I'm lucky because of the nature of my treatment (one session every three weeks) and because, so far, I seem to be coping ok with it, after the first grotty few days immediately after chemotherapy, life in the middle gets back to being quite normal and I can be me rather than being ill. We've just had a lovely weekend with Diarmid and Kerstin (my brother and his wife) and I quickly slotted back into my Destination Bristol tour guide role! In fact, I'm going to see my boss tomorrow to discuss getting back to doing some project work, which I can do at home or in the office.
I say 'normal' but some things have changed - alcohol, regular tea & coffee, red meat are out and lentils, beans, sweet potatoes, fruit teas and porridge are in! I didn't recognise my own shopping trolley at Tesco's yesterday. And, whereas my Molton Brown shower gel used to be a special treat, now every day is a Molton Brown day!!
I've been reading in the Sunday Papers some extracts from Nick Clarke's diary (he's the Radio 4 presenter who died from cancer last week) and he wrote that lots of people assumed that he must have felt very angry about his disease and how unfair it all was. He didn't and I don't either - despite some thinking that breast cancer is a result of certain diets or previous trauma in your life, I think it largely comes down to pure bad luck as to who gets it...and I have to say I've had huge amounts of good fortune in my first 40 years so...why not me? One thing though, I am hugely relieved that there are no 'What ifs?' or 'I should haves'.
Loads of you have been asking about Iona and how she is and what we have been telling her - well, these pictures from the weekend show that while Iona remains unaffected by the situation, Martin is finding his own way to de-stress (sliding on the rocks at Clifton Suspension Bridge)!! Life is pretty normal for Iona, except that thanks to the wonderful Colston's School mums who have drawn up a childcare rota for days when I'm not up to pick ups or have appointments, she is getting more play date invitations than ever!! Her only complaint is that it's not fair that I don't have to go to work but she still has to go to school. Basically though I'm around as normal and she is as happy and funny as ever which is great for all of us.
More again soon.
love Vicky x
ps For those that were asking my e-mail address is vickyweir@blueyonder.co.uk
12 comments:
In honour of the by now legendary status of your bus and it's worldwide reputation for amazingly high passenger numbers and fantastic passenger support, commitment and glimpses of pure genius and occasional madness you will (I'm sure)be delighted to know that we are issuing the said bus with an honourary "Welcome (Host) Bus certificate" - door badge to be with you shortly!
If there's room for some more on the bus (by now it must be one of those bendy buses; double decker and bendy, sounds interesting??) we'd love to come on board. We'll be the ones singing rowdily on the back seat - I really don't think you can hear "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" too many times...
With love, Wendy and all at the TSN
Vicky, looks and sounds like you have had a good couple of days - from someone who hasn't seen Iona since she was a wee tot - what a beauty, just like her mum! Keep on juicing (carrot, apple and ginger is particularly good) and take shares out in Fresh and Wild
:-) Lots of love Fluffx
PS - Clipper drinking must have made your Liver hardy and resilient i think!
Make space - the Walshes are getting on.....and we're singing 'Flower of Scotland' with John on guitar to an arrangement by Eddie Reader! I promise to be a better travelling passenger this time and I will try to stay awake!! Please ask the driver not to stop suddenly or drive into stray kangaroos...over to Rowan...Don't trust the sign posts or you may get lost again...over to Ceara...I am looking forward to seeing you Martin and Iona soon.I realy hope you get better soon.I diddent want this to happen in the first place I am very sad about it.
We are all thinking of you and sending lots of happy energy. Dad sends his love as do Peter and Margaret (who we saw this weekend). See you all soon. Lots of love John, Margot, Rowan, Ceara and Lochlan:-)
Hi Vicky
Information is power and sounds like you're getting it in bucketloads. I'm sure it must help the healing process. Have you heard about yew (or extract of yew trees) as a complimentary treatment for cancer? Someone mentioned it to me the other day, might be worth investigation. The Lance Armstrong autobiography is truly inspirational, a great lesson in never giving up and accepting the odds. I shall expect to see you winning the Tour de France or something similar before too long! Take care lovely. Angie xxxx
Out thoughts have been with you a lot in the last 24 hours since we heard your news. Your positive attitude in the face of this is an example to all of us.
