Morning walk becomes blackberry picking outing



 

I get up an hour late today, and when going for my walk, Katy asks to come with me.  She wants to collect blackberries.  Katy goes to get changed into long armed and long legged clothing, and I get some tubs and plastic gloves.  As we leave, Martha joins us too.  My time out is longer, and my walk is shorter, and we had a good time.  There are sooooo many heavily laden blackberry bushes.

 

Cooking
While out, Katy has made a deal with me.  She wants some time with me, on my own.  She is also very (seasonally) asthmatic and in need of motherly loving and care.  She wants to make blackberry tarts.  Following a favourite recipe of ours, which we cut out of a magazine, she makes some delicious looking pastry cases.  I am sous chef - I tidy up around her.

Martha makes giant Yorkshire puddings, from a fab Jamie Oliver recipe.  It uses 3 eggs, so they always rise well.  During this activity, I have to go for a sleep, so I miss the grand opening of the oven.  Here is Martha eating her Yorkshire pudding based dinner.

Off to radiotherapy
My appointment is reasonably on time.  I am so happy to have a three day weekend.  I don't go back until Tuesday, because of the bank holiday.  I have radiotherapy to ELO (ah ah telephone line ...).

A juice in "on the corner"
My local café bar sells what appear to be pressed juices.  We enjoy what we drink, but the juices are from a centrifugal spinner.  It was still very nice to have them served to me.

Martha and Katy are out with Dave buying school shoes
Let's wait and see what they bring home.

Martha and Katy go to Southport - some snaps

M and K stay with Nanna (last week)

 

The first picture is from the local Park in Liverpool.  Martha and Katy are playing basketball with a giant tennis ball, with Nanna.

Martha and Katy go on day trip to Southport, with Daddy and Nanna.

 

This picture makes me smile.  This is known as the Christmas pose.  We have a photo of Dave with the girls, in this pose, from every Christmas.  I can't believe he can still do it!  I don't think I can carry one of them like this, any more. 

Mucking up my drugs today; still a good day

Morning activity at something to six

I sort out all my drugs into my dispenser.  During this process I decide to put all the steroids in one jar.  Only then, I remember that they are different sized tablets.  Some are 2mg and some are 0.5mg; I can't tell them apart.  One type is bigger than the other, but I do not know if this is a 2mg or 0.5 mg.  I have to call the Christie hotline for help.  They advise me to wait until my appointment and check when I get to my suite 5.  Someone from suite 5 calls me and tells me to take 3 x 0.5 mg, and after a chat she understands that I don't know which tablet is which.  We agree that I should take one tablet, and then check at the pharmacy later.  It turns out that the biggest table is the 0.5 mg, so I am required to take two more with my lunch, later in the day.  All done.

I go out for my walk - my old run today, at a good pace.

Katy goes to cricket course
Martha is still sleeping.  I help Katy get ready for a course at Old Trafford.  She is going with her friend Rosy, and Rosy's mum is taking them to the course.  I drop her at their house at 9.15 am.  At the end of the course, she has really enjoyed it.  Katy and Rosy were the only girls - no surprises there!

Martha plays with Lauren
On my way to Christie's we drop Martha off at her girl guide friend's house.  She is feeling a little shy, but settles in quickly.

Radiotherapy appointment on time
I had a very quick appointment today.  Home in time for a good sleep.  I have been very tired because I did not sleep well last night.

Afternoon with Martha, Macmillan Nurse and Community nurse
Martha comes home at 2pm, tied for a three legged race.  She settles to watch TV for a while. 

I have a visit from a Macmillan Nurse, who was very friendly and supportive.  He will support me through whatever comes my way.  He has previously worked in a hospice so is skilled in supporting people who are managing the end of their lives.  He was also very positive, and we are both committed to my full recovery.  He has referred me for support from a benefits expert, so that we can find any funds that I can get help from. 

A community nurse arrives during the meeting, and we check in, and she quickly checks out.  No problems at all today.

Martha and I then go on a skate (Martha) and walk (me) to the doctor's surgery.  I have a letter giving doc permission to share my personal information with my mum's insurance company.  I hand in the form (this is for my mum) and collect a sick note.  The sick note is extended from 1 Sept to 30 Nov.  This is too long a time for me, so I return it and ask for it to be to 31 October.  I am hoping to return to work at half term.  Let's wait and see...

