February thoughts.

I am feeling a bit nervous about my next trip to Germany, I will be told if this next chemoembolization treatment is the last one I need, also I will get the results of my last treatment too.

My hair is falling out quit a bit, especially when I wash it, I have to unblock the bath after I shower. This is not good news as it is the third time I have had hair loss with treatment. I suppose though that if the next treatment is the last one I need I hopefully won't lose it all. I know it is a small price to pay for longevity, but it always upsets me just the same.

On a lighter note, well lighter for you, I have to rest prone for four hours after each treatment. I am not allowed to bend my legs or sit up even a little. At the same time the hospital is pumping my veins with a litre of fluid (saline solution) necessary as part of the treatment. This results in my bladder filling up quite quickly. As I am not allowed out of bed they will bring a bedpan, but Ladies you know how awful those things are. Added to that I have to go whilst lying down flat, I am not allowed to sit up. This is not only very difficult, but not too successful if you take my meaning. It took me fifteen minutes to go the first time, as my body wouldn't release anything in a lying down position. So now I just hang on and hope my bladder can cope. It can be a close call, as I have to be escorted to the loo by a nurse after the four hours as my leg could go numb and I could fall. Last time I dragged the poor nurse down the corridor in my haste to make it in time. Oh, the relief! Still, I can't complain, as the treatment seems to be working.

Sorry, was that too much information?

Rob was on Jury service this week and we were hoping that he wouldn't get a long case as my trip is next week. Unfortunately he was assigned to, and sworn in, on a case that was expected to go on for two weeks. Poor Rob had to go back the next day and ask to be excused from the jury as he accompanies me to Germany and Lufthansa, in their wisdom, will not let you change the name on an air ticket. Fortunately the Judge was understanding and dismissed the whole jury and swore in a new one. Otherwise I would have had to lose his ticket and buy a new one for my daughter, Emily, who was willing to accompany me. This would have resulted in a loss of about £300.00 as the fares had risen greatly as it was near the date of departure. Also I couldn't have got her on my flights and she would have been at different terminals at different times. It would have been very complicated.





Today's picture is a quick watercolour I did almost as a doodle.