MARCHING ON

Wow - March is marching on so fast it's almost April! And this blog update is horribly late. My usual apologies. I know some of you loyal readers get a bit concerned when there is a long silence. But this time it's just because I have been busy in my spring garden, starting up some artwork and generally rebuilding my normal life style routine.

I did have a bit of a scare with my throat which wouldn't get better (bad since January) and made me feel pretty miserable. Two weeks ago I found myself at Guys Hospital talking to a head and neck cancer specialist. He did a third endoscopy ( I can stay pretty still now - I have gotten used to a camera being poked up my nose and wiggling down my throat) and after a thorough look announced that all was good and there was nothing sinister going on.  I was mightily relieved to hear this. Most likely, he reckoned, the painful throat was as a result of all my medications. He prescribed me some more (!) to try and counteract the thrush which has invaded my mouth. These seem to have worked; at least my throat has completely cleared up. Finally.

I had brilliant blood results for a month - everything sitting comfortably in the middle of the normal range. Cannot tell you how fantastic that feels. I walk out of Kings sky high when I get good results. I have a huge grin on my face and thank all the gods everywhere. However last week, neutrophils and whites had both dropped just below normal. Consultant reckoned it was because of reduction of steroids (slow tapering still in force) and wasn't too concerned. Sets off usual panic in me though. I have to talk to myself very firmly. And then just get on with life. The only physical struggle I have to deal with daily is enormous fatigue. I have to really manage my days so I don't get knocked for six. Too much 'output' and I feel like I have been hit by a steam train. I think this is also due to the reduction of steroids, which can produce a sense of 'well being' and energy.  Now I am down to 3mgs a day, things feel much tougher.  'Withdrawal symptoms' I am told!

We had a sniff of spring a short while ago...The garden started to stretch and sprout. Green shoots and buds everywhere. I made at least three trips to the garden centre, coming home with my arms wrapped round boxes of instant colour (pansies and anenomies) and some more substantial stuff including a honey suckle which I have put out the front. Coffee in the garden, sitting on Mums wooden bench. Watch the robins nest building. Get furious with the squirrels who are frantically digging holes in all my pots looking for, or burying, nuts. The wood mouse has disappeared. But a large black and white cat has been a regular visitor...

Finally made it out of London for the day too. It's been sixteen months since I have left this city.  Had a fantastic trip to Deal  (Lulu, Julian, Jan and Gerald). Blue skies and warm sunshine. Fish and chips (just delicious), sat on the beach building miniture stone sculptures, walked along the pier. Listened to sploshing waves and screeching seagulls. Watched a single white balloon float high into the blue. Woolley pigs (they really do exist). Tea and huge slices of homemade cake at St Margaret's Bay. Lots of laughing. On the way home we spied the moon from the back window of the car, low on the horizon - full, fat and buttery yellow.  So big, you could almost reach out and slip it in your pocket.

Now the cold has returned! The central heating is turned up and every morning I fuss round the garden to check the plants are ok. They say it'll be warm again this weekend. Yes please! 

For those of you in the know, Man United's season is a disaster. I wonder if David Moyes will still be in the driving seat by the time I write my next blog? And the World Cup is just around the corner.. I find this really quite hard to grasp. Last World Cup, in 2010, I was writing my first blog (from Guys hospital) Badhairday, having been diagnosed with AML for the first time. Blimey! That was four years ago. Its been quite some journey... England in the jungle should be quite some trip too! I love our World Cup song.

Time to cook myself some supper.  Hope everyone is wise and well. Spring almost here, well, dancing in and out. Summer next. Life rolling on. Feels good. Greetings round the globe. Keep safe. And thanks for all your messages, still! You are all brilliant! Love and high fives. Back soon tch x

PS / just added a few photos...

another selfie!

Luisa and Julian

Gerald and Janice

Deal Pier

Deal Pier and lots of sunshine

Parakeets in my garden!

Breakfast