Hi All
This has been a very interesting week, though not necessarily a good one chemo wise!!. I wrote last Fri night, so you all know I had a very long, positive, job interview last Fri, & yes it has started well... & I went to Camelot for a great concert....
However, last Sat I was supposed to be a volunteer selling torches at the Symphony in the Domain, I turned up with Fran & Peter, but I just was not able to do it, so they gave me an orange wrist band so that I could sit in the volunteer area & I kept our position there - it was hot & humid - fortunately some kind soul lent me an umbrella. The concert was fantastic & I always love the end with Tchaikovskys 1812 & fireworks over the city & everyone with sparklers and/or torches - so beautiful. We ended up having 8 of us sitting together. Went for coffee to 21 in Double Bay with Jeannette, Mimi, David & couple of others, it's funny I can't walk far, but can drive to the ends of the earth!!
On Sun, Evie & I went to Cafe Bondi for chat & dinner, but by 8pm I had flaked & had to go... Mon was a write off, being day 4 & even though I had been following new regime of taking the dexamethasone once a day, it didn't make a difference to the reality. I also knew that going to my new job on Tues which is a 15 min walk, & I just can't walk that far - true & nuts, but so be it, I went to my doc & RTA & now have a mobility sticker, so that I can drive & park for free, it's only a temporary one, 3 months, but will get me over this crap.
Tues I drove to work for 930 & was there for 2 hrs in training with Frances, an orthoptist, she's just a lovely girl, I met the other front desk girls, one of whom was leaving that day, I'm replacing her!! but after 2 hrs I was shattered, couldn't even go buy sushi, just had to go home & sleep....
Wed was Australia Day, felt very shaky but picked up Evie & went to Alans for BBQ, was lovely to see everyone, but after 2 hrs had to go home!! Went with Terry & Alysa to dinner & saw Black Swan at Roseville in the early evening. Thought Natalie Portman is brilliant, movie is very dark, but great thriller. Darren Aronofsky knows how to make these sort of movies, I wrote on FB that I saw his movie Requiem for a Dream in 2001 & I don't remember any other movie I have ever seen having such an effect on me. I couldn't move for 30 mins after that one.
Yesterday I worked from 930 - 430 but it's quite easy sitting there - & I'm familiar with the software, dealing with people, answering the phone, etc - so all in all we were all very happy with each other for a 1st real training day. I wasn't needed today as they are training someone else as well... I will work again next Tue - let's hope that next week is better, chemo wise, than this one!!
Last night drove to St Ives for a Minyan, Ray K had lost his father & I felt I wanted to go to show my respect, Ruth has been very supportive, as have all of the rest of you, but this was a real way I could show my support for them.
I was talking to Andee on Wed at Alan's & as sleeping is still an issue & the doc I saw on Mon felt I shouldn't be taking the sleeping pills so much, I had stopped them. Andee told me about a natural product which I went & bought yesterday & took ONE (as recommended) slept 6 hrs straight last night, followed by another 3, amazing!!!!!! feel a lot better today - I think the humidity, heat, chemo, all have had a negative effect, but I will take this product till the cows come home if it lets me sleep more than 2 hrs at a time!!!!
Hair is a natural insulator & since I have none, my head is a sweat bucket, it's strange sleeping with no hair, I haven't got used to that yet... my pillow feels strange & I need to keep turning it round!! I should just put a towel there for more absorbency!!! as long as it's not scratchy.
I don't feel this post has been as smooth as the others, but I guess that's ok, can have an off writing day!!
Take care all, till next time.
Cheers
Debbie xx
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
day 1 after 3rd chemo
Had a good few days since my last post - on Mon I had lunch with Viv at Savta - same place I went last Fri with Anne & Shirley - had the same thing to eat too - a shakshuka - poached eggs mixed with tomato, onion & red capsicum (pepper) quite spicy & yummy - had it for the 1st time in Jerusalem when I went in 2006 for my brother Michael's wedding to Nechama.
