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| Mum....Joy 1931 -1983 |
Returning to blogging after a 7 year gap.....still in Caunes for half the year and still in Yorkshire for the other half.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Round 4
A quick update....things are going well. I am still having a period
of feeling reasonably well in between chemo sessions, able to “lunch” with
friends, visit grandchildren, bake cakes and make marmalade, as well as managing gentle sessions at
the gym....so, not too bad. We are actually hoping to get to France for a week before session 5.
It has been strange to spend
Valentine's day...also 30th anniversary of mum's death, hooked up to the chemo
machine.....but it was very relaxing, staff were brilliant...again......not
really a bad way to spend a day.
4 down, 2 to go.......Who says walking on water is hard ? Apparently anything is easy if you have the right shoes.
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Happy Valentines Day Janice, and no doubt very fond memories of your Mum today. Only 2 more to go...onwards and upwards and so pleased you will manage to get over to France soon. Much love xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Ayak. I hope cooking with Mr A went well. It does feel like the end of this might be in sight now, although I still dont know how much radiotherapy I will be having and over how long...so that might delay getting out to France for a decent length of time. At the moment, I'm just looking forward to getting a week out there, just to check on my garden, and check that the view from my terrace is just as gorgeous as when I left it last August. Jx
DeleteFountain Hills is celebrating Valentine's Day in a BIG way...a vow renewal gathering at the Park and trying to break the Guiness Book of World Records in the process. The record is 1087 couples in Florida...don't think we're going to break that but it should be fun. You're managing this chemo stuff so well...Go to France if you can. Much love.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have taken photos of the Fountain Hills love in....sounds brilliant.Today is the day after chemo session 3....side effects will kick in by tomorrow lunchtime, and last about 4 days.....so I'm using today to get lots done....blogging responses and reading, cake making, more marmalade to be bottled, a walk into Hebden Bridge to keep the muscles working...and only then.....a bit of sofa time, catching up on soaps. I am really hoping we manage the brief French visit before the next round...we can book at the last minute, so it will just depend on how I'm feeling. Take care, lots of love Jxxxx
DeleteI love the idea that anything is easy if you have the right shoes - something that I have always held very dear and true and when the going's been a bit tough for me, I have often bought shoes to help me 'cope'!
ReplyDeleteI understand why St. Valentine's Day is a bittersweet one for you but as Ayak said, you have some very fond memories of your mum and it's always good to talk to family.
I guess even with it being a Chemo day, you and Mark will feel it is a very special day this year and I'm delighted to hear that you are coping so very well with this notoriously unpleasant treatment.
Good on you, Janice! Well over the halfway hump now and a trip to France to look forward to.
My view about the right shoes has always been that they should be exotic, possibly green velvet, or amazingly soft and impractical leather, embellishments welcome, interesting heels, usually high.etc etc. Working on a ward for 3 years, wearing flat black lace ups wrecked my ability to wear heels...collapsed my naturally high heel arch, and means I have to wear an arch support most of the time.....however, I still manage the exotic from time to time.
DeleteWhen my cancer was diagnosed, my ward manager....a brilliant woman, warned me I would need my running shoes on to beat this latest challenge.....so neeldless to say I went out and bought two pairs of beautiful ( and ridiculously expensive) aesics running shoes. It makes my appearance at the gym seem to be more high powered than it really is. yes....shoes do it for me every time. Jxxx
You're on the homeward straight now, Janice, and with France to look forward to as well. We never forget these anniversaries, however long it's been, so it must have been good to have some time to remember your beloved mother today. I hope you'll soon feel up to enjoying all your pleasant activities again. Pxxx
ReplyDeleteIt did feel a little odd, plugged into the chemo machine, thinking of my mother's chemo experiences all those years ago. Treatment and of course, attitudes have changed so much. My family rarely talked about it...or at least my parents didn't include my brother and I in much discussion. Almost by default, Jess has been involved in everything. It was the bitI was most worried about....and it has been brilliant....she is amazing.I look forward to hearing the next eye installment...good luck with all your thinking things through. Jxxx
DeleteThe right shoes..... I think I can turn this into an assembly! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that you are remaining positive and making the most of your time in between chemo sessions.
