Monday was an odd day really - i spent 1/2 a day working at my uncle's office networking his PC and working on a few other things. It was the first time i had done an intensive amount of work in an office setting and sadly it really tired me out. I left drained and with a headache - but then i didnt eat lunch that day. In the evening i went to chicken cottage with a group of friends and that was nice - but still quite tired.
One thing i am definately tired about is having to defend my chance in cars!
"Why have you downgraded your car?"
"Yes it is a downgrade - VW to Fiat"
People just look at styling - ignoring BHP, the fact its got a turbo - the fact its newer - the fact id had Corrados for 3 years! Oh well - i dont mind too much but yesterday it wore me down - that along with Ibs and Lib saying i dont talk to ibs in a proper way!! Lets not go there. All i was trying to say was that Nylah was mature - and it ended up somehow getting on to why i sometimes take the micky out of ibs!
So energy levels felt a bit low and it was the first time on chemo since i've felt that - so a bit sad. Also i know just before a treatment the blood levels drop a lot - so could have been related to that.
Tuesday
Had treatment 2 today and it was pretty uneventful again. I took my laptop this time along with Ashes 2006/7 DVD and Airwolf Season 1 (which is only £8 in HMV at the moment!). I was happily watching those - but apart from that the experience was not that great as nurses forgot about me so no one took my lunch order - in the end i got a cheese omlette which was ok, but not great.
My blood counts were quite good today - the key one - Neutrophils were 1.8. The last two times they have been 1.2 and 1.3 respectively. 1.8 seems good! Also the chemo nurse commented on how well ive kept my hair which was nice coming from someone who sees a lot of chemo patients etc. We talked about how much it varies in patients.
The nurse that actually gives the chemo is an NHS nurse - but as none of the nurses in the private wing are qualified to give these drugs she has to come up a floor - come to my ward - just to treat me. She never complains but i can tell its a bit of a strain. Her name is Leslie and she's been brilliant. She's proabably in her late 40's yet is full of life and enthusiasm. This is really important for the job she's in - always positive too.
We talked today about a retreat she had been on - she talekd about monastic services at 4am and how she really enjoyed it - i could feel her relief when i talked about Ramadhan and Itakaaf and how Muslims have similar experiences - she then said how other people at work didnt really understand what she went for and what she got out of it. Talking about religion in a nurse / patient dialogue is a bit tricky as its not very 'PC' - but when i had my surgery i got in to an excellent discussion with one of the trainee surgeons - really enjoyed both. I have the BBC documentary 'The Retreat' recorded on DVD somewhere - wonder if giving that to Leslie is ok? It is an Islamic retreat but 3 out of the 6 people that go are not Muslims - then again one does convert - maybe its a bit full on! There's no harm - i may as well!
I got home for about 4pm - my dad picked me up - my Fiat body bit kits arrived today! I am still waiting on my inudction kit though. The body parts had to be made, sprayed, and then shipped from Poland - the induction kit just posted from within the UK - i ordered them about the same time YET i still have not had the induction kit and the body kit has arrived!!!!!!
Hoping for better weather the next few days and i can put this stuff up.
Today i even went out in the evening to wagamama's - i've never gone out the same day as treatment before, but it was just about ok - although come 9ish i felt a bit sick as 9am is the time for a dose of 3 medicines! Doh! Next time i should take them with me! After having the mediciines though i felt fine again.
One thing that was good today - Dr A, my consultant came to see me and without me even talking about breathlessness he examined me and purely checked my breahthing. My breathing sitting up and lying down listening from the front and back in various places. I felt not happy overall but his words were 'excellent' - if the shortness of breath things comes up again i am gonna call and speak to people at the hospital. Its usually the weekend after treatment - so in a few days time...
Oy.... Good to hear that you are doing OK....
Well the weather is wonderful today for you to work on your car, and as we are on this topic, I didn't realise that you were that touchy about it. I must say its a rather nice car and its definitely not a downgrade in my books as long as you maintain it properly and don't make it too much of a rude boy's car. :)... I must also say that I am quite jealous of it and to be fair nowadays I am jealous of everyone who has a licence. lol..
Take care and let me know if you are still up for Sat? :P....
Posted by: Shareef | October 17, 2007 at 09:24 AM