Chemotherapy and moving Therapy

I think it’s time I posted a blog, I also know if I don’t people may worry that I have passed on.
Don’t worry this girl is still here fighting.

It is now a week since I had my first chemotherapy treatment and all I can say is, “well that knocked me of my feet”!
I went into the “Elizabeth Lourey” ward in southend hospital; this is a specialist cancer ward and is a lovely place to be.
The nurses are fantastic and the bond between us the patients and them is very strong.
It is they see us going through all stages of health and treatment and sometimes make that final journey.

As one nurse said to me, we never complain.
I would say that a cancer ward is a positive place to be, you see us patients do talk to each other about our treatment, fears and even the “death” word, but we all want to make the most of life that is left in us.

In fact we worry more about what our friends and family are going through.
So if you think you got worries visit my ward and also I introduce you to a 9 year kid who is dying of cancer and then I would say “stop the self pity”

You see we are fighting for our very survival and any ounce of energy is so precious and has to be used sparingly.
When I first arrived at the ward I had a series of tests to ensure that I would be fit for the treatment ahead.
Then I spoke to one of the nurses, and she was very honest about the treatment ahead, which although not nice has to be faced.
You see with this disease you can’t burry your head in the sand and hope the problem passes, you got t o take that reality pill and face it full on.

99% certain is that my hair, eyelashes and eyebrows will fall out (this usually happens about the third treatment as the chemicals build up in your system).
That I will feel tired (I can confirm that already, I slept for 2 days after I got home).
I will be at risk to infection, so avoid people with colds etc.
Skin rashes (yep got some already)
I am having intense treatment and in her words “this won’t be easy”
Yet I found her words helpful as I can’t have any false illusions.

I had a talk with the doctor and they really like to know your frame of mind and need to know any little side effect of the treatment.

My treatment started at 8pm and this would last for 48 hours (finishing Sunday evening) this one little bag was easy to wheel about after my London hospital treatments!

When these chemicals are going through your body you can’t leave the ward, this is in the event the bag burst and the chemicals are highly dangerous! Yep that is going through my body.
We patients did laugh as we thought, well if we do go walk about with “the black chemo bags of death” people will get out of our way.

For this 3 day stay I took in my trusty laptop, DVD season 1 of the X-files, my IPod and also downloaded some programmes from BBC Iplayer to my laptop.

And I also read 700 pages of my Joe Donnelley book.
After the needle was fitted (this took lots of attempts as my veins now go into hiding at the sight of a needle) the treatment started, and for the first h our I did feel burning around this area but it soon passes.

I was also given steroids to boost my system and anti sickness tablets.
What does happen is all the affects occur once the treatment stops, while in hospital apart from heartburn I was ok, when I got home I was sick and slept for 2 days.
The ward I was in is split into rooms that hold four beds, and although it is a unisex ward, the rooms are one sex only.

The lady opposite me (Leigh) become good friends, she is around the same age as me and has been through chemo before, now being on a new treatment as the cancer has spread to her head.
It was helpful to talk about my fears with her, and in the day room everyone talks.
It is because we are in that mid plane between life and death.
So I found this stay non stressful and very supportive.
When I got home I had some more good news, my salary w
as due to go to “half pay” this month but my head of service took into consideration that my condition was not diagnosed for over six months and any illness I had was due to that, so my full pay has been extended until December 1st.
This is a really nice gesture from work and does help me with my worries.
Then more good news, I will be moving next month, 23rd October the date.
I had put my name on the council list last year when the first signs showed in my health and as my treatment and drugs increased so did my standing.
Also I feel the council has looked after me and the officers on the housing department have been brilliant.

So this week I had a phone call with a offer for a flat and arranged a viewing.
It is a nice little one bedroom purpose built ground floor flat and ideal for me.
Also it saves me another £350 a month on rent and costs and if I do go of work through ill health then my rent will be paid.
This takes so much worry of my mind and I am now in “move mode” I am looking for some second bits of furniture, but I will do it, me I’m a survivor.
I have asked Jenny if she can come up and help and it looks like she can with those important car runs with important items like a kettle!
I do feel like I now have some security for the future and can now fully focus on getting well.
My list of things to do while also attending chemo and other hospital appointments.

1. Buy washing machine/fridge freezer/cooker and arrange delivery and fitting
2. Arrange carpet measure and buy carpet for living room/bedroom/hallway
3. Find odd job man to fit curtain rails
4. Buy curtains and nets for bedroom
5. Buy second hand wardrobe and bedstead.
6. Start to pack
7. Arrange removal man and a van.
I got my list made!

So although I am finding the chemotherapy tiring, I feel that the Goddess is looking after me and I will continue to fight and make the most of life.
Love and peace to everyone