It was great to see a picture of Iona as it seems like such a long time since we saw you both at Tricia's. I'm sure she will be a real motivation for you as you find your way through this.
We will follow your progress with hope in our hearts and you can count on our support in whatever way you might need it.
Love from Mike, Kathryn (Smudge), Evie & Cecily
I think that a Martin on the rocks is a new drink.
Its long, cool and sophisticated.
(OK that's all you get for a £10 bribe mate...)
I lurve the photo of Iona its brilliant, How about some Vicky ones too.
I have found a picture of the bus to share. I can't paste it in so I'll email it to you.
BTW I am quite handy with Tescos Organic Porridge!
Loadsa Love
Andy
PS looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Am trying again to leave a message for you! Just in time before our lunch date tomorrow!
I'm not very good at thinking of funny and witty comments to say but just that, like lots of your friends, really really admire your positivity (is that a word?!)and strength in all this. Keep it up.
Steve, Ellie, and I are all "on board" with you and want to support you through this in whatever way we can.
You're an inspiration to everyone Vicky.
Loads of love and hugs,
Judy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
What a lovely picture of Iona, she looks an absolute corker, though I liked the one of you in the hat aswell. I notice in all the health food talk there's been no mention of coffee enemas...now there's no putting off the inevitable..
So busy navigating from back seat that I haven't 'blogged' until now!
Slightly concerned re Martin's rock sliding photo until I realised that picture is at slant and he is simply lying on back. Think we should pass on all these health tips to the English rugby, cricket and football teams (won't bother about Scotland). The 'juice booster' you and I had last week left me in the loo for 2 hours - still recovering!
Can i have a photo of your right ear to stare at while in labour?
Jxxx
Hi Vicky & Martin,
It was lovely to see you both at the weekend. Needless to say we didn't arrive at the party til 10.15pm - once we get gossiping, it's hard to stop.............a bit like Pringles!
Martin keep the jokes rolling - apparently humor has been defined by the Random House Dictionary as a comic quality causing amusement...mental disposition or temperament...a freakish inclination. You're a star!
And also another little piece of fun information "A recently released movie Patch Adams starring Robin Williams is illustrative of how a medical doctor used humor to make patients feel and heal better. There is a lot of science that can explain the physiological and psychological benefits of levity and laughter. It can be described with lots of technical linguistics, but we will not do that in this article. The bottom line about humor is that it makes you feel good...pure and simple."
Keep on making each other smile x
Love Bexs and Ian x
Hi Vicky, Saw this and thought of you....then again maybe you should stick to running!! Glad to hear some good news at last. Enjoy your weekend with the Hutchinsons.
love, Emma & Ian
Fly fishing is also very beneficial to women who are recovering from breast cancer because fly fishing replicates the exercises you would do in physiotherapy. There is an organisation that is called Casting for Recovery which organise weekend retreats for women. You have the physical therapeutic effects of the fly fishing and they also have counsellors on site. It has been going on in America for ten years and a lady called Sue Hunter has introduced something very similar to the UK.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/raiseyourgame/pages/linda_kilby.shtml
Hi Vicky and Martin, This is one of the strangers (not strange!)blogging in again to say that I have settled in on the bus and will stay on board for as long as it takes. In my last posting I mentioned something about heating on the buss, but with all the love and support that surrounds you I doubt if it will be needed. As it is the weekend I thought maybe you would like to have an in-bus activity such as under and over the seat races or something less strenuous if you don't feel up to that. Anything really to distract the "silly kids" entertainer from putting whooppee cushions on peoples' seats! Anyway, by now you will probably be thinking that I am strange, but I just want to join in with everyone in helping to keep your spirits up and I am sure that that may not always be possible. I think Iona looks like a little sweetie and I am sure Martin is too! Take good care. Luv Sue from the Wirral x
Post a Comment