H

Had results today from biopsy on tonsil and now know its cancer, its all been really quick what with scans and hospital visits so not really had time to think about it now it's just starting to sink in but I'm pretty positive, I'm told its spread to a lymph node has anyone else had this 

HiAli

I am sorry to hear your diagnosis, but the first thing I would say is there is always hope. Al my friend here has the same and is currently undergoing all the treatment. He is having a six week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy over most of the week meaning daily trips. The first thing they have to do is make sure you have no teeth that will get corroded by treatment so need removing first,. They then measure you for the mask this apparently is quite comfortable. They then arrrange the neginnings of the treatment. It will not be easy so you will need a good support system around you - family, macmillans, friends especially when you have down days. Some people loose taste buds during treatment some can find swallowing hard but if you look back on our talks there are mouth exeercises to do. 

Find all the exciting food things you love that are highly flacoured and stock up you will need to keep your weight up and need things that are exciting to make you smile. 

good luck i am here is you want to talk. 

stay strong 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

Hi all.

So, treatment finished on Tuesday. Sufficed to say I nearly yanked the bell off the wall

Saw my Oncologist same day as well in Clinic. He has said he's pleased with how I've coped with the intensive treatment (I don't feel pleased but!!!) My outer skin is a bit itchy but Flamigel sorting that well. He also went on to feel around my neck and had a little look inside. Said because things are so swollen he can't necessarily say it's gone but used the term 'I currently have no reasons to think the treatment is working and going in the right direction' so... took some comfort from that.

Throat discomfort isn't toooooo bad. Basic fluids are still a bit sore to go down but having guzzles every now and again, have even been trying some fruit juices but mouth still way too sore.

My NG Tube came out for the 5th time a few days back, tried to go onto Ensures but with the amount of Phlegm rattling around, my tummy just won't have it.. ended up vomming so I drove myself back to my Unit and they refitted it for me. Finding that I can only be in certain positions with it (like bolt upright in bed). Otherwise I get loads of coughing fits, I have to keep them controlled otherwise I end up wretching and we lose the tube!

After treatment they said that I should start getting some improvement After a week or so, but generally varies from person to person. So kindly hoping that the Mucus buggers off reasonably quickly. 

Great to hear on your recovery DF... keep pushing. 

My PET Scan is being booked for in 6 weeks time. So should be 2nd or 3rd week of June. Plenty of time to concentrate on recovering. 

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

Morning 

What a lovely surprise to hear from you Sam glad your doing ok and last of treatment finished. Hope things settle quickly for you and swelling goes down and eating eases. 

Alli glad you have day one over and done with I expect sometimes that is always the hardest. Hope the unusual sensations settle and you are ok today. 

Al fantastic news you have the ng tube out hope you are now eating ok. I am so pleased have you all in my thoughts constantly. 

My plants are being transplanted but not in garden yet either due to the unpredictable weather cannot be trusted with all the hard work growing the plants in the first place. Did order some more bedding plants yesterday for £9.99 for 72 garden ready plugs Suttons so hopefully i will have loads of colour this year have the need for colour lol. 

Today the skip is here so hubby and i are going to try and move items into it little by little., Thankfully the end comes down so it makes it a bit easier getting the items in. 

Hubby informed me of mini mafias family tree this morning he had been doing a bit of geaneology and it trasnpires that they come from France, Germany, Russia so they are planning a multicultural party late summer when travel bans have lifted. Should be a ruckus! The worry is if they invite the American cocodiles as well !

Well caught up with a good friend i have not seen for ages on the phone today. Had a lovely conversation hoping we can catch up properly some day. She owns a GSD x Malamute who used to love walking with Shugs and Pedro. 

hope everyone has a good day 

keep smiling x

Morning 

What a lovely surprise to hear from you Sam glad your doing ok and last of treatment finished. Hope things settle quickly for you and swelling goes down and eating eases. 

Alli glad you have day one over and done with I expect sometimes that is always the hardest. Hope the unusual sensations settle and you are ok today. 

