We took the kids to Arundal castle to a jousting tournament on Saturday. We had a really nice day. Neve loved wandering about dressed as a princess and Connor got a plastic helmet and sword. He wore the helmet all day like a Knight despite the sweltering heat. What a kid!
Both of us paying for it today tho. Very hot down our way which is all the more tiring for Clare.
Had a really nice chat to my Big Sis tonight. She's such a star. Planning the next few weeks tonight as due date approaches. Arranging Clares mums visit around chemo cycles.
Ending this cycle happy I could work and help out and managed a few pretty normal days. Here is hoping round 3 is kind to me,
Sunday 31 July 2011
Wednesday 27 July 2011
The roller coaster
Having this truly is a roller coaster. On the plus side it's been great this week as I have managed to work into the afternoons but I have found I have been frustrated with my inability to get the things done I want to achieve. This is tough to deal with. I am so driven by getting things done that it constantly annoys me that I can't get there because of the fatigue I have to deal with through chemo.
However i just have to remember that it could be a lot worse and at least I can function. God knows how I would deal with this if I had sickness and other side effects too.
Putting my grumbling aside it's been good to be at work.
The kids are on holiday as well now so Clare can finally get a break from school runs without my help. 6 weeks until her due date now. We're looking at her getting induced early should baby not arrive before a chemo cycle starts so I can be there with her at the hospital. Not great but better than risk her going to the hospital alone!
Planning to work the rest of the week, have a nice weekend then dive into round 3 or chemo next week.
However i just have to remember that it could be a lot worse and at least I can function. God knows how I would deal with this if I had sickness and other side effects too.
Putting my grumbling aside it's been good to be at work.
The kids are on holiday as well now so Clare can finally get a break from school runs without my help. 6 weeks until her due date now. We're looking at her getting induced early should baby not arrive before a chemo cycle starts so I can be there with her at the hospital. Not great but better than risk her going to the hospital alone!
Planning to work the rest of the week, have a nice weekend then dive into round 3 or chemo next week.
Sunday 24 July 2011
Almost forgetting I'm on Chemo
Busy weekend and not felt too bad. Took kids to local forest Alice Holt on Sat and managed driving range and swing park today. A wee bit tired and slightly achey tonight but much much better than before on chemo. Going into work tomorrow and trying longer days to see how I get on.
I definitely feel the swollen lymph node in my neck is much reduced which is excellent. Just hope the big one deep inside near my kidney is shrinking nicely too.
Best thing is had to remind myself I am on chemo a couple of times. Strange I know but nice to not have it constantly on my mind.
I definitely feel the swollen lymph node in my neck is much reduced which is excellent. Just hope the big one deep inside near my kidney is shrinking nicely too.
Best thing is had to remind myself I am on chemo a couple of times. Strange I know but nice to not have it constantly on my mind.
Wednesday 20 July 2011
Not a bad Week 2
After some pretty nasty back ache and tiredness post wedding I am actually not feeling too bad this week. Managed mornings at work and consciously stopping pushing too hard so I can manage through the week without being too knackered. In a pretty good frame of mind all round.
It's been strange at work. Feel oddly disconnected from the day to day but am coming in with a different perspective than ever before. It's strange not being in my normal mode of ploughing through a lengthly to do list of problems to fix or tasks that need done.
School breaks up tomorrow for the summer so it will be funny having the kids around while I am at the house. Still hoping to work longer days next week so I won't see that much of them until my 3rd cycle of chemo the week after and it's back to being knackered again for a few days.
Going to see Harry Potter tomorrow night. Baby sitter booked and set for a night out with Clare. Looking forward to it.
It's been strange at work. Feel oddly disconnected from the day to day but am coming in with a different perspective than ever before. It's strange not being in my normal mode of ploughing through a lengthly to do list of problems to fix or tasks that need done.
School breaks up tomorrow for the summer so it will be funny having the kids around while I am at the house. Still hoping to work longer days next week so I won't see that much of them until my 3rd cycle of chemo the week after and it's back to being knackered again for a few days.
