I make it to school this morning, and catch up with a few people.
Ewa, cleaner came today, for the first time in four weeks. It was heaven! She has cleaned everywhere. My biggest achievement of the day was to mend my broken blind; it shuts properly now. Sleeping for an hour, I miss her at the end of her shift.
I arranged for a mum pal to come round for a cuppa, and basically have done nothing except sit and chat. My nausea is coming and going, but diminishing in power with every wave. I feel relatively ok right now. Hoping to go for a walk tomorrow morning and get back into routine again.
Martha and Katy are currently over-energised by their electronic gizmos: Katy's iPOD and Martha's kindle. Emailing and facetiming/skyping their friend has become a fashion. I am trying to work out what the boundaries are. I think we will start with times when they can use it and times when they cannot. Katy already knows that she cannot check her messages after 7pm, or I will confiscate her iPOD for a week!! She lost her iPOD for the night last night. We already have a rule that they can only use them downstairs for games, that is generally followed well. Any tips are always welcomed!
I am thinking about participating in the London 10k, in July 2014, but very aware that I will probably only be able to walk the route. This makes the London marathon seem incredibly close... Martha and Katy want to do the Great Manchester Run, so I will enter them. I think, this year, we will make it to watch the main event (we missed it last year).
Wishing you all a good day tomorrow
lots of love
Sarah xxx
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Tuesday
I spent all morning today dozing in front of the TV.
This afternoon, I got myself together enough to go to a Look Good Feel Better make up session. I have been advised that I should go, because you get a really good goody bag. It is true! Remarkably, I met Anna there too. I have been taught how to use all the products, from cleanser, to my third eye brow pencil! I have had a make-up session with Martha tonight (while Katy was at swimming), I showed her what we had been taught (except the foundation and powder) and she looked delightful. She then helped me cleanse it (and herself). My main point of learning, was seeing in a magnification mirror how dry my skin has become. I need to moisturize. Helen gave me a bag of make-up products for Christmas, and there is plenty in there that will help me improve the condition of my skin. Martha helped me look through it. I have agreed that she can try the shower gel. We had a lovely hour together.
My mum has gone home for my Great Auntie Betty's funeral. She was late eighties and died in her sleep on New Year's Eve. My mum is very upset to lose her.
Have a good day tomorrow
lots of love
Sarah xxx
(I am still very nauseas, but managing it OK) May it be gone tomorrow!)
This afternoon, I got myself together enough to go to a Look Good Feel Better make up session. I have been advised that I should go, because you get a really good goody bag. It is true! Remarkably, I met Anna there too. I have been taught how to use all the products, from cleanser, to my third eye brow pencil! I have had a make-up session with Martha tonight (while Katy was at swimming), I showed her what we had been taught (except the foundation and powder) and she looked delightful. She then helped me cleanse it (and herself). My main point of learning, was seeing in a magnification mirror how dry my skin has become. I need to moisturize. Helen gave me a bag of make-up products for Christmas, and there is plenty in there that will help me improve the condition of my skin. Martha helped me look through it. I have agreed that she can try the shower gel. We had a lovely hour together.
My mum has gone home for my Great Auntie Betty's funeral. She was late eighties and died in her sleep on New Year's Eve. My mum is very upset to lose her.
Have a good day tomorrow
lots of love
Sarah xxx
(I am still very nauseas, but managing it OK) May it be gone tomorrow!)
Chemo 5
Hi there,
Sorry - I had no internet yesterday, nor the energy to get it going. Mostly, I have been in bed, nauseas or worse.
My Macmillan nurse came, and we had a good talk about lots of things. Swimming is off my agenda until the chemo is finished (warm moist atmosphere, potentially full of germs). Polates, would be a good start for me; I have just got to get organised.
I am still upset about my treatment by my ex-GP. However, I have said what I want to say.
I continue to think about the second Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) A&E doctor, as well. I had returned to the MRI (two days after a visit scheduled by Dr Sabeti) with newly developed double vision. I do not think I was checked over properly. I recall thinking it was odd that I was sent home to rest when all the manuals say you must get seen by a doctor. I realise that part of the problem was that I was not functioning properly; I barely speak. The first A & E doctor checked me thoroughly, and sadly, I passed all the tests and they rejected the request for a scan. I am disturbed that the development of double vision did not spark the need for a scan. If and when I feel like following this up, I know how to do it.