Al fantastic news you have the ng tube out hope you are now eating ok. I am so pleased have you all in my thoughts constantly. 

My plants are being transplanted but not in garden yet either due to the unpredictable weather cannot be trusted with all the hard work growing the plants in the first place. Did order some more bedding plants yesterday for £9.99 for 72 garden ready plugs Suttons so hopefully i will have loads of colour this year have the need for colour lol. 

Today the skip is here so hubby and i are going to try and move items into it little by little., Thankfully the end comes down so it makes it a bit easier getting the items in. 

Hubby informed me of mini mafias family tree this morning he had been doing a bit of geaneology and it trasnpires that they come from France, Germany, Russia so they are planning a multicultural party late summer when travel bans have lifted. Should be a ruckus! The worry is if they invite the American cocodiles as well !

Well caught up with a good friend i have not seen for ages on the phone today. Had a lovely conversation hoping we can catch up properly some day. She owns a GSD x Malamute who used to love walking with Shugs and Pedro. 

hope everyone has a good day 

keep smiling x

Morning and a lovely wet weekend! 

so glad the garden is getting watered and i have an excuse not to do much as back is aching from filling skip yesterday/ I got a text from some people at work saying they are coming over to see me next saturday so really looking forward to that but also worried place will look a real mess. Put up the watering can it looks quite good just a shame the lights were not long enough for where i wanted them to go. You can get fountain lights which would be better ( i9 had curtain lights) but they seem to be only solar powered which i did not want. I also suggest if any one tries this to use a plastic watering can as the nozzle is further up the can neared the top. I tried with a metal one and it was impossible to get the lights down the nozzle. 

I have also finished the floor finally in dinning roomarea wow that has taken ages!! Hopefully get some things back to normal. 

Having a relaxful time this afternoon mexican on the hob and lying on bed with bengal boys and pedro watching Ghost wars on Amazon with Meatloaf in. He actually is a good actor as well as singer. If you like spooky things this is right up your street. 

Hope everyone has a good relaxing weekend with improvements all round. 

Keep smiling x

Morning

Feel a little bit more human today but still no appetite so that's not helping, I'm feeling pretty down and just hope I can find the strength and positivity to get through this, sorry having a bit of a wobble day. The watering can lights are a lovely idea think I could do with some lights in my garden to make it a bit more sociable. Hope your ok Al and still trying lots of different things to eat you were brave taking the tube out

Hope you have a lovely day

Alli x

Morning apologies i did not reply yesterday but spent the day in the garden.

Alli dont worry you are bound to wobble and feel down with chemo Al was the same. just try and think positive and see the good in everything find things that make you smile and remember hope there is light at the end of the tunnel that gets brighter each and every day. We are here for your wobbles every day. 

The sun was lovely yesterday i had to get outside but it took all day to do what i wanted with hubbys support. We even had coffee outside and sat outisde listening to the birds in the evening. Feel it this morning though!!! We then had tons of rain last night so i weeded one bed this morning and it was great the weeds came up easily shame cant finish the job. 

mini mafia have been sneaking around recently hubby has caught the backsides of a couple each day and there has been eveidence of their presence. the rumours are the war plans are coming to fruism and will start any day. Next door informed me she had also seen two running between our gardens. they appear to be residing under her shed and the two she saw are the scouts. 

Have left my plugs uncovered for the last couple of days to adapt now to the weather, especially as the sweetcorn and butternut squash need to be planted soon. Some of my flowers are also needing planting so exciting if they take. 

lights are definatley lovely in the fgarden they do bring something to the garden. i have adjusted my watering can and it now looks better and even managed to get it onto a laburnham branch so it hangs down nicely. Worth it and you can get some quite cheaply now. 

Hope this week goes well for you Alli and AL and Sam you continue improving. Bet Al you are feeling better with no tube now hope the eating is still ok. 

keep smiling x

what a day thought you might like a laugh! 

