Monday, 10 May 2010
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Relaxing Weekend
Well it has been a relaxing weeked on the downward stroke to the next bout of chemo on Wednesday.
Friday saw the introduction of SKY HD multi-room to the Swordfish family to complement the blue ray home cinema and LED TV. Even I am gadgeted out now. I sort of won Kitten over to my entertainment infrastructure master plan when viewing Harry Potter in Surround Sound with the kids, though she finds it hard to admit. iPod hooked in too and tele is internet capable so "Teach" will be drooling!
I popped out on Friday night to Notoplip's football club end of season do. I usually go away for the end of season bash which takes place on FA Cup weekend (next weekend). It's always a riotous affair but I will have to give it a skip this year. The boys have had a good season.
Huffty moved up an age range group at football and was pleased with himself. He's football crazy and we took him to a football trading cards swap session on Saturday, whilst Boogle went to Werthers17's daughter's birthday party.
So all normal and fun stuff. The best was saved until last though. After spending a couple of hours getting the video toolbar working at the top of the page (I got the feeling that Kitten would have preferred to see me do something more useful), we went to Lance Corporal and Big Boss's house for Sunday Roast and to watch Chelsea stamp all over Manchester United's dreams of a 4th consecutive Premiership title. Well done the blues.
Chelsea's victory only just surpassed Lance Corporal's roasties (which were superb) and I demonstrated amply that chemotherapy need not dampen one's appetite; sorry there were no leftover roasties for you Big Boss.
It was good to catch up and the kids had fun too with their daughter who is the same age as Boogle.
Friday saw the introduction of SKY HD multi-room to the Swordfish family to complement the blue ray home cinema and LED TV. Even I am gadgeted out now. I sort of won Kitten over to my entertainment infrastructure master plan when viewing Harry Potter in Surround Sound with the kids, though she finds it hard to admit. iPod hooked in too and tele is internet capable so "Teach" will be drooling!
I popped out on Friday night to Notoplip's football club end of season do. I usually go away for the end of season bash which takes place on FA Cup weekend (next weekend). It's always a riotous affair but I will have to give it a skip this year. The boys have had a good season.
Huffty moved up an age range group at football and was pleased with himself. He's football crazy and we took him to a football trading cards swap session on Saturday, whilst Boogle went to Werthers17's daughter's birthday party.
So all normal and fun stuff. The best was saved until last though. After spending a couple of hours getting the video toolbar working at the top of the page (I got the feeling that Kitten would have preferred to see me do something more useful), we went to Lance Corporal and Big Boss's house for Sunday Roast and to watch Chelsea stamp all over Manchester United's dreams of a 4th consecutive Premiership title. Well done the blues.
Chelsea's victory only just surpassed Lance Corporal's roasties (which were superb) and I demonstrated amply that chemotherapy need not dampen one's appetite; sorry there were no leftover roasties for you Big Boss.
It was good to catch up and the kids had fun too with their daughter who is the same age as Boogle.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
At the Peak - Time to Descend
In the analogy of the beast climbing up the mountain track, I am now at the second peak and it is time to descend and drink from the lake again (which gives me an excuse to use that nice German man's photo again).
I am of course referring to my third cycle of chemotherapy, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
The image references the analogy as descending from the current peak (end of the second cycle) down to the lake to drink before continuing up the path to the next peak.
The beginning of the climb is always gruelling but then a rhythm sets in which masks the discomfort. Right now, I am in a good place with only mild tinnitus and a slightly irritating cough. I am in good shape and certainly better than Kitten who has a bad back to add to her list of ailments.
This week I have been a little apprehensive about the next cycle but now I feel good about it again. It is the last cycle before the operation and my desire to get the best out of it overrides the fear of being uncomfortable again.
I expect this to be the hardest mountain to climb but the reality for me so far is that the treatment has not really been that difficult. In terms of physical discomfort I would not say that I have suffered at any point in the process. The chemotherapy does not hold any fears for me whereas the thought of the operation does.
In the last week thoughts of the operation have started to drift in. That is what lays beyond the third peak and the dragon (tumour) must be slain. Hopefully, he will will be sufficiently weakened by the four wizards (Bevacizumab, Cisplatin, Epirubcin and Capecitabine). Hopefully the fifth wizard on the journey will have done its bit too. I refer of course to the wizard that everyone has at their disposal; their mind.
