Birthday Treats

Lots of Birthday treats today & yesterday!!

Banana Pancakes for breakfast.....

2 very special deliveries of flowers, afternoon tea with Dave & Andrea, lots of amazing presents, cards, texts, emails, calls and a fabulous birthday cake.... I was truly spoiled!!

Thank You SO much to everyone for your incredible thoughtfulness, generosity and best wishes today :)

Amazing Flowers & Birthday balloon from Heather, Tommy, Lauren, Isabel & Leah

Stunning Sunflowers & Roses from Ann & Alan

Marilyn's delicious homemade Carrot Cake!

Birthday meal

Visitors from Bath

We had some special visitors from Bath (and Swindon) yesterday!

Terry, Geraldine & Isaac

It was so lovely to see Terry, Geraldine & Isaac yesterday morning.... Isaac and I had a great time playing with his newly found space ship (a life size cardboard box!), which kept him entertained for hours!! And also doubled up as a bed when he got tired of flying to Mars, Mercury & Pluto :)

Space Travel is tiring work!

We had a great evening with Ashley & Nicky too - Thank you so much for the lovely meal and catch up :)

Lovely Surprise!!

I got a lovely surprise yesterday afternoon when a fabulous bouquet of flowers turned up at the door from my Aunt & Uncle in Northern Ireland.  Thank you SO much to Leslie, Grace, Eric, Karen & families :)  What stunning flowers!!

I'm continuing to improve day by day and each day my leg seems to feel slightly stronger.  Today when I woke up my foot felt less numb so I've been able to walk a little bit easier and with less of a limp.  Hoping that this progress continues and I can soon walk without a stick.

I had a visit from the local Occupational Therapist today and she gave me a new stick and looked at other aids I might need around the home (hopefully just a short term thing!).  She's also going to refer me to the Physio team in Swindon to have ongoing treatment at their centre.

Out & About

Today was a lovely day - Mary called round for a coffee this morning & I really enjoyed catching up with her :)   I went to get my hair cut which was a lovely treat and then went out and about in the beautiful sunshine this afternoon & walked around some shops with Dave.  

It's the busiest day I've had in over 2 weeks so it felt really good to be out and about!  I did feel like a 90 year old hobbling about with my VERY un-trendy walking stick! but it was good to feel like I was making progress :) 

Another One Down :)

An early start this morning as we were back to the hospital in London for chemo at 8:30...seems like we're constantly there at the moment!  We normally go on Tuesdays but it was full this week so I was scheduled for Monday instead and we found that Mondays are surprisingly much quieter and calmer than the usual chaos on a Tuesday :)   All went well and we got back to Swindon by mid afternoon so I've just been resting up since then.

Great news is that Gordon has come through his surgery well and is stable & we continue to pray that he will have a good night and a quick & steady recovery over the next few days and weeks.

Special Friends

We are praying for our dear friends Gordon & Ruth Smyth today as Gordon faces heart surgery tomorrow.  Gordon & Ruth have been a huge encouragement to us over the past number of years and have prayed for us every day, faithfully follow the blog & encourage us with love and support. Please be assured of our constant love and prayers for you at this difficult time.  

Pictured with Gordon & Ruth last Christmas

As for me, I've been doing well since leaving hospital.  I haven't been in pain but still have a lot of numbness in my right leg and am not very mobile as yet.  I do feel that I'm getting stronger day by day and the physio exercises (below) are helping.  Progress is slow but I need to be patient and not overdo it... my achievement today was to be able to get up and down the stairs without a stick! 

It was lovely to be able to get out yesterday & sit in the garden in the amazing sunshine!!  It's great to see spring at last.....just two weeks ago I was wearing a fur coat! 

First Day Home

Just a quick update for today to let you know Sharon is doing OK on her first day home.

We had a meeting with a local nurse to discuss occupational therapy issues and also ensure the local team here in Swindon are up to speed on her latest health situation.

Looking forward to a restful weekend before heading back to the Marsden on Monday morning for the chemo that was delayed due to the recent hospital stay.

Freedom!

I was released from hospital this afternoon at last & settling back in Swindon now! It's great to be out and see what the outside world looks like!! I know it will take a while to get back to normal but it's good to take the first step.

