Monday...

No bed for me today..... I'll call tmrw.

I have a beauty day at the cancer centre for a few hours tmrw afternoon. Make-up tips and advice on wigs.

X

Saturday...

changed my blog slightly and included a photo of me taken last night.

I also want to add this link to mine - its another Lymphoma blogger in American who recently was interviews for Fox News. He is now clear of the cancer and taking one day at a time.. He wants to raise awareness.

Fox News Interview

I have watched 2 films this week that weirdly mentioned LYMPHOMA... I wouldn't have even given it a second thought before. Also watching the London Marathon LYMPHOMA was mentioned a few times... by an actor who has recovered and the other was the Lymphoma Charity who had an actor from Holby City running for them.

Hope your having a nice weekend? Had my mum and dad here for lunch... they were on a flying visit to fix the "amazing" shower. It was leaking into the light/fan... but all sorted now.

Bye for now
Alison
x

Thursday pm

I've had my appt at the hospital and all good with my bloods. I will start ringing for a bed on Monday I know there is a long list.

Going to chill out now with my mini eggs...

X

Thursday morning...

its raining again... will it ever stop!!!?? Cats aren't happy!

I'm sipping Sencha Berry Beauty Tea and eating Chocolate Creme Oreo's (addictive). I've been feeling sickly since Monday (Oreo's help)... and soooo tired. I'm trying to have a snooze on a afternoon but it isn't working out yet!

Today at 2:30pm I have my hospital appt to have my Hickman line flushed and then at 3pm I'll see my consultant. Hopefully I'll be given a start date for the next cycle of chemo.

I've had lots of visitors from work this week which has been really nice... I showed off my new wig and bald head.... not many people can do that in one night! HHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
 

I look similar to this (not)

 I'll log back on later and update what the consultant says.

Bye for now
Ali
x

Weekend...

Dave mentioned that I haven't update my blog all week......I haven't really much to say or anything that's interesting....!!!!!

I had my appt at the day clinic at the hospital on Thursday and had my hickman line cleaned and bloods taken.. my levels are up which is a good sign.

This weekend we went to Hebden Bridge for lunch and to a nice tea shop where I bought Sencha Berry Beauty... it's my second bag in 6 months.... its very addictive. I'm still searching for Sencha Champagne.... nearly 4 years on... the only place to buy it is Dublin.. so anyone going over????

Today we have been upto my mum and dad's for my dad's 65th birthday... (officially a pensioner!!) We had a quick walk on the beach, the last time I saw the sea was New Year's day (4 months is a long time for me to not to see the waves). It was chilly but nice all the same. After a lovely lunch that my mum had cooked we had a walk with the dogs around Preston Park near Yarm, it rained on and off. This time last year the weather was amazing in the UK and was around 22*C, as I had come back from Portugal and it was warmer in Leeds.

This week I've got loads of sky+ programmes to catch up on and have various work colleagues popping over for a visit. It will be nice to see them all. I'll be back at hospital on Thursday for my hickman cleaning and an appt with my consultant, I'll hopefully be told when the next treatment starts.

I've just opened an Easter Egg.... I haven't been into chocolate that much... but Dave is helping!!!

I'll sign off and show you a few photos I took today....

Ali
xx

Monday/Tuesday

Hi everyone,

I'm home.... I was let out into the community yesterday at around 1:30pm, i've been chilling out at home... the cats didn't make a fuss of me...  tut tut..

I'm back in hospital on Thursday into the day unit for a check on my hickman line. Not much else will happen until next Thursday when I'll see my consultant and my bloods will be checked. I feel fine and taking all the medication that they gave me..

That's all for now folks....

Ali
x

Saturday......

Hi everyone,

Grand National Day - I think this is the first year I'm not in a works draw for the race.. 

