Phew isn't it hot....I wish it would cool down a bit. It's great seeing John in hospital as his ward is aur-conditioned, isn't that brilliant! It's like a hotel, what with the internet/phone/sky tv/games/books etc by the bed. I wish I'd had internet access when I had my op!

I've also recently had a phone call with Jan (Lymphoedema Nurse) and she wants to start the bandaging on my leg. In this heat it is NOT going to be fun believe me. I'll look like an Egyptian mummy too!!! Still it's got to be done and I hope it'll help. In this weather my leg is like a balloon about to burst. It's so tight and hard and aches all the time.

The hand is getting better, still so sore, specially when typing so I rest it a lot too. It's for my own good as I keep being told. I heard it again today that I'm trying to run before I can walk (so to speak, no pun intended!).

Anyway I'll let you all know when the bandaging starts so you can have a good laugh!

Nice early start, 8am and off to the Middlesex. We had a couple of others to collect first and one to drop off at another hospital but we arrived nice and early.

Jan came to meet me and we went to her office in the basement. The corridors are SOOOOO hot but her office was cool which I am grateful for. We had a nice chat and she answered my questions. It's great when you have someone like Jan who you can ask anything. It makes it all so much easier.

So I walked (if you can call it that!) out of there with my leg all bandaged and I had on a special "designer label NHS shoe" which is very elegant. It's a shame it didn't match my own shoe but you can't have everything!

I woke int he middle of the night and shouted out as I had cramp, it's not easy when you can't rub it to get rid of it like others. I have to stand straight like a soldier and hope it goes away.

At least today was not so much an early start as yesterday, 7.30am!!! It meant I arrived about 9am at the Middlesex and was back home again about 11.30am which was fantastic. I am so tired at the moment and am not getting the time to answer some of my emails (sorry peeps but I'm so tired it whacks me out and then I sleep when I'm not supposed to!).

Anyway Friday the 13th. John is having his staples out today. He is doing really well and is quite "chirpy" about it all and is so pleased to have had it done, although it is giving him some "gip" at times.

So another trip to the Middlesex. I mentioned to Jan that my other leg was swollen as I had a problem getting my shoe on which is not normally that bad. I also said about a hard lump on my leg which has been there for years and she checked it out and it looks like I have lymphoedema and fibrosis in that leg too. So you guessed it, I now have two bandaged legs and at least I get matching shoes now! When I have my compression stockings they will match too and I won't have to have one white leg and one coloured which is good news. You have to look on the bright side I suppose.

She asked about a mark on my leg and I explained that the school bully had pushed me over a wooden beam and it went poisonous (my leg not the beam of course!) - it's not just physically bullies hurt you but that is another story altogether. Also we went back through the family history and came up with a few things there too which has made Jan think I could be prone to lymphoedema in that leg as well as the other one. I have lymphomas in both of them so why not the lymphoedema as well???

So instead of just keeping the bandages on overnight, this time I have to keep them on overnight and all day tomorrow until tomorrow evening. In this heat it's not fun and I could quite easily scratch them to bits!!! If it helps though I'll do it and persevere. I feel like Wallace and Gromit in the Wrong Trousers. Or as my kind brother said "if your boots were pink with yellow spots you'd be Mrs Blobby!". No comments please, I've heard most of them.

I feel absolutely whacked out with it all.

It was wonderful yesterday without the bandages on for a while. I've had cramp a few times which is difficult for me anyway as I can't rub it like others so I have to stand really straight and hope it will ease with time.

I had a lovely little girl ask me why I had crutches, I said "because my legs are poorly", "why are they poorly?" she replied, "I wish I knew" said I. Perhaps the Doctors will make them better. I hope she's right! So sweet and nice instead of kids staring and saying nasty things. It's bad enough having all this after my treatment without stupid remarks from people.

I met another lady when I was out - didn't know her from Adam, but she thought she was within her rights to tell me what she thought and also that I should sue the NHS for the side effects of the treatment I'd had for the cancer. Why DO people think they have the right to tell me what they think I should do?! It's not up to them is it. It's my body and my decisions as to what I do or do not do. They should just get on with their own lives and stop interfering in others. I know some people are well meaning, but as for the others....just shut it!

I had cramp again and mentioned it to Jan, so she has bandaged it less tight this time to see if it helps. I'll let you know how it goes.