Other stuff - I showed him photos of me pre-diagnosis: one with Martha and Katy in Berlin (where I was struggling with headaches), and one with Jackie and Louise at hockey. He read the poem that Jackie has written for me, and I have seized it as my goal - all the features she describes are accurate observations - I want to get myself back in action again. Two more bouts of chemo to go.
Good news, of course, that the scan showed that my tumour is responding to treatment. I am grieving that I still have a tumour, but if it is not growing, nor troubling me, then I can live with it. I have to come to terms with this.
continued ...
Sorry - I had no internet yesterday, nor the energy to get it going. Mostly, I have been in bed, nauseas or worse.
My Macmillan nurse came, and we had a good talk about lots of things. Swimming is off my agenda until the chemo is finished (warm moist atmosphere, potentially full of germs). Polates, would be a good start for me; I have just got to get organised.
I am still upset about my treatment by my ex-GP. However, I have said what I want to say.
I continue to think about the second Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) A&E doctor, as well. I had returned to the MRI (two days after a visit scheduled by Dr Sabeti) with newly developed double vision. I do not think I was checked over properly. I recall thinking it was odd that I was sent home to rest when all the manuals say you must get seen by a doctor. I realise that part of the problem was that I was not functioning properly; I barely speak. The first A & E doctor checked me thoroughly, and sadly, I passed all the tests and they rejected the request for a scan. I am disturbed that the development of double vision did not spark the need for a scan. If and when I feel like following this up, I know how to do it.
Other stuff - I showed him photos of me pre-diagnosis: one with Martha and Katy in Berlin (where I was struggling with headaches), and one with Jackie and Louise at hockey. He read the poem that Jackie has written for me, and I have seized it as my goal - all the features she describes are accurate observations - I want to get myself back in action again. Two more bouts of chemo to go.
Good news, of course, that the scan showed that my tumour is responding to treatment. I am grieving that I still have a tumour, but if it is not growing, nor troubling me, then I can live with it. I have to come to terms with this.
continued ...
Sunday, 12 January 2014
Chemo day 4
I have several breaks to my sleep, but on the whole, I sleep well. I wake to my 6am alarm and take Ondansatron. I wake to 7.30 alarm at take my chemo tablets. I get up shortly after.
On the whole, I have had a good day. I have had flashes of nausea, but nothing has reached the levels of the day before. No vomit day, hooray! Hoping for a similar day tomorrow, however, I will accept whatever comes my way.
I haven't really done anything all day. Martha and Katy have played well (mostly!), and Polly came over to play after arranging it on facetime (ipod touch to ipod touch).
Truman Show then bed.
Good night all
Have a good week
lots of love
Sarah xxxx
On the whole, I have had a good day. I have had flashes of nausea, but nothing has reached the levels of the day before. No vomit day, hooray! Hoping for a similar day tomorrow, however, I will accept whatever comes my way.
I haven't really done anything all day. Martha and Katy have played well (mostly!), and Polly came over to play after arranging it on facetime (ipod touch to ipod touch).
Truman Show then bed.
Good night all
Have a good week
lots of love
Sarah xxxx
Saturday, 11 January 2014
chemo day 3
Nausea through the night, I took all the pills that I could (spaced out)(the pills not me!!) and still ended up vomiting. In the end, I managed to sleep and awoke late. Totally confused, I phoned Christie hotline for help. They are always amazing. I follow what they say, exactly and start to feel a little more settled. On and off all day, I have been struggling with nausea and vomiting.
I couldn't go to the theatre tonight, but mum friends have been brilliant help, and taken Martha and Katy to see Robin Hood.
I watched the film Senna (on loan from Helen). The salmon byriani is all gone. My only experience of it was yesterday, Martha and Katy have enjoyed it today, thank you, Sally and Alan.
Have a good day tomorrow
Sarah xxx
I couldn't go to the theatre tonight, but mum friends have been brilliant help, and taken Martha and Katy to see Robin Hood.