Going to see Harry Potter tomorrow night. Baby sitter booked and set for a night out with Clare. Looking forward to it.
Sunday 17 July 2011
Great night out
Went to Fionas wedding last night. What a fantastic wedding bash! Great to see everyone, awesome fireworks and all in her lovely garden.
Paying the price a bit today tho as totally knackered. Sunday on week one seems to be one of my bad days as that's when I come off the steroids. Still hopefully after a reasonably restful day I will be not bad on Monday and can get some work done this week.
Now we've tested put the new baby sitting service (wish we'd joined that ages ago) we might go and see Harry Potter later this week as well.
Paying the price a bit today tho as totally knackered. Sunday on week one seems to be one of my bad days as that's when I come off the steroids. Still hopefully after a reasonably restful day I will be not bad on Monday and can get some work done this week.
Now we've tested put the new baby sitting service (wish we'd joined that ages ago) we might go and see Harry Potter later this week as well.
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Cycle 2 - day 1
Yesterdays treatment went well. Got some good news from the Doc - he thinks my swollen nodes have got smaller. It's great to get this result so early so hopefully this will continue nicely. Also my blood count is good which means energy levels permitting I can go to the wedding we are invited to this weekend.
Hopefully my count will remain good meaning Clare, the kids and I can go away for a night to celebrate Clares 40th at the start of Aug - hoped to do something a bit more grand but not great timing. We are thinking we'll postpone the proper celebration until April and make it a joint celebration as I hit the big 4-0 as well.
Helping my friend Jon raise sponsorship for the run on my behalf (see link at top of page if interested). We are over £2000 now which is awesome! He's pushing on to break his £2500 target.
Resting today and hoping I am fit for a bit of work next week.
Hopefully my count will remain good meaning Clare, the kids and I can go away for a night to celebrate Clares 40th at the start of Aug - hoped to do something a bit more grand but not great timing. We are thinking we'll postpone the proper celebration until April and make it a joint celebration as I hit the big 4-0 as well.
Helping my friend Jon raise sponsorship for the run on my behalf (see link at top of page if interested). We are over £2000 now which is awesome! He's pushing on to break his £2500 target.
Resting today and hoping I am fit for a bit of work next week.
Sunday 10 July 2011
Weekend before round 2
Had not a bad weekend at all. Managed to cut the grass, look after the kids so clare could do a quick shop and go out for a country walk. Don't feel too bad but getting ready to be wiped again once I get injected with another round of crazy drugs and steroids.
Clare has had a tough week tho. At 7 months now she is quite big and getting tired very easily. She's not been feeling great at all. Normally at this stage I would ramp up and help loads so she could rest for the final run...not this time.
Jon, my friend has put his site up for sponsorship for the run he is doing for leukaemia and lymphoma research. He is running on my behalf so I am really touched. He's a top bloke!
Please sponsor him if you have not already. Details are:
http://original.justgiving.com/jonlawrence4
Wish me luck for cycle 2 of drugs on tues!
Clare has had a tough week tho. At 7 months now she is quite big and getting tired very easily. She's not been feeling great at all. Normally at this stage I would ramp up and help loads so she could rest for the final run...not this time.
Jon, my friend has put his site up for sponsorship for the run he is doing for leukaemia and lymphoma research. He is running on my behalf so I am really touched. He's a top bloke!
Please sponsor him if you have not already. Details are:
http://original.justgiving.com/jonlawrence4
Wish me luck for cycle 2 of drugs on tues!
Thursday 7 July 2011
Less than a week before more chemo
Week 3 and managed to be at the studio in the afternoons and work at home a bit in the mornings.
Felt good on Friday and I as a result over did it on the weekend with clare and the kids. Crazy think think teaching my son to ride a bike is over doing it! As a result had bad back pain until Tuesday. Also ended up with a rash on Monday which I think is a reaction to one of the drugs I am taking. Learning the importance of pacing myself and being aware of not pushing too hard. This is hard for me as I find it hard to sit on my backside even when I am well!
