Side effects, my a%@e!

Well, four down, two to go - I feel like I've really broken the back of this treatment now.

The treatment itself was fine - this time my nurse was super speedy David from Swansea who was in and out in 2 hours, although I have to admit to hoping that the winds would prevent him getting across the Severn Bridge at all. My veins seemed to be more cooperative than usual but sadly, the new (and more expensive) anti-sickness drug only served to delay the sickness by a couple of hours - Dr B might as well put me back on the cheap one and save somebody some money!!

So, I'm feeling much the same as normal at this time - tired, groggy, nauseous, sore arm, achy body and problems with pink liquids (same colour as the epirubicin) - this treatment doesn't have side effects, it has full on in the face effects. Having said that I do feel a bit brighter today but then I'm still on my steroids high. The Edinburgh support team have sent Anna, my sister, to take the strain this time and she's doing a fab job as usual, in particular saving me some money by allowing me to have my regular post-treatment retail therapy by proxy this time as she did some serious damage in Fat Face yesterday!! She is also setting up a collection of ipods that she, Ed and I have recently received for various birthdays and Christmas - this task has been made easier by the fantastically-timed arrival of a CD from Sue with half her friend's music collection on it!! Our fabulous food parcel from Margot duly arrived too, filling up the space in the freezer left by the cold caps.

Martin has taken the opportunity of Anna's visit to go to Newcastle v West Ham with Shane (The Conductor & Newcastle fan) and Max (age 9 & West Ham fan). Poor old Max had no idea what was going on until they were on the plane - they'd told him that they were going to the airport to collect some boxes!! Anyway, as the score stands now, looks like he might have the last laugh!

Iona has had an incident-packed week - on Tuesday she and Martin were walking to school and a chap working at a house opposite fell off his ladder with shouts, thuds and breaking of glass and then on Thursday a huge tree blew down in the school playground, smashing through the wall and school gates. She seems to have come through unscathed but an afternoon's play with best mate Orla is just what she needed and super child psychologist Hannah (soon to be starring on C4) can check her out for post traumatic stress while she's there!!

That's all from me - hope you're all enjoying a much better weekend.

Love Vicky xx

Brace, brace..!

I'm on the pre-chemotherapy road again - it comes round so quickly. As soon as the weekend is over, I start to feel anxious about what lies ahead.

We went to see Dr Braybrooke today armed with our list of questions. The hospital outpatients waiting area only seems to be for oncology and antenatal, and Martin and I always find ourselves sitting next to similar aged couples going for baby scans - funny how cruel life can be at times! I'm convinced I look healthier than most of them!!

But it's always good to see Dr Braybrooke - he's got such a calm and reassuring manner. I'm always a bit surprised when he wants to examine me as he seems more of a counsellor than a doctor...and it always makes me chuckle that the doctors are so careful to pull the curtain round so Martin can't see me undressed. It's not as if he hasn't seen it all before!!!

Anyway, we talked through all sorts of things. Dr B is going to change my anti-sickness drug to see if that stops me being sick. My blood tests are showing normal kidney and liver functions, which is good, so he is still planning scans for about a month after this course of treatment finishes (early April) and we are still hoping for the summer off treatment. This treatment is causing a bit of thrombosis (hardening of the veins) in my forearm and although it is still sore he wants me to see how I get on this time. I could have a line put in further up my arm but I'm not keen on that. Martin and I have been trying to make head or tail of all the invoices and the health insurance policy and have been slightly concerned that we are suddenly going to be slapped with a huge bill for treatment - Dr B reassured us that this would not happen and that at any time I can move to the NHS and still be treated under him. Hooray!! And, in case you're interested, which I was, Dr Braybrooke wouldn't describe me as being terminally ill. And if he says it, it's true!

So a good afternoon with Dr Braybrooke and a good win for Bristol City in the FA Cup - Martin will sleep well tonight.

So, there we go, blood test first thing tomorrow, then work and the usual after school fun with Iona and Molly and then brace myself for Thursday. Our thoughts are with Frances and Peter as Frances starts her chemo tomorrow.

See you on the other side!!