A while back all my keys fell out my bag & were found by someone who rang the nbr on my car mechanic's tag & left a msg to say they had them & would put them in the letter box. So far they have never turned up!! I did have a spare key but no remotes, thats another story & not worth writing, however I decided I should have a spare key so I rang the Honda place to see what the process was - it was going to cost $182.60 & they would need the car for 2 hrs to reprogram both keys!! I then rang Gil, my mechanic, who I didn't think did this himself but there was a place he uses not all that far in Alexandria - so I called them & it was going to be $105 & would take 10 mins to clone the key!! I then rang locksmiths in my local area to see what the story was - one place said they could cut the key & but it would still need to go to someone else to program it!! forget that, another place said they could do it but it would be $130. After lunch with Viv I went to the place in Alexandria & yep it took 10 mins, as my car was parked there, we checked that the new key worked & yep all good!!! so now I have a spare key!!
Tues I had a quiet day but went with Helen R to Isabellas in Randwick, Italian meal - if your order is placed before 7pm during the week, all pastas are $8!! & other mains are $12, yummy, cheap & very cheerful. Went back to her place to watch the Golden Globes & Ricky Gervais's particularly unPC comments on everything from Aston Kuchar being Bruce Willis son (he is Bruce's ex Demi Moore's new husband!!!!) to helping the ceo put his false teeth in!! not too well received either...
Wed I met Naomi G for lunch in Chatswood, finally!! we have been trying for weeks to meet & it happened!! lovely to catch up NG. As it was the day before chemo I went to the hospital to have a blood test to ensure that my white blood cells are doing the right thing by regrouping so that the chemo could happen. In the evening Lynda B & I were deciding what to do, & in the end the decision was made to go to her place & have a pot luck meal!! I took a salad (which we didn't use!) & she ordered in pizza from a very good pizza place. We watched some tv & I went home not too late. I did reveal to her that I was not looking forward to the next day...
Thurs I got up fairly early & got to the hospital with wig in place! at 945. By the time I was set up it was 1145 - the nurse I was assigned this time was not the same lovely one I had both times before (she was on holiday) & this one had trouble with everything - she couldn't get the needle into the port & she tried twice - called another nurse over who did it straight away!!! I wasn't confident in the other one, anyway u get the one you're given. I did tell the front desk people after that I didn't want her again... Finally I got out of there at 315. From there I had an appt with my psychologist & felt ok to go, I left the car in the car park, & because I have a particular card, I only had to pay 1 hr parking for nearly the whole day!!
In the meantime at chemo, I was sitting next to a girl who had been having chemo for something quite different, & she came in very confident with NO HAIR, totally shaved head, no scarf, wig, hat - nothing on her head!! It looked good!! much better than my bits of fluff. What this girl was having chemo for is very interesting, she had become pregnant but the egg had no chromosomes & the sperm had 46!! however the placenta was good & putting out all the right hormones etc, so she seemed pregnant!! this is called a molar pregnancy, it occurs in 1 in 150,000 pregnancies - very rare. She had a d&c & all was removed. Her chance of this happening again went to 1 in 100 & yep for the poor girl it happened again, but this time the d&c didn't remove everything as the placenta had embedded itself too firmly in the uterus wall, she was having terrible morning sickness & all the symptoms of being pregnant but wasn't. The only thing to do in this case of molar pregnancy is chemo - she said her mother was more upset about all this than her - now she will have to have IVF. shes 29. I Google'd it when I got home!!
Anyway seeing her confidence in her no hair look gave me something to think about!! Today Fri I had a job interview in Chatswood with an ophthalmic surgeon, I got there a wee bit late, cos i thought I'd shave my own head today!! not very successfully... but the interview went for 1 1/2 hrs!!! very good sign & I told them my whole story, including all the dates I have for next chemo, drs appts, everything incl all the probs with day 4 & 5 that have been the case so far & they want me to start training with them on Tues if I can or Thurs if not!! I won't know how I'm going to feel on Tues till Tues comes!!! they understand that - if training is successful (no reason not to be) then I will go on probation then permanent after 3 months- so fingers tightly crossed, cos it's what I'd like to do & it's a 15 min walk from home!! & its in the middle of the shopping centre close to me, all lovely & the pay will be good too!!!!
From there I decided to go have my head fully shaved at a place called Just Cuts, I didn't need to go to my hairdresser for this!! & cos I only had a wee bit of hair to shave they charged me half as much as usual!! I don't mind this at all - I much prefer it to the fluff that was left & while it's not a look I would take to work, I think I could cope with a few good friends quietly!! However my head is soooooo sweaty, I couldn't believe the sweat pouring down my face by the time I got home after doing some grocery shopping.
