After sitting in a waiting room for an hour and a half we finally got to see a consultant. I believe this is done deliberately to strengthen your mental stamina. You can push yourself further by browsing (reading is too stronger word) comics like Take A Break or Chat. The latter had a nice double spread on a man who organised his own Viking funeral pyre in his own diy fashion. The pictures were poor quality- a shame but was a good effort nonetheless. I plumbed for an old copy of Grafik I had in my bag. It’s a pretentious graphics mag which tries to excite with mention of fluoro inks and words like ‘infuse’. I’m sucked in, well for a few minutes anyway. This was a routine appointment just to see if Nicola felt alright and if she had any questions. It was over in moments – with a yes and a no. Nic also had a blood sample taken to ensure her white blood cell count was ok for chemo tomorrow. Back tomorrow and not an easy task. Here’s a pic of a man who knows about FEC. For some he’s aspirational.
Archive for September, 2008
Nicola now has no hair. It’s all disappeared in under a week. She remains well spirited though. As Mr O’Riley says in Fawlty Towels ‘I do like a woman with spirit!’. A perfect day for a hat though. We have an appointment with the consultant this afternoon. It was only a few days ago we were running around Cliveden. Here’s another picture to remind (or confirm) it was just so. Thanks to Catherine yesterday for sporting the wedding hat, a brilliant ploy. We loved it.
We’ve enjoyed our weekend which was mainly boosted by the weather. However, Nicola is now rapidly losing hair. This was predicted, and something we need to accept. It is still a very strange experience though. The week ahead will be a tough one which is why we made the most of the last few days. I believe the ‘Sex In The City’ evening on Friday went well, I haven’t asked and don’t intend to. There’s a tale about Jane pouring drink from a shoe which we’ll not mention. On Saturday, Nic’s parents treated us to a pub lunch and on Sunday we spent the afternoon at Cliveden with the usual suspects. The main debate at the picnic area revolved around whether homemade muesli or cake was best for breakfast.
Nic’s next FEC chemotherapy session is this Wednesday. She still feels fine. I’m amazed. Let’s hope she isn’t too ill this time either.
There are many highly original names for hairdressing salons such as ‘Wavelengths’, ‘Headlines’, ‘Crowning Glory’, ‘Curl Up & Dye’, ‘Mane Attraction’, ‘Talking Heads’, ‘Shear Success’, ‘Way Ahead’. Nic has had a radical haircut as unfortunately we face the inevitable. In this final week, before the next chemo session, Nic is keeping busy. Tonight she ventures out to the flix to see ‘Then She Found Me’. The reviews are quite positive, take this from The Times ‘…After some laboured attempts at Nora Ephron-style comedy, the film bottoms out as a schmaltzy tale of one woman’s stoicism. Making this all the harder to take is a jarring cameo from Salman Rushdie.’ Good luck girls.
We missed out on the party but loved the pic. When Katy said she had a model husband, I looked up the word model in the dictionary. It said ‘a representation, generally in miniature, to show the appearance of something’. How right they were!
We had a remarkably good weekend. Nic is in a very good way. The tumour seems to have demised significantly but we’re not believing anything during this journey. Yesterday, after being helped out by my Big Sis we raced to Grey’s Court for the Apple Fair. We sat out in the sunshine for an hour or so whilst children ran around with balloons. We bumped into Sarah, Phil and the girls. It was good. We were just too tired to make it to Ken & Katy’s party. Ah well, the uniform will have to go back in the cupboard ’til next time
Today we walked by the river at Hambleden Lock to The Flowerpot with the Suttons and Collins. Rich’s iphone is getting brilliantly ridiculous with his never ending supply of amazing apps. Hopefully our week will be near normal, but I’m after some walking buddies please. Somebody also needs to take Nic to the cinema! Email the usual address, thanks.
Our boy decided to upstage his Mum on Thursday night by having severe breathing difficulties. The party got under way with a paramedic and an ambulance crew. I then accompanied him in the back of an ambulance to A&E. Before we knew it, we were up in the children’s ward for the night. He eventually went to sleep at 1:30am. I asked the staff if the bar was still open. Well, at least I got a cuppa but not much sleep. He had a viral infection which caused his airways to be under strain and his temperature had spiraled. As ever, the staff were first rate. He was monitored through Friday, Mum turned up at midday to give me a breather. He was discharged at 5pm after he managed a few chips (although Nic was quite light fingered). He’s ok now, we’ve had to use his inhaler every four hours including the wee small ones. The whole episode has left us shattered. Let’s hope we can recover quickly.
You know when you need help when both of you are watching Steven Seagal on the Bio Channel. Amazing hair! Nic has been regaining her strength from day to day. On Monday she had Walking Buddy Ross who took her into Marlow for a walk by the river. Ross is a drummer so knows nothing about music. We owe so much to so many. Thanks to Julia for feeding the lowly, and looking after offspring (again), and Anne (again) for being a minder. Oh, and Ange for the gift. Good luck at the do in Ireland. Some of you may have seen Nic walking with Es and Rube yesterday and today but she was pretty whacked afterward. Yesterday she had her line cleaned by the district nurse who managed to make her arm more comfortable.
We’re still waiting for all those promised photos to put in prime place on the blog so when you’re ready ladies and gents. Here’s a picture of a scampiburger for Matt.
Nic dozed and rested over most of the weekend. This was helped enormously by both of us being relieved from parental duties by Anne & Dom on Saturday and Sunday. Thank you so much. Also thanks go to Sarah, Phil, Julia and Dennis. Thanks also go to Armadeep for ‘The Larry David Sandwich’ – a very very good weekend snack.
Nic is still tired but coping extremely well some four days post-chemo session one. Yesterday and today are allegedly the worst days for side effects, and we do hope so. Yesterday was a whirlwind to me, we had so many phone calls and well wishers plus ‘the ferrying’. Honours go to Sam G for the well received impromptu, Liz and The Tooth Fairy, Katy ‘Let’s Get Ready To Tumble’ Greene, Catherine (again!) and Sarah for the cheesecake. Ok, just Sarah for the cheesecake, scrub the rest.
I put a few snaps in the ‘My Fotos’ section for the curious. Your suspicions will be confirmed. I hope you’re all enjoying the sunshine.
