So far so good!

Last Thursday I went back to the hospital for my bone treatment followed by a check-up with Pip my oncology nurse. You may remember that she was nominated as my nurse right back at my first meeting with Dr Alexander. I have luckily not had much at all to do with her because I have been so well but now I will be seeing her every three weeks to have my chemo pill issued. I’m sure we will soon build rapport!!

Pip asked me how I had been getting on; I had a bit of a burning sensation in the soles of my feet but have continued to apply the udder cream morning and evening topping up with an organic blend of coconut oil and beeswax (which was made by my friend Hajira) during the day. I did have some tummy gripes but had to continue with the laxatives throughout 😂😂 she said get some Imodium, you will need it! challenge accepted!!! I have got some but I’m not expecting to have to use it 😉. I did get some sores inside my lip towards the end of the first two week cycle. It seemed to be antagonised by chillies so I may have to abstain from spicy foods one week in three. You know that will be hard for me however, it’s a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

The good news is that my amazing liver is still functioning perfectly and everything else looks good so I got my next package of chemo pills to take for the next two weeks.

It’s now Tuesday so I have been taking it again for 4 days and so far so good on the side effects. Hydration is key, I have been drinking water with fresh ginger and lemon in it which really helps with the nausea and my feet are feeling good so far.

Unsurprisingly, I have been taking a nap in the afternoon more often than not. It seems my body’s key coping mechanism is sleep and I don’t feel the need to fight it. If I don’t nap, I feel it in the evening – I can push through but I pay for it the following day. It is what it is, and as long as I keep it in mind when making plans it’s totally manageable and let’s face it, I have always loved a nap 😴

Last weekend I travelled up to Leeds on the train with Dad and Chris to stay at Bryony and Chris’s and go to Amelie’s 3rd birthday party. It was a ‘princess’ themed party and we all dressed up! I love fancy dress! I made a Princess Poppy (from the trolls movie) costume with the help of my mother in law Joan who was visiting us the week before. We had such fun!!

And here I am now on the train again but this time to Chesterfield to spend a couple of days with my Mum and Richie, I will be doing a Laughter Yoga Session tomorrow afternoon with the teachers at a local primary school – it will be interesting… it’s the first time I’ve done a session with people who have been told rather than chosen to attend!!! I know I’ll love it whatever happens 😜

I can’t end this post without saying another huge thank you for all your love and support. As you know, I am quite needy. I like positive reinforcement, it inspires and energises me. I wasn’t at all prepared for the amount of love I received after my last post, by way of comments, cards and personal messages I was totally awash with love and for that I am truly grateful. There was a niggle in my mind that I’d left it too long and that you would all be bored with me but you have stomped all over that niggle and I am buoyant in my bubble of love, planning to last longer with this treatment than I did with the tamoxifen! Thank you, you fabulous people.

Talk to you soon
Lots of love Mand xxx

This was my costume!