Outside the physical realm the mind is the most important tool that you have at your disposal and all I need for motivation is to look at my children and my family. The overwhelming support that I have recieved from everyone has been a fantastic aid too.
At every step of the way it has been pointed out to me that I am very young to have this particular cancer and that includes the reaction of the top man oncologist upon enquiry from Mr Thatcher. When Mr Thatcher asked about me whilst on a recent check up of his own the Professor shook his head and said "he is very young".
Being "very young" it is a "bit inconvenient" to be caught up in this malaise but it is also my best weapon in the process of healing which is absorbing the chemotherapy and in physical recovery from the operation.
I try and look only as far as the next obstacle but when the dragon is slain I think I will take a walk up the mountain that is Cadair Idris stand at the peak and then go for a pint afterwards. If anyone fancies making the trek with me then you have plenty of time to let me know.
Hopefully the sun will shine on that particular day.
I am of course referring to my third cycle of chemotherapy, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
The image references the analogy as descending from the current peak (end of the second cycle) down to the lake to drink before continuing up the path to the next peak.
The beginning of the climb is always gruelling but then a rhythm sets in which masks the discomfort. Right now, I am in a good place with only mild tinnitus and a slightly irritating cough. I am in good shape and certainly better than Kitten who has a bad back to add to her list of ailments.
This week I have been a little apprehensive about the next cycle but now I feel good about it again. It is the last cycle before the operation and my desire to get the best out of it overrides the fear of being uncomfortable again.
I expect this to be the hardest mountain to climb but the reality for me so far is that the treatment has not really been that difficult. In terms of physical discomfort I would not say that I have suffered at any point in the process. The chemotherapy does not hold any fears for me whereas the thought of the operation does.
In the last week thoughts of the operation have started to drift in. That is what lays beyond the third peak and the dragon (tumour) must be slain. Hopefully, he will will be sufficiently weakened by the four wizards (Bevacizumab, Cisplatin, Epirubcin and Capecitabine). Hopefully the fifth wizard on the journey will have done its bit too. I refer of course to the wizard that everyone has at their disposal; their mind.
Outside the physical realm the mind is the most important tool that you have at your disposal and all I need for motivation is to look at my children and my family. The overwhelming support that I have recieved from everyone has been a fantastic aid too.
At every step of the way it has been pointed out to me that I am very young to have this particular cancer and that includes the reaction of the top man oncologist upon enquiry from Mr Thatcher. When Mr Thatcher asked about me whilst on a recent check up of his own the Professor shook his head and said "he is very young".
Being "very young" it is a "bit inconvenient" to be caught up in this malaise but it is also my best weapon in the process of healing which is absorbing the chemotherapy and in physical recovery from the operation.
I try and look only as far as the next obstacle but when the dragon is slain I think I will take a walk up the mountain that is Cadair Idris stand at the peak and then go for a pint afterwards. If anyone fancies making the trek with me then you have plenty of time to let me know.
Hopefully the sun will shine on that particular day.
Friday, 7 May 2010
An Internet First - and Humility part II
There's a possible internet first at the foot of this message (a poetry recital by a lion), but first....
Earlier this week I waffled on about Humility and talked about it generally being assumed as being a manner that an individual conveys as opposed to as a feeling that one holds, which is how I see it.
Whilst I used the analogy of the sun and the lion being both arrogant and humble at the same time implicit in this is that humility involves the indvidual's acceptane of their own nature.
You wouldn't expect a lion to behave like a shrew or a meerkat to act like a cobra, so being humble doesn't necessarily imply being "quiet and unassuming", it means acceptane of your role and your current reality.
Acceptance of your nature is important but I oftentthink of the current reality as "the cards that you are holding in your hand at the moment". They are the magic you have at your disposal whether Aces and court cards or fours and fives.
The poem I published about "Lazy Leonine Ways" was in written form, but I thought a poem about leonine behaviour would be voiced better by a lion. So, here is an internet first
Earlier this week I waffled on about Humility and talked about it generally being assumed as being a manner that an individual conveys as opposed to as a feeling that one holds, which is how I see it.
Whilst I used the analogy of the sun and the lion being both arrogant and humble at the same time implicit in this is that humility involves the indvidual's acceptane of their own nature.
You wouldn't expect a lion to behave like a shrew or a meerkat to act like a cobra, so being humble doesn't necessarily imply being "quiet and unassuming", it means acceptane of your role and your current reality.
