Cancervive diary
The Big C01 may 2010
clay pigeon shooting competition
No, don't panic. We're not that good yet LOL!
Dan told us that the UK Competition was on this weekend, so as we were not doing anything we decided to pop along and have a look. It's amazing that it was free entry and you could just drive right up to where they were shooting. We didn't even have to get out of the car!
It was interesting to see all the techniques and how the experts shot. Mind you some of them missed the shots which was reassuring to see! Now we don't feel so bad when we miss one. It happens, you can't always get them. Although Dan told us about an Olympic Female Shooter who got 200 out of 200 one after the other. How amazing is that? No we're nowhere near that yet, but we're still only learning. You learn all your life so it's not something new to us.
All in all a good afternoon, we had an ice-cream - luckily the ice cream van parked next to us so not too far to go, if we'd opened the windows he could've almost just served us from there! Ha ha ha!
Lovely day was had by all. We also saw Dan showing beginners at the place where we go, some of them got no shots at all, so we did quite well with our first lesson, which our instructor Dawn said we'd done well.
Great fun - even Mum enjoyed sitting there and watching.
03 may 2010
Sitting in my gardening chair again!
Yes, it's about time I did the planting I've been saying I'll be doing for ages now and not done! Oops
So out comes the gardening chair, out comes Domi to sit in the garden with me, she loves being in the garden if someone is there with her bless!
I only had two things to do really, plant some Dwarf Beans and Potatoes in pots. We already had the compost out, and the potatoes had grown nicely in the dark, and the beans were seeds in a packet so a doddle. The only thing I had to do was to get some water into the can from the water butt and away I go......LOL!
Of course, it wore me out so luckily we'd already decided to have an easy dinner, toast and marmite for me!!!
My carrots and onions are already sprouting now which is great. I was beginning to wonder if they would ever come to anything!
Also we had a lovely surprise outside the back door this morning....this....take a look.....!
07 may 2010
watch out for nastY people on ebay!
Just to let you all know, watch out on ebay for nasty people. I've just come across one, she, yes she, purchased an item from me, then after having it a week, emailed me to say it was a fake and she wanted a refund. When I asked her to send the item back (although it is NOT a fake, as it was given to me by an official representative of the company!) she said she couldn't as she'd opened it to see how bad it was. How daft is that? Her manner on email was aggressive to say the least - she demanded I reply within 24 hours. Not good when I don't even login every day.
This is from someone who calls herself a Doctor! Gosh I'd hate to see her bedside manner from a patients point of view. What a nasty piece of work. Anyway just thought I'd warn people who use ebay to loook out for this type of thing going on. Not nice is it?
I've never had to do a refund before as my items are all legit. You all know me, I just wouldn't do something like that. It's made me a lot warier about using ebay now, I've not had problems before, but you never know until it happens do you. So be careful out there people!
Oh BTW, if you want to know her username so you don't get caught out, just email me.
10 may 2010
dentist time....i made the appointment!
Well due to other things going on it's taken a while to do this, but I've finally made the appointment. It costs a fortune to see a dentist, and although I'm on an NHS list (lucky me!) then it's cheaper, but still more than I'd like LOL!
They were running late, I had to wait over an hour later than my appointment time which is crazy! Lucky I'd put two hours on the car park ticket. Even with a Disabled Badge you still have to pay in our local area. I don't expect free parking, just to be near the place I need to go, but it is nice when you don't have to pay!
Finally, I got to see the Dentist. He asked about my scans and I said they'd come back OK, although I now have Stage 3 Kidney Failure. So they updated their records. Much better than the last NHS dentist I went to. I just didn't like the surgery, the lack of updating or the condition of the equipment at all hence I moved Dentist at the first chance I had.
Now, when lying back in the comfy chair, he examined my teeth. After chemo he said they were in good condition really and I'd had some nice dental work done. Thanks to Mr Marsh at my other surgery, I had to leave as they were private only and I couldn't afford it anymore sadly.
He had to do an x-ray as he said the gums looked OK, although when he prodded me with his sharp instrument I flinched. Don't you just love the way they leave the room and you're stuck with this machine that is dangerous! Just like hospitals....wonderful.
After checking the x-ray (now why does it take weeks for a hospital, when a Dentist can do it within minutes?!?!?!) he said I've got a root canal....argghhh!!!!! He said as I'd had antibiotics and it hadn't gone away, then it was more serious.
He could do it and it would only cost about £300, but there was another specialist who had a better success rate and it would cost £500 (almost!) and due to it being more complex than a standard root canal he suggested I go with him. At least he was honest. Argghhhh!!!!!
My new Piggy Bank - what do you think?
So much for wondering if we might be able to get away for a holiday this year. Also they wanted £100 upfront and I'm not sure my bank account will cope with it. It was scary putting the card through and waiting, but not as scary as having a root canal done. Yikes....I'm not looking forward to this.
11 may 2010
mouth playing up more, living on painkillers again...!
Well, more than normal anyway! I'm taking extras up to four times a day. Not good huh. Still not a lot I can do about it. I've read up on the internet a bit about root canal treatment, and it scares me that they say if you have lumps on the gum filled with yuck (as I have!) then sometimes the injection doesn't numb the gum and stuff.