I watched the film Senna (on loan from Helen). The salmon byriani is all gone. My only experience of it was yesterday, Martha and Katy have enjoyed it today, thank you, Sally and Alan.
Have a good day tomorrow
Sarah xxx
Friday, 10 January 2014
chemo day 2
Woken by Cook delivery
Seven thirty in the morning and I am woken by my front door. My Cook order has arrived very early! Prior to this, I have been awake at 6am to take anti-sickness pills, and now it is chemo time. We are all in bed, sound asleep.
Parcel collection
The three of us walk to school together. Martha is ready to present her "new skill", which is knitting, to her class, and to year 5. My morning walk is to a newsagents, to collect a parcel. To cut a long story short, I did not take any formal identification, so I was denied the package. In the afternoon, I returned with a gas bill. The funny thing was, that when I received it, it was a ten inch box, about five inches deep. Having a laugh with the shop keeper, I open it, to find a key ring in the middle of it.
Benefits admin completed
The library offers a service of copying original documents for the education service. I have my final set of "evidence" copied. I am delighted to announce that I have finished all my admin.
Martha is a buddy
Martha comes home from school, bouncing and showing me her buddy badge. She has been made a buddy. Excited and delighted!
Katy came home and made flapjacks.
Usual amount of day time sleeps... Nausea is manageable.
Enjoy your weekend
love you all
Sarah xxx
Seven thirty in the morning and I am woken by my front door. My Cook order has arrived very early! Prior to this, I have been awake at 6am to take anti-sickness pills, and now it is chemo time. We are all in bed, sound asleep.
Parcel collection
The three of us walk to school together. Martha is ready to present her "new skill", which is knitting, to her class, and to year 5. My morning walk is to a newsagents, to collect a parcel. To cut a long story short, I did not take any formal identification, so I was denied the package. In the afternoon, I returned with a gas bill. The funny thing was, that when I received it, it was a ten inch box, about five inches deep. Having a laugh with the shop keeper, I open it, to find a key ring in the middle of it.
Benefits admin completed
The library offers a service of copying original documents for the education service. I have my final set of "evidence" copied. I am delighted to announce that I have finished all my admin.
Martha is a buddy
Martha comes home from school, bouncing and showing me her buddy badge. She has been made a buddy. Excited and delighted!
Katy came home and made flapjacks.
Usual amount of day time sleeps... Nausea is manageable.
Enjoy your weekend
love you all
Sarah xxx
Thursday, 9 January 2014
chemo day 1 - quiet day
Immediately, I am into the routine of taking piles of tablets in the morning.
My morning walk was changed by Katy. My meadow walk became - go home and return with Katy's trumpet. I then decided to walk a couple of errands. I popped into the DWP office in search of my tax credits letter, and checked if Martha's wool had come into the craft shop. I did emerge with an authorised copy of my tax credits letter, which is good.
Breakfast about 10.30 am, I am feeling a little nauseous. I have had a very quiet day.
I sleep for a couple of hours. When awake I have a snack, and then go back to sleep again.
Have a good Friday
love
Sarah xxx
My morning walk was changed by Katy. My meadow walk became - go home and return with Katy's trumpet. I then decided to walk a couple of errands. I popped into the DWP office in search of my tax credits letter, and checked if Martha's wool had come into the craft shop. I did emerge with an authorised copy of my tax credits letter, which is good.
Breakfast about 10.30 am, I am feeling a little nauseous. I have had a very quiet day.
I sleep for a couple of hours. When awake I have a snack, and then go back to sleep again.
Have a good Friday
love
Sarah xxx
Wednesday, 8 January 2014
Scan update - good news :)
Christies this morning for appointment with Dr McBain. My approach has been to get there early, get my blood test done and then wait to see the consultant. Every time we go, there is what feels like endless waiting. Queue to get registered; sit and wait for my turn to have blood test; sit and wait for an "on time appointment" (as advertised on a screen in the waiting room), that is over an hour late; wait for prescription to be processed. We leave at 9.15 am and get home at 1 pm.
