Lovely to hear from u! Am sure when i start chemo in 2wks the weight will drop off me! Could do with losing a stone or two so maybe that will be a positive side effect! New wardrobe after xmas! Speak again soon xx

Yes, I misheard "Dom Perignon" too!  Brings back memories of chemo first time around!

Hi babes - how did you manage to lose weight I put weight on with the steroids (for side effects of chemo) and then the low fibre junk food diet that I was on during the radiotherapy.

I thought before starting treatment that I would lose weight - because you think everyone does. No such luck  Anyway the treatment has worked so I will try shedding the extra pounds after I have finished the last lot of Christmas goodies, some time in february.

Hello Chrissy.  Good luck with your chemo.  As I've always been awkward, and I see no reason to stop now,  I didn't lose weight with chemo.  For the couple of days when I didn't feel like eating a lot, I wasn't too concerned as I knew that I'd more than make up for it afterwards.  Don't forget to wear comfy shoes or take slippers to change in to, and don't forget reading and puzzle books (and, of course, a snooze or two while you're there, if you feel like it).  Take care.

BBxx

Hello Hazel.  Hopefully your chemo sessions have worked out all right for you over Christmas and the New Year.  I do hope so.  My voice is getting there but this morning at the hospital I was talking to someone and it just "went" mid-sentence.  I felt so silly: my mouth opening and lips moving but nothing coming out.  They just stared at me (perhaps they thought they'd gone deaf).  Yes, I don't live far from you Hazel.  I live near Canary Wharf in east London.  I'm glad you like my new avatar.  It's a photo of the Polish training ship "Dar Mlodziezy" (nice easy name; just slips off the tongue, doesn't it?) when they started on their Tall Ships Round the World Race last year.  I was well then and didn't know what was in store for me so took myself  and my camera up to the river and took photos galore.  Bit boring for anybody else, but I still like looking at them.  My appointments are getting even more silly and tomorrow I have to be at the hospital at 7.15am.  I think I may just knit a tent and stay up there overnight. Do take care and keep warm Hazel.  Until next time.

Carol xx 

Hello river.  What good news that your treatment has worked.  You must be over the moon.  I am so pleased for you, even though the way you describe yourself you sound like a little Christmas pudding.  What junk food were you able to eat during radiotherapy river?  I go to bed almost dreading breakfast as they only thing I can face of a morning are Frosties and, even then, not very many.  By the time I get home from hospital I just want to sleep.  But I must admit marzipan fruits have kept me going.  And this morning I treated myself to a big fat Danish pastry but could only eat half.  What a waste!  Don't even think about losing weight before Christmas.  Concentrate on getting well.

Do take care.

BB 

Hi Carol, glad you managed to have your treatment today, despite being rendered almost voiceless!   When I read a while ago about the problems you've had with the journey I am just so pleased that when I had my RT they sent a car every morning to pick several of us up who lived this way, otherwise I don't know how I would ever have managed to get to the North Mid on my own by 7/8 am each day!  As it was, the journeys were quite pleasant because we all got to know each other and had a good natter.  Sometimes had hours to wait for transport going in this direction home though, but wasn't too bothered about that.  

I guessed you were in east London near to the river when you mentioned the river crossing and the people on the top of the O2 the other day when it was so windy. (My dear old dad used to work at Greenwich gas works where the O2 now is.)  Mind you, you did also mention the DLR so that might have been a clue!

The ship is a real beauty, isn't she?  I love sailing ships, wish I could have seen them all on their way down river, I bet it was a brilliant sight.  Also, I'm quite impressed with your photography skills, it's a lovely picture.

By the way, how many marzipan fruits have you had today?

Hazel xx

Hello Hazel  Yes, treatment for me today and yesterday (although I can't remember very much about yesterday other than I had to get a cab home as I still felt a bit weak).  How long did your journey take you when you went to the North Middlesex hospital?  It is the hanging about though waiting to come home, isn't it?  That in itself is tiring.  The O2 Arena (or the sausages and mash and my lovely Mum called it) is facing me as is one gasometer.  The other one was destroyed by the IRA back in the 70s (I think it was) and I remember kneeling up in bed that night looking at it blazing and even feeling the heat of it through my bedroom window.  Yes, it was quite a sight that day seeing all the tall ships sailing down river.  Thank you for the compliment about my photography skills but it's the camera that does all the hard work.  I just about turn it on and hope for the best, but I can change the batteries now!  It was a fresh day but, as you can tell, the sun was shining and there were quite a few people down there.  One thing did startle me and that was when they fired a gun (from the Greenwich Old Naval College) in salute.  I wasn't expecting it and had no idea where it came from until I read it in the local paper a couple of days afterwards. I kept looking round for bodies; I didn't know the ships would get that treatment.  They didn't this year.  Only three marzipan fruits today (so far, anyway).  How are things with you Hazel?

Carol xx

Hi Babe you are having a rough time. I had to go on a low fibre diet so I was eating meat no veg or I could have chips. White bread which I hate so it was toast or croissants for breakfast. I could have bacon & egg, white pasta but tomatoes without seeds or skin white rice all of which i do like. Apart from a few days after my chemo I never really lost my appetite. I had great support from Christies hospital and their helpline was 24/7. Yes I am looking like a Christmas pudding at the moment especially having been to the Christmas market in Manchester and been partaking of the gluhwein and bratwurst. Hang on in there and stay positive. Best wishes for your remaining treatment. River