Day 10

This is an earlier blog than usual as I am filling it in before going up the road to Andrea's.

Good news is no more health mishaps. As for yesterday's carry on keep taking the tablets.

Today was my last Angel Radio Show until after the chemo and operation. It was wonderful to go out on a very high note. My guest was Brian Swift a veteran of the D Day landings. He was a member of the Royal Engineers. On D Day his group were to be assault engineers whose task was to reach the battleground before the main invasion force landed. Thy were on Juno Beach which Canadian Forces were attacking. Apparently when the engineers arrived along with counterparts from the Winnipeg Rifles the Germans thought they were local workmen. To use Brian's words when things got hairy they all hid in an apple orchard with bullets and all sorts flying all around them. Not content with that after the Germans surrendered he went to Singapore to help get the Japanese out. The way he told it was most impressive, understated but giving enough detail to make it interesting. To me whilst you can read official histories but it's the stories of people like Brian that tell it like it really was.

Altogether the show was very focused. My only indulgence was to play Frank Sinatra's one for the Road as my final song.

Thanks to Phill and Sue for the cutting about the Isle of Coll hotel.

More tomorrow.

Day 9

You never know what is just around the corner. Got up this morning feeling not bad at all. The first test match started today I thought I would watch at least some of it (what a life eh).

All went swimmingly until Lunchtime when I went for a wee only to notice some blood mixed in. Oh dear I thought I had better ring the chemo unit since various side effects were mentioned but problems with the waterworks wasn't one of them (neither were the hiccoughs by the way....see earlier entries). Much to my surprise the Doctor rang me back to say he thought it might simply be a urine infection but that I should go to A and E if I wasn't sure to have it checked out.

Thus another visit to the Hospital. We had taken the precaution of carrying all the pills and potions with us which is as well because one of the nurses wrote all of them down. It took a long time in that we arrived at A and E at 4.00 and didn't get out until 7.45. Most of that time was spent waiting. The upshot was good news in that the blood test showed that my resistance to infection was good. The not so good news was that a sample of urine showed an infection. So I have been given yet more pills to add to the collection. The infection should clear up within 3 days but to be sure I should go to the Surgery for another urine test on Monday.

18 months ago I had an operation on my prostate. At the time I was told that particularly first thing in the morning there was a possibility of urine retention which seems to have happened here. In other words the blood had nothing to do with the chemotherapy.

Anyway let's not dwell too much on these parts of the body. Fortunately Andrea had made a very nice cauliflower cheese which was most welcome. On a lighter note Andrea had gone to Southampton today but for got her mobile. The Uni. does not have any phones available from which outside calls can be made. To add complications Adam's birthday party is on the same day as one of his classmates Ben. Whilst Ben had invited Adam, the same was not true in reverse. Not sure how that one will be resolved. Fortunately Andrea has access to e mail at the university so we could contact her to come home early. Martin's parents are in Majorca.

I forgot to mention a nice call I got from Grandson Jack. He really is a very caring young man. Calls also tonight from Phillip Bishop and Pauline Nicholas. Thank you to all of you. It is much appreciated.

For the next four nights am staying at Andrea's. If you ring home and don't get a reply that will be why though I shall have my mobile with me. Hope also tomorrow to do my show on Angel Radio and the blog will continue........yipee(no pun intended).

Day 8

Today was encouraging. It's now a week since the chemo started and they tell you this is where it's supposed to be heavy going. However despite a poor night's sleep I managed a decent breakfast, a lunchtime snack, a good warm rather than a hot meal and a snack. Today also was the first day or rather evening off for Ev. Eventually will get the hang of the pill routine and everything will be okay I'm sure.

My guest on the Radio today was quite a character. John Lea failed his 11 plus but became a Head Teacher at two independent schools, Ryde Junior and Downside at Purley. He was most happy with some of the nostalgic music we play. Speaking of Angel Radio I am taking a break after this Thursday. I hope they find a replacement for me whilst I am away. One thing I would say about the Island is that there are plenty of people with good stories to tell.

Dropped Ev off at the Pier Head and will go and collect les Girls at around 1030. So we go forward in a positive frame of mind.

day 7

I've been a little hesitant about writing up my blog today on the grounds that not a lot has happened. Now that I am back on the anti sickness pills the nausea is much much less evident.