Acceptance of your nature is important but I oftentthink of the current reality as "the cards that you are holding in your hand at the moment". They are the magic you have at your disposal whether Aces and court cards or fours and fives.
The poem I published about "Lazy Leonine Ways" was in written form, but I thought a poem about leonine behaviour would be voiced better by a lion. So, here is an internet first
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Back and Forth
I mentioned yesterday that after a trip to the doctor's I called the Marsden to keep them in the loop. They wanted to see me so my day was spent going back and forth. Once for blood tests, back later to see the doctor, back for a prescription.
The blood levels were fine, which was the main reason for the check i.e. so that I don't delay my next tranche of chemotherapy.
The doctor agreed with my GP that my chest is clear, but elected to put me on antibiotics for seven days (as usual the Marsden leave nothing to chance). He described the Ciprofloxacin as having a "Domestos effect" (you know the slogan by now). The only problem I have is a cough that is keeping me (and Kitten) awake at night. There's no temperature and no loss of energy but the problem with chemotherapy is that something you would normally shake off easily just hangs around.
So, as usual with the Marsden, they leave nothing to chance.
Before I go to these appointments I draft a letter to the doctor I am seeing describing the issues and the positives that I have experienced since the last visit. It might seem a bit anal, but it focuses me so that I get the best out of their time. Also, because there is gap between having the blood tests and and meeting the doctor the information allows them to get a clear picture before we start talking.
This where the blog comes in handy for me. All the major issues are there in print and I can quickly build a picture of where I have come from. It is easy to forget what happened when so the blog acts as a good reference point for me as well as being a mechanism to reconcile my thoughts and feelings.
If it is ever assumed that I take my position lightly then perhaps it is clearer that I don't. I try and keep life as normal as possible and focus hard on the time I have with the professionals. I keep myself informed so that I can talk in their language. During the period of diagnosis I read up on the subject as I went through the process and that knowledge has proved to be very helpful. I have had to add little to that base of knowledge and have been able to relax and just get on with it.
Today the conversation was very informal. It was refereshing for me that the doctor made a point of saying thatt he was impressed with my approach and that he thought I was the right material to come through with flying colours. That sort of thing is confidence boosting because those sort of things are not normally vocalised.
The conversation also produced a little nugget regarding the forthcoming operation. I expressed my fear that the tumour, being long, might not shrink lengthwise leaving the operation a tricky one. His view was different. Whist he agreed that a long tumour means that more of the oesophagus might be taken out he voiced the opinion that short and stubby tumours in the area are more likely to spread across and make it difficult to find a "clean" approach to the surgery.
Meanwhile back at chez Kitten and Swordfish, Kitten is still unwell and still harbouring a bit of a temperature. An easy weekend should help sort her out, so will have to make sure that the diary stays light
Dr Swordfish is in the house, but has not been as helpful as he might have been due to the urgent and necessary construction of the surround sound system for front room. Sky HD arrives tomorrow and then, finally, we will be set up for the World Cup finals and my post operative slumber.
Did someone say that there was an election going on? It will be interesting to see whether the Lib Dems convert good poll showings into seats rather than gallant seconds. Whoever, gets the nod I have the feeling that they might wish they hadn't. Europe is collapsing around our ears, Greece, Portugal, Spain. Italy next?
The blood levels were fine, which was the main reason for the check i.e. so that I don't delay my next tranche of chemotherapy.
The doctor agreed with my GP that my chest is clear, but elected to put me on antibiotics for seven days (as usual the Marsden leave nothing to chance). He described the Ciprofloxacin as having a "Domestos effect" (you know the slogan by now). The only problem I have is a cough that is keeping me (and Kitten) awake at night. There's no temperature and no loss of energy but the problem with chemotherapy is that something you would normally shake off easily just hangs around.
So, as usual with the Marsden, they leave nothing to chance.
Before I go to these appointments I draft a letter to the doctor I am seeing describing the issues and the positives that I have experienced since the last visit. It might seem a bit anal, but it focuses me so that I get the best out of their time. Also, because there is gap between having the blood tests and and meeting the doctor the information allows them to get a clear picture before we start talking.
This where the blog comes in handy for me. All the major issues are there in print and I can quickly build a picture of where I have come from. It is easy to forget what happened when so the blog acts as a good reference point for me as well as being a mechanism to reconcile my thoughts and feelings.
