An eventful start to my Dublin visit, it began shortly after we arrived in our hotel and my husband ( shortly to be ex husband ...... Ok, joke) discovered he hadn't (despite my prompt) packed his daily blood pressure tablets.
He went off to his meeting and I began my quest. Called home trying to find someone who could access the kitchen cupboard and take a photo of the tablets so I knew what to ask for at the chemist. Daughter in law to the rescue. I went down to receptionist to explain my (?) predicament. She checked the chemist opening times, closed. Discussion. Daughter then took photo of a newly written prescription and emailed it to me. Receptionist meanwhile tried to find a chemist that was open, it's now 7 pm.
Email was sent to second chemist to see if they had the drug, short wait , and eventually answered that no they didn't but another chemist might have them.
Few more phone calls, emails and waiting, and success, the third chemist had them, and could give us five day supply, but they were quite busy.
As it was a car journey away a taxi was called, I jumped in ( now 8:10pm) and noted fairly quickly that the taxi driver was hugely upset. Asking me if I was alright, I replied that I'd been having a few issues, and asked how he was to find that I had unwittingly unleashed the poor mans last few hours of domestic upheaval . Divorced from his wife , not an amicable separation, a 13 year old son that was off on his first trip away from from home and to Euro Disney at 8:30am tomorrow morning.
At 6:30 pm his son had called in tears to say he couldn't go as he didn't have the €200 he needed for spending money. The taxi driver had already paid €900 for passport and trip with the above mentioned ex wife contributing to the lads spending money, supposedly.
I think you get the gist of the conversation, the taxi driver had already been on the phone to the head master. It seems as if the spending money was needed for the daily rides, so pretty pointless for the lad ( and the poor teacher that would have to sit with him) whilst his friends had a good time.
I pretty much had the full story in the time it took to get to the chemist, the pharmacists were so kind and didn't charge me too many euros. The taxi driver waited and I arrived back to the hotel by 8:45. ( of course I paid over double the amount and if I was scammed it was extremely good acting, but I felt one good turn deserves another, and anyway he called me a lovely lady lots of times and blessed me, so that's all that matters!)
Meanwhile back at the hotel.... The same kind receptionist had taken my room service food order, so when I wearily returned to the room I had supper ready . The husband arrives back much later after his relatively stressed free evening and saw the pills, exclaiming "oh, how did you manage that". My half asleep reply was "just as well I love you, and I'll tell you in the morning!"
And so endeth the first day.....
All I can say is, it's a jolly good job I had my blood transfusion on Monday, it was well worth the 5 hour hospital visit for two units of blood, my energy level has increased ten fold. Weekly blood tests now, and clinic appointment in a month.
The sun is shining! What a difference it makes to your mood and indeed in viewing the town of Dublin!
We arrived on Thursday late afternoon and fly back to Jersey Sunday morning, so a bit of a whistle stop tour. The other half had to work Thursday night and yesterday so it left my sister-in-law and myself to do some exploring /shopping... Or should that be shopping/exploring?
I still can't post photos from my iPad so that'll have to wait but we did have a good day. Trinity college and the book of Kells, well worth a visit. A short tour conducted by an undergraduate , was informative and amusing.
We happened upon a restaurant called The Bank, a truly beautiful building , and a very nice lunch was consumed. We knew potatoes were high on the list of favourite (?) food for the Irish, and mash seems to be very popular . Actually so do potato pancakes, wedges and fries!!
Lots more walking after lunch to burn off the calories, and onto the Guinness factory ... To put more calories on!
Finishing the day with a meal in Temple Bar, a very busy hubbub of night life. Fortunate to be able to catch up with my elder brother, and we all got to spend today together.
A taxi ride towards the Wicklow mountains and a stately home Powerscourt, which had incredible gardens and an equally impressive checkered history.
As I mentioned before the receptionist at this hotel has been amazing, and once again she has come out tops. As we learnt when we arrived it's very difficult to get tickets for Kilmainham gaol, and I had tried yesterday but without success, so all we could hope for was some cancellations.
However we were looking around Powerscourt gardens, and nowhere near the gaol, so this lady made a few phone calls on our behalf and then managed to secure us two tickets for this afternoons late tour. ( as a way of thanks, chocolates yesterday, wine today!).
