Had to go to Aberdeen for my first chemotherapy. They said I was borderline when I got there but decided to give me a couple of blood transfusions so that they could go ahead with the chemotherapy. It seemed a long time in the ward, about 8 hours all together. They asked me to go back the next day to get an injection to help boost my immune system. I was then able to go back to Shetland with a few additional tablets to take.
They have given me a red book to show all the things that I must look out for. These appear in green amber and red in answer to questions down the page. If the answer is red I have to phone the hot line. Presumably they send out a helicopter for me. Is that safer than wrapping up warm and hoping for the best?
There are aches and pains today, partly from being marooned in the car on Yell. partly from walking too far after the blood transfusions and partly from the hard bed on the Aberdeen ferry.
The worst thing at present is the taste of water. Because of the tablets I suppose, they include antibiotics. I am doing my best to maintain my appetite. I may have to resort to curries and chillies to ensure I taste the food.
A three week course of new tablets will keep me going until the next visit to Aberdeen. I wonder
whether to sail or fly next time. I will try to establish which will be least traumatic.
The thing is that all the things I am warned about will be likely to be met with later in the course rather than earlier. Infection could be more likely on the plane than the boat. Hair loss doesn;t matter it could happen anytime anyway.
I will decide in a week or so depending on how I feel.
I was surprised to be feeling washed out after the meal tonight. I expected to feel full of energy.
Anyway nothing drastic has happened so far. So here's to the next time.
Glad to hear you have been able to start the chemo. I hope it doesn't make you feel too yucky. xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth, I find that water tastes like some chemical mixture. Tea with no milk but with sugar tastes about right.
DeleteI am looking out over Papil Water thinking how lovely it is. Suddenly I realised that the decoration, in the form of ducks and geese , was missing. I don't think they are all at the bottom holding their breath. Maybe there is somewhere else on the island that tempts them with food-could it be low tide?
I won't worry about it. I know I have a pair od geese nesting and I think a curlew down near the water. I saw a hooded crow looking very smart this morning. Probably up to mischief with starlings nests.
The sun is breaking through so life outside should perk up soon.
Janet has gone to Margaret to check on her breakfast and her tablets, despite having told the hospital she would be unable to look after both Margaret and me. Christina will arrive in a week or so. She might be able to take her mum to chemotherapy. We will see. It is watch this space time.
Well it is a mystery about your ducks. We had a heron on the garage roof the other day, it drove the crows crazy, they managed to chase it off eventually.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear Margaret's care isn't as expected. I thought she was going to have a carer living in with her. I hope things will be easier when Christina comes.
Much love to you all and I hope water starts tasting more watery again soon. Love Ruth x
The forward plan by the carers was that Margaret move to sheltered accommodation. Margaret may not agree to this. Hopefully she will and her children can help her move.
DeleteAfter I wrote the other day six ducks appeared. They were long tailed ducks. They became eight and then another 18 arrived. I only saw two tufted ducks that day. There were mallard dabbling and a male on the bank shining in the sun. As always there were fulmar and a variety of gulls.
I know there are geese, oystercatchers and starlings nesting nearby but although I see hooded crows looking for them I have not seen them in the grass.
I am now looking forward to my next visit to Aberdeen on about 16th. May. I will be back in time to set Mark and Stuart to work in the garden and Sarah sowing grass seeds while Penny helps in the house. Hopefully they will see some of the sights (after feeding the ponies).
It will be good to see them.
Love to all.
Hi Dad,
ReplyDeleteWe have sent you a few tasty goodies to tempt your palette.
Hope they have arrived
Love Michael and Tamsin.
They certainly have. We are enjoying them...smoked eel starter....bangers and mushroom etc.
ReplyDeleteI'm still doing well. The electric armchair broke the other day but they have mended it and given me compensation in terms of a long shoe horn, grab rail, non-slip mat etc. If I get bored I can always press the ejector seat again.
Hi Uncle Peter,
ReplyDeleteSounds like by the time you get this you will have had your second chemo. I hope it went well. Seems like a ride in a helicopter would be fun but of course you'd have to experience in a state of green I suppose to really enjoy it.
I saw Christina arriving with Janet on Facebook. Sending much love to you all.
I'm not sure if you've seen my photo of the Black Cockatoos yet on Facebook. I was driving through Chewton (a Castlemaine suburb) on a beautiful autumn day (we thought we had missed out on autumn with sudden cold weather but the sun has relented and sent us some beautiful warm days) with my window wound down to appreciate the air and I heard them. Lindsay has taught me how to identify
Whoops having trouble with the iPad editor
ReplyDeleteMy Lindsay has taught me how to identify yellow tailed black cockatoos by their call. It's one of his specialities! So I thought there may be a couple to look at which would be pretty special anyway in Downtown Castlemaine, but when I pulled over I counted 70 foraging on the ground and there were more hiding in the trees. Black cockatoo party! Not sure what for. Hope you are getting some warmer weather too.
Much love to you all from down under
Hello,
ReplyDeleteLong time no blog entry. I hope that is because you are busy with visitors and not because you are feeling too poorly to blog? I have seen on facebook that you now have Mark and family with you. Have you managed to complete the move now?
Raven is half way through his exams (AS), some of which seem to have gone well. He likes to leave his revision to the last minute which is an interesting strategy which I am trying to turn the other cheek to. He is playing chess for Manchester under 18s team when the exams are over.
No interesting wildlife to report here. We all very impressed with Helen's cockatoos.
Much Love Ruth x