If it is ever assumed that I take my position lightly then perhaps it is clearer that I don't. I try and keep life as normal as possible and focus hard on the time I have with the professionals. I keep myself informed so that I can talk in their language. During the period of diagnosis I read up on the subject as I went through the process and that knowledge has proved to be very helpful. I have had to add little to that base of knowledge and have been able to relax and just get on with it.
Today the conversation was very informal. It was refereshing for me that the doctor made a point of saying thatt he was impressed with my approach and that he thought I was the right material to come through with flying colours. That sort of thing is confidence boosting because those sort of things are not normally vocalised.
The conversation also produced a little nugget regarding the forthcoming operation. I expressed my fear that the tumour, being long, might not shrink lengthwise leaving the operation a tricky one. His view was different. Whist he agreed that a long tumour means that more of the oesophagus might be taken out he voiced the opinion that short and stubby tumours in the area are more likely to spread across and make it difficult to find a "clean" approach to the surgery.
Meanwhile back at chez Kitten and Swordfish, Kitten is still unwell and still harbouring a bit of a temperature. An easy weekend should help sort her out, so will have to make sure that the diary stays light
Dr Swordfish is in the house, but has not been as helpful as he might have been due to the urgent and necessary construction of the surround sound system for front room. Sky HD arrives tomorrow and then, finally, we will be set up for the World Cup finals and my post operative slumber.
Did someone say that there was an election going on? It will be interesting to see whether the Lib Dems convert good poll showings into seats rather than gallant seconds. Whoever, gets the nod I have the feeling that they might wish they hadn't. Europe is collapsing around our ears, Greece, Portugal, Spain. Italy next?
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Back to the Mundane
At the end of last week I developed a tickly throat and a slight chest cough.
Unfortunately, I seem to have passed it on to Kitten and she is now suffering with a chest infection.
Dr. Swordfish's thermometer gives her a reading 37.9 celsius, so nurse Kitten is now under orders to rest and she had to take the day off and go to the Doctor's.
Although my condition is mild by comparison I also paid a visit to the doctor and phoned the Marsden to keep them informed of both the current situation and my on-going, though much reduced, tinnitus. The doctor was happy that my situation was ok and I relayed this to the Marsden but they called me back to say that they would like me to go in for a check up.
So, it's off to the medical day unit again tomorrow for an 11 am blood test and check up.
I am only one week away from my final cycle of chemotherapy before the operation and I hope that it will commence on time and with me in good health. If I said that I was looking forward to it then I would be telling porkies as I expect it to be a little more gruelling than what I have encountered thus far.
Far more important though is the fact that it is the last opportunity for my body to continue the healing process before being subjected to the surgeon's knife.
"Shrink, you naughty little tumour. Shrink".
Unfortunately, I seem to have passed it on to Kitten and she is now suffering with a chest infection.
Dr. Swordfish's thermometer gives her a reading 37.9 celsius, so nurse Kitten is now under orders to rest and she had to take the day off and go to the Doctor's.
Although my condition is mild by comparison I also paid a visit to the doctor and phoned the Marsden to keep them informed of both the current situation and my on-going, though much reduced, tinnitus. The doctor was happy that my situation was ok and I relayed this to the Marsden but they called me back to say that they would like me to go in for a check up.
So, it's off to the medical day unit again tomorrow for an 11 am blood test and check up.
I am only one week away from my final cycle of chemotherapy before the operation and I hope that it will commence on time and with me in good health. If I said that I was looking forward to it then I would be telling porkies as I expect it to be a little more gruelling than what I have encountered thus far.
Far more important though is the fact that it is the last opportunity for my body to continue the healing process before being subjected to the surgeon's knife.
"Shrink, you naughty little tumour. Shrink".
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Humility
An elder friend of mine once said "Swordfish there is nothing that you can teach me".
As he is well travelled and and experienced man, it took me a while to find an answer. Now, I have often heard it said about me (and from a young age) that I "have an answer for everything", so I do not like to disappoint. My answer on this occasion was
"Humility".
Humility is a funny thing because most seem to understand it as a manner that an individual conveys. I have never subscribed to that viewpoint and believe it to be a feeling that one holds.
If an individual does not feel humility then life is adept in bringing it forth by the bucket load.