I was supposed to have an interview with a dentist in the city later in the afternoon, but I was too exhausted to go! I rang to say I had just accepted a position elsewhere, not a total untruth. I had promised if I could that I would collect Fran from where she was working at 5 & the traffic was shocking I rang her at 5 to say I'd be there in 10 mins, it took 25. Picked Rachel up from Bondi Junction & took them home to change, we got to shul at 630, starting time - had memorial (yartzeit) for my mother-in-law who died 14 years ago & Anne S, my sister-in-law, & my ex-husband Michael also came to shul tonight for this. Fran & Peter were planning to go to Parramatta Park, 1 hr drive to see the Sydney Chamber Orchestra & the Sydney Dance Company perform a free concert for the Sydney Festival, but it started at 7 & they would really have had to leave before 6 to get there, so the decision was made to go to Camelot in Marrickville to see 2 bands, starting at 9pm. We stayed at shul for the pot luck dinner, even though we had nothing to contribute, didn't matter there is always plenty & I talked Deborah B into coming along with us!! Bill & Sue also went to Camelot & enjoyed it all too.
Cope St Parade were fantastic - 3 guitars, tuba, sax with vocals, jazzy, lovely, after them was Daniel Weltlinger on violin, a double base, drummer & guitarist, a female vocalist joined them for some of the set & it was just wonderful, loved both sets!! Got home after 1215. Im glad I didn't schelp into the city for that interview this afternoon, I'd never have made it through the night & still be here at 2am writing this blog!!!
What I want to say about this 3rd lot of chemo is that I just don't feel as well as I have after the other 2, bit more yucky, very thirsty, dry eyes. not nauseous which is good, but just not quite right. I spoke to one girl after shul tonight, who I hadn't met before though I know her husband!! He went to school with my ex, long story!!! who went through this last year - her hair is just growing back now & she said that each bout of chemo knocks a bit more good stuff out so it's no wonder I'm feeling not so good now!! I really hope it doesn't affect my ability to work, cos I know that my brain is in a bit of a fog & I can't quite get out the words I want to say (not here) but when talking, here the words just pour out my fingers onto the page with no brain power involved!!! As soon as I think, I lose the flow.
However I've got Jacqui home tonight as we had a prospective tenant coming to look on Sat at 2 & we need to clean, vacuum, tidy the unit before anyone comes to visit!! Unfortunately she cancelled on us, but we still have to do house work & while I know I could normally do it all myself, I don't think I'm capable this time & she's living here, she can do her bit.
Going to the Sydney Festival free Sydney Symphony Concert in the Domain on Sat night. Fran, Peter, Rachel & I are selling torches from 4-6 then we get to sit in a special VIP volunteers area, fantastic!!! The concert is Shakespeare, Midsummer Nights Dream, Romeo & Juliet with action from local professional actors. The symphony always ends with Tchaikovskys 1812 - I think I've said this before, sorry, see my brain isn't working!! Anyway I love it!!
Enough for now, goodnight all
Cheers Debbie xx
A while back all my keys fell out my bag & were found by someone who rang the nbr on my car mechanic's tag & left a msg to say they had them & would put them in the letter box. So far they have never turned up!! I did have a spare key but no remotes, thats another story & not worth writing, however I decided I should have a spare key so I rang the Honda place to see what the process was - it was going to cost $182.60 & they would need the car for 2 hrs to reprogram both keys!! I then rang Gil, my mechanic, who I didn't think did this himself but there was a place he uses not all that far in Alexandria - so I called them & it was going to be $105 & would take 10 mins to clone the key!! I then rang locksmiths in my local area to see what the story was - one place said they could cut the key & but it would still need to go to someone else to program it!! forget that, another place said they could do it but it would be $130. After lunch with Viv I went to the place in Alexandria & yep it took 10 mins, as my car was parked there, we checked that the new key worked & yep all good!!! so now I have a spare key!!
Tues I had a quiet day but went with Helen R to Isabellas in Randwick, Italian meal - if your order is placed before 7pm during the week, all pastas are $8!! & other mains are $12, yummy, cheap & very cheerful. Went back to her place to watch the Golden Globes & Ricky Gervais's particularly unPC comments on everything from Aston Kuchar being Bruce Willis son (he is Bruce's ex Demi Moore's new husband!!!!) to helping the ceo put his false teeth in!! not too well received either...