So apart from more bandaging with Jan, tomorrow is my appointment with Dr C as well. My four monthly check-up - or is it three months - I can't remember now and don't have my diary to hand to check.

Well I'm off to the land of zzzzz's now, so will let you know what happens at my appointments tomorrow.

My appointment with Jan and Dr C.

After an eventful drive up there, I arrived to see Dr C. All I can say about this appointment is - a disaster. I was examined (my neck and arms) and was told things seem fine. I was sent for a blood test and also an x-ray. As an afterthought, I'm to be sent for a CT scan.

I won't go into it further, just to say I was upset but luckily I saw Jan and she helped me a great deal. There should be more people like her in hospitals.

My blood test and x-rays were next and then on to see Jan. She bandaged my legs for me and made sure I was OK before going home.

Thanks Jan for being there at the right time for me.

I was ready as usual at 8am, and sat waiting....and waiting....and waiting.

No one had collected me by 11.00am (you have to wait until then just in case) so I called the hospital. I finally got through to a lady who told me after checking the system that I was due to be picked up that afternoon at 1.30pm so not to worry.

At 3.15pm I knew no one was coming. Jan called me and gave me the bad news. I wouldn't be going that day or that week! The transport department had no booking for me after Wednesday. Strange - no one had picked me up on Wednesday!!!! How annoyed was Jan and I....... BIG TIME ANNOYED!!!

Now I would have no treatment again until Monday. All the hard work from Jan and me going up every day had been wasted. This is not the first time this has happened with transport. I'm angry at such a waste of everyone's time and the treatment now having to stop.

After yesterday with Dr C this is the last thing I need. Or perhaps I should look on it as good and have a rest for a while. So my friend and I went to the pictures and had a good laugh! Not much else I could do really.

Totally different at this hospital. I had a phone call on Friday telling me my transport had been booked and if I needed any special requirements to just call them. This is how a good transport department SHOULD be run!!!

I was picked up early and taken straight there by a friendly driver who enlightened me all about blood. Not as gory as it sounds - he used to work with bloods and knew all about it. I learnt a lot today!

Just before my appointment Jan arrived. We'd planned to do it this way rather than confuse the transport office. (I know, I know, it's easy to do!). Jan then found a room and bandaged my legs. She then had to go as she's a busy busy lady.

My appointment with Dr Finnegan was next and he asked what I had noticed so I got out my small list of things. He changed things on the computer and also got out his book and asked me lots more questions. I now have another remedy to try and also some more of those drops (which I didn't like taking but did anyway).

Once I had been to the Pharmacy (about 5 minutes if that - unlike others!) I then had to book my transport at Reception. After a few rings on the phone the lady said she couldn't get hold of them and would walk down there and ask. So she went off and within a few minutes was back saying "transport know and will be here soon".

I had a cold drink and waited and then my name was called. I got in the swish car (so different from other hospitals). We got chatting and had quite a laugh about different things. There was also some good music on, weird and wonderful ones from the 80's I've not heard for ages and love!

It was a real shame the journey went so quickly but it was a good laugh. I could've done with that after Tuesday I can tell you. Thanks Rod - hope to meet you again Mr Robotman! Just don't think of the velcro too often OK - you know what it does!

Here at last, the final end to the bandaging - it's been a strange time, the reactions of people and seeing the difference it has made. I know that I've still got to wear the compression stockings for the rest of my life every day but at least it's not so bad now that both legs are the same. It was odd with one white leg and one coloured one.

I have read that you can wear stockings/tights over them but I think it would be too hot for me. I feel the extremes of temperature more now so will stick with them as they are. Perhaps I'll need a different colour though for the winter....have to wait and see.

I've still not received my items back that were promised to me. A lot of you know who I'm talking about. It's annoying that people don't do as they say these days. Definitely not worth bothering about. If that is how they have to live their life then it's their problem and not mine.

Perhaps it's the way society is going today, kids with attitudes learn it from their parents and others around them. Companies never reply to emails which is downright rude and annoying. They certainly won't be getting any orders from me that's for sure! It is them who lose out in the end.

Jan has ordered some stockings for me to try out next as these ones cut in around the knee and ankle area. Although they are thicker it may stop the cutting in which will help. Some days I can't wait to take them off. It's so nice to stop that pain sometimes!

So now things are also getting busier on something else I'm working on too. I'll explain more next time so keep reading my diary!