I have just been told me that my Methotrexate level is back to normal... praise the lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can now come of the litres and litres of sodium flush that has been rushing through my tiny bladder and kidneys for the last week. I only need my Neutrophil level to rise now. Its currently at 0.15 and needs to be 1. I'm sure tmrw is the day... or Monday. My platelets are low and are currently 48, if they drop to 20 I will need to have a transfusion. My Hemoglobin level has increased since the blood transfusion, which is good.. and my advice to you all is ofcourse DONATE BLOOD, no excuse.. it doesn't hurt at all! I have donated over 23 pints since I was 21. Sadley had to stop when the hepatitis started.

I know I will have to undergo all of the above on every cycle of chemo that I have... but I will be mentally prepared for it all I guess! Been a bit daunting every day.. wondering what was happening next etc. I do have a schedule but not all the anti-body drugs are scheduled for each day. The staff have been great and we have had a laugh. I have heard that most patients stay in their beds all day and don't want to be disturbed...very depressing, but I guess people cope with things differently. I ofcourse want to know who, what, where etc. The staff here told me I was refreshing as I like to talk and discuss how I feel etc.!!! Anyway next time I will have more books, DVD Box sets and a better mobile broadband signal... although since a new person has moved next door on Thursday its been much better.

My hair loss is crazy... I don't know where it comes from... I must have a lot of it thats all I can say! 

Have a nice weekend!

Ali

x

Hair Loss Friday......

Hi everyone,

My Orange dongle for the internet has decided to work today... very odd..

My hair is now falling out... I could make a wig!!!! Huge clumps in the shower this morning. I know I have alot of hair and it's to be expected with chemo to fall out, but it is still a huge shock. My sister has ordered me some scarves and a cotton cap to wear at home and on the ward when I'm back in 3 weeks time. I think I will persist with it falling out until I can't stand it much longer!!

Today I'm still on the flushing out drip... nearly a week of it...UGH!!!!! Getting fed up with dragging the stand back and fourth to the loo. Keep everything crossed for me that my level will be 0.1 today!! As then it can stop!! I'm still having various anti-fungal drugs and yesterday had 2 pints of blood. Hopefully my own blood will be a little better today. My mouth is still sore (mainly in the morning) and I have been given various mouth wash's to use. One numbs the mouth and the other leaves a coating on the teeth and gums. Hopefully it will do the trick.

Yesterday I also had my last chemo into my spine for this cycle... hurt like hell!!!! My normal consultant is away, so his stand in, had the short straw. It was the most painful thing I've ever experienced... My nerves in my legs were going crazy and I thought I'd lost my leg it hurt that much.... I'm hoping next time my consultant is here...otherwise I'll be hiding under the bed!!!!!

I think thats it...

Bye for now

Ali x

Duvet Dave

Dave bought me a new duvet cover...do you think its bright enough? club tropicana...

Thursday's Visitors

This evening I had 3 visitors from work...Debs and Sophie and "Critch" aka Johnny Critchley-Salmonson. We laughed and laughed, just what I needed. Critch turned up with alsorts of goodies for me, and I just had to share with you all.... Alsorts were in the bag. Johnny leaves Gecko next Friday for pastures new at Heineken HQ in London, he will drink London dry!!! I think he will feature on "Made in Chelsea" soon, so watch this space. I will dearly miss him and wish him all the best. Photo to follow Xx

Thursday

Hi, My hair is starting to fall out, will be a baldy soon. My mouth is in agony as the chemo strips away the red blood cells. Hopefully one of the blood levels with be ok today so that I can come off the drip. This is the drip I've been on since Friday at midnight. Today I have another spinal injection...I think after lunch. Julie - curry nice, but they forgot the naan bread... Tut tut. Lunch today is a jacket potatoe with beans. I'm going to buy a cheap toaster for next time, I can keep butter in the mini bar. Anyway will sign off, starting to get very bored now, its my 17th night here today. Bye for now Ali X

Wednesday

Hi everyone, Got a signal, just a quick update. I have another spinal injection tmrw, hopefully levels will be good enough to leave Friday, if not Saturday. I'm exhausted after 4 nights on the continuous drip. 1 litre at a time plus what I normally drink. Not much else to report, having hospital food this evening, first time in a week. I have ordered a lentil Dahl curry. Bye for now X

