Back to Reality

After an amazing trip away, it was back to reality with a bang on Tuesday.  We headed back to London for what we thought was just the drug for my back but ended up being another chemo session :(

We thought they would wait until after the gamma knife treatment next week but they decided to go ahead with it this week and then schedule my next one for March 19th to give me a couple of weeks to get over the gamma knife.  I have been feeling a bit fluey and shivery since Tuesday and had a rough night last night but thankfully nothing like it was 2 weeks ago!!  Just taking it easy at the moment and waiting for the symptoms to ease off...

Trip to Switzerland

We had a fabulous time away in Switzerland!!  Despite being very sick for the first 4 or 5 days, it was lovely to spend time with Paul, Pami, Alisha, Luana & Celina and we had some really good times together : )  I wasn't up to skiing but it was great to be up in the mountains anyway and enjoy the amazing scenery.....we even managed to sunbathe (in our ski gear)!!

Here are a few photos.....

Hello From Switzerland

No prizes for guessing that we made it to Switzerland and are delighted to be staying with Paul, Pämi, Alisha, Luana and Celina!

Healthwise, it hasn't been a memorable few days following Sharon's chemo on Tuesday, but it worked out that she was well enough on Wednesday to make the journey. Since then, things have been a struggle energy wise, and significantly more so than was the case last week. However, rest is the very much the order of the day and we have been very well looked after!

Right now, Sharon has woken up feeling much better than last night so is picking up.

Our plan is to all head away together to another part of Switzerland for the next few days. As we will be away from internet access, I don't expect the blog will get updated for a few days, but am hoping that we will have lots of photos to share next time.

Pancake Tuesday

We were back in London first thing this morning for the second part of my chemotherapy.  We got a chance to speak to the doctors about the scans and some of the side effects of treatment but thankfully we had no issues with scalp cooling today!  It was tough but so much easier than the last day - they kept a really close eye on my body temperature, wrapped me up in blankets & heat pads and made me take lots of hot drinks....any excuse for plenty of coffee!! 

After a very hard day of driving, mentoring and supporting me at the hospital, Dave was back to work in the kitchen this evening....making pancakes!! 

And he did a pretty good job on the clean up afterwards too!! 

If I feel well enough, we're hoping to get to visit our friends in Switzerland tomorrow.  It is really close to finishing chemo but we booked the trip back in December when I was doing well and we really don't want it to miss the chance to see them.  We're packed and ready to go but we'll make the call in the morning.....

Lazy Days

It's been a lazy few days since my treatment on Tuesday - I haven't felt like doing much and haven't been out very much....which is very unlike me!! I've been feeling a bit cold and shivery (and it has been freezing out there!) so I've been staying indoors a lot. But the good news is that I'm feeling much better today and my neck is getting better too.

Dave's been cheering me up by baking - here's a photo of his delicious lemon muffins!! (or what's left of them)

Positive News

I don't feel brave or amazing but very touched by Dave's update on Tuesday :)  I really struggled with the scalp cooling, even before they had to switch the machine off but am very thankful for the quick reactions of the nursing staff.

The doctor phoned yesterday with the scan results and the great news is that the neck pain I've been having isn't cancer related.  He thinks it could be to do with narrowing of the bones and recommended painkillers. However, we'll speak to him properly when we go to the hospital next week, if I'm still in pain. It's been getting better and worse at different times of the day / night but right now it feels much better :)

Another piece of good news is that I've had no major reactions so far to the chemotherapy.  The biggest issue with this one is risk of infection so I've had injections over the past 2 days to increase my white blood cells.  As far as sickness is concerned, I didn't need to take any anti-sickness medication and have been feeling good, so far! 

My Brave & Amazing Wife

Sharon had the first dose of the new course of chemotherapy today.  As this particular drug involves a risk of hair loss, she was given the option of facing her old nemesis.......

She took the decision to give it a go, despite very painful memories of wearing this ice cap a few years ago during her initial chemo treatment.

As a helpless observer, I'm absolutely in awe of anyone who can tolerate this pain whilst simultaneously receiving a drug into your body which is powerful in it's own right.

Following the completion of the chemo drip, the cap was to remain in place for a further hour. Unfortunately, Sharon's core body temperature dropped quite a bit and a decision was made to switch the cooling machine off 30 minutes before completion.  Thankfully, she picked up again but it gave us both a bit of a fright.  Happy to report, she is absolutely right as rain again now.  As always, we are grateful to the incredible nurses who look after her and certainly earned their money today.

No update as yet on the neck scan and we await a call from the hospital in the coming days.

Thank You again to everyone who has read this out of concern, or sent texts or prayed.