We then have plans to go to the park on our own, but bump into Katy.  In the end, we all go to the park and have our tea at a picnic bench. 

Good night everyone
loads of love
Sarah xxx

my drug regime

“6 Fields Brain” – radiotherapy and chemotherapy programme.

 

Revised programme, following appointment with consultant.  I am over half way :)

Date	Time of appointment	Omeprazole (stomach protector)	Anti-sickness	Last time to eat	Dexamethazone (steroid 1.5mg)	Time of anti-sickness tablet (Metoclopramide)	Time of chemotherapy tablet	Co---trimoxazole (antibiotic)	Allowed to eat
Mon	11 ish	When I get up	Before breakfast	Early breakfast	With breakfast	9ish / each meal	10ish	Take 2 x 480mg	12 ish
Tues	11 ish	When I get up	Before breakfast	Early breakfast	With breakfast	9ish/ each meal	10 ish		12 ish
Wed	2 ish	When I get up	Before breakfast	9 ish	With breakfast	12ish/each meal	1 ish	Take 2 x 480 mg	3 ish
Wed	Meet consultant
Thurs	11 ish	When I get up	Before breakfast	Early breakfast	With breakfast	9ish/each meal	10 ish		12 ish
Fri	11 ish	When I get up	Before breakfast	Early breakfast	With breakfast	9ish/each meal	10 ish	Take 2 x 480 mg	12 ish

Drugs

Chemotherapy –              Temozolomide                                  Take once a day before radiotherapy.

Antibiotic –                         Co-trimoxazole                                 2 x 480 mg every Mon Wed and Fri

Anti-sickness -                   Metoclopramide              Take one tablet up to three times a day.

Steroid -                               Dexamethasone              1 x 1.5mg  every day with food.

Stomach protector          Omeprazole                       Take before food at start of the day.

Anti-sickness -                                                            Take one tablet once a day.

Feeling better today ;)

My morning is good
I have breakfast today because I have an afternoon appointment.  I then go for my long walk, slowly, but complete the distance happily. 

I wash my hair
Eek, I did not want to do this.  I was worried it would hurt.  I have not washed my hair for so long that I can't remember when I last washed it.  It had to be washed.  I read my book for a little while, avoiding it.   In the end, I sink down into the bath waiting for my skin to scream at me, except it doesn't hurt at all.  I wash it gently.  Loads of hair is falling out that I scoop up and put on the side of the bath.  Not nice.  I have clean hair. :)

Keys cut and local shop sells masticated juices.
I have to get some keys cut - I lost a set when I was in hospital, and have only one set to share around.   Next door is Battery Park, who sell juices.  I discovered today that they also sell masticated juices.  I tried one with ginger in it, and it was delicious.  I plan to go back and copy down their recipes at some point.  It was also a real treat to have one that I didn't have to make.

Radiotherapy appointment followed by meeting with consultant
This was with my specialist nurse, Charlotte, and my consultant Dr McBain.  The outcome of the meeting was:

• stronger anti-sickness drugs to take one every day.  I can take the others on top of this, so I am very hopeful that I can fend off any nausea;
• reduced dose of steroids.  I reduce from 2mg per day to 1.5 mg per day for a week.  Then reduce to 1mg per day for a week.  Then reduce to 0.5 for a week.  Let's see how it goes.  More sleep for me, I hope.
• more anti-biotics (I was running out)
• I am allowed to eat before the morning appointment.  We think my sickness is a result of not eating from the night before, until after lunchtime.  My consultant gave me permission to have a small porridge before my morning appointment.  I think this will help me a lot.

My bald patch

Here it is.  My bald patch is growing every day. 

And finally
I have just had a night out.  Belinda Cashin, Julie Miskelly and Kay Statham - we have had a meal out at Yakisoba. I used to work with them as Partnership Development Manager, in Trafford.  We usually meet up two or three times a year, and have made it out tonight.   I have put make up on for the first time since my operation.  I enjoyed my pad thai noodle meal, with a bento box of delicious salad, fruit and miso soup.  An excellent evening, thanks girls.

