Monday 1st September, 2009
Did exercises first thing but have decided to stop the side stepper as I felt that I had pulled something slightly over the last week or so. Will stick to the straight movements in the meantime. Fairly mundane sort of day with heavy showers so started work on "Fife Coastal Path Walk" DVD which I did with the "girls" about a year ago! Still have a few bits and pieces of John's to do but am waiting for input from others.
Tuesday 2nd September, 2009
Exercises first thing felt a bit easier than yesterday. Went out to Hermiston Gate and on to the Garden Centre for a salad lunch. Another "iffy" day so nothing much to report. Recently finished Barack Obama's book "Dreams from my Father". Found it quite fascinating as I felt his life story well equipped him to do the job he does.
Wednesday 3rd September, 2009
Not just a rainy day but a M & S Rainy day! As Sod's Law would have it, it was the day we were booked in to take one of the bikes in to get puncture mended in the a.m.
Appointment at the hospital at 2 p.m. for routine check-up and talk about the next stage which is radiotherapy. Last chemo is 30th September so will be given a date around 3 weeks after that to start my treatment. I have been given a booklet (and talk) about all the things that can go wrong e.g. causing a crack in the ribs and damaging part of the lung. Apparently this is rare but I suppose they have to "cover their butts" although I did not find it helpful! Decided to wait and deal with any (or no) problems as they arise rather than read their book. Had a dialogue about my dizziness (which is lessening) and possible osteopath sessions. It was their opinion that the dizziness was something to do with the middle ear e.g. laborynthitis and that I should wait until the chemo was finished before doing anything about the back problems. I think that has improved though now that I have stopped doing the side stepper.
Thursday4th September, 2009
Yet another wet day so exercises and housework completed in the morning. Went into town for some shopping and lunch at Cafe Andaluz. Serious rain has found yet another way into the conservatory which is being fixed this afternoon.
Friday 5th September, 2009
Went into town in the morning to see the "Discovery of Spain" collection from Goya to Picasso at the National Gallery. Day proved to be better than expected so managed a good walk in the afternoon locally.
Saturday 6th September, 2009
Food shopping in the a.m. Went for a 2 hour bike ride in the afternoon taking in the Dalmeny Estate which has now been opened to cyclists and is part of the cycling network. Our route was quite hilly but felt very good afterwards in spite of that.
Monday 7th September, 2009
As it was dry spent some time with Mhairi and the boys. Went to the Rose Garden and swing park at Saughton in the morning and spent the afternoon in the garden with the children. Had my usual pre chemo blood test in the morning.
Spent an interesting evening at the Museum with Jackie Stewart who was unveiling one of his old cars.
Tuesday, 8th September, 2009
Bad news on the blood test again as the neutrofils are only 0.4 but I suppose I am getting to the end of this part of the treatment. Posed the question as to whether I should wait another couple of days before getting chemo. Suggestion was rejected so will go in tomorrow at 11 a.m. as planned.
My sister visited today and did exercises with me. The three of us went out for lunch.
Wednesday, 9th September, 2009
Having spent 2 hours in Ward 1 today was sent home as my blood levels were not good enough i.e. 0.59. Have a further appointment on Friday so here's hoping I make it this time. Felt a bit dumped today as it will delay the whole process. Never mind, got the housework done this afternoon.
Thursday, 10th September, 2009
A dry day for a change so we went for a cycle to Malleny Gardens at Balerno which takes about an hour and a half to get there and only an hour to get back as it is downish hill on the return journey. Bought provisions in the local supermarket and enjoyed a picnic in the gardens before cycling back.
Friday, 11th September, 2009
Another day hanging around the hospital. Was asked to be there at 1 p.m. for blood test but did not get that done until 2 p.m. Managed to have a sandwich before my chemo which was administered about 3 p.m. Big relief that my neutrofils were up to 2 so no antibiotics this time.
Saturday, 12th September, 2009
Have had no reaction this time to the chemo yesterday and feeling pretty good. Was having another look at the Cancer Booklet handout and am slightly worried that I still have some reddening of the skin in connection with my operations. I note that there is a rare condition called inflammatory breast cancer caused by cells blocking lymph channels. It is too easy to become paranoid but I think I will have a dialogue with the medical people to put my mind at rest.
Went to a super 70th birthday lunch at Invcrleith and met lots of people who we used to see regularly at business dinners etc. but had not seen for some time. Great catching up with all the chat.
Sunday, 13th September, 2009
Food shopping in the morning. Cycled to Inverleith to deliver "thank you" letter and on to Newhaven where we had a salad outside in the sunshine (believe it or not). Went on for a leisurely cycle to Leith Links and back home by the cycle tracks which was not easy as we were against the flow of the Glasgow - Edinburgh charity cyclists in their hundreds.
Monday, 14th September, 2009
Domestic sort of day sorting out the "Humax" and TV aerial which is not performing properly. Cycled to cleaners at Blackhall which gave me some exercise today.
Tuesday, 15th September, 2009
It would have been my parents' wedding anniversary today so Heather and myself went through to the Greenock Cemetery to pay our respects. Went on to meet friend Sheila Mumford for lunch at the Gourock Yacht Club. People in the West always say that "you should have been here yesterday - the weather was good yesterday!" I have to document here and now that we had a wonderful lunch looking out over the Clyde in sunshine. Great to catch up with Sheila as we always pick up where we left off. She always tells me that one should take up something new every year (hers being singing at the moment) so I have decided to have a go at the accordion after the Christmas season is over. (Be very afraid!)
