doing the washing, sleeping and nit checking.  It peaks in the evening with Katy getting timed in a swimming club gala.  Martha was not well enough to join in.

Steroids
I feel OK.  I think I am through the dip that comes with reducing my steroid dose.  I am pleased about this, because it shows me that my body can adjust, and produce the steroids that I need to be able to function properly.  I am going to reduce my steroids again tomorrow, to 0.5 mcg.  We have a trip to London on Halloween, and I do not want to be in a dip at that stage; I want to feel good for the journey and our activities.  My plan is to drop to 0.5 mcg tomorrow.  I go for my chemotherapy appointment on Wednesday.  I will discuss this drop with my consultant at this appointment, and if she thinks it is ok, I will continue on 0.5 mcg; if she doesn't think I should be cutting down right now, then I will increase it again to 0.75 mcg.  I don't know if that makes sense to you, but it does to me :)  I have discussed this with my Macmillan nurse.

Sleeping long
I sleep for a couple of hours today.  I could have stayed asleep for a lot longer, but there is a limit to the amount of time that two girls can stay quiet.  I am woken by Katy printing from my PC.  She has made me a beautiful picture of a rainbow over the sea, with "Mum" written through it. 

Homework
Martha has finished her homework for the weekend (phew).  She has not kept up to date with her news journal.  She is nearly a week behind with this.  She has to keep a news journal for a month.  She continues to have a terrible cough. 

Wishing you all a good week
loads of love
Sarah xxx

No sleep today :)

I have had a busy day today.

Visit to Liverpool
Dave took us over to see his Mum this morning.  We had a good morning together, enjoyed doing a puzzle and had a roast dinner.  Joan seems to be very happy at the moment; her back garden looks amazing. 

Chill Factore
Martha is not well.  She is on antibiotics. She was crying before we left, has dozed in the car, and been tired at Nanna's.  We dropped her off at the Chill Factore on the way back, and she was anxious and crying there.  I had to stay with her to give her the confidence to enjoy the party.  It all worked out well, but took a big chunk out of the day.

At this point, I am feeling like a sleep, but it is not possible.  Dave has gone home, and Katy and I are going to go back to Chorlton on the bus from the Trafford Centre.

Katy gets new shoes (nearly)
In the Trafford Centre, I get Katy's feet measured because she has blisters from her new shoes.  The shop assistant agrees that she has been sold shoes that are too small, and the manager agrees to replace them.  The only problem is that I forgot to take the shoes!  I have another trip to the Trafford Centre to achieve next week, to pick up her new shoes.  It is worth shopping in John Lewis!

Katy buys some slippers in Marks and Spencer, on the way back to the bus.  They really suit her.

Becoming a bus lover...
The bus trip home was fine.  It doesn't take much longer than finding the car and driving home.  I will get to love the bus!

So, now, I feel very tired.  I have a mild tummy ache, which I also had last night.  My headache is very mild.  However, on the whole, I feel very pleased with my day.

Have a good weekend
lots of love
Sarah xxx

Out for the evening :)

Trafford pals come over
My old pals from Trafford head over for an early tea at Yakisoba.  Don joins us, too, which is fab.  He is very funny company.  Belinda was hilarious too, with her baby development app. on her iphone.  Seven month old baby Ciaus is developing well :)

I enjoy the evening, but I am ready for bed by 8 pm!  We have a cuppa tea, and then I get my head down.  I forgot to ask about the Flixton Girls' Alumni Dinner.  We were all based in the school, so I wonder who else has been invited. 

Morning Walk  
I have a longer meadow walk today.  I also take some books to Oxfam, drop ebay parcels at the post office, and I am delighted to buy Martha a walking cane for her Willy Wonka audition costume - in Age Concern.

Sleep and then Katy comes home with Dave.  Martha has gone to the park with year 6 pals, straight from school.  She is breaking into her own independence.  She comes home at agreed time - a good start for me as her mum.

Good night all
love
Sarah xxx

Crunchy leaves

Faster morning walk
A much cooler day today, but still in bright sunshine, I enjoyed my walk around the meadows.  I must change the direction of the walk - I was squinting into bright low sunlight.  If I reverse the route, the sun will be behind me.

