Lots going on! This will be long.
MIL was discharged on the Thursday afternoon. I had a go at her about eating and drinking and she was very taken back as I'm not normally so blunt! She was taken home on Sunday and had a Dr appointment on the Monday which my BIL went to. Seems that she listened to my advice (but didn't to DH, BIL or SIL who have all said the same thing). She is brighter and perkier all round. I hope she keeps it up.
In the end I decided to stick with UCLH. I've not met a member of staff whom I dislike. They are more specialised than Southampton and overall they see more rare cancers so even the radiography teams don't bat an eyelid at all my missing organs!
Pre-chemo consultation was on Monday. My RBCs are low but kidney and liver function are good so they don't think iron supplements will do anything. My neutrophils were only 0.99 and the cut off for this chemo is 1. They would be happy at 0.99 though but I would require a repeat before infusion. I then met my sister for a touristy day out. A river trip, then over Tower bridge to Southwark Cathedral and finally the Shard. Loved them both. Last time I did a river trip my boys were small and I spent most of my time making sure that they somehow didn't launch themselves over the side! Therefore I didn't listen to the commentary, this time I learnt so much more! The Shard was fabulous, it was a clear afternoon and we could see so much. If you live in London and you haven't done it then you should. Especially if you enjoy a city break and do all the sites elsewhere but are never a tourist in your own home area. Next on my list is St Paul's and a Tower Bridge tour.
Tuesday was a much needed rest day!!
Back again yesterday. Unfortunately my neutrophils had dropped to 0.92. It took almost 2 hours before the team agreed to go ahead. This meant that I didn't leave until about 17:15 despite getting there at 9:45. A long day!! Was joined for part of it by a friend I met when we both did outdoor military fitness classes. She was an art student at the time and moved on about 14years ago. I've not seen her since. Unfortunately she's not been in the greatest of health and has resulted in physical and mental health problems. I genuinely think it was a positive afternoon for both of us as we could moan about ourselves but listen and emphasise with each other at the same time. A real reminder that sometimes Cancer isn't the worst thing that can happen.
I'll be back on the filgrastim injections from now on. DH will be doing as many as possible as he is much better at it than me.
My brother flew in from NZ yesterday. Last saw him 3 years ago. He's had to leave the family behind for this trip though. All being well he will pop over on Friday and we'll do some touristy stuff in Winchester. I'll have to wear my mask for the whole day so hoping the humidity drops by then. Then Monday will be a family get together...I will stay well!
Some scrotum broke my youngest drivers door window the other day at his Uni address. Police not interested. Still trying to get insurance company to get on with it. Currently he and car are back with us and we're all ferrying him around to work again. Feel really sorry for him.
Currently I look like a beetroot. Dacarbazine is really light sensitive and despite factor 50 I've really caught the sun. Coupled with the chemo flushes that break my facial capillaries I look awful. DH keeps asking if I'm alright as it looks like I've spent the morning crying.
Providing my neutrophils respond to the injections then I might go back to do some sort of work in the next few weeks. Fingers crossed!
Time to go...a massive hawkmoth has just flown in the back door and gone straight up to the roof lantern. Need to get the fishing net out and catch it. I'll be the one with a broken leg from standing on the sofa!!