My appointment is all the usual things - my headaches, my stiffness of body, my jaw is still not opening without pain, my hair is growing back etc. The doctor (not Dr McBain) starts to end the appointment. We ask about the scan, and remarkably, she was not aware that I had received no feedback from the scan.
Summarising the feedback: the treatment is working (Hooray!), the remaining tumour has not grown at all, which is called "stable". What happens next is that I continue the next three months of chemotherapy and a couple of months later, I will have another scan. What I hope for is that it is stable, which frees me from immediate further treatment.
Before now, I have understood that the doctors were treating the remains of the original tumour, and I envisaged a skin that was left behind deep in my brain. This is not the case. My original tumour was 8cm in diameter. What remains is a small tumour, described as 6cm x 3cm. I believe that it is unlikely to be removed, or reduced. I think that my healthy future is to live comfortably with a stable tumour. In other words, a tumour that is no longer growing. No-one's ideal scenario I know, but I am sure that I can do it.
Interestingly, Martha and Katy have both been interested in the scan. Katy asks me lots of questions, which is no change to her previous behaviour. "Is it growing?", "no", "Is that good or bad?". However, I have seen a real change in Martha. We had a long (separate) conversation about it, and she pieced together what she knew with what I was telling her. She showed no hesitance and was very relaxed about it. "Why can't they take it all out?", "because they might cause brain damage", "Is it better to have brain damage, or some of the tumour left behind?", "Some of the tumour", with a giggle, "and it's not growing - that's good isn't it?". Both girls understand that it is good news.
I did ask the doctor what "in remission" means. It is not possible for someone with brain cancer to be in remission, because it is not possible to remove the whole tumour. To be in remission you would have no tumour and no cancer cells. I believe my best option is to have a stable tumour. However, as I write this, I do not understand how some people have beaten brain cancer. I will explore further.
Have a good day tomorrow. I start my chemotherapy tomorrow. Anti-sickness pills followed by seven chemo capsules! They have run out of the bigger size, so instead of three capsules, I have seven. I can't remember all the timings now.
Have a good day tomorrow
lots of love
Sarah xxx
My appointment is all the usual things - my headaches, my stiffness of body, my jaw is still not opening without pain, my hair is growing back etc. The doctor (not Dr McBain) starts to end the appointment. We ask about the scan, and remarkably, she was not aware that I had received no feedback from the scan.
Summarising the feedback: the treatment is working (Hooray!), the remaining tumour has not grown at all, which is called "stable". What happens next is that I continue the next three months of chemotherapy and a couple of months later, I will have another scan. What I hope for is that it is stable, which frees me from immediate further treatment.
Before now, I have understood that the doctors were treating the remains of the original tumour, and I envisaged a skin that was left behind deep in my brain. This is not the case. My original tumour was 8cm in diameter. What remains is a small tumour, described as 6cm x 3cm. I believe that it is unlikely to be removed, or reduced. I think that my healthy future is to live comfortably with a stable tumour. In other words, a tumour that is no longer growing. No-one's ideal scenario I know, but I am sure that I can do it.
Interestingly, Martha and Katy have both been interested in the scan. Katy asks me lots of questions, which is no change to her previous behaviour. "Is it growing?", "no", "Is that good or bad?". However, I have seen a real change in Martha. We had a long (separate) conversation about it, and she pieced together what she knew with what I was telling her. She showed no hesitance and was very relaxed about it. "Why can't they take it all out?", "because they might cause brain damage", "Is it better to have brain damage, or some of the tumour left behind?", "Some of the tumour", with a giggle, "and it's not growing - that's good isn't it?". Both girls understand that it is good news.
I did ask the doctor what "in remission" means. It is not possible for someone with brain cancer to be in remission, because it is not possible to remove the whole tumour. To be in remission you would have no tumour and no cancer cells. I believe my best option is to have a stable tumour. However, as I write this, I do not understand how some people have beaten brain cancer. I will explore further.
Have a good day tomorrow. I start my chemotherapy tomorrow. Anti-sickness pills followed by seven chemo capsules! They have run out of the bigger size, so instead of three capsules, I have seven. I can't remember all the timings now.