Anyone who has been seriously ill, or even who has thought that they might be seriously ill can tell you that Mr Humility comes to knock on your door very quickly. He brings with him a freshly baked pie and a big spoon with which to eat it and strides past you to your table as soon as you open the door.
"It's time to eat", proclaims Mr Humility and eat, you do. Why, because it is nourishing and healthy and also because it is a fait accomplit.
It is difficult not to be humbled by your dependency on others and upon good fortune but the point about feeling humble is that it awakens you once more to what is real and important.
LED televisions and Blu-Ray Home Cinema systems clearly are important whereas family and friends, errr....well, yes, they are important too.
Joking aside, it is my opinion that the most important things that you have are bonds. Not the ones in your financial portfolio but the emotional, mental and physical bonds that you have. Hopefully these are primarily with living things (whether, human, animal or land) and I say that without humour because so many are attached to inanimate trappings of life.
Understanding your relationships with the world around is the key to understanding yourself and what your own nature is.
The following poem was written in relation to the Astrological star sign of Leo which is symbolised by the Sun and by the Lion. I have always been intrigued by the seemingly paradoxical behave of a lion, which can seem indolently restful but is able to break its inertia at a moment's notice whenever the opportunity arises for the kill.
The Lion and the sun strike me as being both arrogant and humble at the same time. The sun's brilliance portrays arrogance and yet it is the servant of the solar system.
The following poem was written to describe those things about all thngs leonine.
As he is well travelled and and experienced man, it took me a while to find an answer. Now, I have often heard it said about me (and from a young age) that I "have an answer for everything", so I do not like to disappoint. My answer on this occasion was
"Humility".
Humility is a funny thing because most seem to understand it as a manner that an individual conveys. I have never subscribed to that viewpoint and believe it to be a feeling that one holds.
If an individual does not feel humility then life is adept in bringing it forth by the bucket load.
Anyone who has been seriously ill, or even who has thought that they might be seriously ill can tell you that Mr Humility comes to knock on your door very quickly. He brings with him a freshly baked pie and a big spoon with which to eat it and strides past you to your table as soon as you open the door.
"It's time to eat", proclaims Mr Humility and eat, you do. Why, because it is nourishing and healthy and also because it is a fait accomplit.
It is difficult not to be humbled by your dependency on others and upon good fortune but the point about feeling humble is that it awakens you once more to what is real and important.
LED televisions and Blu-Ray Home Cinema systems clearly are important whereas family and friends, errr....well, yes, they are important too.
Joking aside, it is my opinion that the most important things that you have are bonds. Not the ones in your financial portfolio but the emotional, mental and physical bonds that you have. Hopefully these are primarily with living things (whether, human, animal or land) and I say that without humour because so many are attached to inanimate trappings of life.
Understanding your relationships with the world around is the key to understanding yourself and what your own nature is.
The following poem was written in relation to the Astrological star sign of Leo which is symbolised by the Sun and by the Lion. I have always been intrigued by the seemingly paradoxical behave of a lion, which can seem indolently restful but is able to break its inertia at a moment's notice whenever the opportunity arises for the kill.
The Lion and the sun strike me as being both arrogant and humble at the same time. The sun's brilliance portrays arrogance and yet it is the servant of the solar system.
The following poem was written to describe those things about all thngs leonine.
Monday, 3 May 2010
Weekend of Normality
It has been good to enjoy a relatively normal weekend. Everything went to plan except yesterday's BBQ which was downsized due to the weather. We were still able to catch up with the "Koobies" though.
The kids have had a great time and illness is not top of the agenda. I'll be enjoying myself this week and will not entertain the next session of chemo until it looms large at the beginning of next week.
A visit to the "Thatchers" is always a treat and it gets the kids into the open. The Thatchers have children slightly older but in the same age band as ours so they can be left largely to their own devices to enjoy the wide open spaces.
Mr Thatcher is the only person in our circle of friends to have been diagnosed with cancer. He was unfortunate to be put through the mill a few years ago but came through with flying colours. He was also treated by the same oncologist as me.
He was able to offer me a few pointers not least an honest appraisal of what to expect from the third session of chemo (which was pretty much in-line with my expectations). His general take on my situation was also the same as mine and those close to me i.e. that although there are risks ahead the likelihood is that this a bad year rather than life-challenging. He expressed his feeling of relief when I was given the all-clear from any secondaries, which is the reason for our shared optimism. However, I think that you can only fully feel the significance if you have experienced the raising of that big flag during the initial investigations. Of course, I refuse to be presumptuous as the future hasn't been written yet.
