The Frank Diary of Anne

Well I survived the last chemo session! So glad it is over now. 

Dad came with me and we were at the hospital for seven hours in total. We didn’t get home until 7.00 last night. I felt very sleepy and went to bed after dinner. Today, I did not actually get out of bed until 1.00pm and then I had a nice bath to ease the aches and pains. I feel a bit fuzzy round the edges today but do not feel sick at least. My hands, face and knees have swollen a little bit because of the steroids, but it isn’t too bad. I am on the steroids for five days, have to have the injections to boost my blood count on days 5 – 9 of the cycle, and I have to take the antibiotics for the pneumonia three days a week for six months to stop it from coming back.  

I gave the nurses a big box of chocolates and a thank you card just as a way of saying thank you to them for all their help and support. They really have been wonderful, so kind and patient with me. 

They gave me a helpful booklet about what to do at the end of chemotherapy and it has useful information in it, such as how to look after yourself, and to take it easy and rest, and what shampoo to use when hair grows back and what cream to use on your skin etc. 

They said that some people feel that when their treatment stops and they no longer have as much contact with the hospital, they feel as though their safety net has gone, but they have told me that I can ring the hospital at any time if I feel unwell or am worried about anything. This is good as I won’t have to go via my hopeless GPs to get to see the haematology team. 

So now, I just have to rest and take it easy until I have my scan in five weeks time. I will try and work as much as I can, but it will take six months to a year before I recover from this. My energy and immune system will still be low for some time yet so I will still have to remember to be careful to avoid crowded places and potential infection catching situations. 

I would just like to thank all the friends and family who have given me such phenomenal support and encouragement over the past six months. My wonderful friends who have visited me and sent me presents to cheer me up, kept me sane and made me laugh when I needed it. My amazing future in-laws, who have been so kind and generous with their gifts and words of encouragement.  

Especially my parents and Chris who have been a tower of strength to me. I don’t believe I could have done it without you. Dad – who has attended every chemotherapy session with me and visited me every day without fail when I was in hospital,  sat by my side throughout, keeping me company and cheering me up when I cry, always looking on the positive side and reminding me of this when I feel unhappy. Mum – who has made me laugh with her funny stories and explained to me how I am feeling even when I don’t understand myself. And of course Chris, my wonderful future husband who has been the most supportive, caring and patient partner that anyone could wish for, looking after me and caring for me in his own gentle way, his never ending support and love have really helped me so much. His visits three times a day when I was in hospital kept me going through what I can honestly say was one of the lowest points of my life. 

So, thank you everyone for reading this blog so far, and for the fantastic comments you have written. I will of course update it again when it comes to scan time and in the meantime, would ask that you keep your fingers crossed for me once more that this is the end of this particular episode of my life.

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