Decided to paint spray the chimney iam now working on and had obtained a fire proof black aerosol to use so when i had sat down i felt like trying it out! 

for the next hour or so we had to sit outside with doors and windows open as it stank the place out totally strong fumes i just breathed in lol and can still taste in the back of my mouth lol. so shivering (as it is now getting dark and cold) we are pacing outside looking like two idiots because i had sprayed the chimney black!! 

Next Tesco arrive with the delivery thats great no problme i unpack and put everything away and we finally sit down to watch the television. I finally get up to a winging dog who doesnt understand why i have not gone to bed yet and walk into a kitchen disaster! a lovely fresh white loaf for the ubby lies half eaten on the floor still in its wrapper i hasten to add with bits and pieces spread daintly over the place - mummy we have rats i am told hmm i said they dont come in the house - this time i know it is not the mini mafia but Pedro the thief!!! he has finally sheepedly come to bed and curled up with full tum for a snooze! 

night all x

Hi Alli :happy:

The chemo does sadly affect your appetite and mood, but you will find the strength and positivity.  Some days you have to dig deeper than others.  And some days you just don't feel like digging at all and that's ok.  Some days it will feel like it will never end, but it will and it does.   You will get through this and you will come out he other end a stonger person.

On the really down days I would watch things that make me smile and laugh even if I didn't feel like smiling or laughing.  I would also rest or sleep as much as I could, sleeping would make the day go faster plus the body is going through so much right now it needs all the rest and sleep it can get.  In the beginning I would fight the sleep as it felt wrong at 2 in the afternoon to be snoozing.  Your body does most of its fighting and fixing when asleep, so I soon allowed myself to listen to my body and sleep whenever it wanted, no matter the timme of day.  

Also I expect you have been told to drink plenty of water.  I was up to 3ltrs a day and still am.  Definitely made a difference.  Dehydration can make you feel down too.

You will no doubt get lots of advice, but we are all different and you have to do what ever works for you.  Just remember that we are all here for you.

Be Strong, on the wobbly days we will be strong for you.

Al x

Hi Elona :happy:

Sounds like you have been having a busy time of it, black chimney, mini mafia, half eaten loaf of bread :laugh:

Its been raining so much here we've had no chance to get out into the garden, though we have notice another couple of eaten plugs Grrrr!  We did manage to get a bargain from Facebook Market Place...  We wanted bubble insulation for the shed conversion, I had priced it at £167 to do all the walls and the roof.  Found a 50m roll on FB for £40 a couple of miles down the road!  I do like a bargain.  Now we just need a decent week or two of weather so we can take everything out of the shed and start actual work on it.

I repotted the herbs, but they are still inside.  The plan is to keep some inside and the rest to go outside, again just waiting on the weather.  Its at times like this I do miss living on the south coast of England.

Not eating as much as I should, lost over a kilo in the last week.  Not enjoying food at all, eating because I have to rather than wanting to.  Spoke to dieticians yesterday and she told me to purchase full fat milk to drink, a pint a day.  Seems like my tatse buds have taken a break from getting better.  Going out for a meal with two of my daughters on Saturday, goodness knows what I am going to order.

Off to see my oncologist today.  Before treatment I had a lump on the back of my head which I thought was just a fatty lump.  Strangly it disappeared during chemo and radio, but now it has started growing back.  There was amusingly a lot of interest in it during treatment.  They now want to check it out as neither chemo nor radio should have had any effect on it.

Stay Strong

Al'

Afternoon

AL hope the oncologist trip is ok and the lump nothing to worry about. You have been through enough. Sorry about the taste buds thats a pain on Saturday go for the sickliest and sweetest thing on the menu lol that will prevent loss of pounds. I could do with loosing your kilo!! 

We have been incredibly lucky with the weather these last couple of days it has been lovely and so nice to have the energy to get into the garden. Hubby came and sat out with me whilst i weeded some of the veggie patch. The sweetcorn and butternut squash are now planted in the garden. Celeriac are still too small and yakons have not arrived yet. 

