It was the week before Christmas...

...and although I'm not amongst the hustle and bustle of this busy week before Christmas, I know just how busy you all are. I hear the updates on how every shop, store, Garden Centre is a hive of activity!
For me its been a mixed week. Sunday last we had an early Christmas day! Mikes children are all away for the holidays, so we celebrated a week early. Christmas dinner, pressies and games. I also made some Christmas cookies for the occasion.

Now I'm having chemo number 8, finishing this Friday before Christmas. I know I will probably crash on Christmas day. However, regardless of how I feel and even if it means Mike taking me to my parents for the day in my PJ's I'm having Christmas! End of!

Oh...and I have an early Chemo Christmas present, given to me in the form of Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia...ahem...I know, bit of a mouthful. Also known as Hand and Foot syndrome!

 Some chemotherapy drugs such as one of mine 5 Flurourcil (5FU) can leak in small amounts out of the small blood vessels or Capillaries into the hands and feet. This causes sunburn like appearance (redness, skin peeling, tingling, soreness). Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine can help the symptoms. Lowering the dose of chemo can also prevent symptoms worsening. I already had my dose lowered so no longer an option.
So, today I got my vitamin B6 and didn't see the Doctor. Having chemo number 8 as I write! I'm on the home straight now with no time to lose.

All that's left to say is "Happy Holidays to everyone. I hope you all have a peaceful time whatever you do and wherever you are"

 I will be giving special thoughts and sending love to those who are suffering for many different reasons at this time.

Lucky Number Seven - 7

Well here we are on chemo cycle Lucky number seven . Better than unlucky chemo cycle number six -'The case of the missing chemo'! Now irresponsible me has lost all my medication! I know they will be on the ward somewhere and I do have spare, so that's lucky. Chemo fog brain!

I'm also feeling lucky that all my blood was good this time and the lower dose of chemo was noticeable in terms of how well I felt throughout cycle six.

I feel lucky that I have such an amazing family, my parents are there for me at the drop of a hat! I will never find the words to portray just how much it means to me - Thank you mum and dad.

Thank You to My Parents
Thank you for always being there
and knowing just what to do
Thank you for knowing the words to say
when I'm feeling way beyond blue

Thank you for patiently listening
to all my worries and stresses
Thank you for caring enough
to get me out of all my messes

Thank you for being a phone call away
or around the corner to run to
Thank you for your door always being open
and knowing just what to do

Thank you for being my constant support
when i didn't think I could cope
Thank you for lifting my spirits
and letting me know there IS hope

Thank you for being the best parents
a daughter could ever wish for
I love you with all my heart
today and forever more.

by Anonymous Poet as much as it says exactly what I want to say, I cannot take credit for these perfect words...
So, with all this luck...lets hope it continues. Not that I'm planning a trip to the Casino any time soon!

One last little bit of lucky me...on Sunday the weather was good enough for me to go out with Mike, my parents and James to our annual Christmas tree trek. We went to the woodland to cut down our tree of choice. With saw in hand we searched...all the trees are individually named. I found a Christmas tree called Joanna but she wasn't quite tall enough...funny that! I think 5ft 4" is plenty tall enough...

So, we eventually had two choices in the 6ft tall tree department. Dr Who or Willow.

We chose Willow and brought it home. Let me introduce you to the very elegant Willow -