Almost There

I have been lying low and resting more than usual and I think it has paid off as the side effects have been much reduced this time round on cycle 5 – or perhaps I have just got used to the poison coursing round my body. Cycle 6 will start today Friday (21^st) and this will be the last course of treatment - so fingers, toes and anything crossed that it has done some damage to Mr Nasty. It has been a long haul since February and I am so grateful to all of you that have kept me buoyed up. Will let the poison do it stuff till the end of this cycle (21 days) and hopefully then I will get our life back and can plan a few treats. A visit to the French brewery is high on the agenda for my trusty carer!

The meso community has been hit hard this past few weeks with so many deaths – all avoidable if not for man’s greed. My dear friend Debbie who I wrote about in my last blog was one victim to this awful disease. She was a true inspiration to us all in and lived life to the full for as long as she could. I will miss her so much. My condolences to her three children and to all friends and relatives of recently deceased warriors. The only way to stop this carnage is to find a cure through more research  and have a global ban on asbestos mining and exporting.

Life has been ticking over slowly but we managed a weekend over in Tunbridge Wells. Alan’s help was needed to erect a rather large wooden climbing frame for little man. I do mean large! Three robust men (Jon, Alan and Berni) managed to build the two towers in a weekend! It is still lying on the lawn waiting to be set in concrete. Watch this space!

How many men does it take to screw in a screw?

The Grandies continue to give us so much joy. Ethan is now into Rugby and has joined ‘Rugby Tots’. He has a ball (funny shape), a kit, and 6 mini cones which he lines up in the living room and we have to run in an out. The Arsenal fans in the family (and there are lots) need to sort this one out!

Our lovely Lilah celebrated her 2^nd birthday on the 15^th. My how she has grown and getting quite vocal! We Skype each weekend and she always demands a song! Alan is willing to oblige and plays guitar and we sing silly songs.

Ethan has been strawberry picking!

Lilah enjoying her 2nd birthday

My masterchef has continued to cook delicious food for us. So much so, I have put on 1kg in the last 3 weeks! He has a theory (not without some scientific evidence) that the more colourful the better. The chicken curry this week was most delicious and his crispy duck is very moorish. Thanks honey!

Yummy chicken curry - and he cleaned the hob afterwards!

Belated congratulations to my cousin Peter and Elizabeth who celebrated their Silver Wedding anniversary earlier this month – hope the celebrations went well. We were with you in spirit and drank a toast to you both.

Tess x

Back on Track

Chemo cycle 5 went ahead yesterday. My blood levels had recovered sufficiently thank goodness. Treatment went smoothly without any hitches this time - cannula on target first time! I am feeling OK today after a bit of a rough night - it's those gremlins that visit at 3am that really get to you! Steroids, antisickness tabs and laxatives being consumed so here we go again!

The weather has certainly perked up. last weekend (bank holiday) was glorious. We had a walk along the prom at Minnis bay on Monday. The main beach was the busiest we have ever seen it. Lovely to see families having fun with the kiddies building sand castles and eating ice creams (just like we did on a Bank holiday). We had a cuppa and cake in the cafe and watched the wind surfers - some of them clearly novices! Alan insisted on taking a photo using his new 'big boy' phone!

Enjoying the sea breeze at Minnis Bay

The garden has burst into life this week. The poppies are just spectacular - approx 10 inches in diameter! perhaps we should start cultivating opium - now there's a thought! Irises, roses and aliums (alia?) also bountiful

alium

yellow, white and blue irises

 

Beautiful poppies

Roses which smell as good as they look.

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This week we have changes to hi-speed cable internet (only just available down here) and we have gone from download speeds of between 0.5 and 1 to 20.8 which is brilliant. I even get Ray's daily jokes before he has even sent them!! Alan is delighted because he downloads lots of music which used to take hours.

Special thoughts today to my dear warrior friend Debbie who is having a really difficult time right now but the hospice staff are taking good care of her. Thoughts and prayers are with you  Debbie hope you will be home soon. xx

Tess x

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