Got through 6 more bags of compost to help raise some beds. Unfortunatley this mnice day was slightly tarred by reversing into the corner of the skip when i got home yikes!! broke the light cover thats all thankfully. Scellotape emergency fix. typically skip was removed half an hour later!!! 

Forcast is for us to have some rain tomorrow so if thas the case will do some more of the chimney breast but after last nights fiaasco will not bother with a second coat even though it looks like it should have one. 

Al what a bargain you cannot beat a bargain especially one on your doorstep! the shed conversion will be great once you start it. Sounds also like you will have loads of herbs to use too. I used to have a herb garden in my old house and loved it but sage was a *** it attracted all sorts of midges on summer evenings and i used to get bitten a lot so they are limited here! 

Alli hope alls going well and you are over your wobble. take care we are here for you. 

Sam hope the recovery is going ok

keep smiling x

Afternoon

Well today has been eventful decided lovely would do a little more weeding then phone rings could I go on BBC Essex radio and answer some questions on cat microchipping and cat behviour. Not until 2pm (turned out 2.15pm) and only lasted 5 minutes lol so morning spent topping up knowledge - not needed lol.

Topping up pond after mending a patch last night and getting pond sealant all over my fingers - what a mess!!!! i remember the time we had a patch that was sticky not now have to cut a circle and use this most horrendous black sealant took half an hour to get fingers clean!11 then computer didnt recognise them to touch sign in as i had rubbed the top layer off!! hoping it has worked or everyone will hear me whereever you are!! 

no sign of mini mafia as yet we are hopeful that they have relocated although hubby thinks he saw grandpa yesterday having got himself lost going home and ended up here. 

Ended up in bed yesterday at 4pm lol shattered and fell asleep so funny woke up and wondered if it was today and then realised it was only 2 hours later. probably end up doing that tonight going early. too much excitement!! 

hope you are all ok and doing well. 

keep smiling 

x

Afternoon,

a rainy day today but has had a few dry spots so time to get compost on garden and plant my plugs all done except the begonias. The garden is now beginning to look good and iam pleased i have had the energy to do it. my coca cola smelling geraniums, hybrid foxglove and others all in. 

watching more ghost wars getting quite suspenseful. Pedro and cats have joined me but they are not that fussed lol just a warm bod to lie next too. 

Undercoat is on the chimney breast so tomorrow can paint it then when i can put the new tiles on. I love it when a plan gets together. 

Hoping you are all well and doing ok. 

keep smiling x

Hi Elona :happy:

The trip to oncology went well.  They're not sure what the lump on my head is, they're not too worried about it at this time.  They think that maybe the steroids that I took during treatment may have shrunk it.  They're not going to take any chances though.  The plan is that they're either going to scan it at my next PET Scan, or they're going to send me to a dermatologist, or both.  They're going to discuss it at their next meeting.

Turns out the reason my taste buds and throat have taken a bit of a u-turn is because I have oral thrush again.  This has coated my tongue and throat.  I only had it a few weeks ago, but apparently it is common to have it multiple times post treatment.  So more mouth washes and meds, plus I have to brush my tongue with Bi Carb.

I also found out why my good tonsil was removed.  Although the risk was low of the cancer spreading to my other tonsil the risk was still high enough to warrent removing it.  This is because had the good tonsil shown signs of cancer post treatment the human body would not handle the 6 week treatment being repeated.  Which would have made the cancer hard to remove with any success.   All makes sense now :happy:

I will keep that in mind with the Sage, I too am an insects favourite meal.  Perhaps I will plant all the sage outside next to the citronella candles :laugh:  I should have shares in citronella.  Does the pond not attract the midges too?  Horse Flies are my worst, after being bitten by them I look like Freddie Krueger from Elm Street!

A call from local radio eh...  From this moment onwards you will now be known as the cat lady :laugh:  My cats aren't chipped, they're completely broken!

'My coca cola smelling geraniums?'  Please do tell me about these.

Hope you have a fab weekend :happy:

You too 'Keep Smiling'

Al'