Have a good day tomorrow
lots of love
Sarah xxx
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
January blues
DWP office
Woken by my alarm, I was shocked that it was time to get up. We get to school reasonably comfortably. My "DWP" appointment is at 9.30 am. This is at the Department for Work and Pensions, which used to be the social security office. All my documents are photocopied. I am pleased because I do not lose sight of any of them.
Lost letter
Except, when at home, I find that one of them is missing: my tax credits letter. I search for it, but conclude that it must be left in the DWP office. I will have to go back and ask about it. Nothing is ever simple! I decide to post my last application without the letter, so that my claim is logged.
New library card
The library is close to DWP office, so I went there to get a copy of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. My library card was so out of date, the librarian insisted it had to be replaced. My old card was yellow, with a bar code stuck on with sellotape. Inducted in using the self service counter, I have a copy of the book. I was given a cd in June, which sadly was faulty. My plan is to read the book, and then watch the film again. I didn't really understand the film when I saw it in the cinema.
Usual sleep
Lunchtime sleep - now generally about 45 mins. It is getting shorter. When I wake, I call school to arrange to see the head teacher for a catch up. I have a chat with deputy head.
January blues
Later, I feel really tearful. Many people suffer from January blues. Differentiating between what my illness is causing, and what would happen anyway is always difficult. I think all that happened to me today, was that I had some time to myself, to think and reflect and I ended up very tearful. I can't blame the steroids anymore! I feel low, but ok.
Chemo time!
I go to see my consultant tomorrow. It is chemo time again. Happy that Christmas and New Year fell in a good spell, I am prepared for my poorly spell from the weekend onwards. I hope to be well enough to see Robin Hood with school on Saturday, and to conk out for the week ahead. My mum is kindly coming up to help.
Have a good week
lots of love
Sarah xxxx
Woken by my alarm, I was shocked that it was time to get up. We get to school reasonably comfortably. My "DWP" appointment is at 9.30 am. This is at the Department for Work and Pensions, which used to be the social security office. All my documents are photocopied. I am pleased because I do not lose sight of any of them.
Lost letter
Except, when at home, I find that one of them is missing: my tax credits letter. I search for it, but conclude that it must be left in the DWP office. I will have to go back and ask about it. Nothing is ever simple! I decide to post my last application without the letter, so that my claim is logged.
New library card
The library is close to DWP office, so I went there to get a copy of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. My library card was so out of date, the librarian insisted it had to be replaced. My old card was yellow, with a bar code stuck on with sellotape. Inducted in using the self service counter, I have a copy of the book. I was given a cd in June, which sadly was faulty. My plan is to read the book, and then watch the film again. I didn't really understand the film when I saw it in the cinema.
Usual sleep
Lunchtime sleep - now generally about 45 mins. It is getting shorter. When I wake, I call school to arrange to see the head teacher for a catch up. I have a chat with deputy head.
January blues
Later, I feel really tearful. Many people suffer from January blues. Differentiating between what my illness is causing, and what would happen anyway is always difficult. I think all that happened to me today, was that I had some time to myself, to think and reflect and I ended up very tearful. I can't blame the steroids anymore! I feel low, but ok.
Chemo time!
I go to see my consultant tomorrow. It is chemo time again. Happy that Christmas and New Year fell in a good spell, I am prepared for my poorly spell from the weekend onwards. I hope to be well enough to see Robin Hood with school on Saturday, and to conk out for the week ahead. My mum is kindly coming up to help.
Have a good week
lots of love
Sarah xxxx
Monday, 6 January 2014
School tomorrow
Katy went to see the Hobbit this morning, with Polly. She says she enjoyed it, but I have been picking up little glimpses of Katy and Polly playing tag in the toilets.
Knitting - Martha finished making her bag today. This project has been a challenge that Martha has really enjoyed. She has filled her bag with items to take to school, so that she can show her bag and how she made it, alongside a powerpoint presentation.
Knitting - Martha finished making her bag today. This project has been a challenge that Martha has really enjoyed. She has filled her bag with items to take to school, so that she can show her bag and how she made it, alongside a powerpoint presentation.
I had my usual lunchtime sleep. I woke in the middle of a dream and was completely disorientated. Was it morning? Was I late? I jumped up and then realised it was lunchtime.
