Pinch punch first of the month...... Yes December is here already! Time has flown really quickly. I am half way through my radiotherapy treatment, no needles so far which is a BIG BONUS in my book I can tell you.

I've even managed to get a bit of christmas shopping done which is amazing. However I can't stand the pace any longer and get tired really quickly so have to have short outings. No mammoth christmas shopping sessions for me this year!

Still at least it's getting done! I wish I could go shopping in London - but it's only trips to the hospital for me I'm afraid!

Another week starts. It's easier than chemo but the travelling up there each day is very wearing. We all get tired.

I am getting a lot of pain from my leg. It is quite red and very swollen. It is really awkward trying to get it in to the boot now for the radiotherapy machine. It feels so tight like it will burst. So tender, it hurts when the cats brush against it or my skirt.

Just got booked in and sat down and my name was called. I was told they'd called me early as they wanted to be go back to Radiotherapy Planning and have my leg remeasured as it was very swollen yesterday. It's been increasing all week.

Just got booked in and sat down and my name was called. I was told they'd called me early as they wanted to be go back to Radiotherapy Planning and have my leg remeasured as it was very swollen yesterday. It's been increasing all week.

Another Doctor was called in and he said it could be one of three things.

	A possible Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
	An infection
	Side effects from radiotherapy

So straight away he went and called another department and we had to go immediately there, to rule out the DVT. This was a worrying thing, I've heard of this...... lots of thoughts through my head. Anyway we went walking through a somewhat desserted hospital at this time (it was late about 5.00pm by now!). Some stairs as the lifts were either out of action or being used for Ward moves. Painful!!!

We arrived at the Vascular something something (sorry I can't remember!). I then stood on a box with a long handle and had loads of cold jelly put on me. The machine looked like a time machine. I was looking at the screen but didn't know what I was looking at. My leg was squeezed and prodded and it was REALLY painful at times. I know it has to be done but it still HURTS!

I then had to turn around and the same was done to the back of the leg. The Dr Jackson had to squeeze round my ankle whilst the Vascular guy checked the flow of blood. He said it was OK in the ankles and around the top, but in the middle where it was so swollen he couldn't see much of the veins, but as the top and bottom was OK, he was sure there was nothing there. That was a RELIEF I can tell you!

So off we went back to the Planning. Now that DVT was out of the picture, the next thing was an infection. So I was prescribed two lots of antibiotics and told to elevate it very high (he did what looked like a ballet movement to show me how high!) in bed and also when I sit down for things like reading and watching TV. There would be NO TREATMENT that day either. Two days to add on now...... :-(((((

We then went to get the drugs (more drugs, I'm rattling now!!). Saw Graham (he had replaced Alan as he had other patients waiting so they swapped). I've found out that one of the ladies (so-called) I travelled with before who seemed quite nice, has been saying horrible things about me. Lovely huh!! Wait till I see her again. It's bad enough having this treatment, no smoking and look what happens to me. She smokes and is caked in make-up (you know the sort of old baggage!!!)....and she has the nerve to say things about me!!! Anyway, she's not worth thinking about. I've met her type before, nice to your face and stab you in the back. Sometimes I can ignore it, sometimes I can't and it's one of those can't times!!

Just got my drugs and saw Dr Cassoni. She was on her way out I think, and stopped to see me and Dr Jackson. She looked at my leg and they then discussed what to do next, along with a Nurse who had come down to see me as well. They decided to leave it until Tuesday and hope the antibiotics had worked by then.

She said she will be in meetings, but to call her when I was there. She then said maybe we should go as I shouldn't stand on it too long! So NO TREATMENT for Monday either :-(((((((((

Now it's THREE DAYS to add on. They can in certain circumstances do two treatments in one day, but there has to be a clear SIX HOURS in between. They are not going to do that to me, I am to have mine added on. So now it will be three more days. I knew finishing on Friday the 13th was a bad omen!!

Felt fed up going home, but what can I do. Not a lot really. Just take the tablets and hope for the best I suppose.

 

My leg is still red and hurts a lot. I suppose it'll take a while for the antibiotics to kick in. It hurts just sitting here. So very painful. I've got to keep walking on it though, don't want it to stop working now do we!

Strange thing, Surrey Ambulance turned up this morning, it was supposed to be this afternoon for Planning. I said I was going to planning and she said she wouldn't be able to take me home and would go on to the other patients and call the hospital. She suggested I did the same. This I did, when I eventually got through.

Apart from Christmas, December is the month of my birthday. I'll be having radiotherapy on my birthday this year, no day off work and special trip somewhere. I'll have to have it after radiotherapy instead - if I'm awake of course!!!

Friday the 13th - I knew it was a bad omen. I was SUPPOSED to have finished my treatment today. I'm feeling a bit fed up, as it means I'll have to add the SEVEN days on. I hope it won't have to start all over again that's for sure.

Well I must admit to being a tad nervous today, daft isn't it. I'm wondering if treatment will continue from today. I really hope so as I want to get this stuff finished with. It seems to have taken ages.

It worked, treatment went ahead yesterday. Although it was done a different way and the radigraphers came in half way through and adjusted the machine. It then went on it's merry way and continued.

Well, that's another week done and dusted! Only two more treatments to go.

There's something odd going on with my leg. Lots of little bubbles are appearing on it - have to keep an eye on this. Well both eyes really!! ;-)))

Yuck - I've now got a HUGE blister on my leg, about the size of a clementine, full of fluid. I don't know whether to pop it or not, it might make it feel better. The pain is awful, it stings and my painkillers haven't touched the pain.

Well it's still there. Really painful. I said to the radiographers that I had a problem and they checked it out.

Who can believe it is Christmas Eve already. It always seems so far away and then it's here.

Christmas Day.....it always creeps up on us and then it's here. I hope my memory has not failed me and I've not forgotten anything or anyone! Fingers crossed.

We aren't going out today, just staying at home. Martin is coming around to see how much has been added to the Christmas Tree. It's a big tree (six foot and about a similar amount wide - well it seems like it!) and there is always something new on there.

Another Christmas Day almost. Going to my Aunt and Uncles and my cousins are coming round, along with their kids. Quite a noisy day but enjoyable. I even managed a short walk to the river, nowhere near as far as the others, but it was good for me!

I felt a lot better over the weekend, although my leg is still SO painful. Nurse Amelia called this morning and I said I was concerned it was still weeping and not healing and the hardness and redness was still there. She said she would arrange for a District Nurse to come out.

New Years Eve. We aren't planning on going out anywhere. A stay at home one this time, along with most people I've spoken to. Not many are going out this year.