All in all its been a good few days and I think everyone has managed very well at home without us, looking forward to next weekend and Guernsey ........ Girls only.... More info to follow😊
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday 24 March 2018
Friday 16 March 2018
March 16th 2018
Thought I'd start tonights Post with a few pictures, once again it's been a bit of a tough week emotionally.
Not just for me, but for my Godson, who has been very poorly these last few weeks, my love and prayers go out to his family.
My bloods have been very slow to pick up, so just as well we stopped the chemo when we did, I had another blood test this week too. Despite my best efforts to cough almost continually and frantically wave my right arm about , the port refused to let the blood flow, so had to resort to the arm veins instead.
Whilst this was going on the nurse looked at my cheek and seeing a sore, and red angry graze suggested that I get it checked out.... £40 lighter from the doctors surgery today, I now have antibiotics and cream.....probably the start of impetigo due to my weakened immune system.
I also had a call today from Oncology to say they can book me in for a blood transfusion on Monday, and so two units for me will really help the cardio side. Maybe I'll even be able to 'run' on the Netball court as opposed to last weeks efforts when I felt more spectator than player!
We have started to advertise the Fun Quiz night on April 5th at the Posthorn Pub, please contact me if you think you can get a team together. Its fundraising for Steph and Baz and the London Marathon.
Teams of 4-6 people, £12.50 a ticket includes meal, and quiz. Good raffle prizes too!
A final shout out to my dear friend PE, who is having a tough time at the minute, my love to her and to all those folks who are living with life limiting diseases.
Friday 9 March 2018
Friday 9th March 2018
Oh my, I've just registered the date... 12th March 2012 was the date of my first operation. The time when nobody was able to confirm the 13 cm tumour on my left ovary was cancerous or not, but really expecting it was, the desperate waiting to have surgery. Wanting to know, wanting to be clear of whatever it was, wanting it out, but at the same time dreading to hear the news.
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Six years later, two major operations, two cycles of chemo, two bouts of radiotherapy and now more chemo, and I am lucky. Having just come back from a weekend in London at the Ovacome conference and listening to one of the three lectures we had about how long it takes to trial new drugs, and how expensive the whole process is, I feel fortunate to have been offered treatment.
It's been an emotional week, the weekend was excellent, we had Dr Marcia Hall a consultant medical oncologist at Mount Vernon cancer centre. She is really in the front line and trying to keep as many clinical trials opportunities as possible open to patients.
Dr Rebecca Kristeleit is a clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant Medical Oncologist, doing research work at the UCLH, she has a specialist interest in cancer drug development.
It was good to be able to put faces to names, and meet other ladies that also use the online chat forum. This is Lee the fundraising manager who reminds me of a blonde version of my lovely friend V.
On Sunday we took a walk along the Thames and then caught a train out to Weybridge and met up with my eldest brother/sister-in-law. Having lunch bought for us was a bonus!
I had a busy start to the week, walking dogs, playing tennis, and badminton, felt fine.
Since the second operation where I think, unsurprisingly, I've been left with lots of scar tissue and from time to time ( I haven't found a trigger) I suffer from chronic stomach cramps, coupled with back spasms. It is excruciating. Heard of the vagus nerve?
Tuesday therefore was a bit of a write off, doubly sad as I missed Yoga and then netball in the evening.
Everything back to 'normal' by Wednesday, so I made up for lost time, taking out frustrations on racquetball and badminton!
Lots of events happening in the next few weeks, next Wednesday 14th my consultant KG is holding a talk on the Menopause at the local hospital. She is doing it for free as a fundraiser for Steph's London Marathon charity, Ovacome.
I've tried to share the poster and I can't, sorry, but please contact me if you wish to attend and I'll give you more details.
On Thursday April 5th we are holding a fun pub Quiz at the Post Horn in town, teams between 4-6 people, food included £12.50 a ticket, all proceeds going towards Steph and Baz's charities, Ovacome and Alzheimer's. Again contact me for more info!
Without wanting to say too much, I have two very dear friends who are really struggling this week, it's at times like this that I feel so helpless, unable to find real words of comfort and support that I would desperately like to give.To those friends and all the others I know that are dealing with this terrible disease, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lastly, I had a blood test this week, no results as yet, just fortnightly check ups, I think , although things change. I have a CT scan next Tuesday, no letter as yet about a blood transfusion. That again was pointed out to me that if I could play badminton, maybe I didn't need a transfusion?.
