Went for another load of chemo this afternoon. Arrived just before 2:30 and left about 4:45. So much for half an hour or so. It was very busy at The Brodie and it took ages to get started. Actual treatment time was probably just under an hour.
Have also been to an academy governors meeting. I told people I was planning to resign at the end of term, they may have convinced me to stay on as long as I am able to get to meetings and be coherent, thinking about it.
Had a phone call from one of my motorsport trialing mates. He was volunteering to pick up my Skoda and put it together for me, which others have already volunteered to do. So many good friends that I now have competition for help! What can I say? Thank you all.
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Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Monday, 24 June 2013
Seconds away, Round 2
Started my second chemo regime today. Nine tablets at breakfast, 3 more at the hospital, a bag of IV in my PICC
line, then 4 tablets more for lunch, just had one for tea need another before bed and then the same
again every day for 2 weeks. Most of them are antiemitics to stop the chemo making me sick.
My appointment at The Brodie Centre was for 9:30, but you know what happened, you've heard me ramble on about NHS appointments before. Dr Pratap said it would just be a short appointment at the Brodie for chemo, that was part of my reasoning for asking for it in Banbury. I left the hospital at 12:07. OK some of it was my fault as I hadn't gone over on Friday and picked up some tablets that I had to have an hour after food and an hour before the IV chemo. But I had breakfast at 8:30, gt the drugs at 9:40 and took them and the IV chemo didn't turn up until 10:15. They are all doing the best they can with the resources they have available, they just need more resources.
Came home, popped over to see Mum and encourage her to take some of her pills. Then I dismantled the barbeque, loaded it in the Land Rover and took the remains to the scrap bin at the tip. Came back the long way and felt pretty good. The sun was out, I was driving the Land Rover and all was good with the world.
My appointment at The Brodie Centre was for 9:30, but you know what happened, you've heard me ramble on about NHS appointments before. Dr Pratap said it would just be a short appointment at the Brodie for chemo, that was part of my reasoning for asking for it in Banbury. I left the hospital at 12:07. OK some of it was my fault as I hadn't gone over on Friday and picked up some tablets that I had to have an hour after food and an hour before the IV chemo. But I had breakfast at 8:30, gt the drugs at 9:40 and took them and the IV chemo didn't turn up until 10:15. They are all doing the best they can with the resources they have available, they just need more resources.
Came home, popped over to see Mum and encourage her to take some of her pills. Then I dismantled the barbeque, loaded it in the Land Rover and took the remains to the scrap bin at the tip. Came back the long way and felt pretty good. The sun was out, I was driving the Land Rover and all was good with the world.
Sunday, 23 June 2013
A great birthday weekend.
I have had a lovely weekend, preparing me for the chemo regime. Saturday, Lauren was here early in the morning and we spent all day getting organised for a little birthday party in the evening. We went shopping, reorganised the house, put up the borrowed gazebo and did some cooking. We had told people any time from 4:00 pm and the first guest turned up about 4:45. By 8:00 there were between 30 and 40 people, the barbecue had broken and beer was being drunk. Good times. Barbeque was usable, but doing an even better job of burning sausages than usual. I didn't get much chance to talk to people but just having so many friends here did me good. Was great to see some of the regualr blog readers putting names to faces they previously only knew via facebook and the blog.
Today we have been to Haynes in Bedfordshire for Haynes Village 100 It was bought to my attention by a motorsport friend and seemed like a nice way to spend an afternoon. Pictures are here Lauren and Ian stayed Saturday night so we got up for a cooked breakfast and a leisurely start. I opened all my cards and a few presents. Lauren has bought me a book to write things in. I have already started a little black book with all the essential information they will need to know, but this one is much more substantial and will have room for memories, feelings and things. I cried when I opened the book. It focused me on the future, theirs is bright, mine is not so. On the way back we passed the airship hangers at Cardington and visited this dovecot, it's huge.
Had a visit from The Howards when we got home. Great to see them, more good friends. I have also had an email from a friend mentioning a Cancer Centre in Bristol who practice some alternative therapies like visualisation. Going to do a bit of googling if chemo doesn't numb my brain too much tomorrow.
Today we have been to Haynes in Bedfordshire for Haynes Village 100 It was bought to my attention by a motorsport friend and seemed like a nice way to spend an afternoon. Pictures are here Lauren and Ian stayed Saturday night so we got up for a cooked breakfast and a leisurely start. I opened all my cards and a few presents. Lauren has bought me a book to write things in. I have already started a little black book with all the essential information they will need to know, but this one is much more substantial and will have room for memories, feelings and things. I cried when I opened the book. It focused me on the future, theirs is bright, mine is not so. On the way back we passed the airship hangers at Cardington and visited this dovecot, it's huge.
Had a visit from The Howards when we got home. Great to see them, more good friends. I have also had an email from a friend mentioning a Cancer Centre in Bristol who practice some alternative therapies like visualisation. Going to do a bit of googling if chemo doesn't numb my brain too much tomorrow.
Friday, 21 June 2013
100th Blipfoto Today
As well as writing the blog I also post a daily photo at www.blipfoto.com/grahamwh. Today is my 100th blip posting. I had plans a couple of weeks ago to make it a photographic expedition day looking for good 100 theme photos.
Instead I spent the entire morning having a PICC line fitted, called in to see Andy and Ed, then spent 20 minutes in my GP's waiting room before updating her and getting her to investigate getting a second opinion.
Had a great phone conversation with Snook as well this evening. He has helped me deal with lots of things along this journey. Sometimes by distracting me, sometimes by inspiring me and sometimes with sound philosophy. So many people out there are supporting and helping. Thank you all.