Generally, I am feeling much better as each day passes.

Martha gets antibiotics from Dr Sabeti
I have a double appointment with Dr Sabeti. She checks out Martha's cough, and checks it isn't anything more serious.  I don't like Martha or Katy taking antibiotics, but I have to agree to Martha taking them.  She hasn't been able to shake off a horrid loose cough.

New sick note
For me, I am given a three month sick note.  I feel sad about this, but I have to follow advice.  I think I was barking mad to think I would be able to go back to work after October half term.  I am now aiming for a New Year restart.

I asked about my letter to the Primary Care Manager.  Dr Sabeti was surprised that I had not received an acknowledgement letter, but was immediately able to locate and print the letter.  I am content that the letter had been written before I got there.

My other matter is my travel insurance claim.  I am told that the Primary Care Manager will call me about it.

Long sleep

Katy's football tournament is cancelled
Katy and her football team are taken by three teachers to a school on the other side of Manchester.  When they get there, they find out that the tournament has been cancelled.  All the other schools had been advised of this, and Chorlton CE had been forgotten.  A simple mistake has been made, that has affected parents, teachers and children.  Luckily, Katy seems OK about it.

Martha enjoyed comedy club.  At home she has carried on practising for her Charlie and the Chocolate Factory audition.  I have been asked to be Simon Cowell, and give her really tough feedback.  She is quite amazing, but I found her some things to improve.  She has done some of her homework too.  Katy has done some great literacy work tonight, describing an image of a sphinx in a desert.

Have a good day tomorrow
love
Sarah XXX

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Willy Wonka
The big news of today is that the year 6 Christmas production will be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Martha is a budding actor, who has already started preparing herself for the audition.  She has to sing "Pure Imagination".  This is the song that Willy Wonka sings as they enter the giant room with the chocolate river, and trees that are made of "candy".  The timing is very tricky.  Her teacher is definitely trying to test their ability to perform.  The auditions are next week, so watch out!  I will be singing the song too...

Faster walk
I made it out for my walk.  The bank of the Mersey is decorated with beautiful purple flowers. 

Macmillan nurse
My Macmillan nurse came, and we had a good talk. He keeps reminding me that it is only 4 months since my diagnosis, and that I have been through a lot of trauma in between then and now.  I am going to stay on 0.75 mcg steroids for another week, and make sure I am settled at this level.  I will then cut it down to 0.5 mcg, all being well.  The signs are good.  I am definitely feeling a lot better today.  My eye remains swollen, but my activity levels are higher than they have been.

I have realised that I cannot go back to work after half term.  I am nowhere near ready to start work.  It seems crazy that I thought I would be able to go back.  I have (finally) got a doctor's appointment, one for me and one for Martha (ongoing loose cough).  Katy's knee is fine now.  I will be collecting another sick note.

Harvest
I went to see the Harvest Service at school.  Year 4 performed the service, and Katy sang in the choir.  Year 4 look so grown up.  Last year, they were so little.  Martha looks really old, now that she is in year 6.  It was an enjoyable school event.

Rehearsals
So, my evening at home has been a bit of pottering, while Martha rehearses; Katy has been doing the computer for her and giving very constructive advice.  Katy also went and found her a Willy Wonka outfit.  When invited, I have watched Martha perform.  She doesn't know all the words confidently yet, but her performance is very powerful.  She has a gift for engaging her audience with looks and moves.  By next week, she will know all the words and will be able to produce a memorable performance.

Thanks also to Diane for Groundhog Day.  We will all watch it together.

Have a good day tomorrow.
lots of love
Sarah xxx

Groundhog day

Groundhog Day
Someone has sent me a copy of Groundhog day.  Thank you very much.  My life at the moment is very like the film.  Every day has a similar pattern.  Drugs, breakfast, breakfast for Martha and Katy, walk to school, go for a walk, have a sit down, go to sleep, go back to school, tea and clubs, homework/reading, bed.  In Groundhog style, maybe I can work my way back to not having cancer.  Ok, I'll settle for a handsome man instead! :)

Walk
I am feeling a lot better today.  Anna and I went for a walk together this morning, and we were both delighted with how we got on.  I was feeling much more physically able.

