Top of the morning to ya!
No nausea last night. I was waiting on it believe me, but 21:30 came and went and still it did not appear. A little odd feeling prickled me a little but nothing at all that I couldn’t cope with. I nodded off about 22:30 – awake at 00:30, off again until 14:30 then up for a further three hours or more thinking. Writing my journal in my head, thinking of the lovely woman I met at the chemo ward yesterday and wondering how her side effects were with her cycle this time. She’s on cycle #5 and now on new chemo meds. Thinking about the devastating effects of cancer on the lives of so many people.
I had my favourite chemo cheese butty and cleaned the kitchen, did some washing and drying, tinkered about, up and down – looking for stuff to do about the house. Tiredness did kick in just before dinner but I am very pleased with my efforts on day#2 of cycle#2.
I had two conversations with two very good freinds today too – my best English to Welsh friend (I have spoken about her losing her beautiful sister to cancer) and my best English to New Zealand friend. She is also a counsellor and we have been friends for over two decades. This woman is evidence that you can overcome anything life throws at you. She has been in an abusive marriage for years and has had to fight on many personal levels to free herself of this damage and re-build her life. Thankfully she is happily married now and the two of them made a new life in New Zealand and she looks so happy – it suits her. She’s been there about 10 years now and I miss her. We communicate often but she’s not in this country and there is a hole where she once was. What I wouldn’t do to have her back in the UK now. She is very similar to me in many ways – soft, strong, empathetic, real, congruent, sensitive, and swears like a fisherman’s wife! No filter – just raw honesty and courage. You know if you ask her anything the truth will follow. But she requires the same back so we are equal. Refreshing to have a woman in your team that can offer optimism, positivity and a ‘no f***s’ given attitude. Just what you need when you are going through chemotherapy. It’s a shame she doesn’t live here or you would have yourself a very solid counsellor here to aid your journey.
I really look forward to my messages from my fabulous friends and my younger sister on days like these. You need as much positive energy and genuine love around you during the treatment. It’s what has really been a blanket of comfort for me. I close my eyes and feel them with me.
Gratitude is the best medicine. It heals my mind, my body and my spirit.
Thank you all xx