Had Porridge for Breakfast, Soup and a rice cake for Lunch and Mince, potatoes, Carrots and Broccoli for tea along with a nice little dessert. It's very important to eat a little rather than a lot. Now those who know me will be aware that I am normally a sucker for second helpings but I have surprised myself by limiting what I eat at any one time.

What else? Good to hear from the Clarks that they had a good time in Tuscany to celebrate their silver wedding and it was also nice to hear Pat Downey's voice.

At this stage the lack of anything monumental happening is a good thing. Tomorrow will be a good test. There is the Radio Show to do at Lunchtime and I very much hope to take Ev, Anne and Suzanne to the Pier Head for the Fast cat to Portsmouth. Practice for Ladies Barbershop beckons.

Day 6

It's very important to get into a routine. I failed that test this morning. I suppose it came as a result of a good night's sleep followed by Breakfast where everything seemed to be okay. I'm very anxious not to become a couch potato so I got ready to go for a walk to get the Sunday Paper. It was only on my way back from the shop that I remembered I had not taken the chemo pills. These should be taken twice a day at least 8 hours apart but within 30 minutes of finishing a meal. Clearly I have had to take these after Lunch which means the next batch are due shortly before 10.

The nausea is still not far away. I suppose this is inevitable as the tablets start to kick in. In these circumstances having something to distract you is a good thing. On Angel Radio I am due this Tuesday to interview an ex Headteacher whose life certainly sounds very interesting.

Coming back to the pills one thing we have learned is that although we have been given 2 weeks full supply if certain conditions happen then I stop taking them. Crucially the treatment timetable isn't held up as a result. We shall see what tomorrow brings.

I have mentioned on this blog the huge amount of support I have received from family and friends. Tye only part of my life where I have hard nothing is from anyone at BBC Tees but you never know.

day 5

Had a bit of a setback this evening. Whilst baby sitting for Martin and Andrea whilst they had an anniversary meal, started for the first time to have feeling of nausea. This may have been due to the psychological fact that you stop taking the anti sickness pills after three days. However on a positive note I had three reasonable size meals today and touch wood have not as of yet thrown up. Funny what you learn. For example in this condition eating bread is hard going. Even toasting it does not really help.

It was a nice day today and we had thought of going to the Botanic Gardens at Ventnor. However the medical warnings of prolonged exposure to the sun came into mind so had a quiet day at home.

Emily and Adam asked me if I still had the hiccoughs. I was sorry to disappoint them but Dr. Hudson's Wonder pills continue to do the trick. Met Martin for first time since starting chemo. He said I looked well and to all outward appearances I guess I do.

It was nice to hear from Perry this afternoon. His concern and caring are much appreciated. We also got the full gen from Lorna and Ian about Delray Beach. They seemed to have had a good time. It was certainly warm enough....day time temperatures well in the 80s. Only problem for them on the way back was being sat on the tarmac for 2 and a half hours in New York whilst one of the engines was fixed.

Finally for now I am hoping to have a better night's sleep than last night. Woke up very early today.

Day 4

Well the anti hiccough pill seemed to work. Had my best night's sleep in a while.

Today was a suit and tie job as I was going to the opening ceremony of a new garden at the Hospital. The garden was situated between the cardiac unit and the chemo suite. It's very nice but I was surprised how much it had cost to create. A figure of £37,000 was extracted from the management. Fortunately it was paid for by subscription and not from taxpayer funds.

The garden was created in memory of the late Jenny Cocks who had worked at the Hospital for 32 years before her untimely death in 2002. her family attended the opening and seemed happy with what had been done.

I took the opportunity to visit the chemo unit and got some foodstuffs as promised by the dietary people. I drank water only.

One of the oddest feelings is the tingling and numbing of the fingers when the temperature drops a little bit. So not only is going into the fridge a bad idea so is going out without a coat and hat on. It looked a bit daft today with the sun shining but the wind kept the temperature around 12 degrees. In the papers today the met office is predicting a long warm and dry summer. Let's hope it is right.

Martin's Mum, Penny, is very kind and had picked up a recipe book for people having chemotherapy. She bought a copy for us.

What I am forgetting is the warning that all the pills would make me very tired so when I got back from the Hospital I needed to sit down.

Emily and Adam came for tea as well as Andrea. Martin will be late back from Bedford tonight. The kids were in very lively form. For tea I had some cauli cheese with bacon and managed 2 helpings. Well we are coming to the end of a busy week. Thanks for all your support and messages. They mean a lot to us.