Have a good day everyone
lots of love
Sarah xxx

Sick day today

Nausea and vomiting returns
I had a good morning and a very difficult afternoon.  I got sick after lunch, and ended up really struggling to control it.  Anti-sickness drugs weren't denting it, so in the end had to call Christie hotline for help.  They called community nurse to attend.  I was advised to take steroids and see if these helped settle stomach, which I followed.  It did in the end settle down.  The nurse was very friendly and was happy for me to wait to see if I needed the injection, and in the end I turned out to be fine.  I am very tired and about to go to sleep.

Occupational Health
I also had a visit from occupational therapist, who is helping me prepare for short term memory loss.  I have some homework to do.  She is also making sure that I know her, so that if I need more help as I progress through radiotherapy, then I will be comfortable with her.

Sarah McCall kindly came round and helped me a lot by chatting with me.  Louise came round later, too.  Thank you both :)

Martha and Katy come home tomorrow

I have a bald patch too - photo tomorrow

lots of love to everyone
Sarah xxxx

A good day

Blackberry tarts made with wheat flour

Martha and Katy, these are for you.  I have not eaten the missing one.  I had put it in a plastic tub, and then remembered to take the photo for you to see them.  They will be waiting for you, when you get home.

 

 

Long Walk
I did my long walk this morning - my old run and some more.  I felt tempted to jog some of it, but didn't.   My route is lined with blackberry bushes.  Martha and Katy want to go down to collect berries, so we will do this over the weekend, I hope.  The apple trees are heavy too, although the apples do not look ripe yet.  Here is a picture of the thistles.  I haven't really captured the beauty, but I have enjoyed seeing them.

 

Cancer Patient

I took my picture on the way to my appointment (on the tram).  It was intended to show you that I was wearing a scarf.  I think I look like a cancer patient!  My face is steroid-bloated.  Underneath the scarf my hair is coming out.

Trip to shoe shop
After my appointment, I come home for a sleep.  Then, I head out again to change my shoes.  I catch the tram and I am quickly at Clarks to buy some "unstructured" shoes.  I don't like them, but find a pair that I think look ok.  These dolly shoes will have orthotics fitted into them to stop me walking on a lump that has grown underneath my left baby toe joint (from a camping accident). 

The third man
I have a good rest.  I have a good chat with Martha, Katy and Nanna.  They have been shopping in Joan's favourite shop - TJHughes.  Martha has a large pillow, and Katy is very excited about having a lava lamp.  I have posted Joan a framed set of Andy Murray stamps, that will arrive tomorrow.  I think she will know what the parcel is, because she will have seen my BLOG about the stamps.

I finish watching The Third Man.  What a good film!  The lead is Orson Wells.

Have a good day tomorrow
loads of love
Sarah xxx

My hair is falling out

Yes, I have woken in the night and run my hand through my hair.  Loads of it is coming out.  I am not worried about having bald patches for a while - as you know, I have very thick hair.  It will be some time before I have bald patches.  However, it is time to start using a scarf or hat, I think.  It is time to look girly! 

love
Sarah xxx

Wheat free sugar free blackberry tarts

Wheat free sugar free blackberry tarts

Martha and Katy - this is what the tarts look like.  They look delicious, and taste delicious.  However, the pastry has not bound properly, and they fall apart and crumble up.  I will make you proper wheat based pastry tomorrow, so that you can eat a light and crunchy tart.  There are loads of blackberries left.



 

Louise in triathalon
Here is Louise taking a 90 degree bend in style, on the new bike.

 Louise is running very efficiently and overtaking people at this stage in the race.

 Finishers medal.  We missed Louise at the end and we were waiting for her to finish. Sue and I were worried about her time, as she was getting beyond her estimated finish time.  How pleased we were to discover that we had missed Louise finishing the race, and that she had a good time.  Fantastic!

Have a good day tomorrow
lots of love
Sarah Xxxx

The blackberries are ripening up

The Blackberries are ripening up

 

Here they are - delicious bulbous berries, that fall apart in your hands.  I did my long walk, and collected berries on the way.  I see the berries every day, and was amazed that someone had been collecting before me.  I picked above dog wee height and away from the nettles.  One sting only.  They will become blackberry tarts tomorrow (Martha and Katy's choice).

