Thank heavens for....

... Wimbledon tennis and jigsaws!

Yesterday I had my next session of chemotherapy poured into my system via a drip. It means a 4 hour session at the Cancer clinic with other patients. I take my knitting (hot water bottle cover this time) my crosswords and my reading. The only thing I get done really is my knitting because you can knit while you talk. It's a very social occasion. Most people have somebody with them, so the numbers are often as high as about 12. Much stimulating conversation is held - and mostly NOT about cancer. It's an enjoyable morning - nothing hurts :)

Back to the 'thank heavens for'. I have one of these session every 3 weeks. And I take chemo tablets for 2 of those 3 weeks. I had forgotten - probably because of what has occurred since the last session - that for the first few nights I can't sleep. It doesn't matter how weary I feel, after I've gone through the 'going to bed' rituals I settle in under my doona and lie wide awake................

Fortunately Wimbledon tennis is on the tele until the wee small hours of the morning and a dear friend very kindly dropped a new jigsaw in for me the other day. So the coffee table has surrendered its regular load and is now spread with a circular 500 piece jigsaw - the scene of a 50's era petrol station/mechanic shop with lots of colours - and not much plain blue sky!!!

The pins and needles in the hands are back, so I'm typing this with gloves on - as soon as my hands are exposed to the cold they are very painful. And my throat seizes up in the cold air and I have to gasp for breath. Gave my walking group a fright this morning when I arrived at our regular coffee destination and was gasping furiously. I think they were scared, but I wasn't. I know it only lasts about half a minute. And now that I've been reminded about it happening - I'll be more careful about how early I go outside for heavy breathing :)

I've been having days and days of headaches lately. Going to sleep with it and waking up with it :( The oncologist asked me if I wanted to have a brain scan. I told him 'No'. I believe it's mechanical - probably tension - so I am seeing a physiotherapist. He agrees with me - that it's mechanical - and says it's probably a result of the change in my shoulder from the frozen shoulder I had between 2008-2010. He is treating me to tell the muscles to go back to do what they are supposed to do and has given me some exercises to do - and there will be more. I'm pleased to report that I've had the first 2 headache-free days, yesterday and today. I'm amazed at how much better it makes me feel about EVERYTHING. Long may it last.

Making tentative plans to go away in the Hopemobile for a couple of weeks. Still just plans, so it might not happen. Watch this space.

Saturday 25 June. 4.30pm