Friday

Wednesday/Thursday/Friday Technical issues!!! I think a machine in either my room or next door interferes with the signals with the Orange dongle and my network on my phone. Exciting news... I got a new bed! Finally! Somebody was discharged last night. I had my second injection into my back on Wednesday, it went ok as they went into the same holes as before. I had had a small dose of chemo on Thursday and then my next dose is on Saturday. Tonight (Friday) at midnight until 4am I will be having a litre of sodium fluid IV'd and then again 8am-12pm on Saturday morning before my next chemo, then the chemo is IV'd. Apparently they will make sure before giving me the chemo that my kidneys are working, so If I go to the loo I have to meaure in a jug my urine... (I guess they need to see 2 litres!?!?!?!?!) knowing me I will be constantly in the loo! Dave visited yesterday as I'm still not at risk we went out for a walk-about and something to eat at the other end of the hospital. It felt like another world.... shops! Well only 2 and a hairdresser's! This place needs a Boots Chemist or a Superdrug... I know most people are here to get better etc. but it should also be about the well-being of the patients. As I have now been an in-patient I think there should be more for patients to do. My next gripe is food... just can't eat most days... fear of throwing up all the time, anti sickness helps and on Wednesday they IV'd me something new which they said would make me feel drunk... 5 mins after they gave me it .. my eyes were like saucers and I walked to the out-patients for my spinal injection.. i was floating... it was very funny. I did entertain the nurses! My hair is thinning.. always falling out but not in the clumps yet. Maybe a few moew weeks. My last chemo drug is on Sunday and then its wait and watch my blood levels. I hope to be home for next weekend as it's Dave's birthday on the 19th. Today I have a few visitors coming so I will try and finish my book before they turn up. Bye for now Ali x

Network Issues

Sorry I haven't updated for awhile....the network is terrible most days in hospital. Even the Orange dongle has issues. Will update more later when I get a better signal. X

Monday/Tuesday

Hi everyone,

today is a day of rest...... I had my chemo into my spine yesterday....not pleasant and took 4 attempts...... I have another one tmrw... YUCK!

The food isn't getting better... I have ordered a jacket potatoe for lunch but I think I will have to ask Dave to bring me a goodie bag of some sort... or pizza later. When my blood count drops I will become neutropenic, which means I can't leave my room and have to eat certain things and avoid others...even black pepper!

My next chemo IV'd is on day 8 (Thursday) and its Vincristine, the nurse mentioned its a tough one and I would need rest for a few days before having it.... I took a sleeping tablet last night to knock me out but I have trouble sleeping on the bed... apprently its not the usual bed for the room.. so I have moaned and complained and hopefully they will swap it soon. I was awake most of the night. I will snooze today as they don't need to bother me with tablets and chemo.

Anyway looking forward to the snow coming... will give me something to watch out of the window! My TV aerial is terrible.. who ever designed and built this place should have thought about putting a large antenna on the roof and then linking an aerial into all the rooms... instead of patients buying and relying on a portable aerial that you constantly have to move around the room for a signal... its terrible!!

Bye for now
Ali
x

Saturday/Sunday

not much going on.. very quiet over the weekend. I have had various chemo drugs today and yesterday, feeling ok today. I was feeling ill all morning yesterday and just slept. I had anti-sickness IV'd last night which may have helped me this morning.

Just waiting for my lunch... Veggie Moussaka today. The food is hit and miss. I haven't eaten much since Thursday, but have plenty to snack on in my "mini-bar" when I feel upto it.

Tomorrow I have a drug called Cytarabine injected into my spine.. not looking forward to that! Then the next week or so is repeating the pattern of drugs daily or every other day until day 15. I think today is my day 4 or maybe 3 as they were delayed slightly. On top of the drugs I have anti-fungal and anti-body drugs before the chemo drugs and then after the chemo drugs they give you a flush... which i think stops clots in my hickman line.

Anyway... i'll sign off and post this. I may have to get some fake tan in a can soon.... I'm so pale... not left my "cell" since Monday....

Bye for now
Ali
x