Wed I met Naomi G for lunch in Chatswood, finally!! we have been trying for weeks to meet & it happened!! lovely to catch up NG. As it was the day before chemo I went to the hospital to have a blood test to ensure that my white blood cells are doing the right thing by regrouping so that the chemo could happen. In the evening Lynda B & I were deciding what to do, & in the end the decision was made to go to her place & have a pot luck meal!! I took a salad (which we didn't use!) & she ordered in pizza from a very good pizza place. We watched some tv & I went home not too late. I did reveal to her that I was not looking forward to the next day...
Thurs I got up fairly early & got to the hospital with wig in place! at 945. By the time I was set up it was 1145 - the nurse I was assigned this time was not the same lovely one I had both times before (she was on holiday) & this one had trouble with everything - she couldn't get the needle into the port & she tried twice - called another nurse over who did it straight away!!! I wasn't confident in the other one, anyway u get the one you're given. I did tell the front desk people after that I didn't want her again... Finally I got out of there at 315. From there I had an appt with my psychologist & felt ok to go, I left the car in the car park, & because I have a particular card, I only had to pay 1 hr parking for nearly the whole day!!
In the meantime at chemo, I was sitting next to a girl who had been having chemo for something quite different, & she came in very confident with NO HAIR, totally shaved head, no scarf, wig, hat - nothing on her head!! It looked good!! much better than my bits of fluff. What this girl was having chemo for is very interesting, she had become pregnant but the egg had no chromosomes & the sperm had 46!! however the placenta was good & putting out all the right hormones etc, so she seemed pregnant!! this is called a molar pregnancy, it occurs in 1 in 150,000 pregnancies - very rare. She had a d&c & all was removed. Her chance of this happening again went to 1 in 100 & yep for the poor girl it happened again, but this time the d&c didn't remove everything as the placenta had embedded itself too firmly in the uterus wall, she was having terrible morning sickness & all the symptoms of being pregnant but wasn't. The only thing to do in this case of molar pregnancy is chemo - she said her mother was more upset about all this than her - now she will have to have IVF. shes 29. I Google'd it when I got home!!
Anyway seeing her confidence in her no hair look gave me something to think about!! Today Fri I had a job interview in Chatswood with an ophthalmic surgeon, I got there a wee bit late, cos i thought I'd shave my own head today!! not very successfully... but the interview went for 1 1/2 hrs!!! very good sign & I told them my whole story, including all the dates I have for next chemo, drs appts, everything incl all the probs with day 4 & 5 that have been the case so far & they want me to start training with them on Tues if I can or Thurs if not!! I won't know how I'm going to feel on Tues till Tues comes!!! they understand that - if training is successful (no reason not to be) then I will go on probation then permanent after 3 months- so fingers tightly crossed, cos it's what I'd like to do & it's a 15 min walk from home!! & its in the middle of the shopping centre close to me, all lovely & the pay will be good too!!!!
From there I decided to go have my head fully shaved at a place called Just Cuts, I didn't need to go to my hairdresser for this!! & cos I only had a wee bit of hair to shave they charged me half as much as usual!! I don't mind this at all - I much prefer it to the fluff that was left & while it's not a look I would take to work, I think I could cope with a few good friends quietly!! However my head is soooooo sweaty, I couldn't believe the sweat pouring down my face by the time I got home after doing some grocery shopping.
I was supposed to have an interview with a dentist in the city later in the afternoon, but I was too exhausted to go! I rang to say I had just accepted a position elsewhere, not a total untruth. I had promised if I could that I would collect Fran from where she was working at 5 & the traffic was shocking I rang her at 5 to say I'd be there in 10 mins, it took 25. Picked Rachel up from Bondi Junction & took them home to change, we got to shul at 630, starting time - had memorial (yartzeit) for my mother-in-law who died 14 years ago & Anne S, my sister-in-law, & my ex-husband Michael also came to shul tonight for this. Fran & Peter were planning to go to Parramatta Park, 1 hr drive to see the Sydney Chamber Orchestra & the Sydney Dance Company perform a free concert for the Sydney Festival, but it started at 7 & they would really have had to leave before 6 to get there, so the decision was made to go to Camelot in Marrickville to see 2 bands, starting at 9pm. We stayed at shul for the pot luck dinner, even though we had nothing to contribute, didn't matter there is always plenty & I talked Deborah B into coming along with us!! Bill & Sue also went to Camelot & enjoyed it all too.