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Instead I spent the entire morning having a PICC line fitted, called in to see Andy and Ed, then spent 20 minutes in my GP's waiting room before updating her and getting her to investigate getting a second opinion.
Had a great phone conversation with Snook as well this evening. He has helped me deal with lots of things along this journey. Sometimes by distracting me, sometimes by inspiring me and sometimes with sound philosophy. So many people out there are supporting and helping. Thank you all.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Another Great Day
We had a very peaceful night at the Abbey Hotel. I didn't expect to have an actual abbey next door,
with a chiming clock. Slept through it until 5:00 am, then heard 7:00 and 8:00. Great hotel breakfast, like it should be with cereals, fruit, fry up and croissant. Not all at once obviously.
Then we went back down to Morgan for our factory tour. They were running late because two parties had not turned up. In the end we went with the first group to arrive. There are lots of pictures here. It was very interesting.
My highlights from the tour:-
They have changed the way they produce cars to enable them to make more.
They still put the cars on 2 wooden trestles to build them.
The only quality inspection is at the very end, and they nearly all pass.
There is informal peer quality review along the way. If the aluminium won't fit the ash frame Dave goes and asks Nigel what he is up to!
There were quite a few young craftsmen in the factory, Morgan will live on.
I didn't manage to blag a ride in a 3 wheeler.
After the tour we spent some time in the museum and then started home. Stopped in Worcester for a look at the Cathedral and city centre and some coffee/tea.
Off to the Churchill tomorrow to get a PICC line fitted. Oh Joy.
Then we went back down to Morgan for our factory tour. They were running late because two parties had not turned up. In the end we went with the first group to arrive. There are lots of pictures here. It was very interesting.
My highlights from the tour:-
They have changed the way they produce cars to enable them to make more.
They still put the cars on 2 wooden trestles to build them.
The only quality inspection is at the very end, and they nearly all pass.
There is informal peer quality review along the way. If the aluminium won't fit the ash frame Dave goes and asks Nigel what he is up to!
There were quite a few young craftsmen in the factory, Morgan will live on.
I didn't manage to blag a ride in a 3 wheeler.
After the tour we spent some time in the museum and then started home. Stopped in Worcester for a look at the Cathedral and city centre and some coffee/tea.
Off to the Churchill tomorrow to get a PICC line fitted. Oh Joy.
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
What a day
When I told my Mum that the cancer was back and that there was nothing they could do to stop it taking my life, she said "have a bloody good time then". Today we did.
Lauren and Ian bought us a day's Morgan hire as a joint birthday present. I wanted to book it asap and certainly before chemo started again. So today we did it. They are fantastic cars. I have driven all sorts of things over the years but today was the best days driving I have ever had. the sun shone, the scenery was fantastic and the car was awesome. We picked the car up from the factory in Malvern Link, drove across to Hereford, up to Ludlow, stopped for coffee, on to Craven Arms the across to The Three Tuns Brewery in Bishops Castle for lunch. We then went down to Clunand back across to Leomisnster on B roads. Sharon had a drive, she even started to get confident.
Breakfast about 9:00 and then back to Morgan for a factory tour. What do you think the chances are of me managing to blag a drive of a 3 wheeler? They do hire them and they do a track experience day, but I just want a go.
Lots more pictures and video here
Lauren and Ian bought us a day's Morgan hire as a joint birthday present. I wanted to book it asap and certainly before chemo started again. So today we did it. They are fantastic cars. I have driven all sorts of things over the years but today was the best days driving I have ever had. the sun shone, the scenery was fantastic and the car was awesome. We picked the car up from the factory in Malvern Link, drove across to Hereford, up to Ludlow, stopped for coffee, on to Craven Arms the across to The Three Tuns Brewery in Bishops Castle for lunch. We then went down to Clunand back across to Leomisnster on B roads. Sharon had a drive, she even started to get confident.
Tonight we are staying at the 4* Abbey Hotel in Malvern. We ate out at an Italian, have had a couple of beers and then back to the hotel for an early night. It was an early start today and tomorrow will be busy too.
Lots more pictures and video here
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
Anuvver nice day except........
I had to go to The Brodie Centre for my chemotherapy pre-admission. Chemo starts on Monday, PICC line is being fitted at the Churchill on Friday, will have to go to the medical centre sometime Saturday to have it checked. They tell me the chemo will make me sick, give me diarrhoea, constipate me and give me headaches. Sounds fun.
Before that I went to see John for coffee and a go of his hydraulic press. We pushed the new bushes into the Skoda suspension swing arms. I think that means I have everything I need to put it back together, just have to find the clutch release bearing.
After hospital I needed to do something fun so I went and drove some of the local Warwickshire lanes in the Land Rover. Sausage and pasta for tea, get organised for a day with a Morgan tomorrow and an early night for an early start tomorrow.
Regular blog readers are welcome to contact me about my birthday celebrations, on Saturday (That's an invite). Planning to light the bbq, drink some beer and mix with people before chemo starts and I am in isolation in the toilet avoiding infection, nursing my headache and suffering from at least one of the bowel side effects.
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Before that I went to see John for coffee and a go of his hydraulic press. We pushed the new bushes into the Skoda suspension swing arms. I think that means I have everything I need to put it back together, just have to find the clutch release bearing.
After hospital I needed to do something fun so I went and drove some of the local Warwickshire lanes in the Land Rover. Sausage and pasta for tea, get organised for a day with a Morgan tomorrow and an early night for an early start tomorrow.
Regular blog readers are welcome to contact me about my birthday celebrations, on Saturday (That's an invite). Planning to light the bbq, drink some beer and mix with people before chemo starts and I am in isolation in the toilet avoiding infection, nursing my headache and suffering from at least one of the bowel side effects.
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