I hope you get to France as the break will do you good xx
I love the idea of an assembly Gaynor. Let me know if it happens ! As you can imagine, I am itching to get back to France. I left at the end of August expecting to have spent all of October and some of February there..... so it will feel really good to be back, even if only for a week before the next chemo round. Fingers crossed I'll feel good enough, the weather will have reached double figures and Ryanair haven't sold the last seats ! Jxxx
DeleteWhat a beautiful photo of your Mum, Janice. Good to hear that you're having good days between the chemo and able to look forward to a trip to France. Take care and enjoy lots more lunches, baking, preserving and the company of your grandchildren!
ReplyDeletex
I love that photo of her, thanks for your comments. The good days do make up for the less good ones.... and bthere are more of them, so I reckon life could be much worse. Hope all is well with you. Jx
DeleteYou're on the home run now Janice, I'm thinking of you while you have to have this treatment and I'm so pleased to hear that you seem to have "the right shoes" on.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt... the right shoes are so important. I was thinking of which ones to wear when looking at the amazing walks now possible on the new footpaths you have been describing. They look fabulous. Thanks for your positive thoughts. Jx
DeleteI'm so pleased that you're coping so well with your chemo. Happy valentines day to you, Janice. I'm thinking of you all the way from Aus. Hugs Sue
ReplyDeleteIt is so kind of you to comment Sue, when I know you must be going through such a tough time yourself. I'm hoping Petal is dealing well with the treatment, mask and all, and that the accommodation issues have been sorted by now. I am doing well, and trying hard to be normal when ever possible....but I know how hard that can be. Much love to you both Jxxx
DeleteHappy Valentine's Day...and good in a way that you had quiet time to think of your mother....though one could improve on chemo for having quiet times.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're round Tattenham Corner and heading for the finishing post.
I think I am a bit odd, in that the 6/7 hours plugged into the chemo seems like quite a pleasant time. Once Jess stayed with me throught he whole session and we just put the world to rights,but usually, I sit and drink endless cups of tea, read the paper, some trashy magazines, watch the world go by , doze a little, and wallow in thinking time. I leave, feeling relaxed, joking with the amazing staff who monitor me so thoroughly through the day, and tick off another session.
DeleteIt is ok.... and maybe the shoes I need for the last straight are hooves. Lots of love Jxxx
Sadly, I'm getting near the age when nothing is easy without the right shoes!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that you are feeling good and surrounded with love.
yes, when we look back at pointed stiletos.....what were we thinking ? Mind you I always got told I had barbie shaped feet, until I wrecked my arches walking in flat shoes on a hospital watd for 3 years.....now....falts, with arch supports are best for anyhting longer than a couple of hours ! Jx
DeleteWhat a brilliant photo to accompany your blog entry Janice.I have spent the afternoon sitting in the hide at Bretton trying to get the right shot!!Inspired by your bravery i will get back there to keep on trying!!!Happy Valentines Day. xx Maria xx
ReplyDeletePhoto was taken on the canal just behing our house in hebden Bridge.... I was pleased with it, but it was taken with my little fuji compact ( nice lense...but still a compact). I seem to rarely take the SLR out these days, must get back into it, and your photos are a real inspiration. Jx
DeleteWhat a brilliant photo to accompany your blog entry Janice.I have spent the afternoon sitting in the hide at Bretton trying to get the right shot!!Inspired by your bravery i will get back there to keep on trying!!!Happy Valentines Day. xx Maria xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos of your lovely Mum and the ducks walking on water are priceless! It is wonderful to hear you are managing so well with your chemo; I am really impressed, as it is one of my greatest fears. You are an inspiration. A visit to France sounds like a great idea - have fun! xx P.