It was refreshing to see Mr T as he always is, itching to do something. This time it was to try out his new contraption (a mower attached to the back of his tractor). He had permission to try it out on one of his friends fields so of he went whilst the rest of us went for a walk across the fields, in the rain, with my family unsuitable attired. Kitten was in open toed shoes!
The Thatchers are friends of Kittens from before I knew her but I have always enjoyed their company. Kitten's bond with Mrs Thatcher originates from their nannying backgrounds and days spent in the bars of Chelsea.
Anyway our thanks to the Thatchers for a relaxing Saturday afternoon and an enjoyable BBQ.
Unfortunately the Koobies had to abandon their hopes of a BBQ on Sunday due to the inclement weather. The hard fact was that there were 23 children due to attend and that is not manageable indoors! We popped along for a few hours on Sunday evening as we have not really got together with them since my diagnosis despite them only being a few doors away. Yesterday was assigned as a day of chilling for me so I wasn't the most energetic but we had a very enjoyable afternoon. Again the children were in their element and the Sky Sports theme continued from the Liverpool v Chelsea match that was viewed earlier in the afternoon. Many thanks to the Koobies
So off we went to meet the Italian Clan for some ice-skating on Monday. It should be noted that there is no chance of getting Kitten on the ice. In fairness, she has tried it once with the family and the look of fear is yet to leave her. She entertained herself in conversation with "Mrs Tirimasu" (one of her many culinary delicacies) whilst we all skated. Boogle has lost nothing by her absence for a couple of months and the fact that the Italians are good skaters immediately puts her in a position of aspiration. Our regular rink will be open again soon, so I will be making Sunday morning efforts to get her back into regular lessons.
A good appetite is always built with a couple of hours on the ice so the party continued the food theme of the weekend with an American Diner style lunch.
So despite the odd precaution not to overdo it the weekend was as if I were not ill at all. That is good for the spirit. I even sipped away at a bottle of nicely chilled Peroni beer on Saturday afternoon. Although moderate alcoholic consumption is perfectly acceptable, that was my first full bottle of beer this year.
Yum.
The kids have had a great time and illness is not top of the agenda. I'll be enjoying myself this week and will not entertain the next session of chemo until it looms large at the beginning of next week.
A visit to the "Thatchers" is always a treat and it gets the kids into the open. The Thatchers have children slightly older but in the same age band as ours so they can be left largely to their own devices to enjoy the wide open spaces.
Mr Thatcher is the only person in our circle of friends to have been diagnosed with cancer. He was unfortunate to be put through the mill a few years ago but came through with flying colours. He was also treated by the same oncologist as me.
He was able to offer me a few pointers not least an honest appraisal of what to expect from the third session of chemo (which was pretty much in-line with my expectations). His general take on my situation was also the same as mine and those close to me i.e. that although there are risks ahead the likelihood is that this a bad year rather than life-challenging. He expressed his feeling of relief when I was given the all-clear from any secondaries, which is the reason for our shared optimism. However, I think that you can only fully feel the significance if you have experienced the raising of that big flag during the initial investigations. Of course, I refuse to be presumptuous as the future hasn't been written yet.
It was refreshing to see Mr T as he always is, itching to do something. This time it was to try out his new contraption (a mower attached to the back of his tractor). He had permission to try it out on one of his friends fields so of he went whilst the rest of us went for a walk across the fields, in the rain, with my family unsuitable attired. Kitten was in open toed shoes!
The Thatchers are friends of Kittens from before I knew her but I have always enjoyed their company. Kitten's bond with Mrs Thatcher originates from their nannying backgrounds and days spent in the bars of Chelsea.
Anyway our thanks to the Thatchers for a relaxing Saturday afternoon and an enjoyable BBQ.