ARGGHHHHHH!!!! That I don't want. All I can do is wait and see isn't it. If it doesn't numb it though I'm going to be the first one to shout! Even with a mouth full of fingers and dental instruments! Believe me, you will hear me!
12 may 2010
i think this is the right day, mum had a fall today
Yep, not sure of the day as I'm losing track, think it's all the extra pain killers!
Had a busy day today. I had a hospital appointment but not a normal one! Trust me huh. Apparently the person couldn't get a room in the hospital (which is four miles away) and there are two hospitals in the Trust, so don't know why not. When we go there are always empty rooms along to the clinics!
So we had to go a round trip of 64 miles to see her. It was a lovely place, out near Dorking, and it looked like a Private Clinic so I dread to think how much the NHS is being charged but we had no choice and it had taken a while to find a day when we didn't have any other appointments so we had to go. Nice day out though, but tiring. Always is when we have to go further than a few miles for any of us.
Anyway in the evening, I heard a strange noise and went to the kitchen and saw John coming down the hallway and Mum was on the kitchen floor, saying "Come and get me up". Oh hell...this isn't going to be easy.
Anyway we finally got her up, and asked what she'd done to be there and she said "I was going from the fridge to the sink and then was on the floor". No rhyme or reason, just on the floor. Not good huh.
She won't listen to me though normally, but actually did this once and when I suggested putting some Ralgex on to help ease the pains in the morning, she got John to do it. So hey ho, I did something right! Who'd believe it huh!
13 may 2010
wow, what a surprise parcel from di....!
Thanks Di. You are an amazingly generous person to help others through your hobby of crafting and cardmaking!
Di very kindly sends me parcels of handmade cards, which I take along with the ones I make and another friend, to the Marie Curie Shops and also to Hospices, specially the one who helped my friend Lyn.
We don't want any money for the cards, so I enter lots of online and magazine prize draws to win items which will help with my 'stash' of cardmaking goodies. Mum and Auntie Rita have bought some for me over time, and Di, well she's sent me LOADS AND LOADS of bits and pieces which I love and have made my cards really special.
Talking of speical, that is Di, one special lady who helps others all the time! Thank you SO much Di for making my day with your parcels and cards. I love the little frog - so cute!
Thanks again.
14 may 2010
biobank uk appointment
I received a letter asking if I'd like to take part in this research. Now it might not help me, but it might help someone else in the future, be it for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, or Renal Failure, or something totally unrelated that arises. So it's worth going I thought. I wasn't going for the information that it could give me, as I know most things about what is going on, or not, as the case may be, with myself.
So off I toddled, after having to cancel it a couple of times because of other appointments in the NHS medical system! I thought it was going to take about 1-2 hours, but was surprised to find it took over 3 hours in the end.
Although my initial thoughts were, well it's the NHS, so it's going to be lots of queues and to be honest, a bit of a mess seeing what I've been through in some places. However I was pleasantly surprised, honestly!
It was well organised, everything was under control, even down to colour coded chairs to sit on for different types of testing and even the PC's worked when we did the online questionnaire! Amazing.
There was even a working coffee/tea machine with free biscuits, I was horrified to see some people filling their handbags, and both pockets, with the biscuits though! How awful to do that and not even look embarrassed about it. I was thinking, if we have to have blood and other things taken, eating biscuits might interfere with it, and I'd had my porridge for breakfast, so I was OK, even though it was now 2pm in the afternoon.
It was all very thorough, taking account of our health history and medications, then we had blood pressure, blood samples, urine samples, saliva samples, lung function tests, grip tests, eye tests, bone density, you name it and I think they took a note of it!
We had a 'USB Fob' when we started the questionnaire, and we had to take that from room to room and were plugged into the PC each time. I began to feel like a robot on a production line, it was quite funny really.
One lady was in the same batch as me, and she was terrified of the blood test and was literally shaking on the chair. Luckily for me, it doesn't bother me now, and she asked how I was so calm about it. Easy when you've had as many injections as me over the past few years!
All in all, it's worth doing if you get asked to go along. It also gives you a print out at the end about BP, height, weight, bone density, lung function etc. Not detailed but enough if you are not in the 'normal' range and may need advice from your GP.
15 may 2010
can you believe it...?
A while back I attended a local hospice as a Day Patient and had an enjoyable time there, I didn't quite get all the support I needed though and haven't really heard from them since. We raised a lot of money for them and they helped my Uncle and a good friend when their cancer became terminal and I thank them for that.
However that is not the problem. The problem I have is that I've found out they have a new Nurse there who, in the past, has treated me. My concern is that she and her colleague made my condition worse and neither of them ever apologised for it. Now I've been told one of them is working at the Hospice and saying how wonderful it is to help cancewr patients. Hmmmm, think I'll reserve judgement on that then. It makes me wonder if I should support the Hospice again if they employ someone who makes patients lives worse rather than better, perhaps it's a good thing I don't hear from them anymore - only when they ask for money!
I'd hate to think of other people having problems after being treated, some people you think of as friends turn out to be so two faced, and no friend at all. It's like the poem that comes around on email, some people go out of your life for a reason, and I think I've found out why in this case.