Cope St Parade were fantastic - 3 guitars, tuba, sax with vocals, jazzy, lovely, after them was Daniel Weltlinger on violin, a double base, drummer & guitarist, a female vocalist joined them for some of the set & it was just wonderful, loved both sets!! Got home after 1215. Im glad I didn't schelp into the city for that interview this afternoon, I'd never have made it through the night & still be here at 2am writing this blog!!!
What I want to say about this 3rd lot of chemo is that I just don't feel as well as I have after the other 2, bit more yucky, very thirsty, dry eyes. not nauseous which is good, but just not quite right. I spoke to one girl after shul tonight, who I hadn't met before though I know her husband!! He went to school with my ex, long story!!! who went through this last year - her hair is just growing back now & she said that each bout of chemo knocks a bit more good stuff out so it's no wonder I'm feeling not so good now!! I really hope it doesn't affect my ability to work, cos I know that my brain is in a bit of a fog & I can't quite get out the words I want to say (not here) but when talking, here the words just pour out my fingers onto the page with no brain power involved!!! As soon as I think, I lose the flow.
However I've got Jacqui home tonight as we had a prospective tenant coming to look on Sat at 2 & we need to clean, vacuum, tidy the unit before anyone comes to visit!! Unfortunately she cancelled on us, but we still have to do house work & while I know I could normally do it all myself, I don't think I'm capable this time & she's living here, she can do her bit.
Going to the Sydney Festival free Sydney Symphony Concert in the Domain on Sat night. Fran, Peter, Rachel & I are selling torches from 4-6 then we get to sit in a special VIP volunteers area, fantastic!!! The concert is Shakespeare, Midsummer Nights Dream, Romeo & Juliet with action from local professional actors. The symphony always ends with Tchaikovskys 1812 - I think I've said this before, sorry, see my brain isn't working!! Anyway I love it!!
Enough for now, goodnight all
Cheers Debbie xx
Sunday, January 16, 2011
another week has gone by!
Hi Everyone
Presume you all know about the shocking flooding & inundation in Queensland & Northern New South Wales, its so big its not comprehensible.
However. this has been a good week for me since my post last Sunday. Felt fine, been able to eat most things. My main issue has been with sleeping!! No matter what time I go to sleep I sleep for 2 hrs, wake for 2 hrs, sleep again another 2 hrs, then it's hard to get up out of bed!!! I think its a chemo issue, could also be that I'm not exercising enough!
I had enough & went to my gp who gave me script for sleeping pills, they work, but i wake up feeling like a zombie after 6 hrs!!! & need more sleep. The first night I took them I took 1 at 1130 & was awake again at 130 & took another 1, so not enough!!. I rang him the next day & he said to take 3 at once, which I did on Fri night along with Fran's suggestion of a warm milk (hot choc) drink & slept for 6 hours as I said previously.
Presume you all know about the shocking flooding & inundation in Queensland & Northern New South Wales, its so big its not comprehensible.
However. this has been a good week for me since my post last Sunday. Felt fine, been able to eat most things. My main issue has been with sleeping!! No matter what time I go to sleep I sleep for 2 hrs, wake for 2 hrs, sleep again another 2 hrs, then it's hard to get up out of bed!!! I think its a chemo issue, could also be that I'm not exercising enough!
I had enough & went to my gp who gave me script for sleeping pills, they work, but i wake up feeling like a zombie after 6 hrs!!! & need more sleep. The first night I took them I took 1 at 1130 & was awake again at 130 & took another 1, so not enough!!. I rang him the next day & he said to take 3 at once, which I did on Fri night along with Fran's suggestion of a warm milk (hot choc) drink & slept for 6 hours as I said previously.
Di N suggested having a couple of glasses of wine prior to bed, did that. went to sleep quickly but again woke after 2 hrs!!
Fran suggested a warm milk drink so i made hot choc & someone else suggested a shower before bed - i did both of those things, with no sleeping pills & woke after 4 hrs which was good, that was last night. I find i sleep better in the day!! i woke for about the 3rd or 4th time today & it was 3pm & i felt good!!! but not practical.
I will work it out - not really a big deal.