Celebration

I know I am turning into my Granny, but I want to celebrate Andy Murray's success at Wimbledon, so I have bought the Wimbledon set of stamps.  I also discovered in Herm, that there has been a recent set of covers with pictures of Herm on them.  Last night, I framed them both.





 

 

 

Dehydrator

I have looked at the dehydrator, but have not ordered it yet.  I will order it when I have talked to Helen.  I have ordered a cook book with recipes in it that I can use. 

 

Martha and Katy are at Dave's mum's

We have talked plenty on the phone, and they are both having a good time.  Today, they have been shopping in Liverpool.  Katy has a pair of new crocs, and is excited about this.  They went to see Uncle Paul at Mellow Mellow, had a good time, but left to eat at Subway.  They helped make a sign that said GF on it, which they thought meant Good Food; but no, it means Gluten Free - ideal for me!

 

Today

I had a sleep after my walk and blackberry hunt.  I then enjoyed pottering around my bedroom.  I have cleared and cleaned my desk, in tray and organised my stationery.  Bit by bit, my room is taking good shape.  My next job is to put my key papers into filing cabinet.

 

An old friend of mine from Trafford came round.  It was great to see her, and her son, Finlay, who is moving into year 1.  I know we will keep in touch.   Thanks for the lift, Hannah.

 

At Dave's house

I am going to watch Louise compete in her first triathalon, tomorrow morning.  Louise and I are staying at Dave's for the night, so that she can get an early start.  For me, it means that I can get out to watch her swim in the quays, by walking from Dave's.  

 

Have a great day everyone

lots of love

Sarah xxx





What radiotherapy is like

Today, my appointment time was changed.  I agreed to go in the afternoon to suite 7.  I am usually in suite 5.  I had the same radiotherapists, but in a different room.

The scanner looked exactly the same, as in suite 5. 

It is a big circular shape that stands behind a long thin table.  The table is separate from it, and the big circle rises up from the floor.  The circle is solid.  It looks like something out of Doctor Who.  The radiotherapists are the evil creatures who sneak out of the room to zap me while I am not looking. 

The scanner is large and has circular glass panels.  It is nearly ceiling high.  It is a big circle standing one the floor.

There is also a smaller scanner.  At the beginning of radio therapy, it is a circle about 2 feet wide that lies above my head.  I am lying on the table, and my head is screwed to a polyurathane neck mould.  It is an artificial yellow mould that I put my head into at the start of the process.  The radiotherapists than add my "shield" (the mask) and screw it around the mould.  The mould keeps my eyes closed, but I can peak and see the circular scanner above me. 

The radiotherapists then begin measuring everything. 
"93.2"
"Good, move 1.3"
I get shunted.
"94.5"
"Good"

They measure a few different places, and then leave the room.

In suite 5 there is a CD player, so I play by ipod.  We were in the middle of Jazz (Queen), Fat Bottom Girls, I think.  However, in suite 7 there is no CD player.  This means that I listen to the scanner.

What I can see through my eye lids is blue flashing light.  The small scanner has moved - it is to my left hand side.  The radiotherapists have left the room.  The scanner sounds like a spirograph.  Imagine someone is drawing a circular pattern, with a blue lazer pen, using the plastic circle and outer shape.  The sound of someone doing this really fast.  This is the sound of the scanner.  The pattern is what I imagine is being projected into my brain.  The aim is to stop the tumour from growing. 

The scanner stops, and then it starts again, from another angle.  I think a different sized circle is being used, and the pen goes round really fast, and all the teeth grind to make a high pitched sound.

Three different scans occur like this.  Then the radiotherapists return, and I am rotated 90 degrees or so, and re-measured for other scans.  More scans continue.  If there really was a pen, there are at least two spaces on my scalp that would be painted blue. 

These are the parts of my skull that are really sore.  It does feel like a burn, and I think I am at the early stages of hair loss - just the odd few hairs are dropping out here and there.

And then a radiotherapist appears and says "all done" and unclips my mask. 

