Hi Alli :happy:

Thinking of you today.  With the chemo all you can do is sit or lay back and relax (sometimes I was given a very comfy recliner chair or a bed).  The drips are plugged into the mains and on wheels, but you can unplug them to stretch your legs or use the facilities (one of the nurses should show you how to do this).  Then once unplugged you learn to dance with your drip, Strictly will have nothing on you by the end :happy:

Both Chemo and Radio can affect your taste buds, taste receptor cells.  I had my chemo over 6 weeks and it was around week two that I noticed changes with my taste.  Once my taste started to change I lost it very quickly, within a few days, all taste was definitley gone by the end of week two.  It wasn't just the taste, textures of certain foods became difficult to eat too, this was due to changes in the saliva.  Not everybody has such drastic changes to taste.

I have been very naughty and not used my tube for two days now, this is not what was discussed with the dietician :devil:  My thought was to make myself very hungry by not having tube feeds.  It worked as I ate my first full size dinner yesterday, two lamb chops and roast veg.  I am starving now and it is only 8am, I have been having a slice of toast with butter in the mornings but today I am going to try porridge.  I've not been able to eat porridge since I lost my taste.  The hardest part is getting all the right vitamins and nutrients which the tube feeds supply.  I may even remove my tube at the weekend. 

Try not to think about losing taste, it may not happen.  Or you may just lose certain tastes.  If you do notice it happening, or you start to struggle with certain food textures tell your dietician.  There are mouth washes that they can give you to help and they do help.  Also a loss of taste can affect your weight.  Some chemo can also affect your appetite, again if this happens tell your dietician.

Most of all relax today, we are all thinking of you.

Stay Strong

Al x

Hi Elona :happy:

Sun is shinning here today, glad now to have a break from the rain.  Although I do believe that somewhere in the UK has had some quite heavy snow today!

We noticed yesterday that some of our plugs have been eaten and a tomatoe plant has strangely disappeared, sinister goings on in the garden... Cue sinister music, evil slug stage left.  Can only assume its either slugs or snails, although we've spied neither.  Did you know there is no point in throwing snails over the fence as they have very good homing senses and will find their way back.  And no doubt bring some friends with them.  I do believe that Hedgehogs like a slug or two.  In our old garden we had a big family of slow worms which kept the  shelled and non-shelled fiends at bay.

Voting day today, still have no idea who to vote for.  It's easy to make promises on a shiny bit of paper stuffed through the letterbox.  And OMG!  Did we have a lot of gumph through the door!  Now I know where all the trees have gone.   Think I might just close my eyes and pin the tail on the donkey.  Where is Screaming Lord Sutch when you need him?  :happy::laugh:

Hope the sun is shinning on you, apparently you are in for some warm weather on Sunday.

Stay Strong

Al x

Morning 

Alli - thinking of you today hope all goes well. 

Al thank you you made me laugh cant wait to hear more abiout the sinister movements of the garden it reminded me of tales of the unexpected! 

Hubby and i have decided not to vote today - i forgot to sign up for postal vote as i am still suposed to be shielding and Clacton district does not generally change its counsillors much anyway. We would have definately made the effort if it had been a general election. Hahahha yes we could do with more Lord screaming Sutch!!! 

I think we had a jay in the garden on the hedge/fence yesterday it was hard to see because of the light but it was very handsome. Alli i love blue *** we had a nesting box that was used by them yearly until this year and i think that is because of my mothers cats that were here have spooked them, hope they come back again. 

Standoff with cousin mini mafia who sneeked onto bird table in the dusk yesterday. Was being observed very closely through the windo by Rum tum but cousin was brave and seemed aware that rum tum could not get to it. i had to open the top window to get it to move. Mind you it had stuffed its face by them!! 

I have decided my garden needs some lights so I have seen and am going to recreate a watering can dripping water onto the garden and the dripping water is a curtain of fairy lights. i have ordered a curtain of white lights and have an old watering can just need a post to set it up and we should be ready. Things dont always come out as well as my brain says but we shall see. 

Have good day and keep smiling x

Hi Elona :happy:

I hope Ali is feeling ok, she would have had a long day yesterday.

I love Jays, thay are without doubt one of my favourite birds.  I lived in Hampshire for 10 years and the place that we used to walk the dogs was full of Jays, I had never experienced before so many in one place.  I could sit there and watch them for ages.  I don't think that I have seen one since living here.

We have lots of lights in the garden, every year they are replaced or added to.  I expect you can see our garden from space!  Loving the watering can idea, I may have to borrow that :wink:  I am going to transplant my herbs into pots today, still not going to risk them going outside.  Mind you the sprouts were transplanted outside a couple of weeks ago and they're doing well.

I removed my feeding tube yesterday, 4 days ahead of time.  Watched a 'How To' YouTube video and out it came :happy:  I wont lie I was nervous but it was such a relief once out.  And a lot easier than I expected.

Lovely and sunny here today, not warm though.  A lot of rain heading in from the south west tomorrow so will have to make the most of today.

Stay Strong

Al x

Hey Alli. 

Best of luck today. Alot of things will be overwhelming. Both me and my other half were in tears on the way. Its a scary experience of the unknown that you're embarking on. But remember. There's People out there in your Hospital to help. No question is too much for them.

Before you know it you'll be at the end of it and on the road to recovery.

It seems forever away but you Will get there!

Hi Al

Glad your getting to eat more food and the feeding tubes out your sounding a lot better. Was such a long day yesterday didn't get home till 7pm the mask was scary hoping today's better, felt a bit weird last night a bit shaky and headachy but slept ok and feel a bit wobbly today but not to bad, round 2 today

Take care

Alli x

Morning Elona

The watering can lights sounds fab hope your ok. Yesterday was a long day didn't get back till 7 and was ok but felt a bit shaky and weird feel the same today but its to be expected, round 2 today

Hope you have a great day

Alli x

Hi Sam

Thank you it was a long day and was glad when it was over,  not feeling to bad a bit shaky and tired but not sick I've took an anti sickness just in case, hope your ok

Take care

Alli x

I'd definitely say take them even if you don't. 

It's alot easier to stop sickness before it starts by having a good amount of meds in you.

TC

Sam