Thursday...

I had my outpatient appt on Tuesday, my liver mass is now measuring 7cm.. it was around 13.5cm... some of the other nodes I had on my liver have disappeared which is great news.

I'm currently waiting for the hospital to call to say they have a bed. Its that time again....I have requested the first ward I was on (89), as they were able to microwave food for me.. FOOD is important!!! I have also bought a food container to keep things hot for Dave to do his "meals on wheels bit".

I have started to pack and gather everything together. My first bit of chemo this time is the spinal injections.... OUCH! Not looking forward to those.

I hope some of you will be able to visit this time..

Bye for now
Ali
x

Monday...

Hi everyone,

hope you all had nice weekends in the sun.. it was HOT HOT HOT! We went to my mums at the weekend and then had Sunday night staying over in Whitby. Stayed at a lovely bar that we always go to called the "Moon and Sixpence". We had the top room.... LOADS of stairs so you need to be fit! I was knackered going up and down! The fog and mist on Sunday afternoon was weird... very eerie..... the harbour was covered in rolling mist off the sea and you couldn't see from one side to the other.

Today we have come back to Leeds and set up some new patio furniture.... please visit us soon.. we have lots of seats now!!

Tomorrow I have my hospital appt at 3:30, I'll give blood and they will let me know when round 3 starts this week... usually its 24 hours for a bed if my name is down. I was hoping to go in after the Jubilee weekend.. but its looking unlikely now. This cycle will be around 3 weeks as before. As my scan was good I have now booked our flights to Majorca for October... can't wait... lets hope I'm well enough! Something to look forward to. 2012 has been a right off in my eyes... I haven't done half the things I wanted to do this year. I guess 2013 will be a better year, well I hope so.. fingers crossed.

Well better go and sign off..
Ali
x

Thursday...

today I have had my scan results and I'm pleased to say my tumour has shrunk to half its size!!! Amazing.. the lymphoma has responded well to the chemo.. I'm half way through and very pleased. I'm back at hospital tmrw for my hickman line replacement and then next Tuesday I will have my out patient appt when I'll find out the next start date for the next cycle.

I'm feeling ok.. I have been sat out for around 20 mins to get some vit D, as the weather has been amazing. Every day I sit outside on the deck under the umbrella relaxing and reading. This week I was very sadden by the news of Robin Gibb, love the Bee Gee's, so many people affected by cancer and it does hit home.

I have been wearing my new wig, which is very comfortable. I feel confident wearing it aswell which is important. My major battle at the moment is my eyelash's.... They are falling out and are sooo long and weird!! I have gaps in places. I have bought some false ones... but trying to resist putting them on just yet.

As I have been going about my "daily duties", in town or shopping at the supermarket, I don't see any other "cancer" patients about...... ie people with headscarves?? Can't just be me?? Where is everyone? Are they either at home or just wearing good wigs??? I obviously didn't notice anyone before walking down the street, but now I look out for "others".

I'll sign off as very tired today. Had a lovely visit from two school friends Rachel and Sarah this evening. Nothing changes does it with old friends.... all at school in 1985... and we can STILL talk for England!!!

Night everyone
Ali
x

Tuesday....

its hot! hot! today.. tried to sit outside to get some vitamin D... (factor 30 on)! Came inside... its sooo bright out there! Used to my dark room at Jimmy's. The cats are rolling around and loving the decking.

I haven't done much since Friday... my legs ache when I do anything... not used to walking I guess. I bought a new wig on Sunday in Leeds.. human hair, so its sits on my head much better. The synthetic wig was very uncomfortable and didn't sit quite right. See photo below.

The new WIG

Going to have lunch al fresco today when my sister comes over. I tried to convince her to have chips... sadly we are having salad.

Bye for now
Ali
x

Friday...

Delighted to say I'm going home... 18 days, nearly beat the 21 days on the last cycle. I'm home for around 2 weeks, then back in kicking and screaming on 30th/31st May for round 3, if my platelets are ok.

I'll sign off and finish packing.

Bye for now
Ali x

Thursday...

Still here, had my CT scan this morning. Hopefully results next Thursday. The bloods aren't back today so I haven't a clue if my counts are going up or down.. 17 days I've been here!!!!!! Dragging, I need more visitors the next time I'm in.

Just been looking at a break away to Majorca in October, will be nice to get away. It won't be too hot for me either and the hotel I've seen in Pollenca is on the beach, so not far to walk for a swim.

I'll update more later or tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for their comments, nice to see friends and family are reading my blog.

Bye for now
Alison
X

Tuesday...

Still here, not predicting when I'll be let out now!!!