I always say thank you, which they find funny.  I can't imagine what their job is like, scanning people like me all day.  It must be hard going.

We all wish each other a good weekend.

Katy makes a juice

Good morning

It is starting to get lighter much later now.  Dawn is around 5.45 am.  I don't hear the birds singing, like I did in early August.  I am unsure if that is that they don't sing, or if it is because I have my windows closed.  Katy's asthma is kicking off, which means that Autumn is starting - her asthma is always at its worst as summer changes into the next season.  It then settles down into a mild irritant as winter progresses.

 

Busy morning

Every day, I have arranged for Martha and Katy to play with a friend, while I go to the hospital.  Yesterday, Mum driving, we pick up Martha at 9am from her friend Sasha's (after a sleepover), and take both girls to Charlie's to play, so that I can get to a 10.30 appointment at Christie's. 

 

Before we go, I make Katy pancakes, as part of her sleepover with me.  I give her one in bed, which she really enjoys.  I don't make it out for my walk - there is not enough time this morning. 

 

So, the girls are playing at Charlie's.  I go to the hospital.  I have not eaten anything - I have only drunk water.  I have my pills in my bag, so that I get my drugs correct. 

 

Today, I plan to put all my drugs in a dispenser to see if this helps me to keep on top of them.  I have also programmed my phone to give me reminders.

 

My appointment is late

When at Christies, we are told that the scanner is 30 minutes behind schedule.  I have to wait, and it turns out that I am sent in before the person with the 10.10 appointment. 

 

Poorly afternoon

Returning from Christies, I feel really nauseous again.  I take the anti-sickness pills and wait for them to work.  At home, I make and eat lunch, hoping this will push away the nausea, but I still feel sick.  I lie down and hope it passes, and basically doze for a couple of hours.  My mum goes to collect the girls from Charlie's.  My mum is waiting to head home to Bristol for the weekend.

 

Martha melts down

Martha and Katy are going to stay with Dave's mum, today until Wednesday.  Martha does not want to go, because she wants to stay here with me.  I know that when she gets there, she will have a good time.  However, Martha is very upset and crying that she doesn't want to go.  Why should she go?  Why can't she stay here with me?  I don't want her to go, either, but have to be firm that this is the best of our ideas, and we talk about using the phone to talk.

 

If I could drive, I could visit them.  I can get the train over there, but I would not risk moving away from my support team over here.  The district nurse visited today, and I can see how I need their support as I move through the treatment programme.

 

Sasha drops by

While  Martha is upset, her friend Sasha comes over with her bike and pj bottoms.  Martha will not get up to see her, and I tell Sasha, and Anna and Jon, that Martha is very upset about going away.  They understand very well.  Sasha returns a little later with a dark chocolate macaroon, as a gift for Martha.  It is so thoughtful.  Martha accepts the visit and the gift, and enjoys the macaroon.  She loves dark chocolate.  Thank you Sasha.

 

Katy makes a smoothy

I am starting to function much better.  I had made the girl's a lasagne.  My mum had polished of three portions, and Martha and Katy ate all of the rest.  Eaten with sugar snap peas, I am happy that they are both eating well. 

 

Katy makes her first juice.

 

Katy making a carrot and apple juice.  She is really enjoying using the juicer.

 

Love Film
I signed up for a free trial with love film, mainly so that Martha can pick up instant films on her Kindle Fire HD.  I have got it working through my lap top, but failed to get it to work through the kindle.  Over the last few days, I have spent a long time on help lines to Love Film and Amazon, trying to sort this out.  We have cancelled accounts, discovered that Dave's visa card is logged in to Martha's account, I have changed the name of my account to Martha, so I am answering all calls in her name etc etc.  I still haven't got it going, and am very frustrated, because Martha would have used this service at Joan's.  The good news is that my free trial is now two months long, but if I don't get it working, then it is no trial at all... 

At the end of the day, I am feeling much better.  Martha and Katy are packed for their trip away and watching The Smurfs on love film (on lap top) in my bed.  Katy has the pleasure of sleeping in her own bed tonight, because Grandma has gone home.  Martha wants to come and sleep with me, so when I settle down (after a call with Amazon that does not yield Love Film on the Kindle), I go and get her to come and join me in my bed.

