Bank Holiday Monday and I hope it finds you well and doing all those normal bank holiday things. Trips to Homebase, waxing the car, clearing out that cupboard, repairing that whatsit that's been broken for ages, going to a funday in the rain, or maybe you are actually appreciating the day off and are having a fantastic time doing something exciting. As you can see, I am sitting at the computer blogging. A year ago if you'd have told me I'd be blogging on Bank Holiday Monday, I would never have believed you and would probably have expectd to get arrested for it. What a fast moving innovative world we live in!!!
So, what's been happening?
We managed to get a few days away in Norfolk after all and the weather wasn't too bad. Both boys came which was good and Dom brought a friend too. Colin and the boys went sailing a couple of times and I did some jobs around the place and generally blobbed out. We have managed to let the bungalow for most of the summer - it's good that it is being occupied and people are getting some enjoyment from it.
I saw my oncologist last week and everything seems to be fine so far. I am having a different drug for my next three treatments ( I knew that already) and she warned me that the side effects of this new one might be a bit "more taxing " ( her words) So, I am getting prepared for that as my next chemo day is supposed to be this Thursday. I won't be looking for extra problems, but then again I won't be surprised when they happen! We worked out that as long as I don't have to postpone my chemo too many times over the next month or two, then I should have finished both that and my 4-5 weeks of radiotherapy by Christmas. Something to work towards anyway...
What about the Olympics then?? I must admit I have been watching the events avidly. It's amazing how quickly you can become an expert at Tae Kwondo or slalom canoeing and find yourself agreeing with Claire Balding when she compares an athlete's performance in the heats and the repecharge. (have you ever heard that word before??)
In actual fact, I have been holding my own olympics at home this past 3 weeks. As the host country, I have been allowed to include some lesser known sports and surprisingly enough I have done very well at them.
I have been awarded Gold mdeals in the following events;
- The Modern Sitdownathon ( an endurance event, won sitting down -along with most of our other medal winners.)
- The Reading Triathlon ( a mixture of disciplines involving a 32 page magazine, followed by a complete Sunday newspaper and finishing with a 400 page classic novel - phew!)
- The Refreshment Weightlifting Event. ( I came in at the 250ml glass of wine stage and finished with a PB in the clean and jerk mug of coffee event. - Very messy though! )
- The Power Shower Endurance ( quite a difficult event as the body tends to get very wrinkly and the water goes cold but I managed to equal the World record. There is talk of this becoming a team event at 2012 but I'm not so sure) and finally.........
- The 1000m stroll to the shops ( an interesting event where I had to be very careful to keep my concentration and not get waylaid by neighbours & friends or feel the need to do a Paula Radcliffe at the side of the road.)
Talking of achievements, Dom got his GCSE results last week and he did very well with 1A* 7As and 3Bs. Not bad for someone who didn't put in much effort! Back to school soon though and AS level work which hopefully will receive a little more of his attention.
I threatened to include photos this time round so here they are.
This is Audrey
This is Coco
This is Winnie
This is Jackie
and this is Yul
Sorry, but there are some limits!!!
I will try to update you after the next chemo to let you know how I get on. After that it's back to school for most people and I will definitely find myself popping in to see everyone as long as those runny-nosed germ -ridden children aren't anywhere near!
Thanks again for all your texts phone calls and cards etc.
Catch up soon,
Gilly xx
