And there we are, another week has passed since I blogged, so I’m now 3/18 treatments of the current plan (before I get scanned, and we see if this drug is doing anything, and if it is, we keep going).
Friday/Weekend
So, still making sure I get out for that little walk every day (Fri/Sat – with a ‘Bear Hug‘ in the post) – some days it’s 1500 steps, some it’s more … all feels very short compared the 8+ miles used to do on hikes, but I guess that’s where we are now!
- Friday: I had a Zoom chat with some fellow Secondary buddies; had a long chat in the afternoon with Head of Dept at work
- Saturday: A fairly lazy day, before being on BBC Radio 5 in the evening, talking about cancer/COVID.
Still going to bed pretty early, and knocking myself out with morphine and zopiclone!
Monday
And there we are, another treatment day … arrived around 10.30am, called in for chair around 11am (with my Stage 4 Deserves More mask):
- Spent most of the session watching a film on my iPad (something with Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston in), and phone chat to Occupational Therapist from Maggies about things to look for re reasonable adjustments at work.
- As always, chats with nurses and pharmacy about side-effects… which includes continued numbness in most of my right hand, really bad skin, and blowing blood clots from my nose…
- No big changes this week, aside from adding Flucloxacillin to the meds mix to deal with toe infection (it’s part of the reason people undergoing chemo are discouraged from manicures/pedicures, as we’re more susceptible to infections from minor cuts)… this antibiotic is a real pain as have to take 4 times during the day, but 2 hours after, and 1 hour before food…
- Skin breakouts are pretty bad, but we’re talking more about that next week – antihistamines giving some relief, but not enough yet! *I was having a go at Instagram Reels which highlights the glamour…
As I remember saying about primary chemotherapy – it’s not the big vomiting, etc. that the media shows you – but a myriad of small side effects, any of which are irritating on their own, but together, and knowing that it’s long term, make them hard to try and deal with!
Tuesday
Another soggy day, but still popped out for a walk, once my Asda delivery had arrived/been put away – but mostly relaxed:
View this post on Instagram
Wednesday
Woke to the news that Sarah Harding (Girls Aloud) has advanced (aka metastatic, incurable) cancer – sorry she got forced to share the news, and here’s to good treatments and support, as for all of us:
Hi everyone,
I hope you are all keeping safe and well during these uncertain times. I’ve not posted on here for so long, thank you to everyone who has reached out to check in on me, it really does mean a lot.
I feel now is the right time to share what’s been going on. pic.twitter.com/gxzOAl71vS— Sarah Harding (@SarahNHarding) August 26, 2020
I had some more lovely post – Betty’s Fat Rascals, and ‘permission to rest’.. went out for another little walk – and also was on BBC Radio 4 – World At One (again talking about cancer/COVID):
This was also ‘day 17’ post my first chemo of this set … and in the shower this morning as I ran my hands through my hair, I was left with quite a lot of hair on my hands … I may be lucky it may just be thinning, or it may be the start of it coming out… who knows. Another thing to be patient about!
I also had a go at Maggie’s relaxation session via Zoom – others in the group said that Lisa’s voice went faint at one point – maybe I’d fallen asleep in that LOL!
Thursday
Had a little bit of energy today, so sorted out some washing, and some other bits/pieces of housework (my cleaner is still not well ? ) before heading out for a walk with a friend, and back for a Zoom with another friend, and making some cheese sauce:
View this post on Instagram
Having a bit of company makes it easier to walk a little further. #BusyLivingWithMets #paclitaxel
Friday
A day which feels like it’s got quite a lot in it, considering … a conversation with occupational health (she is very clear am not currently fit for work (aside from bits/pieces I might want to do), and will be signed off beyond my current date of 11th Sept – which is no big surprise to anyone, and wants to talk again in 6-8 weeks and see if have settled into a routine with the chemo); then another 4000 step walk, then it was time for counselling (where I was tired, and slurring somewhat), where we talked about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and that focusing on the bottom steps is where I’m at at the moment:
After the District Nurse had visited, and I’d sorted out a couple of bits and pieces, I was in bed by 6pm – and started watching The Umbrella Academy which am enjoying, but fell asleep in the middle – had set an alarm to take my last set of meds, and then crashed out again til about 8.30am 🙂
Saturday
Got up early ready to have boiler serviced, but think they have forgotten me … and as I’m heading to my bubble family to enjoy Greenbelt, ah well, have to rearrange! Started the day for #GB20 #WildAtHome with traditional bacon sandwich:
And getting prepared for hair loss (thank you Sarah):
And rather gutted to hear (but also amazed at all he managed to achieve with Stage IV cancer – though hope that doesn’t put pressure on the rest of us) – still struggle with the fighter narrative though – must listen to Andrew’s thoughts on this for BBC:
And remembering that tomorrow is 3 years since I was first diagnosed with primary breast cancer … it has been an exhausting 3 years!
One reply on “[CANCER] Week 3 of Treatment: Plodding Along”
[…] Last week I was en route to spend Greenbelt with my bubble family, which we enjoyed, and I got home in time to do ‘beer’ and hymns from bed! Returned on Sunday for ‘The Big Picnic’, which also happened to be 3 years since my first diagnosis of primary breast cancer, added my drawing of ‘dreams‘; and headed for a socially distanced/masked walk with Lee. Monday was bank hols, which I mostly napped and made chocolate mousse… before heading in for treatment on Tuesday: […]