Wednesday, 16th September, 2009
The Wendy House is up and we had a leisurely cycle to The Cloth Shop at Bonnington to get some bin end material for curtains. The girls in the family will love it but if the boys object to the pink and blue mermaids I have wasted my £4! Cycled on to Ocean Terminal hoping to have a light lunch at Baxters. Unfortunately other people of a certain age have realised that one can have a pleasant light lunch there so did not get in. Made do with a baked potato and on for a coffee at "Porto Fi". Bought some fresh fish from Newhaven for a stir-fry tonight.
Thursday 17th September, 2009
Had a physio session with Tanya at 10.00 a.m. Was a wee bit tired afterwards so we had a leisurely drive to Dirleton for lunch and short walk. Were able to get the roof down as it was a lovely sunny day. Had a dialogue with Tanya about the problem I had with my feet some months ago (plantar faschiitis - spelling?). Tanya is concerned that one of my hips is rotating differently from the other and I am thinking it may be the inserts that the podiatrist gave me. I think I will try and do without them or at least limit their use.
Friday 18th September, 2009
Mainly domestic day with any plans discarded as my temporary filling fell out. Spent most of the afternoon organising and waiting for dental appointment. Will get it dealt with properly once my treatment is through. Isn't that something to look forward to !
Saturday 19th September, 2009
John dealt with tradesman who arrived to give quote for possible driveway work. Did my gym exercises after which we drove to St. Monans to have lunch at the Seafood restaurant. The weather was miserable when we left but beautiful when we arrived at St. Monans. Enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the front by the picturesque cottages. Was a wee bit tired yesterday but back on full throttle again today.
Sunday 20th September, 2009
It looked a lovely sunny day so decided to take the bikes over the Forth Bridge and round the coastal route to Aberdour. Had a light lunch at Aberdour before returning. Life was really enjoyable until one bright spark suggested that it might be interesting to visit North Queensferry before going back over the bridge. I was going to say the day went downhill from then on but it would be more acurate to say it went uphill from then on as we missed the flat off-road path I had remembered from my walk to St. Andrews last year. Furthermore the "Ben Nevis" we found ourselves on had no purpose other than to drop us back at sea level on the other side! We decided that instead of retracing our tracks we would continue on the more reasonable road and access the Bridge from the other side. That would have been a good idea if we had not been confronted with a sign on arrival which told us the bridge was shut to cyclists on that side. Our hearts sank as we had to maneouve our way back down to the "gunwales" of South Queensferry where we could look up and view the bridge somewhere among the stars of the galaxy. Sixty six (I counted them) steep steps separated us from the correct side of the Bridge which by this time was host to a gale force wind. Isn't it funny how things can quickly go from bad to worse? - no! I think perhaps I will be having a leisurely day tomorrow.
Monday 21st September, 2009
Had an out of the blue telephone call from an old friend of John who was in Edinburgh for a few days. Agreed to meet and had lunch at the Whisky Society in Queen Street. Feeling fine after the trip yesterday but am going to have a day exercise free.
Tuesday, 22nd September, 2009
A couple of appointments with a view to having the drive redone with blocking. Apart from that a fairly domestic day with exercises in the p.m.
Wesnedsay, 23rd September, 2009
Went with the "girl" neighbours to the Autumn Fair at Dundas Castle and on to the "Dakota" for lunch. Feeling pretty normal health wise but did not fit in any exercise today. Saw Sheila and Jimmy for a short while in the evening.
Thursday, 24th September, 2009
Domestic day with gym a.m. Finished the Fife Coastal Walk video.
Friday, 25th September, 2009
Went to St. Monan's with Jim and Irene and had lunch at the Seafood Restaurant followed by a short walk. Lovely enjoyable day.
Saturday, 26th September, 2009
Had a leisurely cycle through the Dalmeny Estate to South Queensferry and back via Craigie for refreshments. By chance Mhairi arrived with the two boys which was a bit difficult as they both had colds and Benjamin was on antibiotics for an ear infection. Fortunately we were just about to leave. Handed in Thomas's birthday present later in the day....without staying of course which is a pity.
Sunday, 27th September, 2009
Food shopping in the a.m. Parked at the far end of Inverkeithing in the p.m. and took a walk part way round the Fife Coast ending up at Aberdour. As we are planning to get some work done on our driveway/garden and enjoyed looking at some of the houses with a view to getting ideas.
Monday, 28th September, 2009
Slept till nearly 9 a.m today which must have been the result of my 3 hour walk yesterday. Have been feeling reasonably normal but I suppose my perception of what is normal has been reduced to a lower level. Mainy a domestic day as I want to get up t0 date before my last chemo scheduled for Friday.
Tuesday 29th September, 2009
Did exercises in the a.m. Domestic things around the house with a visit and drinks with the Dicksons later in the day. It was useful to discuss our quotes for the proposed work on our respective driveways. Felt a bit tired in the evening but that was probably due to having an extra glass of wine!
Wednesday, 30th September, 2009
Seem to be sleeping a 9 hour night these days. Still have the dizziness when puting my head on the pillow but nothing that interferes with what I want to do during the day. Cleaned all the glass doors this morning which was surprisingly tiring while John amused himself varnishing the back door. Decided to cycle down to Newhaven to get some fresh fish but ended up going on to the far side of Portobello as it was such a pleasant jaunt.
Well that is September over and last chemo tomorrow, hip, hip! Back to the top for October.
I do not know why the format has changed but I do not seem to be able to do anything about it. I also had some good photos of the Forth Bridge which it will not let me publish. The wonders of technology!
