Mistletoe

I have bitten the bullet and had my first mistletoe injection today. I was a bit worried about having needles stuck into me but I needn't have worried. Doctor McGavin made me practice snapping open the ampule, filling the syringe and getting the air out of it, on some out-of-date mistletoe. He then gave me an in-date ampule and a syringe, which I filled. I then expected him to administer the injection, but he said 'Go ahead and do it.' I was a bit shocked and asked how. He said that as the needle is quite short I could just inject straight into my skin, as I had 'Plenty of meat on me.' (Cheek!) I hesitated and he told me to just go for it and not be tentative, so I just stabbed myself and it didn't hurt at all! I then squirted the fluid in and it was all done. The fluid stung a bit after a few seconds, for about an hour, and now I can't see where the injection site is, but I am expecting, and hoping, for a local reaction as this means that my body is reacting.

I did wonder if I could start the mistletoe so soon after the chemoembolization, apparently it is not a problem.

I am hoping that as well as protecting me a bit from cancer it will help with sleep. I have not slept properly since my operation and it does wear me down somewhat. Dr. McGavin has also prescribed me some herbal sleep inducing drops but the chemist hasn't got any in stock so I guess it is another week of sleepless nights. Actually I do get some sleep it is just that it is in fits and starts.

I hear tonight that MP's will discuss homeopathy being excluded from the NHS, this would mean that the mistletoe would then be excluded. It is one step forward and two back in this country.

I heard some good and bad news this week about other Mesothelioma sufferers, one poor man has died after putting up a very brave fight, and another has had his three month check with the Prof. and has been told that there has been no more cancer growth. Although several Meso people or their families are in contact, and this helps, it is quite hard sometimes to hear of their news. Overall though I would say it is beneficial to be in touch and help support others going through the same as my family and me.

My painting this week is of my lovely daughter Emily and her man Pete, I did it for a birthday present for Pete. I was all fired up after a good art lesson and rashly told Emily that I would do a painting of their favourite picture. This was very arrogant of me, as I have never actually done any portrait painting before. Having said I would do it I was quite anxious of their response to the painting as it sort of looks like them and sort of doesn't. Still it is done now. We did buy him a nice shirt as a real present just in case he didn't like it. I would hate for him to have to drag it out from the attic and put it on the wall each time we visit.