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