Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue......

Firstly, my apologies for not updating this blog, I have been unbelievably tired, and the days seem to race by, but I get very little done, or so it seems.

Monday I had the district nurse to administer my IV antibiotics, do my Sats, etc, then the lymph lady from Hospice arrived to try and relieve some of the pressure from my swollen legs, which was tricky, as it's not just lymph and you don't want to make it worse.

My lovely beautician ( who doesn't work Mondays, or do home visits) came especially to paint my toe nails ( difficult with fat feet, but so kind of her), ready for the wedding obviously.

My Nephew who had arrived that day kindly picked me up and took me to hospital, where I had an appointment with haematology, Tom met me at the hospital and took charge of the portable oxygen, and managed to negotiate corridors and lifts with out either of us becoming separated or entangled.

Up on EAU again to see if it was possible that the lung had drained enough to have the pleurodesis, (talc), but no I was still making far too much liquid. Tom left, Bex took over oxygen/mum sitting duties. Its now late afternoon.

Arriving back home I was tired, and had a brief rest, but really wanted a paddle, so Steve took the dogs down through the woods to the beach and Bex and I drove down to St Catherines and we met up with my sister-in -law and niece.

As you can see the legs are terrible but the water was lovely, however I don't have a lot of sensitivity in them and think I stayed in too long.

Subsequently when I got back home, I was so tired I fell asleep, and then got quite cold, and didnt feel at all well. 

Tuesday morning, district nurse as usual, and then Sue picked me up and we went off for chemo, and once again the port was refusing to work. It took the best part of an hour, with the experienced nurse using every trick in the book. Finally we had enough blood to fill a few test tubes to see if I could actually go ahead and have the Taxol. Luckily with the help of the previous weeks blood transfusions, and all other white cells/neutrophils playing the game(amazingly) we were good to go. 

Three hours later we leave the hospital, initially I am quite chatty and bright, but by the time the steroids wear off I crash. Slept all evening, and quite a lot in the night too.  

Wednesday morning, district nurse ( get the pattern? usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour). Shelagh kindly picks me up afterwards and takes me to the hairdresser, where I just have my limp curls washed, makes me feel a whole lot better. Showering/bathing is a real issue as I cant get the drain or the port wet, plus the logistics of heaving two fat dead legs into the shower and out requires massive effort, takes me ages and is tiring. 

My nephew Alex and Ruth arrive home with my little bro Tim and his wife Janet, they've had a good flight over and a nice fish meal lunch at Falkners fisheries (alright for some).

Once again I have to retire to my day bed, and after a chat with the Hospice Community Nurse, I sleep the afternoon away. 

I do manage to watch tennis on TV and a little of the football. Lets leave that sentence there. 

This morning the nurse is early as I have to be in hospital at 11am to see Dr PS and hopefully have the 'talc'. I cannot take my painkillers (anti inflammatories ) the ones stopping the drain pain, as the idea is we want the lung to become inflamed and 'absorb' the talc.

I can carry on with morphine, and methadone and paracetamol... told you I was a 'junkie'. 

There was STILL fluid accumulating in the lung, we aspirated, I took up various positions to swish the liquid near the drain (not entirely pain free) to try and empty it as much as possible, and finally after double checking the ultra sound we decided to go for it. 

Talc was administered , and then after ten minutes or so I had to move around, the idea being to coat the lung as much as possible. With no painkillers I was terrified of coughing, remembering the pain I had previously.  

Tentatively we left EAU to go to Oncology as my port covering plaster needed to be replaced and I had to book in for a blood test tomorrow (Friday ). They were busy, but did manage to fit me in, and then Steve and I went down to the cafe for a late lunch.

Back on EAU and new drain bag fitted, which I keep in until tomorrow morning. All well so far. We come home 3pm. My big bro Pete and his wife Donnas have arrived. I chat a bit and then once again retire for a sleep/ non talking/ moving time. 

Mostly pain free, except when I cough, or move too fast (unlikely). Hope I can get through the night, we've a big day tomorrow. All hands on deck the Marquee is up, tables need to be laid and plenty of flower arranging to do. Sister Sally and Jack arrive tomorrow and Betty is back too, so many hands make light work.