Had a lovely visit from a work colleague today, Lindsay, we chatted for nearly 3 hours.....time flew by!! Lindsay was very kind and brought me some food. Sophie visited last week with a food parcel aswell, I need more of these kind friends on the next cycle!!

Tonight the nurse has covered the panel in the door for me....Too much light shines in from corridor, even with my eye mask.....I have issues!! Finally a dark room!! Only taken them 2 weeks to do it.

I'll say goodnight

Ali
X

Monday...

Still here, bloods still not right. I've had a platelet transfusion this afternoon. Obviously my body isn't ready for home...

I enjoyed 'New Moon' last night, I hope BBC or ITV have something to watch this evening!!!

Bye for now
Ali
X

Sunday....

Still here, levels aren't up, so another night in my cell. New Moon
(twilight saga) is on later, if I was at home Dave would be sat in another room calling me a teenager, so best to be sat here.

Dave brought in a picnic for us earlier, quiche, salad, coleslaw, etc. ....yum. So nice to eat food!!!! Last nights Wagamama's was lovely.... Tasty!!!

I did watch the Grand Prix today, I fell asleep after, must have been too much for me!!!

Anyway.... "I'll say goodnight" (Downton Abbey saying).

X

P.S. does anyone ever read this blog??????

Friday...

Still here, having blood transfusion tomorrow as I'm slightly anaemic. I've had 3 meals today!! I'll finally put some weight on. Having Wagamama's tmrw eve when Shaz, Dave and Matt visit, just hope the takeaway stays HOT!!

Will sign off as watching "What lies Beneath".... It's a bit jumpy!!!

Bye for now
Ali
X

Thursday....

Busy day..... Not! Nothing done and nothing to do. It's rain all day in Leeds. I've eaten today....3 meals. My body will go into shock!!

Starting a day late tomorrow with the injections to boost my counts. I hope and pray I'm home Sunday for the grand prix!!

Just about to watch "Two Greedy Italians" it's so nice to see beautiful Italy on the TV!!

Night
XX

Pizza later....

Just been weighed and I've lost in a week.... Hope your sitting down... 5 kilos which works out as 11lb!!!! That's why I'm having pizza later.

Crazy weightloss in a week!

X

Tuesday

Sorry I haven't updated for awhile. My chemo spinal injection is now tmrw (Wed) so I have a day off today. Yeah
!!!

Had lots of visitors yesterday, my Aunt Elsie, Uncle Godfrey and cousin Steven, the Nadine popped in, Ian and Jo had a tag team visit as they had Sam with them downstairs, then Chas (aka Shaz) and Dave..... Busy afternoon.

I'm feeling alot better and trying desperately to eat some cheese and biscuits, but I just can't get into them.... Craving Wagamama's.... Maybe at the weekend. Yum Yum...

A few photos below, Dave in the fetching outfit whilst visiting me,
the other is a beautiful Rose my Uncle bought me.

Bye for now
Ali
X

Friday/Saturday.....

Not having a good time..2 nights of hardly any sleep.

On the chemo machines from around 10am-3:00am, I'm knackered and trying to sleep as and when. This morning at
7am I went for a chest x-ray, I had shortness of breath and a temperature. Had the temp for over 24 hours, I've finally been put on anti-biotics.

They are starting my chemo at 2pm today, hopefully they won't need to wake me during the night.

I'm going back to sleep now!!

Bye for now
X

Thursday...

Starting in 10 mins with my first drug, yesterday I just had anti-body top up. My dreaded injection in the spine will be next Tuesday... Yuck! I'll hopefully be up and raring to go home 4 or 5 days after that.

The drug that I'm on for the next 5 days have various side effects... confussion, blurred vision, hair loss (none left).... I have to have eye drops in my eyes to help my vision. This cycle is a little easier than the first, although the drugs are new for me. Hopefully I'll be ok!!

Bye for now
Xx

Tuesday....

No beds were available this morning, so I decided to start packing just in case.... (later on thank god I did!!)

I attended a make-over class at the Robert Ogden centre at the hospital. It was good fun and nice to meet and chat to other patients. Most had finished treatment. We all got a fab goodie bag, with around £200 worth of cosmetics in.... Very swish!! See photo. We were shown basics of cleanse and tone and discussed "skin" and effects of chemo. Typically whilst I'm sat there, my phone had a missed call...... the ward asking me to come in. Raced home finished packing and headed to Pizza Express for the last super (my last decent meal for awhile).

I'm on a different ward, with a fantastic view of Leeds. The most important thing is that the TV works and the Internet signal is good!! Got the iPad with me this time.

Night everyone
X

Going in...

Just had the call, going for the "last supper" at Pizza Express. I'll be on ward 88 this time, I hope I get a TV!!

Will blog later.

Xx