Took this picture today at our parish Lent lunch, was trying to get Dan to smile without realising Jack was trying to look equally sullen, what a pair. They also tried to tell me that my paying for lunch was an early Mother's day 'gift'. So how does that work? BOYS
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
Six years later, two major operations, two cycles of chemo, two bouts of radiotherapy and now more chemo, and I am lucky. Having just come back from a weekend in London at the Ovacome conference and listening to one of the three lectures we had about how long it takes to trial new drugs, and how expensive the whole process is, I feel fortunate to have been offered treatment.
It's been an emotional week, the weekend was excellent, we had Dr Marcia Hall a consultant medical oncologist at Mount Vernon cancer centre. She is really in the front line and trying to keep as many clinical trials opportunities as possible open to patients.
Dr Rebecca Kristeleit is a clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant Medical Oncologist, doing research work at the UCLH, she has a specialist interest in cancer drug development.
It was good to be able to put faces to names, and meet other ladies that also use the online chat forum. This is Lee the fundraising manager who reminds me of a blonde version of my lovely friend V.
On Sunday we took a walk along the Thames and then caught a train out to Weybridge and met up with my eldest brother/sister-in-law. Having lunch bought for us was a bonus!
I had a busy start to the week, walking dogs, playing tennis, and badminton, felt fine.
Since the second operation where I think, unsurprisingly, I've been left with lots of scar tissue and from time to time ( I haven't found a trigger) I suffer from chronic stomach cramps, coupled with back spasms. It is excruciating. Heard of the vagus nerve?
What Is The Vagus Nerve?
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body. It not only regulates the gut but also affects the cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, and endocrine systems. The vagus nerve innervates the liver, lung, spleen, kidneys and gut.
Here are some quick facts:
- Vagus is latin for wandering because the nerve has a long and circuitous path in the body.
- Vagus nerve dysfunction causes gastrointestinal symptoms. The vagus nerve increases stomach acidity, gut motility and digestive juices.
Underactive vs Overactive Vagus Nerve
Both overactive and underactive vagus nerve activity can contribute to disease and cause vagus nerve symptoms.
For example, an underactive vagus nerve can lead to gasteroparesis or delayed gastric emptying. Normally, peristalsis - a rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the intestinal muscles pushes food into the small intestine for additional digestion. These contractions are under the control of the vagus nerve; damage to the vagus nerve impairs peristalsis.
An overactive vagus nerve can result in an abnormally low heart rate (bradycardia), fainting (syncope), and a range of other symptoms.
The vagus nerve helps counterbalance the sympathetic innervation of the heart. The sympathetic arm of the nervous system is what mediates the fight-or-flight response.
Everything back to 'normal' by Wednesday, so I made up for lost time, taking out frustrations on racquetball and badminton!
Lots of events happening in the next few weeks, next Wednesday 14th my consultant KG is holding a talk on the Menopause at the local hospital. She is doing it for free as a fundraiser for Steph's London Marathon charity, Ovacome.
I've tried to share the poster and I can't, sorry, but please contact me if you wish to attend and I'll give you more details.
On Thursday April 5th we are holding a fun pub Quiz at the Post Horn in town, teams between 4-6 people, food included £12.50 a ticket, all proceeds going towards Steph and Baz's charities, Ovacome and Alzheimer's. Again contact me for more info!
Without wanting to say too much, I have two very dear friends who are really struggling this week, it's at times like this that I feel so helpless, unable to find real words of comfort and support that I would desperately like to give.To those friends and all the others I know that are dealing with this terrible disease, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lastly, I had a blood test this week, no results as yet, just fortnightly check ups, I think , although things change. I have a CT scan next Tuesday, no letter as yet about a blood transfusion. That again was pointed out to me that if I could play badminton, maybe I didn't need a transfusion?.
Took this picture today at our parish Lent lunch, was trying to get Dan to smile without realising Jack was trying to look equally sullen, what a pair. They also tried to tell me that my paying for lunch was an early Mother's day 'gift'. So how does that work? BOYS
Tuesday 6 March 2018
Tuesday 6th March 2018
I know it's about time I updated the blog, what with being away at the weekend and all, but I've not been too well today, and I'm sat here at the computer with much to tell you, but no words flowing.
I will however write more later this week and fill in the gaps- the weekend was very busy but very good.
And I am feeling much better this evening, if a little tired.
I will however write more later this week and fill in the gaps- the weekend was very busy but very good.
And I am feeling much better this evening, if a little tired.
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