This evening - three nit checks - just double (quadruple) checking that the girls are not taking nits to school. I am now exhausted!
Chemo starts on Thursday.
Have a good first week at school/work.
lots of love
Sarah xxx
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Christmas and New Year photos
Martha, Katy and Grace do the washing up on Christmas Day.
Baby Julian is loved by all the girls!
Katy made everyone elastic bracelets to wear for New Year's Eve
Martha and Katy play Shut the Box
New Year's Day movember moment.
Is that Bev under there?
Harry and Martha and Katy go to Chill Factore. Here they are coming off the slopes.
Katy, Harry and Martha
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Good Christmas!
Good evening all!
Recalling all the events from our Christmas, so far, will be a challenge.
Christmas morning, Katy is up early and comes to bed with me. The four of us open presents together. Dave, cooks a giant English breakfast. The day that follows feels like about five days! From my house, to Joan's (Dave's mum) - tea here and toast; from Joan's to Dave's brother's for dinner, gifts and games; from here, back to Joan's. We stay at Joan's overnight, and the girls have stockings on boxing day morning. We all have an amazing time - Martha, Katy and Grace (cousin) all have a ball.
My health has been improving gradually over time. Regular sleeps remain part of my daily routine. On Christmas day, I had to have a few! No-one seemed to mind at all. I opted in and out of the day, as best I could, with a bed to use as, and when, it suited me. I am struggling to eat. Tasty as it was, my Christmas dinner was minute, compared to last year's; and, I was unable to finish it.
Other bits of health - my hair is steadily growing back. My monk-look has diminished from 12cm diameter, to about 7cm diameter. Steadily growing, it is starting to return to a normal head of hair. I have half a new fringe creeping down my forehead. I am also starting to look like myself again. Since finishing the steroids, my face has been recovering; when I look in the mirror, I feel like I am looking at myself, not a cancer victim. Hooray!
I currently have two girls on a sleepover. I keep being reminded of my duties. It is not as simple as having two extra girls for dinner and bed. Martha and Katy tidied their rooms; we have made two extra beds; we have made rules about sleep time, and the consequences of not being asleep on time. The girls have made a Strictly Come Dancing video (to Bang Bang, I am told), and are currently watching Despicable Me 2. I am reminded that I must make a midnight feast. Wish me luck ...
Recalling all the events from our Christmas, so far, will be a challenge.
Christmas morning, Katy is up early and comes to bed with me. The four of us open presents together. Dave, cooks a giant English breakfast. The day that follows feels like about five days! From my house, to Joan's (Dave's mum) - tea here and toast; from Joan's to Dave's brother's for dinner, gifts and games; from here, back to Joan's. We stay at Joan's overnight, and the girls have stockings on boxing day morning. We all have an amazing time - Martha, Katy and Grace (cousin) all have a ball.
My health has been improving gradually over time. Regular sleeps remain part of my daily routine. On Christmas day, I had to have a few! No-one seemed to mind at all. I opted in and out of the day, as best I could, with a bed to use as, and when, it suited me. I am struggling to eat. Tasty as it was, my Christmas dinner was minute, compared to last year's; and, I was unable to finish it.
Other bits of health - my hair is steadily growing back. My monk-look has diminished from 12cm diameter, to about 7cm diameter. Steadily growing, it is starting to return to a normal head of hair. I have half a new fringe creeping down my forehead. I am also starting to look like myself again. Since finishing the steroids, my face has been recovering; when I look in the mirror, I feel like I am looking at myself, not a cancer victim. Hooray!
I currently have two girls on a sleepover. I keep being reminded of my duties. It is not as simple as having two extra girls for dinner and bed. Martha and Katy tidied their rooms; we have made two extra beds; we have made rules about sleep time, and the consequences of not being asleep on time. The girls have made a Strictly Come Dancing video (to Bang Bang, I am told), and are currently watching Despicable Me 2. I am reminded that I must make a midnight feast. Wish me luck ...
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
Monday, 23 December 2013
Ok today
I had to sleep this afternoon, but on the whole I have had another good day. Christmas shopping is finished - Martha and Katy bought each other presents this morning. Dave's present is organised. Next job is to wrap them.