17 may 2010
Hospital and doctor visit and more phone calls to hospitals
Had to see the GP about my back after the Renal Doctor suggested I get it checked, health history quoted as usual. It never goes away does it. Still best to get it checked as you never know, I sure didn't the first time around.
Also had to got the Pain Management Review Clinic today. It's been a while since the course finished but it has helped in many different ways. I had to do some more tests to see if the good work was continuing and it appears to be, although a bit less than when on the course. The same as anything, it fades with time and life takes over with other problems doesn't it. That's life....innit....arrghh....I said I'd never say that. but hey, it's been said. All I need is a hoodie now and I'll be fine - LOL!
18 may 2010
more hospital visits
This time it's for the x-ray. Our Hospital X-Ray Department is having a makeover, and not before time either. It looks a lot smarter now, although it's still a WIP. The cubicle I was in didn't shut properly and the light didn't work, but you can normally undress in the dark so it wasn't a problem.
The Nurse was very helpful and I'm sure I've seen her before in my hospital visits somewhere along the line. When I was laying down on the x-ray bed she asked if I'd had any falls. Nope, some close calls I said, but no actual falls. I try to avoid them as it's too painful to get back up with my bones!
You get the usual "Could you be pregnant?" question, but after chemo I doubt it. Although I do know someone who had kids after chemo. Depends on the person I suppose. Anyway, the x-ray went well, apart from when she prodded my back to make sure the x-ray was in the right place. Ouch!!!!!
19 may 2010
annie oakley signing in...!
LOL, yes, we've been shooting again. I'm still getting these bruises and even had bleeding on one occasion. Now, John has come up with an idea and we think it might be right.
To start with I wore my Coat as it was cold, huge bruise. Then I wore my jean jacket and more bruises. Then again more bruises and even bleeding and an odd shaped pattern when I looked where the bleeding came from.
John had a light bulb moment! He thinks it might be the button on my jacket, it's in the right place, and the same shape as a button on it's side and fits the 'bleeding' area perfectly so I mentioned it to our Instructor (yes we're doing things properly). My friend Lyn's money is coming in useful and I'm sure she'd be smiling up there watching me with this great big 12 bore Shotgun!).
He said he'd been thinking about it too as it shouldn't hurt. I'm a big girl so I assumed I'd have enough padding to protect me from the recoil! He said he'd bought a 'shoulder recoil pad' with him for me to try and see if it makes a difference. We told him John's theory and he said it could be right.
This time I tried it without the jacket on and had the shoulder recoil pad on too. He said it was for elephant gun shooting, not that I'd ever shoot any animal.
It felt SO much better, and it was a delight not to worry about the pain when shooting, so I enjoyed it so much more this time. Great fun and can't wait to go again.
We also have a rest in between shots so it helps. It's easier for us that way and means we can take our time and do it at our own pace. Everyone needs a hobby and we like this one!
24 may 2010
off to lyn's mum and dad
It''s been a while since we last saw each other, we phone each other to catch up but it's nice to meet in person.
Mum and John came and we had a lovely lunch and chat, talking over old times and I helped them sort out some of Lyn's computer stuff as they weren't sure about it as they don't use computers. It was so strange being in Lyn's room again but without Lyn. I've spent many hours in there laughing and watching DVD's and just chatting so it was odd for her not to be there.
Many moons ago when out with Lyn one day we went to an Art Exhibition and she bought a lovely painting of a garden with a cat in it. She wasn't a cat person (having Bobby her dog) but didn't dislike them. The painting was nice and I said so at the time.
Her Mum asked me if I'd like the painting and of course I said yes. As a cat person I also liked the painting and it remind me of Lyn so it's a triple whammy! I'm just wondering which would be the best place to put it and it will go on the wall with my other paintings.
28 may 2010
a treat we've been waiting for...
So what treat is this you ask? Well back in January, when it was all cold and miserable I booked tickets to see Paul Weller at the Royal Albert Hall and we even had a parking space right outside the Hall which is great news and today the day has arrived.
I loved The Jam and Style Council and John has encouraged me to listed to Paul's solo stuff and I enjoy it now. He wasn't my cup of tea to start with but his stuff is really good and quite mellow at times. Perfect for listening to whilst crafting I've found and also on the PC.
So we made our way to the RAH and after sitting in queues of traffic due to them digging up both sides of the road at the same time near the Hall we finally got there. I'd booked us Disabled Seats as we need them for our legs and said I'd need one where I can get up when I get cramp and pains etc. We are both Registered Disabled and there aren't many perks to it but this is one! Last time we saw Eric Clapton we had great seats.
This time they weren't so good, but the ones we had before were changed so we couldn't have them, shame. Still it was a great concert and we enjoyed it a lot. Old memories came back when he played some old stuff. He played quite a lot from his new CD but I've got that on download so knew quite a lot of them. Good job I have free downloads at the moment, I'm making the best of that!
It is also one year since Mum had her knee operation. She was walking quite well but has slowed down a lot lately, not sure why. It should be better than ever but I think she's given up a bit. Comes with age I suppose.