So far so good!

Mum left last night - "see you again next week", she said as she left.  My god, that's coming round soon (no, not Mum coming up again, but the chemo!). Ah well, that'll be another session out of the way - half way there then!

The last few days have been quiet (well, "ish" it is the Tinsley house after all!). It's been mainly me and Mum.  Even the weekend was quiet with Chris and Vaughan out most of the day on Sunday, Adam in bed with a cold and Liv in her bedroom doing god knows what. 

I've been gaining strength daily, with no signs of neutropenia (actually, I probably wouldn't know what these were anyway!) or of infection.  I'm still following the paranoia route - being careful what I eat and staying as far away as possible from anyone with any germs.  This of course has been slightly difficult with Adam and his bugs (and now Vaughan!).  I'm supposed to tend to my sick children, but am forced to treat them as pariahs at the moment!  As Mum reminded me though, I'll have plenty of time to do that when I'm better. I know, I know, I don't want to end up drinking sterile water again!

The community nurses are coming in twice a week to flush my line and to change my statlock (yes, another new word!) once a week - Tuesdays and Fridays.  This is a dressing that sticks like glue, with clips that line up with the PICC line and click into place to prevent the line from moving.  They also cause everyone that changes them much consternation.  The clips are difficult to open and close and apparently it doesn't take much for the line to become displaced and come out.  Hence the worry when the statlock's being changed.  This has to be done every 7 days, so 2 out of the 3 weeks are done in the community and then at the Chemo Suite when I have treatment. Still not getting any "drawback" from the line (no blood coming out of it with a syringe), so it looks like I'll have to be stabbed in the back of the wrist each time I have bloods taken. The community team are all really nice and I know some of them through work.

I must admit to feeling a bit low after this session of chemo (all to be expected I'm told), so I asked a friend for some positive thinking tips.  She in turn has started another blog (made me cry when I read it Shell), which I've added to my blog list (Gaynor, you'll recognise who this is).  The first post is spot on and so right.  My dancing in the rain makes me feel drenched at the moment, but I'm sure in the not too distant future, those raindrops won't feel so heavy.  Keep them coming Shell!

Mum leaving is sad, but gets me off my backside and doing more.  I'm not incapable, so there's no reason why I shouldn't wash and clean and cook (woah, steady on girl!)!  Still, I'm looking forward to her coming back next week (all being well)!
Talking of next week, my friend, Susie B, is talking about taking me out shopping!  I've seen a Christian Dior lipstick (Rouge Dior) being advertised on the back of magazines and have fallen in love with the colour (can't seem to find out what the actual colour is, mind you!).  Well, as I'm not going to the hairdresser's at the moment, I thought I'd get some nice make-up! So, watch this space!

I had another encounter with the postman this morning.  This was the usual postman and I think he had a double take when he saw me. I had to sign for a small parcel, so answered the door as I was..............bald, no make-up and no prosthesis (scary)!  I did however have clothes on, so there were some saving graces. Felt sorry for him really, but he didn't bat an eyelid - very professional.
The small parcel, by the way, was Livi's new Blackberry.  She's sold her old phone and bought this - just got to change the price plan now!!  She's been desperate for this for ages and well, it's her money.  Much more acceptable than the piercing she's threatening to get (yes, we've had words!).

I've just realised, I use a huge amount of exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!  Will try and reduce, there really is no need I'm sure.  Must try harder.................!