The Alien Within: 28 – Second Chemo Done!
Girlie Nights & Bubbles…
Jilly was entertaining last night, her annual girlie night in at our place!
She has known the girls for many years and they generally meet once a month at each of their houses and some of the fine eateries in Stevenage; if that is not a contradiction? Because we are quite a trek for them, North on the A1on a Friday evening is not my idea of a fun night out, they do not visit us so often but, having put them off last month, which would have been the normal time, because of our recent news, Jill insisted they do make the effort before the Summer runs out.
So, here they came and, I have to say, they are a lovely group of ladies and insisted on talking to me about our current challenges and general well being. I even received a great parcel of gifts from Maggie, all Ginger flavour oriented, well except for the can of Guiness kindly donated by Jim, her husband! Mags & Jim were the witnesses at our wedding a decade or so ago…
Anyway, the main reason for writing about this girlie night is twofold, it explains the rather late blog entry for today (actually yesterday now!) as it ended up being a rather late night and very late rising this morning. So time ran out!
Secondly, being social, I decided to join the girls in a glass of bubbles, although strictly speaking I should not be partaking during my treatments. And to my shock and horror, the good quality stuff tasted flat and of nothing, confirming my taste buds are shot from the Chemotherapy cocktail! Bad, but good for the no-alcohol discipline I suppose…
Today was my second ‘Pump Off’ day and started with me being incredibly early, having not checked the time of my appointment. A good chance for a very relaxed and enjoyable Flat White and leisurely brunch, before strolling round to the Day Unit.
The actual procedure was smooth and easy, even with the addition of the push booster of yet another Chemo drug and a change of PICC dressing. The Day Unit was very busy though and the nursing staff do a truly incredible job of staying on top of their responsibilities and looking after us all – they are the true stars of our NHS and are, in my opinion, totally undervalued by all who are fortunate enough not to have to rely on their efforts.
I was in and out in a couple of hours this time, rather than double that of last time, job done!
Generally, it was a good day, and a very good night too, with just the lingering tingly numbness in my finger tips, the taste buds not doing their job and the usual nerve jangling through the day, due to the steroid actions, but I am getting used to that now.
Tomorrow will be the last day of steroids, for a couple of weeks, so the slump should begin…
NEXT: Week 4 – Day 6