ReplyDeleteThe ducks did seem to be enjoying the cold snap ! The chemo was a no brainer really Patricia. I would have preferred not to have needed it, but any risk reduction that was recommended, seemed sesible to me. Having established a reasonable pattern of coping with it has helped... and it will be great if we can manage a week in France before the next session. Fondest wishes Jxx
DeleteSo pleased to learn that you are coping well Janice - I think you have the right attitude - go with the flow, and soon it will be over.
ReplyDeleteTake care, lovely to hear how you are.
Thanks Rosemary. I think I just decided the wrong attitude would not make anything any better...going with the flow is ok. I know I am very lucky to be surrounded by so many woderful family and friends. It must be so tough for people on their own. Keep posting gorgeous photos and informative pieces for our education and inspiration... I love them so much. Jx
DeleteShoes and the right attitude, and you've got it, gal! A lovely photograph of your mother, what luxuriant hair she had. I'm glad that a trip to France is on the cards.
ReplyDeleteThanks..... My mother's hair was great..... maybe , one day, my chemo induced baldness will end, and I can throw the wigs away...but somehow, I dont think I'll be able to re create her amazing look ! thanks for your kind thoughts.
Deletehang in there it is all worth it, been there myself .
ReplyDeleteAnnie v
Yup... I'll get there. Thanks for your kind thoughts. J
DeleteYou are an inspiration, Janice. I love what you say about 'the right shoes' -- it's all too true! Great news that you've been able to manage a time when you might get back to France ...
ReplyDeleteThank you Broad. I am really hopeful that the France trip will happen... just for a week, but it will feel gret to get back out there, after what had undoubtedly been a tough 5 months. I hope all is going well with your grandson's stay. Thinking of you. Fondest wishes J x
DeleteHello Janice:
ReplyDeleteThe positive attitude which you clearly show is so very important, we feel. We are so pleased that the treatment is going well and that you can still enjoy the everyday life in between bouts of chemotherapy. Whatever, in our experience, the nursing staff are always so wonderfully kind.
A little trip to France would be so nice for you. We do so hope that this will be possible!
There's a very big bit of me that strongly believes there is no option but to feel positive.... even if it just a day at a time. The other option can be so destructive. That's not ruling out down days....but insisting on more up than down make up each week.
DeleteI think a week in France will be a perfect way to feel very "up"...so am hoping it is going to happen. Thanks for your kind words. J
You're accomplishing more during chemo than I am in a so-called healthy state..... now THAT'S inspiring. I feel encouraged to get out there and walk round the lake, then maybe a little shoe shopping this afternoon and cook poor old David some dinner for once!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to know you're over the half way mark and hanging in there par excellence. Thanks for updating, I'm sure a lot of us are checking in regularly to see how you're doing. All the best.....
Thank Jill. Shoe shopping is always a good idea, so I think you should go for that. Thanks for your kind comments.... I am definitely hanging on in here. Jx
ReplyDeleteAll has been said about the right shoes, Janice, so 'll just add lipstick for feeling better Always works for me. You are in the home stretch with your chemo- good thoughts and prayers are coming your way.
ReplyDeleteYes, my absolute favouriate lip stick is a Chanel, fairly deep red one that my daughter bought me as special treat. ( I wouldn't normally spend that much on a lip stick)...but is is gorgeous to wear, and matched with outrageous red nails ( long at the moment, as Mark wont let me do any housework at all)...it is possible to feel just ever so slightly glamorous, even if the hair is fake !!! Thanks for your positive thoughts Penny. They are all helping so much Jx
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ReplyDeleteJanice...you are a true inspiration. Glad you are up to doing all those things, and more. Hope you manage to squeeze in a trip to France for a change of scenery.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture of your Mom.
Take care....(((HUGS))) Erica
Welcome to our store http://www.louboutinspecialshoes.com !
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