Rugby Saved My Life - So my team mate claims anyway ....

I'm still fortunate enough to be operating in the "normal" zone.  Literally everything is like normal life. Still appreciate the fact this could change at any moment - but frankly enjoying it  while I can. Watched Ollie's last game of the season, which I'm pleased about as it was the best they have played. Great competitive game and a shame they lost in the end.  Nice relaxing afternoon followed up by a game of trivial pursuit with the kids. Well, it started with the kids - they got bored......... I won... Sunday was the community day and prize giving at the club.  Great turnout and was good to see loads of friendly faces.  I wasn't allowed to take part in the tag tournament after wrecking my knee last year and it wasn't a good idea to attempt it currently anyway.  Glad to see it was so fiercely contested as normal - glad I wasn't playing !!!  Managed a couple of cheeky pints as well - the Guinness went down very well ! Highlight ...

Today, I had an appointment for bloods and the urology clinic at the Marsden.  Feeling "normal" again today - which I'm clearly pleased about - the only change I have noticed is the reduction in beard growth. Normally I have to shave daily - the requirement has reduced massively..... Guess I'll save on blades for the time being as well as haircuts soon ! Nat came along to the Marsden and after an early blood test, we had some breakfast and waited for the bloods to be tested and for my appointment. Whilst waiting, we met with Jason, the friend of a friend and my Whatsapp go-to for daft questions.  He was in for a checkup, so it worked perfectly to meet face to face and chat.  It's reassuring to meet the face behind the chat - when you see the guy whos had had a similar dose of chemo - had a bald head - rocks up with a full head of hair and a beard !  Hope your check up went well Jason. Very happy with output from my appointment.  Doctors are pleased with ...

So - I wasn't expecting to write this at any point. But today was just a normal day. Outside of the dull ache in my arms and legs, everything else is normal! Worked from home, like normal ......... Sure it won't be like this all the time but setting myself up to feel rubbish every day has given me a bonus day today.  Let's see what tomorrow brings - more bloods and a visit to the urology clinic planned.....

Very quiet day today compared to the previous days events. Decided to work from home and had a quiet morning - still the usual wake up feeling OK and then gradually start to feel tired during the day routine, but all in all, not too bad.... Took the opportunity of being at home, to go out for lunch with Nat which was really nice to do something "Normal". Managed to get some rest this afternoon before Steve arrived to stab me with my daily injection to increase my blood count for the next 5 days. Thanks mate ! My arms and legs are aching quite a bit today, so Nat suggested a bath.  I hate having a bath - it's boring and frankly - the bath isn't big enough to completely submerge myself - I just don't do baths - ever. But - I know it might help - so I managed to soak myself for about 20 mins in "muscle repair super bubble bath" or whatever it's called but then boredom took it's toll and I escaped.  I still ache.... I'm looking forwar...

So - Day 8 - inside the "danger zone" of days 7-10 - and still feeling OK. I'm a week in, pleased that so far - I'm OK.  From reading lots of other stories, many have felt like crap by now, I just am tired and ache - I'll take that - although I am under no illusion it might get worse. After dropping Ollie at school with Alan, we went for the best preparation for the day - down the Ewell Cafe for a fry up.  Marvelous!  Just what I needed before we headed to the Marsden for my Day 8 blood tests.  These blood tests along with some checks are to ensure I am OK to take the next part of this stage of the treatment.  Fortunately, not a massive queue as I was seen fairy quickly.  The fry up clearly helped - as my veins were on good form. "Ooh - an easy one" as he lanced my vein with the cannula - bloods done. I went up to let them know I'd had my bloods taken and it was confirmed for me to return at 2pm as scheduled.  I'd hoped that I would see R...

Monday morning - the day when most of the working population lets out a small groan when the alarm goes off.  Same in this house ! However - my initial thoughts were if I were going into the office today. Day 7 - 10 is when my white blood cell count is likely to dip / be at it's lowest and when I am likely to feel like crap.  This morning I feel normal (as I can be). So - I take my time, get ready, have some breakfast and do leave for the office after the school runs have gone.  Nice quiet drive to the office and it was nice to be welcomed back by my colleagues, although I was gently reminded - "Great to see you, but you don't have to be here".  I knew that - but I wanted to prove a point to myself that I could do it if I wanted to ! I lasted until lunchtime, was OK but knew the batteries were getting low - so decided to eat and get home on the energy rush.  I decided to have a power nap - an hour an a half later I woke up.   Listen to y...

I set myself some targets for the weekend and although I exceeded those targets, I realised that I really need to be sensible.  On the day of the London Marathon, I have woken up to the realisation that I am indeed running my own marathon -  which for those that know me - running isn't my thing !   I have just started my treatment, I'm on Day 6 - of a 21 day cycle - I have to do this three times over-  it will and is already getting harder. I now am starting to realise that my energy levels just aren't there. As much as I think / wish / want them to be.  Ollie did his first Parkrun today - my advice to him (as a pro athlete clearly !) - take your time - start of at a good pace so you make it to the end.  Son like Father - straight out the trap and knackered before half way ! He gathered his breath and got going again and ran to the end. Never give up.  So proud of him though and he's looking forward to beating his time next weekend. I however -...