Tuesday 11 October 2011

Moving targets, a shopping list and a joke




I had an appointment with my consultant yesterday. The cancer is rearing its ugly head once more so I have to make a few changes to my targets. Some will have to be postponed, others brought forward. I will be starting a new chemo regime in the next week or two so I need to get geared up for that. Chemo is crap but the alternative is worse! This time I am being prescribed Vinorelbine and have been told it is better tolerated than the cisplatin group of drugs that I had first time round. I am hoping this is true but will let you know. 
In addition I am being referred to Maidstone hospital to see if I am a suitable candidate for a drug trial that is being researched there. 
In preparation I am making a long shopping list of foods to buy based on my previous chemo experience – hoping this will also help my personal chef as it will stop him tearing his hair out on the days when I refuse food. Those who know Alan may smile (or even laugh) at that as he is somewhat hirsutely challenged!  So on my list will include:
Ice cream (Haagen Dazs or Ben & Jerrys)
Tinned tomatoes
Heinz baked beans
Ambrosia creamed rice
Tinned tuna
Streaky bacon
Innocent fruit smoothies
Tins of CocaCola
Mixed nuts and raisins
Creme caramels
Chocolate mousse
Not many of these items are part of our usual shopping but needs must and the idea is to get calories in to me in a way I can tolerate.
So the holiday somewhere warm planned for October/November will now be postponed until February. I will add in a few days away in UK or France before the chemo starts. I will also add in a long weekend to London early in December.

Today I will leave you with a joke – courtesy of my very good friend Raymond who has sent me a joke-a-day since my diagnosis in September 2010. Any groans are therefore not my fault!

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:
Bull Sh*t might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there..

My thanks also to friend and fellow warrior Mavis (who is already accepted for this trial) for the web links. Good luck Mavis.

Tess x

5 comments:

  1. Perfect joke, Tess! You have all my support - always.

    Janet xx

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  2. Hope the chemo goes well Tess and that you get your away days in.
    hugs Jen x

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  3. Love the joke Tess, I am behind you every step of the way, hope the chemo goes well and you enjoy eating the things from your 'shopping list. Hope you get a few days away too.

    Love and huge hugs to you and Alan.
    xxxxxx

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  4. Thinking of you Tess and still chuckling at the joke!
    Ann x

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  5. Part of the PETAL philosophy is being adaptable - so it's good to see that you have updated (not just abandoned) your targets and are stocking up on stuff you know goes down well with chemo, even if you wouldn't normally have it on the shopping list! Wishing you all the best when chemo starts and hope you manage to fit in another short break before chemo starts. Stay positive, love Linda and Steve x

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