Firstly a heartfelt thankyou for all the kind and caring messages on my bowel cancer diagnosis post. This really is the most wonderful community.
As of today I am halfway through round two of my chemotherapy , there are four in total.
How am I coping, well that really does depend on the day as it a bit of a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs. As much as I thought I was prepared for the treatment having read all the information given to me nothing really prepares you for the physical and mental challenges that you experience.
That said I know my journey is easier than many as I was relatively fit and healthy and my cycles are also shorter , each is fourteen days followed by a seven day break. I have IV chemo on day one and take seven chemo tablets daily.
I am viewing this as one of life’s annoying challenges and a means to end with a deadline in sight.
I have an amazing medical team to whom I am forever grateful as well as the love and support of many dear friends and of course my family.
On my last week off I caught up with close friends and enjoyed an MG car club early morning run in John’s 1953 MG TD ( forgot the photos too busy talking). I also enjoyed an extremely belated Christmas dinner with my work colleagues . It really did feel so good to put on my make up and dress up again.
Our planned trip to Europe has now been rebooked for mid September . It took quite a lot of reshuffling but was achieved without too much added cost.
We also changed our original route and now travel from Paris to the Loire Valley then Provence and the Cote dÁzur , then re-visiting Spain and Portugal.
I am rather pleased with our revised itinerary and will enjoy researching and planning what to see and do over the coming months.
We will finish the trip with a few days in London in early November followed by two weeks in Paris before we fly home . The bonus to this is that I will now turn 70 in Paris , my favourite city.
To say I am so looking forward to the trip is an understatement.
As I am not back into the swing of taking blog photos I will add this one taken on my 65th. birthday , also in Paris, in 2018.
I’m glad to read that you are doing pretty okay given the circumstances. At least you have something fabulous to look forward too. Sending you lots of strength for the coming months!
Author
Thank you so very much Nancy for your kind words.
Sending you oodles of good vibes and warm healing waves as you go through your Chemo. <3 I had a birthday in Venice once, and it was magical. I'm so glad you have all that wonderful planning ahead.
Author
Thank you so very much Sheila for your healing vibes. Venice for a birthday would be magical.
Thanks for the update. You’ve got this! We will be right here when you feel like blog posting. You take care of yourself. Hugs and prayers.
Author
Thank you so very much Nancy for your kindness.
Thanks for posting an update. I have been wondering how you are doing. I am glad you’ve found a way to cope with getting through the chemo. And what an amazing trip to look forward to! Keeping you in my thoughts.
Author
Thank you so much Michelle , you are so kind. Having the trip to re-plan and look forward to is giving me a focus at present.
It’s lovely to see a post from you, Jill. That photo of you in Paris is wonderful, you stylish lady.
You’ve got such a positive outlook and a brilliant attitude and that postponed trip will be a wonderful reward. My friend’s mum is 72 and she’s just had the all clear from her bowel cancer diagnosis, we’ll going to celebrate next week.
Much love to you. xxxx
Author
Thank you so very much Vix . Our trip is giving me something to aim for , as well as more planning and research something I enjoy doing.
So pleased to hear of your friend’s Mum outcome , enjoy those well deserved celebrations. xx
I admire your ability to view this as one of life’s annoying challenges, and I’m sure your positive attitude will go a long way towards your healing process. As does having your trip to Europe to plan and look forward to. And what better city to celebrate a milestone birthday in than Paris! I am wishing you well and sending you virtual hugs! xxx
Author
Thank you so much Ann , virtual hugs readily accepted.
The trip is giving me a focus at present and I always enjoy the research and planning , to say nothing of a birthday in Paris.
What a trip that sounds fantastic. I love the LoireValley. I was there in 1981. The castles and homes are magnificent.
Provence, of course is always a winner and then Portugal and Spain I’ve never been!I will live through your pictures! you have so much to look forward to and Paris for your birthday do you know where you’ll eat dinner already?
Sometimes I think the planning is more fun than the trip itself. Enjoy that I know you will and best of luck on the rest of all of what you’re going through. I know it can’t be easy I just had the end of life nurse call and leave me a message to update the paperwork. Good god what a downer that is.
Author
As you can imagine I am so looking forward to our re scheduled trip. I do so enjoy the planning part of travelling and at present it is giving me another focus.
Not sure about dinner plans for my birthday just yet but we are spending our last few days at a rather special small hotel.
Oh Elizabeth I can only imagine how you felt receiving that phone call.xx