I have taken a form to my new doctor to complete, that is medical evidence that I am ill; and collected a leaflet for Martha from old doctor.
Katy earned a reward by collecting 15 stickers, over time, for getting herself up, dressed and full of breakfast in the morning. We went to see Saving Mr Banks. I was worried that it was a bit adult for her, but she really enjoyed it. The title is correct, however, I keep wanting to call it Saving Private Ryan (also Tom Hanks). Both Katy and I can't wait to watch Mary Poppins, because we now have the history behind the characters.
Christmas Eve tomorrow - have a brilliant day.
lots of love
Sarah xxxx
I have taken a form to my new doctor to complete, that is medical evidence that I am ill; and collected a leaflet for Martha from old doctor.
Katy earned a reward by collecting 15 stickers, over time, for getting herself up, dressed and full of breakfast in the morning. We went to see Saving Mr Banks. I was worried that it was a bit adult for her, but she really enjoyed it. The title is correct, however, I keep wanting to call it Saving Private Ryan (also Tom Hanks). Both Katy and I can't wait to watch Mary Poppins, because we now have the history behind the characters.
Christmas Eve tomorrow - have a brilliant day.
lots of love
Sarah xxxx
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Feeling much better
No sleep for me today! This is a first in a long time. I got up feeling fine. Breakfast, one nit check and I am persuaded by Martha that I should join them, and visit Joan, with Dave. I spend a few hours at Joan's, and I am feeling OK. It was only around 3pm that I realised that I had not had a sleep, and that I did not have the overpowering drowsiness that I experience every day. Who knows if this is a breakthrough, but for it to happen once is surely a good sign.
I have had to accept that I will not be able to finish my Christmas cards in time. They are going to be New Year cards now!
Good night!
Have a great Christmas week
lots of love
Sarah xxx
I have had to accept that I will not be able to finish my Christmas cards in time. They are going to be New Year cards now!
Good night!
Have a great Christmas week
lots of love
Sarah xxx
Saturday, 21 December 2013
On the recovery
It is only one week a month, so most of the time I am relatively well. I am coming out of my chemo-sick week, which has been compounded by a heavy cold. My immune system has been attached by chemotherapy through the whole of the summer, and during my current programme, and I have been recovering from a major operation. Again, I can only celebrate - this is the first illness that I have picked up since I was diagnosed in June.
Panto
I am not sure I can remember what has happened this week! My mum has been here helping us out. I made it to the pantomime with Martha and Katy, on a school trip. In this one, a "Chris Biddle" was playing ratty rat - we were watching Dick Whittington. Panto was good - I love it! I always feel very British at the panto. We are so lucky to have pantomime.
Carol Concert
The next day, I was in really bad shape. I have barely eaten all week. I made it to the school Carol Concert in the evening. Martha - steel pans (white Christmas) and guitar (jingle bells); Katy in the choir and trumpet (Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer). Again, I am a wreck the next day.
Piano evening
The piano evening, takes place at Ella's house. Somehow, I manage to get there (I have been in bed all afternoon). I know the parents very well, and they were relaxed about me lying on the settee in the "quiet room". So, I lay and listened to all the music from the other room. There were McCaffers, McCallwards, Robinson-Carmichaels and Mia's family from school. These families have the same piano teacher, Sarah Wright. Each child had a Christmas piece to play. In addition to this, most children play other instruments, so Katy added trumpet duet, Martha played guitar, Alfie played the sax (he is a talented boy).
I didn't make it to Chorlton CE Christmas dinner. I would have arrived in tears - it was just too much.
New Doctor
I have a new doctor. From now on, I am with Dr Cooke. I don't know the name and address of surgery yet! I can walk there. He seemed very nice, and comes with good recommendation.
Tax Credits
I have to send my 8 page tax credit letter to all the benefit providers, using original copy only. As part of benefits process, I called tax credits to give salary changes, and the copy that arrived showed that I was receiving working tax credits. If you receive working tax credit you do not qualify for any benefits. I wait until Monday to call Macmillan for advice, and I am told that I have to be specific that I have lost by statutory sick pay. I call tax credits, and they withdraw the working tax credit and tell me I will be in debt (any tax credit user will understand this is the norm). I have not yet received my written notification, so I can't send off my benefit applications.
