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 -

Autumn Poem

I thought I'd share with you a poem I wrote recently about this season - Autumn a magnificent time of year when colour takes over the surrounding countryside and we are inspired to walk amongst those colours, paint them or write about them.

Autumn by Joanne D
The air is colder now
The leaves are turning brown
All life in the garden is beginning to calm down

The spiders webs abundant
On fence and shed and line
All creatures know whats coming
Prepare for winter time

No frost as yet has graced the grass
Only dampness and the dew
But it won't be long before we see
The sparking icy view

I hope you enjoyed reading my poem as much as I enjoyed writing it and the Autumn images it evokes.

Problems...Remedies...Results

This past week I've encountered quite a few problems but I've also very quickly found the right remedy!

Problem number one:

Low Potassium levels = foggy brain, irregular heartbeat, zero energy. Soon remedied by five days of Potassium supplement drinks...not nice but necessary. Result I'm feeling much better after the five days. Levels are back to normal.

Problem number two:
Unable to have chemo number six due to zero neutrophils. Again! Remedy, Oncologist has recommended a lower dose of chemo from now on in order to complete all cycles without further delay. Result we shall have to wait and see if this does the trick...

Problem number three:
Feeling and looking rubbish! Remedy (and this is my favourite one!)  :) Apply 'Daniel Sandler' amazing cosmetics and follow all his wonderful Beauty tips and voila! Result - I look well, compliments that follow on how well... and thus I feel much better. Daniel's Watercolour range is quite literally Bliss in a pot and applying it is heavenly. I keep all of Daniel Sandlers products in their very own make up bag - because they are so special. A bit like the man himself. Find him at www.danielsandler.com

So, you can see that with all these special remedies I am feeling better. Its good to know that if there is a problem, usually there is a remedy waiting to help!

It's all a bit Bananas...

Having never fully recovered from chemo #5, yesterday James and I set off for oncology to start chemo #6! I know I've mentioned it before but this one is a bit of a milestone. Its my halfway mark at last...

On Monday when I had my bloods taken my platelets were too low, so I was a little apprehensive as to whether there had been any increase and my chemo could go ahead.


So, another blood test before we start...
Naomi's face said it all "Its a no go I'm afraid, the neutrophils are zero again". So we return home. Will I ever get to the halfway Mark!

As soon as I returned home the telephone rang. It was the Oncology nurse to tell me that I needed to go to my Doctors immediately to collect a prescription he had arranged to have written up due to very low Potassium levels! I was to start drinking the supplement immediately and continue for the next five days and then return for more blood tests!

Potassium: vital for internal organ function, particularly the heart. Muscle growth, normal nervous system and brain function...say nothing!
Low Potassium levels result in weakness and irregular heart rhythms.
It was no wonder I had not recovered and was still extremely fatigued!

Foods rich in Potassium: Bananas, baked potato, avocados (top three), milk, honey, raisins, prunes, apricots, dates, strawberries, cantaloupe melon, citrus fruits, beets, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms and soy products.

Later that afternoon the Doctor rang me and said to take the supplement three times a day for five days and after that to eat a banana daily...


Its all been a bit Bananas recently, so I guess another one won't hurt!!!

A Son that shines so brightly...

I'm just coming out of the chemo fog once again, but hey we've cleared number 5! Next Wednesday I embark on number 6 and that milestone is my half way mark...

Since I started my 6 months of chemo (a very daunting amount of time) my son James has been with me every step of the way.

 Devotedly, every other week James picks me up and takes me to the Oncology hospital in the City. He sits with me for the 5 hour duration, supporting me, bringing me endless cups of tea whilst I'm hooked up to the chemo drip. We have wonderful conversations and reminisce a lot about our travels over the years, throughout his childhood. Luxor to Aswan on the Nile in Egypt. Pompeii to Rome on the train through Italy. The Alhambra Palace in Granada Spain. Dubai, Shariah, Fujeirah the UAE and trips to visit family in Germany. James helps to make those 5 hours fly by. With his humour he has me laughing and also the nurses!

I know that this is not easy for him. How can it be? On more than one level, its harsh! Seeing your mum have chemo. Seeing so many people in the Unit having chemo. The initial realisation, just how many people have Cancer is scary. However, we get through with a cuppa, a chat and a chuckle...

So, James, I know you will read this and I'd just like to say - "Thank you for Shining so brightly at this dark time"... You make it more bearable.

I'm going to end this post by sharing with you a very special poem that my dad wrote for me, about my favourite time of year...


Autumn - by Peter Dursley

Trees that were green
Have now turned gold,
Yellow, Brown and Red
The Hedgehog in the undergrowth
Now makes his winter bed.

Chill winds from the Arctic blow
Replacing Summers breeze
The Blackbird harvests on the berries
Among the Hawthorn trees.

The time of Halloween has come
A time for tricks or treats
A woe betide the home that
doesn't keep supplies of sweets.

And soon it will be Christmas
Just two more months to go
Prepare for hoare frost,
Long dark nights
And maybe even snow!

Soulmate...Soulfood

Q - Where have I been?
A -  Sleeping! Zzzzzzzz

Chemo cycle #4 last week was like the Sandman sneaking up with a ton of sleeping dust and bam! Sleeptight for the next few days...

So, looking after me through this chemo induced sleep was Mike, my partner.

 Endless trips up and down the stairs, cups of tea, words of comfort, my fav cake...my best friend and soulmate helping me through.

Soulmate: someone with whom you have a deep natural affinity, love, compatability, spirituality, intamacy. According to Greek mythology and Plato, humans once had four arms, four legs and a single head made up of two faces. The God Zeus feared their power and split them all in half. They were condemned to spend the rest of their lives searching for their other half to complete them.

Im sure Mike wished he did have four arms and four legs this past week!


 It made me think how lucky I was to be in such a safe, comfortable environment. I also thought about those who were going through this alone or in difficult, maybe even dangerous situations. Who was  there for them?

When I was first diagnosed with Colon/Bowel Cancer, it was late Friday eve with the weekend looming. There was no one to talk to about what had just happened. Once we were at home we found that actually there was! Someone was available and there for all who need help, comfort, support and  understanding. Charities such as www.beatingbowelcancer.org  www.bowelcanceruk.org  www.CancerResearchuk.org and www.macmillan.org.uk These charities  are everyones Soulmate. This reassured me, that during the darkest hours, we are never alone thanks to them.

So, now that im awake and the chilly days have definitely arrived its time for some Soul food! My definition of Soul food.
Mum's hearty Beef and Veg stew! If your Vegetarian then leave out the meat and add Veggies of your choice.

Heres my recipe, its so simple, economical and is good for the soul:

2x beef stewing steaks cubed
2x large potatoes
3x large carrotts
1x onion chopped
3x sticks of celery chopped
1x tablespoon of tomato puree
2x pints of beef/veg stock
Sprinkle of mixed herbs
Salt & pepper to season

Brown the meat in large pan, add chopped veggies, stock, tomato puree, herbs salt & pepper, bring to the boil and then simmer for 2 hours.
Crusty bread to serve!

Enjoy!