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