Saturday: antibiotics finished! Platelets transfusion ongoing as I write. Blue sky and HOT outside. I have been managing to get out of bed and do a few turns of the ward corridor - that's the extent of my existence at the moment! But it's much needed exercise for my weakening muscles. At last feeling a bit more human. Will have 48 hours without antibiotics before they consider sending me home, but with luck and a fair wind I could be back at Grassmount on Monday afternoon...and hopefully stay there this time. However none of my blood counts have recovered, so neutrophils etc are 0.0 which still makes me very vulnerable to infection. Horrible old tightrope to negotiate. Hair still dropping and I am covered in peeling crocodile skin despite Luigi plastering me in Nivea cream everyday. What an attractive picture I paint! The filthy poison of chemo.
Global communications - I send hugs to you all - local London troops to far flung corners of Australia, Singapore Hong Kong, Cleveland Ohio, beloved Italia and all across the UK. Your messages of support (and menus TP) are always so welcome and keep my spirits afloat.
I believe the football season is about to kick off. I hope the signing of RVP will be enough to wrench the title back from City. The final day of last season will never be forgotten...those of you with football interest will know what I mean, the rest of you just yawn and pass this paragraph by.
I have a plan to be wheel-chaired round the lavender garden this pm. Some fresh air on my face. Luigi bringing my beautiful wide brimmed summer hat to keep the rays off my skin. Would prefer to be pitching a tent in East Prawle, counting rabbits and collecting firewood. But cant have everything! Exactly this time last year thats where we were. I swam in ice blue sea to try and fix my shoulder. We ate 'scream-for-cream-teas' almost everyday. Wore wellingtons a lot. Foggy mornings and high blue sky afternoons. Next year.
Salute tutti - a presto TCH
6 comments:
I so hope you get home this week. You seem to be in good spirit despite what you've been through but that's you, strong and generous! Pleased to hear you are feeling better.
Nigel
Third time lucky this message board hates me, so glad to hear you sounding cheerful. Enjoy your stay at home on Monday, glazed over ref to f........football1
xxxP
Sounds as though your well on your way through this chemo hell ! keep dreaming of better times and be sure your very loved. Always with you every step . big love. KXXXXX.
I was watching Lorraine Pascale on TV the other night and came across a lovely easy recipe. As the blog's R&D food department I thought I would share. Sheet of tin foil. Plonk trout fillet on top. I'm going to make this next bit up but I guess you can use whatever veg you want. Cut carrots, ginger, mange tout, spring onions, red chilli, garlic, etc into matchsticks or small pieces. Sprinkle this on top of the trout. Add coriander stalks as well (save leaves for sprinkling on at the end). Drizzle with sesame oil and sou sauce and juice of a lime. Scrunch up the tin foil into a parcel the shape of a Cornish pasty. You've got to leave air in the package so it can steam and the flavours can circulate. In the oven for 12 minutes. When you serve it you leave it in the foil parcel. You can serve with noodles or little mini roast potatoes or as it comes. Delicious, filling and… like, it makes you feel really good too. I think Champagne or Prosecco might go well with this. If not drinking then fresh fruit juice. I like Sainsbury's fresh pressed, lemongrass, apple and pineapple at the moment.
On Friday I went down to Whitstable and had my draught Kentish lager with fresh cooked fish and chips out in the open. I then went to the Royal Native Oyster Stores (upstairs) to see Michael Chapman and Sean Taylor perform. I ordered my self a Whitstable Brewery Pilsner. Sean Taylor was young and had attitude. Lots of innovative use of acoustic guitar work including capos that were jumping off the fret board. My favourite song of his was Heaven which had a lovely echo on his guitar. Michael Chapman is a survivor from the 70s and must be in his 70s. Who ever chose these two artists created an evening of great contrast. Michael has to hold back and add poignancy to his musical story telling. My favourite song of his was called Just Another Story about a young woman trapped in a job in a motorway dinner (high on her heels and low on her luck). He also was not to be outdone on the guitar innovations and used his wedding ring as a slide to play slide guitar. An unexpectedly enjoyable evening. Two men and their guitars and that's it – simple! They were both incredibly modest and gracious ('thanks for turning up…it'd be a bit weird if you hadn't'). Made me think we could learn a thing or two from people like that. Also made me think how great it would be if LCC could become a music venue again.
I use to work for a band called Icebreaker. I advised on the cover of their last CD and have just received a copy in the post for my efforts. It's a live performance of Brian Eno's Apollo. Very nice instrumentation which includes a pedal steel guitar. Very dreamy.
There's a bunch of new bands playing live at the Kings Hall Herne Bay next week (Delays, Towns, The Wildes and Will Varley). 5 hours of music for £16.50! I'm showing my age but I want to put The in front of Delays and Towns.
I know you are cooped up in Emergency Ward 10 and it can't be very nice with the croc skin, but it makes me realise that when you are well how important it is to get out there and enjoy good food, good booze and good entertainment.
Hi Tessa. Hang in there. We're thinking of you. I'm going to see Mum and Dad tomorrow, and will let them read the blog, needless to say mum forgot how to use the iPad the minute I left the room!
Kitty has flown to Venice tonight! I put her on the plane with her Aunty Sian at about 7pm so she'll be there now all starry eyed and probably quite warm! She is staying in Traveso but will be visiting Venice lucky devil. I'm going to go and collect her next Tuesday and fly back on Wednesday. I'll miss her.
Flora is doing a windsurfing Sailing and Kayaking course today and tomorrow. She said as she was dreaming and letting her hand float on the surface of the lake, she leant over the side of the boat and accidentally fell out and had to be saved by the crew! That girl will do anything to get in the water!
Give our love to Luigi. And keep strong Tess. One day at a time. I love you lots. Rachel x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Tessa
I have just caught up on the last few weeks of your hell. I am hoping that now you are at home in the garden and being nursed by Lilly & Luigi. Remember SE london air has a fine equality to it.
Off to Italy today for 10 days. I will send some warmth and blues skies your way.
Remember when you can make it my boat deck awaits you. It is in a serene spot and has a healing breeze.
Thinking of you Jackxx
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