At home, I have rested and then done a little housework.  I am turning into a housewife!  When you are at home, and unwell, you can use up 30 awake minutes here and there, doing little jobs.  Today, I put a pile of things for the charity shop into my new shopping trolley bag.  My aim is to take this to the charity shop next trip out. 

Sleep
Back to Groundhog day - sleep. 

Pick up girls from school
Pick up three girls from school; Martha is taking her friend Anya to drama club, on a take-a-friend day.  I hear about Martha and Anya's day - they have been teaching all the year groups across the school.  Martha has been teaching numeracy using leaves.  It has been a beautiful day, so perfect for working outside.

I then leave Martha and Anya at home, and take Katy to see asthma nurse.  Katy is doing very well, and knows how to use her inhalers properly.  Katy was given an anti-flu injection, which then lead to her choosing not to go swimming.  She has a sore arm and feels under the weather.  Her knee has recovered, I am very glad to say.  She can't wait to play in the girls football league on Thursday - she is counting down to it.

Books and bed.

Handsome Man?
Groundhog Day:  no handsome man yet.  Maybe tomorrow!

Hope the sun is still shining tomorrow.  I can't believe I have been wearing only a t-shirt outdoors this afternoon.  It was really hot.  I did wonder, was it hot, or did I have a fever?  It was definitely hot.

I am feeling a lot better:)

Enjoy your week
love
Sarah xxx

On the mend, I think

Under the weather
I am still upset about my car.  It represents the changes in my life, at the moment.  I am annoyed that someone has parked outside my house!  Around this, I feel generally "off colour".  I think it is the steroids.  However, I am going to persist at taking 0.75 mcg.  I don't feel too ill to carry on with it.  Hopefully, my body will start to create the steroids that I need to improve my general well being.  The occasional puffiness of my left eye makes me very tearful.   My Macmillan nurse will come back on Wednesday to check how I am getting on. 

I went for a morning walk
My walking style is that I am looking for somewhere to sit down and have a rest.  I have not sat down at all, but my mind is not walking freely.  I am out of breath when my pace is less than a dawdle.  I walked through Longford Park today, to go to Barbakhan (Polish deli) to pick up a loaf of bread and a packed lunch for Martha.  I forgot that she was going on a trip today to see Jackie Kay (a poet) at the Royal Exchange Theatre.  She really liked her lunch - easy to please, with a ham sandwich, chocolate cake and a smoothie. 

Bed for me.  I just get to sleep and my mobile rings with a call from "Look Good Feel Better".  This is a service from Christie Hospital that I have been told to make the most of.  You go to a make up workshop and get sent home with loads of high brand freebies.  I accepted the appointment for tomorrow, put the phone down, and looked at my diary; I realised that there is no way that I could go - Katy has an asthma appointment tomorrow that we have been waiting for since the Sunflower incident at the end of August.  I have had to decline the appointment, and postpone it.  I am told my appointment will be in the New Year.  Let's wait and see.  I hope to be back in work by then.

I switch my phone off and sleep until 2pm. 

I pick Martha up at 3pm and bravely leave Katy for football club.  She is moving normally when she gets home, so I think her knee is now settling well.  I am keeping up the ibuprofen.  Martha and I have a good evening while Katy is at cubs - Martha writes a poem about a canal (three times spelt cannal (ha ha)) - it is really quite moving.  She then catches up with her news journal.  Every day, she is writing news into her journal.  The school guidance is to do this for a whole month, and she is determined to do a piece a day.  I want her to be less thorough ...


My 40s looking scarf
I have never been good at tying scarves!  Here is the 40s look.  A bit better than yesterday!

Have a good day everyone
lots of love
Sarah xxx

Pyjama day

Katy goes to the cinema
Katy gets me out of bed.  She is going to watch Percy Grainger and the Sea Monster, with her friend Lewis H, for his 10th birthday.  She does her homework, while I make breakfast.  Martha gets up with a cold.  She is hot and has big bags under eyes.  I fill both girls with medicine - calpol for Martha and Katy's ongoing dose of ibuprofen for her knee.  Katy's knee is improving.

