Hi Jo,

Just wondering how your radiotherapy has gone today.

Maybe a little early to ask you.

Thinking of you

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel,

Thank you for thinking about me. We're just back from the hospital after a very long day! My appt was for 1o'clock, but the chemo nurses were running an hour behind. Then I had to have a chat with a nurse about the treatment and finally, around 3.30 I was hooked up to the drip. The infusion lasted 2 hours then a 10 minute flush through, then home!

I was warned about tingly fingers and being sensitive to cold. Wow! I only touched the radiator at home, and my hand went into pins and needles overdrive.

I then tried a piece of pasta to see if it as cooked and that made my jaw go funny! Even though it wasn't cold! Now sitting with my hand on a hot water bottle and I'm wearing wooly gloves! Hospital advice.

I got chatting to a man who is having the same chemo as me  and is 3 cycles into treatment. He gave me some great tips and things he's experienced. Thankfully, he seems to be coping ok with it. Fingers crossed I'm the same so, only 7 more to go! 

How are you? And how's little Ava doing? Bet she's filling out now.

I enjoyed the 'udder' cream thread the other night! Really made me smile.

Take care and keep me posted with baby news.

Big hugs, Jo xxxx

Good Morning Jo,

When I last spoke to Charlotte, my daughter, baby Ava is doing a bit better thank you in as much as the feeds are beginning to be further apart. She has put on weight and has been discharged from the hospital check ups on her bilirubin levels. Charlotte is finding just talking to me helps her worry less. It's the practical midwife side of me that obviously come out on the phone. Charlotte and her husband are hoping to go out for a meal soon for the first time since Ava's birth. My son who lives fairly near them will be chief babysitter.!!! Otherwise known as Uncle Baba.

His nick name Baba.

Your treatments side effects are amazing. It makes you wonder exactly whats going on in the body whilst the chemicals are doing the rounds. I hope all your cycles are fine and you don't suffer too much. The hot water bottle sound a good idea, maybe you'll need a few more. !!!

Well it's a miserable day here today after an awsome day yesterday. we had a large clear up of leaves from the lawn yesterday as it was probably our last chance. The ground is very wet again. Inside work today, he ho.

Keep your chin up Jo, we are definately rooting for you.

Annabelxx.

Me again,

I have to agree with Annabel in that it's very strange to think what is going inside your body for the treatment to affect your touch and senses in a certain way.  Are  you sure you aren't getting pins and needles reaching for the remote when Jeremy Kyle is on the telly?

"Anfon dymuniadau pob lwc i berson arbennig!"

Don't worry I haven't gone mad it's just a message in my native Welsh to wish you the best for your treatment and recovery.

Good luck Jo.

Garf. xx

Hi Jo,

Just reading about your recent chemo treatment and wanted to say that I hope you are doing OK and not having too much of a reaction; hopefully tingly fingers calmed down now.  Thank you so much for replying to me on my thread when you are going through so much yourself, I have left a message for all my virtual friends on there.  Hope you have a relaxing weekend and let us know how you are doing. Hope xx

Hi Jo,

We haven't spoken for a while and am just wanting you to know, I often think of you. I do hope you are keeping well and that your treatment is progressing well without any bad side effects. I am still as "nutty " as ever, too old to change as my dear wife says.

Do take care, sending you best wishes and kind thoughts, Brian.

Morning Jo,

Don't know how else to find you but to seek out this thread of yours.

Haven't really had anywhere to ask how you are you are doing and what stage you are at with your treatments.

I know you were having some side effects from the chemo but don't know how it is for you at the moment.

How did Christmas go for you and your partner?

And did you get up to Scotland for New Year?

You are one of those lovely people on here Jo who always sems to be giving.

Look forward to hearing from you

Hugs

Annabel.xx

Hi Jo,  Would just like to add to Annabel's post to see how you are doing? and to wish you a Happy New Year.  Hope x

Hi Annabel,  How are you doing too?  Wishing you peace and happiness for 2014.  Hope x

Hi Annabel and Hope,

Happy New Year to both of you!

Sadly, the chemo side effects escalated and I ended up in severe pain over Christmas. My partner and I kept ringing the hospital for advice and I kept taking the anti sickness and diarrhoea tabs, plus paracetamol. All had very little effect and I lost 3kg (6lbs in old money!) in weight and 5 days of Christmas!

I saw the oncologist on New Year's Eve and he said I am one of the 5% of patients who are unable to process the chemo I was on, hence the horrendous side effects! So, no more chemo for me! I'm relieved that I don't have to endure that level of pain again, but the other side of the coin is that there is no alternative chemo available to me. I can only hope that the liver resection op is successful! I don't have a date for this yet.

My first scan (CT) is next Friday and I'll have an MRI scan in due course and then meet my liver surgeon and specialist nurse.

My partner and I are making the most of this 'medical free' few days, with a planned trip to Ikea.

I'm also looking forward to a girly shop and lunch with my daughter as both our birthdays are next week.

Annabel, I hope you managed to get some rest and enjoyment over the festive period. I know you were busy cleaning your cottages in the turn around between Christmas and New Year! And now you'll have all the decorations to take down too! A busy time for those in Hospitality!  Remember to make 2014 a year of  'Annabel pampering'   

Hope, I know Christmas and New Year will have been an especially difficult and emotional time for you. I hope you managed to find some peace and calm.

I know that you will still have days when you feel sad and low and I wish you the strength to help you through such days. Keep being kind to yourself.

When do your boys head back to their studies? My daughter starts her OT degree on Jan 13th and my son heads back to Uni around the same time! They both live with their dad, so he'll have a very quiet house! And less washing!! 

Well, as you'll see from the time of posting this, it's the wee small hours (I've dozed on the sofa for most of the evening so now I'm wide awake!) but I need to grab a few more winks as we have family coming over for lunch tomorrow (today!!!) I'm on table setting duty and in charge of pudding! All other culinary chores are in the capable hands of my lovely man! One of the many perks of living with a chef!

Take care you two lovelies! And keep up your wonderfully supportive messages on this forum! Talking of which, I haven't seen postings from Max for a while, I hope she's ok.

Love and hugs, Jo xx