What's your poison? Chemo #3 conquered! Time for thanks too!

This is how I roll, from a stone to a boulder! Haemoglobin, platelets, neutrophils and white blood cell counts all down from last chemo but still within the safe range and no waiting around today for blood results to come back, they were ready and so my docetaxel was already prescribed by the doctor and ready to go with checks that I had started my steroids and anti sickness medication, other checks were made, always by two chemo nurses that the correct medication dose, etc is being given to the right patient. 

Today was the first time Nick had been unable to attend my chemo appointment as he had an investment course to facilitate for which no one else was available to do on this occassion although I must say his company and team have been a brilliant support to Nick and myself, they have all been simply wonderful. We are both so very grateful to them for their incredible support which has really made an enormous difference to helping us both through what can be at times a tough and emotional journey.

Thankfully a very dear friend of mine stepped into Nicks shoes today and gave me the support by coming along to my chemo session so I didn't have to go it alone. So I'd like to say a special thank you to you Steph for being there for me it just made things all the better having the love and support of a friend, not having to go it alone! Girl Power! We rocked!

I'd also like to say thank you to my beautiful granddaughter, my very own special princess Ellie-Mae, probably more than a year ago now she gave me a bracelet, she had two the same and wanted me to have one so we would have the same! This really touched my heart and the bracelet is now very special to me as I feel it has a special meaning and brings me a feeling of a close bond even when we are miles away, I can always feel closer at times when I wear it. I try to especially make a point of wearing it when we travel to Suffolk to see the grandchildren! With all that has been going on unfortunately we have not been making our regular trips to see the children and I miss them so terribly and so I decided I would wear Ellie's bracelet every time I have a round of chemo I suppose creating the bond of feeling her near and giving me good luck so chemo goes well for me without too many bad side effects or delays.

More thanks going out to a very thoughtful friend of mine for the gorgeous bouquet of flowers that filled my living room with a beautiful aroma, put a lovely smile on my face and gave me a warm fuzzy feeling over the thoughtfulness! So a massive thank you to a very dear friend from old times, we don't often see as much of each other as we did in the old days but it just goes to show that out of sight is not out of mind, never ending friends! 

Just a note, not forgetting my breast sister Sharon who is now 9 years clear of breast cancer and has been a great source of support to me though out the past six years, she has been my guide and inspiration giving me much needed support and  having a great deal of knowledge which she has shared with me whenever I have needed it. So thoughtful when I had chemotherapy six years ago she sent me a little card just before each chemo was about to start, like a count down crossing of each cycle. 

Once again she has been so thoughtful to do this again for me, putting lovely little messages in each one understanding how much these little things mean at times like this as she too has been through her own difficult journey so understand these things first hand. So card number three came through the post yesterday right on time even though she had set off on her holiday, she still remembered to make a special effort, thank you so much Sharon I really do appreciate your kind thoughtful efforts, it means so much! 

I am so lucky to have such thoughtful family and friends giving love, support and encouragement along the way, giving up time to make an effort to be there for me at times when I just need a little support with something or just a bit of a boost to keep me feeling strong! Thank you to everyone who has made that special effort big or small you've all helped more than you can know!

Dexamethasone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaarrrgggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!

dexamethasone is a steroid medication one of the medications which has been prescribed for me to take around my chemotherapy unfortunately one of its side effects is to keep me from sleeping!! So just for a little entertainment I decided now would be as good a time as any to write a little post on my blog! 

 
What do you all do in the early hours of the morning when you just can't close those little peepers and drift into dream land? Please post your comments with any tips or tricks that I might try! It's going to be a long day!

Getting ready for round three!

Nearly half way through my chemo! The last three weeks have gone pretty quick! I must admit though, lack of sleep over the last couple of weeks has left me pretty tired and due to a combination of effects of chemo and a cocktail of drugs my digestive system has gone from one extreme to another. It has only just started to settle down to somewhat normal but tomorrow I am to begin the next cycle of pre chemo drugs which will start the never ending circle of side effects!

Yet another hospital appointment tomorrow too, this time to see the oncologists to assess how kind chemo is being to me! Then they will take some more blood to test my state of health, anaemia, infections, immune system, bone marrow conditions. They measure levels of haemoglobin, platelets, neutrophils and white blood cells. The results come back the following day and provided the levels are all acceptable then chemo number three will go ahead and I'll be half way through! Yey!

So far it all seems to be going along fairly well and with the support of my truly wonderful husband Nick who is always there for me, my family and some very dear friends giving support to me along the way you all keep me feeling strong and confident, Thank you all x x

Brave or Strong?

Sometimes people tell Mandy that she is brave in handling her condition. She will tell you that she is not brave, because brave is when you face your fears and do something you do not have to do. I know what she is saying here. She has no choice over cancer. Nevertheless, she is brave and often shows true courage when the going gets tough.

Additionally, Mandy finds time and the positive energy to support me with the things I want to do. She has given me self belief and gives me courage and inspires me to go on to attempt things I would otherwise shy away from. 

So, thank you Mandy x