Martha does her homework
Full of calpol, Martha does her numeracy homework (long multiplication), and spellings homework (finding words with prefix tri, and prefix quad).  She then retires to the sofa and a computer game.

I don't do much at all.  I am still feeling very low.  I have headaches, my eye is puffy, I feel lethargic.

Katy's desk
When Katy comes home, we clear her desk and a shelf in her room.  Katy is a hoarder!  She has a story for every little item.  She knows who gave it to her, or where she used it first.  Her eyes sparkle as she shares her story, and why she has to keep it.  It is painful to see, for her mother.  Her room looks a lot better.  We still have a way to go.

I go to bed for a sleep.  Katy sits on my bed and continues with her homework.  I manage to sleep while she designs a sarcophagus and decorates it with hieroglyphics. 

I wake at swim club time.  Katy swims; Martha chooses to watch.  She has to get dressed to go to the pool.

Smoothie maker explodes
During tea, the smoothie maker explodes.  Katy has just said that she can smell burning, then there is a loud pop and sharp flame.  Katy was really close to it, and fortunately was only shocked, not hurt at all.  Banana milkshakes became strawberry ice cream and banana.

Hairy Biker Dave gets through
Nit checks, Strictly Come Dancing, and Bed.  Hooray!  Hairy Biker Dave gets through :) 

Wishing you all a good week
love
Sarah xxx

My car has gone :(

We all get up late
First out of bed at 8.45 am, I make breakfast for Martha and Katy.  Katy joins me in the kitchen, and finishes her literacy homework.  Martha watches the end of the Johnny Depp Alice in Wonderland film; she is in her bedroom on her futon chair, all cuddled up in a blanket.  She looks really cosy, in her getting-tidier bedroom.  I am going to tidy out her wardrobe, next. 

A scarf arrives in the post.
This is a gift from my sister, Bev.  It comes with instructions on how to tie it 40s style.  As you can see, we couldn't get the hang of it.  I will practice again tomorrow :)  Thanks Bev!

My try ...

Martha's attempt ...

and Katy's solution

 

 

Martha and Katy go conker collecting. 

 

Dave arrives while they are out, and goes to help them.  When they return they think they have 100 hundred conkers.  My estimate is 300.  They spend time counting every conker, and go and get one more to make the final total 350.

Martha is looking conkers!

 



 

Max and my Mum arrive

 

I am swapping cars with Max.  We had agreed that I would sell her Rover, but changed our minds about this, as it will be much easier for the owner to sell the car.  The first problem we had was that my car wouldn't start.  We called the RAC for help, and went to school BBQ for a burger.  Martha and Katy went there on their own, while we called the RAC.  I am not feeling well.  I have been in tears with Max.  At the BBQ, I am trying not to cry, and we don't stay long, to get back for RAC.  Martha and Katy stay and come home later with Lisa and Iona.  A new battery later, and a basic service and Max has a car with pumped tyres, oil and water checked.

We then sort out insurance, so that both cars can go back to Bristol. I have not been organised about this, and Max's insurance on the Rover ended at one thirty in the afternoon.  Amazingly, we find one day car insurance online for £25, so Max drove the Rover home, and my Mum drove home my Zafira.  I am relieved that I don't have to sell the Rover. 

 

I am upset to give up my car.  I am sure this will pass.  The problem is that giving up my car represents a change in my life.  I am not allowed to drive for two years.  This is an adjustment that I am forced to make.  I am very grateful for all the lifts that other families are offering Martha and Katy, so that they can continue to attend their clubs.  I will soon be an expert on the bus and tram system, and we will of course be out and about on our bikes, when I am fit enough.

 

I am upset about other things too.  I just have to relax and live in the moment. 

 

Hair cut

I don't think I have let my mum cut my hair since I was 15.  Today, I asked her to cut off my hair that is really painful when it is moved.  I now have a bit of a monkish look - but I am hoping to sleep better tonight.  I will wear Bev's scarf tomorrow (ha ha).