I just can't say enough about the incredible care I got while I was in hospital, I have never experienced anything like it. Every single staff member we met was simply outstanding; consultants, registrars, doctors, nurses, health care assistants, physios, OTs, catering staff, cleaning staff, porters... absolutely amazing. Thank you to everyone of you!

And a huge thank you to all our family & friends for your incredible love & support to us over the past 10 days, for all your prayers, cards, texts, emails, calls, visits & messages of support. We are truly blessed!

Visit from the Monkey Man!

 

I've been told I'm low in potassium and have been taking suppliments for the last few days, so under doctors orders we sent the monkey man on a mission to gather bananas this morning......which he did in style :-)

 

I had an even more special visit last night from Mary, who travelled up from Swindon to see me! We had a lovely time catching up and I so appreciate the effort she made to come. Thank You so much Mary!

 

Catching up with Mary :-)

 

My incredible husband, as always by my side!

 

Great news this afternoon is that nothing new showed up on my brain scan and the tumours seem to have shrunk from the last scan. They are sending the images to the Cromwell tomorrow morning (where I was treated from Gamma Knife) to double check but they don't think any further treatment is required at this stage.

 

I had my last radiotherapy this morning so I'm due to be discharged tomorrow morning at last!! They have been amazing here & I have been given the most incredible care but very much looking forward to going home :-)

 

The plan is to continue my chemotherapy from next Monday but in the meanwhile look forward to the break over the weekend!

Today's Escapades

 

It was really special to get to see Ralph yesterday evening as he's in London for work for a few days (sorry we didn't get a photo). Thank You so much for coming and for the flowers and a very special Thank You to Kalena for the beautiful card you made - your colourful drawings really brightened my day :-)

 

Hospital food? Today's lunch was Sirloin steak, tomato & grilled mushrooms! I'm definitely not going hungry in here and the food has been fabulous!

 

I am feeling stronger day by day & able to walk a bit more but it's still baby steps. I saw the occupational therapist this morning, sat out in the garden for a little while and this afternoon I've had radiotherapy and another brain MRI so it's been a busy day!

I just have one more radiotherapy session tomorrow and then I'm hoping they'll let me out on Thursday :-)

It's Me Again!

Deputy blog writer has been given a night off & I'm back to give you updates myself :-)

Thank you so much to my amazing hubby who has been keeping everyone continuously updated via blog, email, text, phone etc As always he has been the most incredible support to me and has hardly left my side for the last week - he continues to amaze me with his unconditional love & selfless care, especially at times like this.

I'm feeling good today, my pain has been really well controlled over the last few days and my leg feels stronger day by day. I've been practicing walking down the corridors & steps (with the aid of a stick) but it seems to be getting there slowly! It's hard to be believe that just over a week ago I was walking 2 miles and now struggle with a few meters! But the whole team here have been incredible, they got to the bottom of things very quickly & started treatment almost immediately.

It was so lovely to see so many people over the last few days. I was totally blown away to see Andrew & Orla walk through the door on Sat morning!! We had a very special weekend with them & I'm so thankful for the effort they made to come over!

 

It was great to see Russell, Katharine & Lowena yesterday afternoon & Lowena made a beautiful daffodil drawing with the Daffodowndilly poem...along with some beautiful dafs to go with the tulips Andrew & Orla brought. It really feels like Spring here now & the sun shines in my bedroom window first thing every morning :-)

This afternoon Paul came to visit and we had a very special time with him too. Thank you to everyone who sent cards & asked him to pass on their best wishes - once again we are humbled by the love, support & prayers from all our church friends in Swindon.

We just can't say Thank You enough to everyone who supports us in so many ways as we go through this rollercoaster journey, especially when the rollercoaster is heading downward... Just looking forward to travelling up the other side!!

Bring Me Sunshine

Another special day with dear family and friends. Andrew & Orla spent a second day with us before flying home late this evening. We took the opportunity for Sharon to leave the hospital for the first time in a week and venture across the road to sit in the sunshine and enjoy some fresh air.

We also had a visit from Russell, Katharine and Lowena and enjoyed a special time together. Thank You for making such an effort to pop in.

Healthwise, obviously some more walking today in between wheeled around. Other than first thing this morning, pain levels have also been very manageable. Back to radiotherapy tomorrow!

Both Sharon and I have received texts, emails and phone calls.... Sorry if we haven't replied yet. Thank You for your encouragement, love and support.