My appointment time has been changed
Today, my morning appointment has been moved to the afternoon.  This is good, because it means that I can have breakfast.  I am hoping that I will not suffer from nausea in the same way, after my appointment.  Let's wait and see...  Last time to eat before 1330 appointment will be 0930.  My morning will look like this:  porage and cup of tea, drink water, get girls out of bed and dressed, give girls breakfast, be ready for Dave to collect at 8am, go for a walk, have second breakfast, set up replacement amazon account (for me); order dehydrator, sort out pills in dispenser tray, get ready to go for appointment on the tram ...  I will need a sleep late morning, too.

Love you all
Have a good day
Sarah xxx

I get my drugs correct and have a good day

Short and slow morning walk
I wake before six, satisfied with good sleep.  A side effect of the anti-nausea injection is drowsiness, which was good for me after many nights of broken sleep.  I write my drugs timetable, and BLOG before getting up.  I am allowed to eat food today, because I have an afternoon appointment on Wednesday.  This corresponds with an appointment with my consultant.

I go for my morning walk.  It is a beautiful morning; it is warm and sunny.  I am a bit slow, but happy to be out and covering a couple of miles (at the most).  For those that know the route, I walk into the meadows up the straight path, then turn left at the red bridge, and head towards home along the stream.

Martha and Katy go out to play with friends
We have a lazy morning.  I make Martha an egg white toasted sandwich.  Katy enjoys cocoa pops (the Aldi version of course!).  I encourage the girls to get ready to go out.  Katy gets ready; Martha needs a verbal helping hand.  Somehow they have an argument that leads to Katy knocking a pile of Martha's clothes across the floor in her bedroom.  I help her put all of these away and ignore Katy.  Katy goes to play with Rosy Wilson - Dad picks her up for a picnic in the park.  I walk Martha around to Anna's house.  Martha is riding her bike, ready for a trip out on bikes.  On my way back, I can see Katy sitting in the park having her picnic; I choose not to disturb her.

I receive a beautiful double orchid from my god parents.  Thank you so much.  (I will add a picture tomorrow).

I have a sleep.

Hospital Appointment
The appointment is very late again.  It is tricky because you have to arrive at the correct time.  I tell my radiologists that I have taken my drugs correctly today. 

After the appointment I meet my specialist nurse, who checks out how I am doing.  She has a checklist:  any changes to my vision?  any headaches?  are any of my original symptoms recurring?  I tell her about my sickness from the day before, and that I have learned that I have to manage my drugs properly.  Friendly, she tells me that many patients have an experience like this during their treatment programme, and she knows that I won't make the same mistake again.

Back home for a rest
I am able to rest when we get home.  I have home made butternut squash soup and wheat free ciabbatta, which is delicious.  I then settle to watch ARGO.  I have signed up to a free trial with Love Film, and this is my first film delivery.  I haven't finished watching it yet, but I am really enjoying it.

Katy is home at 6pm and she cooks flap jack, while I cook a lasagne.  My mum went to Aldi this morning, so we were stocked up well.  Lush Lasagne for dinner tomorrow night.

Thank you all, loads of love
Sarah xxx

I muck up my drugs programme and get very sick

My day starts very well
I have a brisk morning walk, including a one mile jog from start of meadows to the River Mersey.  I do not carry on jogging, because I feel that I should respect my illness and not push myself too far.  I feel good.

Martha and Katy go to play at Saskia's
I get Martha and Katy out of bed at 9am and they have to be at Saskia's at 9.40 to allow me to get to my hospital appointment on time.  We manage their time well, and take them to Carol.  They have their swimming gear with them, money, some cakes, a hoody each...  

I remember chemotherapy during my radiotherapy appointment
Whilst I am in my radiotherapy appointment (I am screwed to the bed, and the blue lights are flashing), I remember that I have not taken my chemotherapy tablet.  I panic a little, but realise that all I can do is lie there, and tell them at the end. 
The radiotherapists contact Charlotte, my specialist nurse, who advises that I take the chemotherapy tablet immediately.