 

Steroids and paracetemol

I am sluggish, have headaches, my left eye is swelling from time to time.  I remain on 0.75 mcg steroids, but I am taking loads of paracetemol to combat pain.  I am going to stay on 0.75 mcg for another week.  I am not ready to reduce my steroid dose any further right now.

 

Let's have a better day tomorrow

Have a good weekend

Love

Sarah xxxx

 

 

 

 



Even slower day

No walk today - I have a bad headache and go home to get paracetemol.

I fall asleep watching TWS (The Wright Stuff), and wake at 11.30am.  I panic, thinking that I have slept through, and that I have missed my appointment with my Macmillan nurse.  He arrives at this moment, so I am half asleep, no scarf, need a wee and totally unprepared to meet him! 

It is good timing for a visit, because I don't feel well.  We conclude that it is my steroids.  My plan had been to reduce from 0.75 mcg to 0.5 mcg, at the weekend.  It is agreed that I persist with 0.75 mcg until I feel better.  Or, if I do not feel better, that I increase the dose back up to 1mcg.  We talk about lots of things:  Martha and Katy, travel insurance claim, my letter to the doctor's, my fears for the future, his visit to my doctor's surgery, chemotherapy - next phase ...  He decides to come back next week, his main aim is to check how I am getting on with the steroids.

Lunch - I have Tanya's chilliless chilli for lunch.  I add some fresh chilli :)  Thanks loads, I enjoyed it.

In the afternoon, I potter about.  Being home, sick and poorly, is a great way to get spring cleaning done.  I empty Martha's shelves and reorganise all the games.  I syphon off some activities to sell, and some for the charity shop.  She won't miss any of it.  I also find an activity book about dragons, that Katy is really excited by.

Katy's knee
Katy has taken maximum dose of ibuprofen, and is walking more normally on her knee.  I rang the doctors for an appointment on Monday, and was told that the only doctor available was Doctor Black, so (if Katy needs to see the Doctor) I have to ring on Monday to try for Tuesday.   In the end, I am going to have to change surgery, because Katy is missing out on seeing a doctor, because I don't want to see Doctor Black. This is not fair to Katy.

Katy comes home with a merit certificate for her art work, and a level 2 bikeability badge.  She has a great report, and her eyes are bright with pride.  Lovely to see.

Martha walked to the park with friends from her class.  There were about ten of them, a small crowd, all fizzing along Beech Road to the park. 

Gremlins
We finish watching Gremlins.  Martha and Katy love the film.  Gremlins 2 is on order!  We finish off reading and settle down to sleep.

I hope to sleep well tonight.
Have a great weekend
love
Sarah xxx

Slow Day

A dopey walk
My meadow walk was hard work this morning.  Even the most gentle slope was a huge challenge.  I am out of breath and looking for somewhere to sit down.  I keep going, but I was glad to fall into the sofa, as I return home.

The meadows are lush with long grass, creepy tall nettles and looping large dock leaves.  Today, a tractor has been cutting lots of it back.  I walked with the smell of cut grass, across discarded tufts. 

Cup of tea and straight to bed.  I then sleep until 2 pm which is nearly 3 hours sleep.  I keep expecting my sleeps to get shorter, but they are staying long and deep.  I must give up wishing to be awake all day!  When I wake, I remain dopey.  I forget that Dave said he would pick girls up from school, and only remember when I see his car in the car park.  He has come over with a heavy cold, so I chose not to get in the car with him!  Dave took Martha home, and I waited for Katy to come out of guitar.

Katy's knee is still in bad shape
I phoned my doctor's this morning, but could only get an appointment with Dr Black (my GP, who I do not want to see at the moment).  I had to decline the appointment, and will call tomorrow to try to get an appointment for Monday.

On the way home from school Katy hurt her knee again.  Her whole body arched in pain, and she was instantly in tears. She is walking like she has a board strapped to her leg.  I think something in her knee is inflamed, so I am giving her nurofen regularly.  We are following ICE - ice, compression, elevation.  I am wishing her to be fit enough to play football in the girls league over the next few weeks. 

Gremlins
Martha watched this at Anya's party.  She has talked about it endlessly, so we have rented it from love film.  We watched half of it tonight, with a piece of chocolate cake.  I don't think I have ever seen all of it before - it was released the year that I went to uni. This is a time when I disconnected from the real world for a few years.  My younger brother (14 years younger) called his cat Gizmo, after the first Gremlin. 

