Friday 5th October

Friday 5^th October

Another busy day of ‘highs and lows’- (more of the former!), culminating in an evening of fine wine and frolics, so a full blog and pictures to be posted tomorrow morning!!(Actually it is tomorrow now, but you’ll just have to wait!!!

Thursday 4th Ocober

Thursday 4^th October

After I read the JEP last night about all those people running in the Marathon, for so many excellent causes, I felt so bad that I had been unnecessarily moaning. There are so many things that I CAN do, and it’s that I need to focus on. 

So let’s delete yesterday and move on- sunny today and that’s such a mood lifter! 

Son no 2 visited St M School today and talked to the Nursery children about what it’s like being a fire fighter- I think they were quite impressed!

I managed a swim at the Merton today, not been for over two weeks, and I’ve missed it.

We had dog training again this evening- I’d like to think there is a little improvement! (For me not her!). 

Blood test again tomorrow- the ulcers are much improved so guess the antibiotics are doing as they are supposed to!

"The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog."

 Ambrose Bierce

Wednesday 3rd October

Wednesday 3^rd October

Results of blood test- good news or bad news first? 

Good news is the haemoglobin is up to 10.6- highest it’s been since the end of May, also the clotting platelets are up to 68, another plus. BUT, the white cells are hovering at 1.5 (borderline I believe) and guess what I’m Neutropenic AGAIN- 0.35- the lowest I have EVER been.

I have not have Chemo since 12^th September, how is this possible?? 

I am back on the antibiotics (sure they make me depressed!) and back to the hospital Friday for yes, you’ve guessed it a blood test!!!!!

My daughter and I had to go into town after this news for a bit of retail therapy, I am trying to be ‘matter of fact’ about it all- but I am getting FED UP!!(and thinking- is there more to it? have they missed something?)

19^th April I had my first Chemo- we are now into October, will it never end……..?

Ok, enough ranting- deep breath and let’s move on! 

I vented most of my anger in a great game of tennis inside at les Ormes- very enjoyable (Pah, neutrophils I spit on you!!!)(sorry that's a younger brother 'joke'!)

ALSO the family have gobbled up a very tasty bean crock (courtesy of AH), complete with french bread to mop up the gravy- and, did I mention a large chocolate cake for pudding?! Ha, you're all jealous I can tell!!

That all made me feel better- and of course the waggy tailed dog greeting me when I got home-bless her.

I took these photos yesterday- feel free to add your own captions! 

“If I were to say, ”God, why me?” about the bad things, then I should have said, ”God, why me?” about the good things that happened in my life”.
Arthur Ashe

Tuesday 2nd October

Tuesday 2^nd October

I set off on my bike today to my Zumba class at maufant, (still on an adrenaline buzz from last night!). 

Now it’s widely acknowledged that there are no ‘hills’ as such in Jersey, I would dispute that, I had to cycle up at least two of them on the way. Ok, so some people may call them ‘slopes’ but I know differently, however the ‘whizzing down’ bit is fun. Even though I had a near disaster with my shoelace and the sprocket/cog on the bike! 

I took the scenic route on the way home, paying little attention to the ‘Bradley Wiggins’ chap who raced past me, as I was busy taking scant notice myself of the SLOW signs on the road. I wish I could stand up on the pedals like I used to in my youth, wobbling and weaving as you go up hill- still you never know, I’ll keep practicing!!

Lucky to be ‘invited’ to lunch at the village tea room- (ok, so I gate crashed), great food and good company with Jdlh and HH.

Decided that Jessie needed a ‘proper walk’ so went to Les Platons and I can tell you that there was more ‘up’ than ‘down’!! (Fairly  obvious!) Afterwards I included a visit to M & S, to top up on dwindling supplies for the fridge/cupboard before coming home for a cup tea and a well-earned rest.

Tried to play tennis this evening but after threatening rain all day it decided to start just as we began, so that was a wash out!

Ct scan appointment on Monday afternoon at 3.15pm, and another blood test booked for 10.30am tomorrow; hope that it’s a positive result from the recent transfusion.

“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.”

Ernest Hemingway

Monday 1st October

Monday 1^st October

I was sorely tempted to rouse my daughter this morning with a ‘pinch, punch’ but knew she’d have a meltdown, so I wrote it down and stuck it on her door- which is just as good as actually ‘getting her’ anyway, even if she says it doesn’t count!! And in answer to the question you’re all asking- yes I do need to get out more!!

Looks like we are in for a week of ‘wet dog’ walks- trouble is she is getting a little large now for plonking in the sink to wash the mud and/or sand off when we come back… Wish I could take a photo but I am too busy grappling with ‘said’ dog and towels!

Had one visitor this afternoon- good to spend time with SC- ( the quote is for everyone who knows me and for all those far to numerous to mention for their continuing support)

FYI I have been taking it easy, only dog walks and cooking/cleaning washing etc (actually that’s not easy it’s bloomin’ hard work!) So……because I have been exceptionally well behaved I took myself off to badminton tonight and played 4 matches!!

IT WAS BRILLIANT!!!!

 Forgot my ulcers hurt, and the fact I was ‘ill’, it was MAGIC, and so nice to see my badminton colleagues. It’s a new format of play for a league night, so I had different partners (nobody had to ‘put up ’with me all night- luckily!)

“There comes a point in your life when you realise who really matters, who never did, and who always will.”

- Unknown