Unfortunately the Koobies had to abandon their hopes of a BBQ on Sunday due to the inclement weather. The hard fact was that there were 23 children due to attend and that is not manageable indoors! We popped along for a few hours on Sunday evening as we have not really got together with them since my diagnosis despite them only being a few doors away. Yesterday was assigned as a day of chilling for me so I wasn't the most energetic but we had a very enjoyable afternoon. Again the children were in their element and the Sky Sports theme continued from the Liverpool v Chelsea match that was viewed earlier in the afternoon. Many thanks to the Koobies
So off we went to meet the Italian Clan for some ice-skating on Monday. It should be noted that there is no chance of getting Kitten on the ice. In fairness, she has tried it once with the family and the look of fear is yet to leave her. She entertained herself in conversation with "Mrs Tirimasu" (one of her many culinary delicacies) whilst we all skated. Boogle has lost nothing by her absence for a couple of months and the fact that the Italians are good skaters immediately puts her in a position of aspiration. Our regular rink will be open again soon, so I will be making Sunday morning efforts to get her back into regular lessons.
A good appetite is always built with a couple of hours on the ice so the party continued the food theme of the weekend with an American Diner style lunch.
So despite the odd precaution not to overdo it the weekend was as if I were not ill at all. That is good for the spirit. I even sipped away at a bottle of nicely chilled Peroni beer on Saturday afternoon. Although moderate alcoholic consumption is perfectly acceptable, that was my first full bottle of beer this year.
Yum.
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Knowing Your Body
A few days ago I had a return of energy and a certain feeling of europhoria as I emerged from the leg-work element of the chemo cycle.
If I am lucky enough to have the same experience in the next cycle then I will reign it in a little.
No major issues to report, but when I awoke yesterday I knew that I had overdone it a little in the last couple of days. My benign facial tumour is vascular and when my body is tired or a bit run down it feels "pumped". Not like it has been doing dumbell curls with Arnold Schwarzenegger but enough that I am aware.
It is good to be aware of the early warning signs that your body can give you and I factored it in as I made my way in on the early train to work. Sam the Eagle and I were going for a meeting in the City with "Marmot" and the "Latin Scholar" to move a project forward, so it was worth making the effort. The meeting was convivial and constructive so that made things easier.
By mid-morning "The Dragon" was surfacing in my back, ribs and chest (he only awakes when I am tired) so I decided that I would leave work as soon as I had covered my tasks and try and get some rest before heading out for a meal with Notoplip, Sushi SandD and Kitten.
The end result was that I took a bit of a back seat last night as I was pretty tired the whole evening. It was still a good night out and it was good to catch up with SandD as I haven't seend them for a few weeks.
When we left the restaurant shortly after 11pm SandD looked like they had just performed their stretching exercises and were ready to run the marathon. The truth is that, although I am not drinking, the others only mustered a few drinks between them. Five years ago the table would have been saturated with Veuve Clicquot, Barolo and Jack Daniels and we would have been on somewhere else afterwards. This time though I was happy to crawl under my duvet and rest my little body. I think that Notoplip and Sushi were happy for the early lift home too and we had a relatively short but enjoyable night out.
Today, I feel better for it.
If I am lucky enough to have the same experience in the next cycle then I will reign it in a little.
No major issues to report, but when I awoke yesterday I knew that I had overdone it a little in the last couple of days. My benign facial tumour is vascular and when my body is tired or a bit run down it feels "pumped". Not like it has been doing dumbell curls with Arnold Schwarzenegger but enough that I am aware.
It is good to be aware of the early warning signs that your body can give you and I factored it in as I made my way in on the early train to work. Sam the Eagle and I were going for a meeting in the City with "Marmot" and the "Latin Scholar" to move a project forward, so it was worth making the effort. The meeting was convivial and constructive so that made things easier.
By mid-morning "The Dragon" was surfacing in my back, ribs and chest (he only awakes when I am tired) so I decided that I would leave work as soon as I had covered my tasks and try and get some rest before heading out for a meal with Notoplip, Sushi SandD and Kitten.
The end result was that I took a bit of a back seat last night as I was pretty tired the whole evening. It was still a good night out and it was good to catch up with SandD as I haven't seend them for a few weeks.
When we left the restaurant shortly after 11pm SandD looked like they had just performed their stretching exercises and were ready to run the marathon. The truth is that, although I am not drinking, the others only mustered a few drinks between them. Five years ago the table would have been saturated with Veuve Clicquot, Barolo and Jack Daniels and we would have been on somewhere else afterwards. This time though I was happy to crawl under my duvet and rest my little body. I think that Notoplip and Sushi were happy for the early lift home too and we had a relatively short but enjoyable night out.
Today, I feel better for it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)