Salad days

John said I should take a picture of this salad because it looked so colourful.

This is my 'low' week - when blood count drops which can cause anaemia. Feel a bit tired but that's ok when all you have to do is read books in the garden, watch Wimbledon and make salads.

Yesterday the Dean of Nottingham Cathedral came to visit. (I am Catholic albeit not a very good one). We had a nice chat and he gave me a 'Plenary Indulgence'*. Nick thought this sounded like a high-calorific pudding; something full of cream, chocolate and liqueur. So it's summer salad for main followed by a Plenary Indulgence for dessert. Anyway, it was pleasant.

Next week is my 'good' week, when blood count shoots back up and I'll feel almost normal, before going back for another dose. I know this is only the first round, and chemotherapy is cumulative, but it's been a huge relief to have had virtually no side effects. Must be all those positive energies, complementaries plus the odd indulgence.

When Colonel Sensitivity texted for a de-brief I took great pleasure in telling him how well I feel. He hasn't yet replied!



*A Plenary Indulgence is a sort of top-notch blessing. In the middle ages dodgy clerics used to sell them.

Margaret Higgins: 3 September 1952 - 26 June 2010

Margaret, who I knew in Manchester, died on Saturday.

When I arrived in the city in '94 to start a new job and not knowing a soul, Margaret was one of the first people I met. She and her family were warm and welcoming.

They were true stalwarts of the community. All sorts of people with all sorts of issues beat a path to their door and found sustenance there. The Higgins were Christians in the purest sense of the word; giving and non-judgemental.

Last week Margaret phoned to find out how my chemotherapy went. Although very breathless and in the last stages of her cancer, she still found time to ring me. One of her talents was calligraphy and this is a card she made me years ago when I was in a low spot.

Her charismatic faith shone out beacon-like and led her to some interesting places, such as Hong Kong where she worked with addicts and former Triad members, and Belfast where she pioneered for peace among communities on both sides of the divide. In latter years her belief sustained her through each stage of her terminal illness.

She has now gone to meet her destination. She will be missed by many. May she rest in peace.

Pinky and Perky

Been to the clinic to have my boob checked out. Shaping up nicely. Can now wear whatever bra I want! Here's a few for starters.

The breast care nurse was very impressed with JP's customised pink and white number and wanted to know where I got it. In the business she's in she thought she knew every bra on the market.

Perhaps there's a future for him in lingerie should the Cameron cuts penetrate too deep? Question is, what to call it?* Pert by Perky?


*Where's Peter Smith when you need him?

It's the drugs!

They give you steroids for the first three days after chemo which make you wired. Perhaps I should use this brief window to moonlight as a nightclub bouncer?

Have been doing daily moxibustion prescribed by the acupuncturist, which involves burning a stick that looks like a fat cigar and holding it near points on the shin - see pic. Been doing it outside. It smells like weed, so the neighbours may think I've got a heavy skunk habit. Might have the Police helicopter round next!

Have delayed the next chemo session slightly so I can go to Trish's wedding, otherwise it would have fallen during the high-risk period when I have to avoid gatherings.

Some people have asked about visiting. Yes please! I love visitors as long as you don't bring any bugs with you. Critical time is 7-14 days after treatment when the immune system drops dramatically so you can't fight infection.

Looking forward to a day of warmth and Wimbledon, oh and and swingeing coalition cuts of course.

Unlikely remedies

Amazed at how well I feel. Apart from slight nausea last night, for which I found some new cures (eating sweet baby carrots and playing swingball) I've been fine. In hangover terms it's about a Class D.

I probably feel a whole lot better than certain people; BP's Tony Hayward, Fabio Capello and the whole of the England squad to name a few. Not really following it but gather it's all going abit belly-up. Slovenia look pretty good to me, so I suppose if it's all over come Wednesday there will be lots of red and white wigs going cheap - in case I fancy a change.

Someone said the other day: "Lucky you being off work during the world cup." So I said: "Wanna swap places?"

Perhaps I could use all this injury time to get into football, but not sure I could cope with the constant drone in b-flat major. Now Wimbledon is a different matter...

Have been wandering round the Sherwood Art Week trail. All the businesses join in and display artwork. It brightens up the drabbest of shopfronts.

One down

Five to go...

So far so good.

Worst bit was waiting two and a half hours to be seen. Oh well, that's NHS time*. Once we got in it took what seemed like nanoseconds to pump five different drugs into me.

Nurse said: "Don't worry about the air bubbles. It's a myth that they can kill you." How reassuring. Up until then, I hadn't been worried!

Feeling fine right now. No sickness, and hair intact. Let's see what tomorrow brings. Meanwhile the lovely JP is cooking casserole to eat while I can still taste.

Thanks for all your messages of support, and thanks to those who've been through this for telling me what to expect (especially the tip about ice cubes and prickly bum sensation!)


* There are three time zones in the UK: GMT, British Summer Time, and NHS time. NHS time may be several hours behind.

Essential chemo survival kit

Clockwise from centre:
1. Fresh fruit to tackle the toxins
2. Digital thermometer for daily temperature readings. If you heat up higher than 38 you head for hospital
3. Light reading and viewing for heavy days
4. Hair! (and head to hang it on when not in use)
5. Mouthwash. Chemo causes mouth sensitivity
6. Sunhat and sunblock - bald heads burn!
7. DAB radio. R4 beats daytime telly any day
8. Juicer to liquidise the fruit - easier on sore mouths
9. Hypnosis CD - induces a state of well-being and relaxation (works for me and the cat).
10.Ginger tea, ginger sweets, ginger chocolate. All things ginger are good - with the possible exeption of the Duchess of York.

Tomorrow is dose number one. I'm ready now. Bring it on!