Down to Zero

I’ve been weaning off the dexamethasone steroids slowly but surely over the last few months from eight milligrams daily. Today is the first day that I’ve not taken any steroids since the middle of December. For the last three weeks, I’ve been on just half a milligram a day. I hope that the removal of this low dose of steroids from my daily regime will not have any adverse effects.

Birthdays: Past, Present and Future

Before Graeme died, birthdays were always special in our house. I know some people have never made much of birthdays but we did. I remember excitedly opening presents and cards on my birthday (who doesn’t like presents?). I also remember the excitement of choosing presents for my family for their birthdays from an early age (before I had any money of my own), particularly for my brother. We both had summer birthdays and our garden was big. Birthdays when we were little, weather permitting, involved friends and family gathering in our garden and we had paddling pools, sack races and other fun and games!

All Over Me Like a Rash

So I’m ok…but Drama Queen has struck again. I was itchy all over my body yesterday from the moment I woke up (before I put on my make-up). I checked everywhere regularly and couldn’t see any spots/rashes. At about 2pm, I checked again and a little red pinprick rash had appeared on my tummy. G rang the chemo helpline

From Head Down to Heads Up!

I’ve had the roughest tablet-taking cycle so far, which thankfully finished yesterday. I have been feeling so nauseous with no appetite for most of this cycle. Over the last few days, I’ve had a fruit smoothie for breakfast and a little smoothie for tea and nothing else except water. When drinking water was making me gag, I knew that I really was in a sorry state. I have very little energy given how little I’ve eaten.

Last night, I was sick immediately after taking an anti-sickness tablet (isn’t it Ironic: I hadn’t even been feeling sick before I took the tablet!). It was immediately bile that came up, which was not surprising given that I’d barely eaten for a few days so there was nothing in my stomach.

Blah, Blah, Blah; Bleurgh, Bleurgh, Bleurgh

By coincidence, a friend had an appointment (not cancer-related) at the Freeman Hospital yesterday when Mam and I went to pick up my poison pills.* Even though we had different appointment times, we were finished at the same time so we met in the Coffee House at the hospital for a natter. I have done more socialising in various hospitals over the last nine and a half months than anywhere else! The company was great and we had a lovely catch up, but the coffee wasn’t as good as it is at, say, Coffee on the Quayside.

I took my tablets while at the Coffee House

Hats Off and Gloves On

Leo’s high temperature has disappeared without triggering a seizure during its unwelcome stay, which is a mighty relief. Meanwhile, his multitude of chicken pox spots are apparently huge and troublesome on his legs in particular. The Silver Bird Dog said that Leo was so uncomfortable last night that he didn’t settle properly until 1.30am and only had about six hours sleep, which is about half of his usual 11/12 hours. Our poor little man and poor Silver Pigeon have been shattered today. Hopefully it’ll be a short sharp burst of the pox, Leo will not suffer too much in the meantime and they’ll be back here in a couple of days.

Going Viral!

The Quarantine House has opened its doors once again because Leo has gone viral for what seems like the millionth time in his short lifetime: he’s got Chicken Pox! My Cole boys are therefore cooped up once more with feeling. Leo woke up early this morning with a temperature and this afternoon the first spot appeared, followed fairly quickly by a dozen more.