Ebay
I have put my electrical products on ebay.  I don't expect to make much money - I am just passing them onto someone else who will want them, and passing them out of my bedroom.  The one that made me laugh was the microphone; it is in the original packaging, with instructions, except that everything is in French.  I bought this when I was teaching in France for my PGCE placement.

Have a good day
loads of love
Sarah xxxx

Trip to Aldi

Trip to Aldi
Martine (Martha's friend Izzy's mum) gives me a lift to Aldi, straight from school.  Martine and I are good friends - we knew each other in the early 90s - she had a shop in Affleck's Palace - and then we met again as Mums ten plus years later.  Martine is also a fan of camping, like me, and has her own business providing furnished bell tents (I think).   My shopping bill was very small - Aldi does have low prices.

We go back to Martine's for a cup of tea.  I have never been to her house, before today, because I was too poorly when she moved house, some time before my diagnosis.  I am very glad to have been there; it is a light and spacious house with a good garden.

I come home, have a bite to eat and head to bed.

Ewa cleans very well
My cleaner comes for the second time.  I have clean sheets, and I am starting to see a real difference in the background cleanliness of the house.  Ewa has vacuumed under my bed, and cleaned the skirting boards.  It looks so much better.  Both Martha and Katy's rooms are taking good shape too.

About to start ebaying
I slept for about an hour today.  When I wake, I potter.  I end up sorting out the boxes under my bed, that are full of electrical products.  I now have a big pile of unused items to sell on ebay.  They range from a computer microphone, that I bought in France, to a video camera that I bought when Martha was a baby.  And loads of other wiry products in between.

Martha walks home from school on her own
This was my first experience of waiting for Martha to walk home from school, on her own.  The clock has been ticking very slowly.

 I then go to school to pick Katy up from choir.  Poor Katy has an ongoing problem with a sore knee.  Tomorrow, we will try to get a doctor's appointment; Katy was in tears when we left school tonight.  What the problem is, I have no idea.  It is slightly puffy, and little jolts are causing her a lot of pain.  She wants to play football next week, in a girls football league.  I really hope she is fit enough to play.

Martha and I walked to guides together.  Katy was at home watching Superman, and setting up Monopoly.  Katy and I had a lovely time together playing the game.  At bed time, we counted up our money and mortgage values, and Katy was very excited to win the game. 

Travel Insurance
A letter arrived today that outlined all the evidence that I have to send to my insurance company, so that I can claim travel insurance.  It is so complicated.  I have posted the medical form to my current GP.  I have a letter that gives my date of diagnosis.  Aurigny (airline) have (kindly) sent me a summary of the changes to my booking, but I don't understand it.  Tomorrow, I will call them and ask them to go through it step by step.  Guilty feelings about this, but the information does not make any sense to me.

Refund for reverse osmosis system
This is a system that you can use to take all the additives out of household water.  When the system arrived, it was too big, and impossible for me to fit, so I returned it.  I returned it on 3 August.  The story is that there was no-one living at the address that I was given to return to.  The post office left the package in a depot, and I discovered this when checking delivery, using the tracking number.  The supplier gave me an address in another town to send the system to, and luckily the post office delivered to this address.  Checking my bank account, I received no refund.  In between all of this, my Amazon account is deleted by Love Film (when I was trying to get Martha's kindle to receive Love Film Instant).  This meant I had no record of purchase.  Somehow, I have got there in the end, and at last, the refund has appeared in my account.  This has consumed hours, but hooray!

Next task - I cancelled my AA membership, and received a letter confirming this.  The AA have since taken my quarterly payment.  I have got to chase this up tomorrow...  I think I discarded the letter, but I am sure the AA will refund this amicably.

Chilliless chilli
Tanya (Rosy's mum) left me a vegie chilli on the doorstep tonight.  On her way home, she realised she hadn't put any chillis in it - very funny.  I will add chilli today.  Thanks Tanya.


Wishing you all a gentle day tomorrow
lots of love
Sarah xxx