Saturday 31 August 2013

Mellow Fruitfullness

I was rather optimistic thinking that I would have three rough days each cycle of the chemotherapy.  Although the last cycle and the present one have not been as tough as the first one, five to seven days out of each month would be more realistic.  Having said that the side effects are not now as debilitating as they were.  As I have already said the anti sickness drugs were changed this time and I am taking Levinan which has a sedative effect so is taken before bed time.  I have only tried this for two nights,  the first time I found it a bit of a struggle to come round in the morning but on the second day I was much more awake.  Along with the Buccastem the level of nausea and sickness seems to be well controlled.  Last cycle I managed to get to day seven without any sickness so I hoping that all will be fine this time.
As I write this I am awaiting the district nurse to give me a Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor GCSF (Filgrastim) injection.  These injections are given for seven days post chemo and are for boosting the immune system.  The side effect of these are achy joints.  These so far I have managed to handle with painkillers.  So you can imagine that I don't feel like running about and energy levels are not high but at least now that I have different sickness tablets I am able to watch the tele and at least read for a short time.  It's a chance to take it easy and do as little as possible.
The wasp reminds me that we are about to enter Autumn, for me the finest season of them all so hopefully I might get some mellow photos in in the next few weeks.
So enjoy these beautiful Autumn days and take some time for yourself.
xxxx
 
 

Monday 26 August 2013

Chuffing Eck.

During the five years or so that I have been out of teaching I have joined several organisations such as the RSPB, Natioinal Trust, and Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.  With the last one you get three day, passes to use throughout the year.  So these have gone unused until last week when I drove over to Oxenhope and took a very short steam train trip to Haworth.
You are warned that one of the side effects of chemo is fatigue.  I haven't noticed this, I have been my usual lazy self.  However, climbing up the hill from Howarth station to the village was a big struggle and I had to use a bench half way up, so I guess this is fatigue.
We have just got back from having my bloods taken at Christies so the third round of chemo will take place tomorrow, so I will half way through.
Thanks to H and A for the lovely meal yesterday.  I am truly blessed with the friends I have.
Have a good week and look after each other.
Xxxx
 
Nothing to do with steam trains or chemo.  I took this some years ago and it remains my favourite photo.
Thought those that have never seen it might like it.
 

Monday 19 August 2013

Hardcastle Craggs

 
So today's outing was to Hardcastle Craggs, a National Trust property at Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.  An extensively wooded area there is also a very early cotton mill which was the setting for 'Dotheboys Hall' in the film 'Nicholas Nickleby'. 
I didn't walk very far as I found it quite exhausting.  I stood in the river to take this, and several other pictures (all very similar) only to find that my Welly's, or at least the right one lets water in!
For those interested in the technical details I used a variable ND filter.  There is still work to do on this long exposure technique but I think I might have to replace my footwear before I try standing in the middle of a river again.
 
The week before the chemotherapy administration is when I feel the fittest.  However it's rather like the days after a heavy cold and you start saying 'I should go back to work but I am not well enough'. Although my temperature is normal I go from hot and cold and cold and hot.  I realise that I don't understand the the bodies temperature control system.  My smell and taste system is also messed up.  There seems to be a factor missing from my taste and my smell system seems to smell things that aren't there. 
 
Talking about side effects I was having big trouble with the anti sickness pills Metoclopramide Hydrochloride.  They were making me very twitchy and I was finding the light unbearable so reading, tele watching and using the ipad were all difficult.  I phoned the breast care nurse at Christies who quickly got these drugs changed.  The staff at Christies are fantastic and if they don't train staff at other hospitals on how to care for folk they should seriously consider diong so.
 
I was also thinking about friendship today and all the amazing people that text, ring, email, send cards, send flowers, Facebook me, make meals, pop round and generally support myself and A.  If I don't always get back to you I really do appreciate you all and do think you are fantastic.
Take somet ime for yourselves-you deserve it.
xxx
 

Sunday 18 August 2013

Where has all my hair gone, long time in passing.


It's blinking cowd without any hair.  Having to wear a scarf indoors.
That's cold to all non northerners.


Sunday 11 August 2013

Second Round OK so far

The second cycle of chemotherapy seems to be going alright so far.  The sickness was minimal although I remained extremely hot even though the weather was a lot cooler this time round.
I have very little hair left and those that were remaining have now been shaved off.  My scalp is very pale compared to my sun tanned face.
The district nurse continues to come every day (for seven 7 post chemo) to administrator the immune boosting injections.  Pain in the long bones and back can be a side effect of these but I am taking pain killers when needed.
I am hoping to be more active in the coming week.  It takes quite a time in the morning for me to come round but I am hopeful that I will become more active.
Take care.
xxx

Tuesday 6 August 2013

2nd Cycle of Chemotherapy-administration.

Second round of chemotherapy today.  The nurse put a warm bag on my hand today which made finding a vein easy.  I had taken four lots of steroids before going to Christies so I was suffering from quite a bad headache but I have changed from Migraleve to Solpadeine Max which seem to work better.
I also got off the Internet a selection of cool packs and ice packs to cool my headache, so hopefully I might be able to cope better with this, this time round.
Take care.
Xxxx

Monday 5 August 2013

Hair Today, None Tomorrow

My hair started to fall out on Saturday.  I had already shaved it down to its shortest with clippers and it seemed to be very grey but it now seems that the darker hair is still there. It is however, still coming out.
We were able to get out on the bikes on Sunday.  We took the train to Sanbach and had a look at the Saxon crosses in the market place and then went for a 15 mile ride in mixed weather-sun and showers.
Today I went for my bloods to be taken at Christies and to see the consultant.  Well, they say when policemen start to look young, you are getting old, but when consultants look as young as she did, you start to feel ancient.
So, tomorrow is the second round of chemo.  I know have more drugs than Boots the Chemists, so all side effects should be catered for.  I let you know how I go on.
Take care of each and be kind.
Love
Jean
xxx

Friday 2 August 2013

Tandlehills

I have my second round of chemotherapy next week, so I took a walk to one of my spiritual homes today, Tandlehills Country Park in Royton.
Last farm before Tandlehills
I have done this walk for over 50 years but never fail to find something new.  This 38 hectare mature beech and mixed woodland was used by Radicals prior to the Peterloo Massacre for meetings and drilling.  The authorities at that time stopped these activities by planting trees.  The woodland passed through several hands over the following years and was eventually given in1919 to the people of Royton by the then owner, Councillor Norris Bradbury, as a Peace offering at the end of the Great War.  It's a place to find a little bit of peace even when there are a lot of people visiting.
Today was another beautiful day and a good one for a gentle walk, with a cool breeze to prevent it being uncomfortable.
  

Lots of Rosebay Willow Herb in flower today
 

Dabbled light amongst the Beech trees
 




Although there are lots of Beech trees the park has a wide variety of trees.
Here Larch trees line one of the paths near the monument.




The Beech trees put lots of leaf cover down in Autumn.









 




Neglected Garden

My country cottage style garden has become badly neglected over the last few weeks with far too much grass growing in the wrong places, not to mention the mesky Horsetails.  The Crocosmia Lusifer however is a survivor and is looking spendid.
 



Thursday 1 August 2013

Moorland Drive

Drove over to Ripponden today to charge the van's battery.  It was a beautiful day with a light breeze blowing over the hills.
The traffic thundering over the M62 should consider taking the quieter route, they might get to appreciate the view.  This is looking toward Manchester from Boothwood Reservoir.