Martha
Has had to have blood tests. The first showed one result that doc wants to investigate further. We went for second blood test on Friday morning, with Martha on an empty stomach. Martha is so cool about it. We went for breakfast after the blood test, in Battery Park. She loved it! "I can't believe I had hot chocolate for breakfast", she smiled at me, "Can I tell Katy?". It was one of those experiences that will stay with me for ever. She had a bagel and cream cheese, was really relaxed and had no worries about being late for school because they were watching a film that she knows well.
Christmas
It is Christmas on Wednesday. I have written a few cards for school, but have not written most of them, or bought/organised presents! I am going to see what I can do today, and then just try and forget and enjoy it. Expect a card in the new year!!!
Have a good weekend
lots of love
Sarah xxx
Panto
I am not sure I can remember what has happened this week! My mum has been here helping us out. I made it to the pantomime with Martha and Katy, on a school trip. In this one, a "Chris Biddle" was playing ratty rat - we were watching Dick Whittington. Panto was good - I love it! I always feel very British at the panto. We are so lucky to have pantomime.
Carol Concert
The next day, I was in really bad shape. I have barely eaten all week. I made it to the school Carol Concert in the evening. Martha - steel pans (white Christmas) and guitar (jingle bells); Katy in the choir and trumpet (Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer). Again, I am a wreck the next day.
Piano evening
The piano evening, takes place at Ella's house. Somehow, I manage to get there (I have been in bed all afternoon). I know the parents very well, and they were relaxed about me lying on the settee in the "quiet room". So, I lay and listened to all the music from the other room. There were McCaffers, McCallwards, Robinson-Carmichaels and Mia's family from school. These families have the same piano teacher, Sarah Wright. Each child had a Christmas piece to play. In addition to this, most children play other instruments, so Katy added trumpet duet, Martha played guitar, Alfie played the sax (he is a talented boy).
I didn't make it to Chorlton CE Christmas dinner. I would have arrived in tears - it was just too much.
New Doctor
I have a new doctor. From now on, I am with Dr Cooke. I don't know the name and address of surgery yet! I can walk there. He seemed very nice, and comes with good recommendation.
Tax Credits
I have to send my 8 page tax credit letter to all the benefit providers, using original copy only. As part of benefits process, I called tax credits to give salary changes, and the copy that arrived showed that I was receiving working tax credits. If you receive working tax credit you do not qualify for any benefits. I wait until Monday to call Macmillan for advice, and I am told that I have to be specific that I have lost by statutory sick pay. I call tax credits, and they withdraw the working tax credit and tell me I will be in debt (any tax credit user will understand this is the norm). I have not yet received my written notification, so I can't send off my benefit applications.
Martha
Has had to have blood tests. The first showed one result that doc wants to investigate further. We went for second blood test on Friday morning, with Martha on an empty stomach. Martha is so cool about it. We went for breakfast after the blood test, in Battery Park. She loved it! "I can't believe I had hot chocolate for breakfast", she smiled at me, "Can I tell Katy?". It was one of those experiences that will stay with me for ever. She had a bagel and cream cheese, was really relaxed and had no worries about being late for school because they were watching a film that she knows well.
Christmas
It is Christmas on Wednesday. I have written a few cards for school, but have not written most of them, or bought/organised presents! I am going to see what I can do today, and then just try and forget and enjoy it. Expect a card in the new year!!!
Have a good weekend
lots of love
Sarah xxx
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Internet working :)
I have been doing well, but I have now slipped into my "not well" week. I have a heavy cold on top of my reaction to chemotherapy. I was vomiting sick in the night, which was unpleasant, but also relatively good, because I managed myself out of it using drink and drugs!!
My phone is not working properly either, so I have been a bit stumped on communication! I have to take it to the shop to get it mended, at some point.
I will write more later.
Love you loads
Sarah xxx
My phone is not working properly either, so I have been a bit stumped on communication! I have to take it to the shop to get it mended, at some point.
I will write more later.
Love you loads
Sarah xxx
Saturday, 14 December 2013
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