On the way home, I remember that I did not take my antibiotics the day before, either.

I take my stomach protector tablet on the way home, and at home, dig out all the drugs that I have not taken.  I space them out and take them all.  I do not have the anti-sickness drug that I have been taking, so do not take this, and at no point think that I need to take anti-sickness drugs...

Foot appointment
I have a sleep and then we head off to the Rusholme podiatrist to get insoles made for my shoes.  Many of you will know that I have a lump on the bottom of my foot that becomes very painful in proper shoes.  An old camping injury!  The appointment is on time, and very quick.  He advises me against the shoes that I wear, and sends me to Clarks to get something that he can fit insoles into.
I decide to go straight to Clarks and do this now, while the children are playing with friend.

I become sick
I am in Clarks and trying on wide fitting shoes and I become nauseous.  This is my first experience of this.  I realise that I don't have any drugs with me, and that I do not know what is going to happen next.  I tell the assistant that I don't feel well and simply buy the two pairs of shoes that I was trying.  I can take them back if they don't fit in the end.   At the till, I ask for a spare carrier bag, in case I am sick, and yes, I needed it.  I am walking back to meet my Mum, who is waiting in the car, in the Northern Quarter, and throwing up into a carrier bag, in the middle of town.  I text her to say that I feel ill, and can she call (she can't here her phone ringer); she rings, but we agree that I have to walk to her, because she doesn't know where she is!  At the car, I cannot stop vomiting - it feels endless.

When we get home, I take the anti-sickness drug and lie down.  Deep breathing, I try to fend off the nausea, but cannot.  I end up vomiting again, and again.  I do not know what to do about the drugs, so phone Charlotte, who is not available.  I phone the Christie hotline, who advise that I take another tablet, and that if I cannot stop vomiting then I must call my GP to get an injection. 

This is what I end up doing, so by 6 pm I have two nurses with me, to give me a very painful injection in my right arm.  They were both lovely, and seemed to understand how I could end up in this condition.  My yellow folder is filled in. 

My mum has gone into caring overdrive.  Basically, I feel sick and do not want to be sick.  My mum is trying to find ways to help - water, hot water, rice cakes, other biscuits, a cup of tea.  All of which I reject (not the water).  

My friend Chris starts texting me, in the middle of this, and I have to reply to him and say don't text for a while because I am not well and sleepy. 

The side effect of the injection is drowsiness, so I am falling in and out of sleep, and eventually the night passes.  I feel OK now.  I have just got to get up and start taking the tablets...

So, here is my drugs regime - that I must follow.

6 Fields Brain” – radiotherapy and chemotherapy programme.

Date	Time of appointment	Last time to eat	Time of anti-sickness tablet	Time of chemotherapy tablet	Co---trimoxazole (antibiotic)	Allowed to eat	Omeprazole (stomach protector)	Dexamethazone (steroid)
Mon	11 ish	Do not eat	With each meal	10ish	Take 2 x 480mg	12 ish	After appt	With lunch
Tues	11 ish	Do not eat	With each meal	10 ish		12 ish	After appt	With lunch
Wed	2 ish	9 ish	With each meal	1 ish	Take 2 x 480 mg	3 ish	When I get up	With breakfast
Wed	Meet consultant
Thurs	11 ish	Do not eat	With each meal	10 ish		12 ish	After appt	With lunch
Fri	11 ish	Do not eat	With each meal	10 ish	Take 2 x 480 mg	12 ish	After appt	With lunch

This programme continues until 12 September 2013

Drugs regime

Chemotherapy –              Temozolomide                                  Take once a day before radiotherapy.

Antibiotic –                         Co-trimoxazole                                 2 x 480 mg every Mon Wed and Fri

Anti-sickness -                   Metoclopramide              Take one tablet up to three times a day.

Steroid -                               Dexamethasone              1 x 2mg every day with food.

Stomach protector          Omeprazole                       Take before food


And finally - Beechwood Cancer Care Centre
Martha and Katy had their first appointment at the centre, for counselling.  I am not in any fit state to get them there, so have to phone to cancel the appointment.  I am disappointed about this, but the counsellor calls and offers to do a home visit, which will be a good start to the process.