Vicky xx

The good days

Wow, it's been a long time...I do feel a bit guilty leaving a bit of a miserable blog on for so long. There you are probably thinking I'm still feeling horrid when the truth is that I'm out and about making the most of my good days, having as many lunches out as possible..well that and finishing off the overdue school projects!!

I emerged from my big black hole in the middle of last week and have been enjoying the normality since then. Sarah came over from Norfolk for three days and cheered us all up with maltesers, shopping trips and general loveliness and Martin's brother Mark and family came down from Essex for the weekend and we had a great time. The boys went to watch a soggy football match while the girls and kids spent a happy afternoon at At-Bristol. Just when I was starting to think I was invincible again - one game of bowling and a bit of scrambling on the soft play on Sunday morning and I was wiped out for the afternoon. This weekend, I promise, will be quieter!

I also finally managed to catch up with Grace and Ellie - Grace is my colleague and Ellie is her stunning 13-year old daughter who was diagnosed with leukaemia in September. If you think I've got it tough, then spare a thought for Ellie who is undergoing the most rigorous course of treatment imaginable but coping with it fantastically. I'm in awe of her - she's amazing.

My left arm is still hurting and I'm waiting to see what the oncologist says next week about that - I think they might need to find a different way in for the drugs next time. And I'm not enjoying this windy weather because it keeps exposing my bald patches!! I'm not sure my hair is going to last the course.

Work is going well - I'm really enjoying it and love the fact that it takes me out of my cancer world. I'm lucky because I have the most fantastically supportive colleagues and boss and so I'm under no pressure...except what I put myself under.

Martin and I have got a confession - we are addicted to Dr Wotsisname's Brain Training!! We're like a pair of teenagers in the evenings squabbling over the Nintendo DS!!

This is Iona and I on Clevedon seafront on New Year's Day - Martin took it with his new toy - a fabbydooby video camera. I was wrapped up like that and Iona was still sporting bare legs - we have still to get her into trousers or tights this winter!

More soon

Vicky xx

Happy New Year...!

Hi All

New year and a new blogger - this is an entry from me, Martin.

This leg of the journey has been just as revealing as the others. As you know Vicky had the 3rd chemo last Thursday, a familiar event itself by now but not the consequences. Vicky's starting point is getting lower each course. Even though she tried to do as little possible (not easy as you all know her well ! ) over Christmas, she felt washed out on Thursday before the nurse had even arrived.

The medicine takes a few hours before it starts to make her feel crap. Mixed with feeling tired, achy, and sick it's been a tough few days and nights. We've both noticed it takes slightly longer before we start to see a gradual improvement. Another issue which seems to be getting worse is Vicky's hand. After each treatment the back of her hand, where the drugs go in, has been sore but this time it did swell up quite noticeably and the swelling spread to her lower arm. It has settled down now but it was a bit worrying. Popeye would have been proud of a forearm like hers.

We did try and get out of the house... retail therapy is ALWAYS a reason for Vicky to get up and out. John Lewis, M&S and B & Q.. not quite Oxford Street but necessary nonetheless. Even this little jaunt proved hard work but at least I got the things I needed to carry on with my DIY jobs.
We had a quiet New Years Eve.. Popped next door to Pete & Anne's early evening for a drink. Then, we just snuggled up on the sofa and played Frustration with Iona. She's a demon with the dice that girl.. just how many sixes can one person throw on the trot ! Iona did win and we sent her to bed, not because she won of course but it was getting late ! We opened up a bottle of Moet to cheer us up, Vicky struggled through half a glass while I guzzled the rest.. well it would have been a shame to waste it. Ok the lager and few glasses of brandy were excessive I agree. We managed to stay up til midnight.. Very easy these days to confuse the New Year with November 5th !! ( grumpy old man syndrome setting in early!! ).

New Years Day started without any breakable resolutions being set.. we thought that would suit us fine. .the six pack will have to wait another year. This year it's simply a case of New Year new hope..

I'd just like to thank all of you for all your support. Either by simply reading the blog or by leaving a message. It's a fantastic distraction and the kindness, love and energy helps us all.

I wish you all a very happy 2007.

Love from Martin x