It's been really good to be in work. Also been getting organised for baby. Only 2 months now. Hoping baby does not arrive on days around my treatment otherwise I might not be able to go to the hospital with clare. That would be horrible.
Expecting to be completely knackered and out of action next week like last time they pumped me full of drugs. Time to watch Game of Thrones when I can concentrate!
Felt good on Friday and I as a result over did it on the weekend with clare and the kids. Crazy think think teaching my son to ride a bike is over doing it! As a result had bad back pain until Tuesday. Also ended up with a rash on Monday which I think is a reaction to one of the drugs I am taking. Learning the importance of pacing myself and being aware of not pushing too hard. This is hard for me as I find it hard to sit on my backside even when I am well!
It's been really good to be in work. Also been getting organised for baby. Only 2 months now. Hoping baby does not arrive on days around my treatment otherwise I might not be able to go to the hospital with clare. That would be horrible.
Expecting to be completely knackered and out of action next week like last time they pumped me full of drugs. Time to watch Game of Thrones when I can concentrate!
Saturday 2 July 2011
Nearly week 3
It's the 2nd weekend since treatment started and I am feeling less tired but my back is killing me and I felt sick last night. Frustrating to feel better in one way and worse in another. Still, trying to get on regardless.
Spoke to my buddy the other night. Was great to speak to another person with this complex cancer. She has been in remission for 5 years and had lots of useful advice on her experience with chemo and more importantly the challenges of living life after treatment knowing the disease will almost certainly return at some point. Very glad I took Clares advice to do this.
Was also in work on Thursday which was great. Also have some home work to get stuck into. Planning to be in a few days this coming week before cycle 2 starts. Doubt I can manage more than 1/2 a day at a time tho. Avoiding crowds and anyone with even a sniffle due to infection risk still although a little more relaxed than I was. Can't live like a hermit after all!
We had a cleaner start today. This took pressure of Clare who at 7 months should be resting more than she is. Nice to have someone clean while we took the kids out and chilled in the garden. We are doing anything we can right now to make life easier as it's tough having no family support around us. Lots of offers of help from friends which is great and Clare increasing the help from school mums for taking Connor in. They really are awesome.
Really hoping my consultant is happy with my blood on 12th July so I can be in work more and get out and about a bit when I feel well enough.
A friend has offered to run the Great South run on my behalf which really touched me. He will be raising money for lymphoma and leukaemia so get ready to dig deep ;)
Once I nail this bloody thing into remission and I'm back on my feet I'll be helping how I can as well. Can't promise a marathon from me. Think I would need a fair amount of training :)
Spoke to my buddy the other night. Was great to speak to another person with this complex cancer. She has been in remission for 5 years and had lots of useful advice on her experience with chemo and more importantly the challenges of living life after treatment knowing the disease will almost certainly return at some point. Very glad I took Clares advice to do this.
Was also in work on Thursday which was great. Also have some home work to get stuck into. Planning to be in a few days this coming week before cycle 2 starts. Doubt I can manage more than 1/2 a day at a time tho. Avoiding crowds and anyone with even a sniffle due to infection risk still although a little more relaxed than I was. Can't live like a hermit after all!
We had a cleaner start today. This took pressure of Clare who at 7 months should be resting more than she is. Nice to have someone clean while we took the kids out and chilled in the garden. We are doing anything we can right now to make life easier as it's tough having no family support around us. Lots of offers of help from friends which is great and Clare increasing the help from school mums for taking Connor in. They really are awesome.
Really hoping my consultant is happy with my blood on 12th July so I can be in work more and get out and about a bit when I feel well enough.
A friend has offered to run the Great South run on my behalf which really touched me. He will be raising money for lymphoma and leukaemia so get ready to dig deep ;)
Once I nail this bloody thing into remission and I'm back on my feet I'll be helping how I can as well. Can't promise a marathon from me. Think I would need a fair amount of training :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)