It's the end of a tough week, and looking back we are thankful to God for holding onto us in the middle of this situation and continue to trust Him for whatever the future may bring.

 

Surprise!!!

Look who walked through the door this morning! Pictured above with Sharon are Andrew and Orla (her brother and sister-in-law), who flew over from Cork especially to be with her this weekend. Thank You guys....this is really special!

Healthwise, legs are slightly more strengthened, and not been in any significant pain & she was able to go for a good walk down the corridors. Praying that this trend will continue.

Brighter Days

I'm pleased to kick-off this post with some better news, and that is that Sharon had a more comfortable night.  It was the first night that she was on a specific nerve type pain medication, and certainly appears to have helped.

The second radiotherapy session took place this morning and unlike yesterday, she did not feel sick afterwards.  It was then straight into a session with the physio going for a walk down the corridor.  All in all, a brighter day after a few less bright days :-)

Sharon has specifically asked me to mention the unbelievable level of care she has received.  Doctors, pharmacists, nurses, caterers, cleaners, people are falling over themselves to deliver an amazing experience in what isn't a place we really want to be.

Thank You to the staff here at the Royal Marsden!

Small Steps

Small steps because today, Sharon was taken for a walk (assisted by two physios and an anxious husband) to get used to walking with a stick.  She did really well.  To be blunt, it is still hard to believe that even on Saturday, I was struggling to keep up with Sharon on a walk that we did around Bristol and here we are a few days later in a vastly different situation.

Another uncomfortable night last night, but she is being given a nerve specific painkiller tonight so we are hoping this will move her forward in terms of pain relief.  Seems to be night time that is the worst.

Radiotherapy started today as well.  Feeling slightly sick afterwards, but picking up already.  Sharon will be kept in hospital until at least next Wednesday, the idea being they can monitor pain levels over a longer period and try and figure out how best to sort it.

I realise this isn't the most cheery blog post ever, but God-willing, things will start to pick up soon.

Latest News

Sharon had an uncomfortable night with pain spreading up from her right thigh to a low point in her back.  Thankfully after some strong pain relief this was brought under control.  In terms of strength in her legs she is slightly improved to yesterday and has been given a stick to aid with walking.

Radiotherapy planning has been done today taking further scans of the spinal area.  Two areas will be treated, her lower back and also around her neck where she has had some discomfort the past couple of months.  Treatment will start tomorrow with daily sessions for a total of 5 days.  She remains an in-patient at the hospital for the time being.

Once again, Thank You for all your prayers and support.  We continue to be amazed by the love shown to us.

Tough Weekend

Unfortunately, Sharon wasn't feeling so great especially during the latter half of the weekend.  She has been experiencing quite a level of numbness in her legs (especially her right leg).  In general, just been feeling quite weak overall and sleeping lots..... She has spent Monday night in The Royal Marsden in London and will have an MRI scan first thing in the morning.

Will provide an update once we know more.

**UPDATE**

The scan shows that there is a new tumour on the spinal chord membrane in Sharon's lower back. The doctor believes it is pressing down on nerves leading to her legs.  This explains the problems she has had the past couple of days.

The plan as we understand it is to treat straightaway with radiotherapy.  We have just spoken with a radiotherapist who will check with her superior tomorrow that this is the plan.

Sharon is feeling an improvement compared to last night (probably due to steroids reducing swelling), although still is very unsteady on her feet.

Thank You for texts and messages that she has received, and for the many people who are praying about this situation.

Happy Easter

Horsley Towers

Belated Happy Easter!  Hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend and enjoyed time with your families.    

We had a lovely day at Dave's Aunts house on Easter Sunday and then went away to Surrey for a couple of days break. We stayed at a lovely hotel near Guildford next to a historic mansion called Horsley Towers.  There were beautiful grounds to walk around and explore - although it was a bit too cold most of the time!!  Really nice to see that the sun has started to shine now and it feels more like Spring....just need a few more degrees!!

Healthwise I've been doing better since Saturday and have felt stronger & had more energy.  Just looking forward to enjoying the next few days until I need to go back for my next chemo on the 9th.

The Cloisters

Sitting by the lake in the Spring sunshine

Sunset over the lake

Grounds of Horsley Park

P.S.  It probably goes without saying but just wanted to clarify that practically all photos shown on my blog (including these amazing ones from this week) are courtesy of my talented photographer husband!