Ive got my 3rd bout of chemo this Thurs.... not really looking forward to it, but I will be 1/2 way then, which is a great thought :)
Had a very busy week (as usual) though I don't think I did anything particular on Mon. Tues I had a job interview next to where I used to work for the dentist in Cremorne, this was with ophthalmologists, & while I felt ok about working there, they were a bit cold & I haven't heard from them yet. I visited Mich & staff briefly at the dentist, I dont know if you remember that I ordered some false eyelashes & glue from ebay, well the glue had been delivered - to the dental practice, so I had to go pick it up!! The eyelashes still haven't arrived!
That evening my friend Ruth K (I have 2 friends who r Ruth K) & I went to see the movie Morning Glory with Harrison Ford & Dianne Keaton, shes as good as ever! I found the movie to be better than I was expecting & Ruth found it worse!!
Tues night was the night I had almost no sleep about 3 hrs all night, so I was a total write off on Wed except I went to my GP for advice on what to do about it & he prescribed sleeping pills. That was all I could do the whole day.
Thurs I had booked my car in to get new front brakes, but I got up a wee bit late, then my brother Jeff rang me with the good news that he & his partner Essie had got married a couple of days previously.
By the time I drove to the mechanic it was 1130!! I hung around Bondi Junction & was planning to meet with friends & then drive Jacqui home from work. I bought a fantastic book, Ray Martin's autobiography - hes an Australian journalist & has done lots of interesting things. When I first came to Sydney 30+ years ago, there were a couple of tv programs that were watched religiously - one was the Don Lane show which was a variety show on 5 nights a week at that time, then on Sunday was (& still is) 60 minutes - Ray Martin was one of the presenters on that show at that time.
In the end the particular parts for my car had not come in! so i had to leave the car there overnight & go home by bus. I met up with Fran & we took the bus to her house as she had done some shopping. As we were walking along the pavement/sidewalk, I tripped & fell hard on my left knee, tearing my pants & smashing both palms of my hands - my concern was that my wig stayed put!!! however i had also twisted my leg as i fell, making it hard to continue walking. But I'm so glad Fran was with me!! We very slowly made our way to her place, which wasnt far. I sat down with my bleeding knee, the dog was most interested in that & shes gorgeous but very licky!! I wasnt going to have her lick my knee!!!!! washed it & dressed it & i was fine. Jacqui got the train home & I took the bus back to the Junction & got the last direct bus from there home, Jacqui beat me!!
Friday morn I got the train back to Bondi Junction, met cousin Shirley & sister-in-law Anne for lunch & had to get back to the car & drive to Epping for another job interview. I allowed 45 mins, but it only took 30!! I went on all the toll roads, sometimes its worth doing that. The car brakes are now fixed, TG.
The interview was very interesting, with a young Persian couple -when they say they r Persian, u know they r against the Iranian regime!! We got on very well! They have a business making videos, dvds, documentaries & photography. They like doing Jewish weddings as they r very well organised & not so much hanging around as with other religions!!! I thought that was very interesting. What they want from me, as I understand it, is someone to help with the admin, dealing with emails, & working on advertising & marketing. It will be very flexible, which at the moment suits me perfectly, I can even make the phone calls from home!! Let's see what happens.
From there I went to Macquarie Shopping Centre & bought some things in the sales - a new handbag cum backpack, I was using a very cheap thing & this one is really nice!!! I also had to replace the pants I had torn the other day & I had another pair I had ruined with another fall I had at the beach a couple of months ago, so I bought 2 pairs of pants as well. Our lovely Rabbi Paul Jacobson & his wife Lisa had invited me for Shabbat dinner, so after shul went off to dinner at their home, which was so lovely of them. Lisa even gave me a doggy bag to take home & I took that to the Jazz in the domain on Sat. Fri night was the night I took 3 sleeping pills & woke up very groggy, Ruthie G in Glasgow & I had the most wonderful almost 2 hour conversation with camera on skype, so fab - its like we r together sitting in a lounge room!!! But after our conversation I went back to bed & woke up feeling crap & not ready to go go bookclub, so sorry to let u down girls, next time is at my place!! In the end I didnt even drive to the concert in the Domain, Bill & Sue collected me & they drove in. Los Lobos was the attraction, preceded by a Mexican Mariarchi band, it was a lovely warm night, just the same as last week!! It's a good time to be in Sydney - no flooding here...
Didnt do much today, but had free tickets to the Short + Sweet theatre which is on every Jan. Its 10 x 10 min plays. Really enjoyed most of them & agreed with the judges that the winner & 2nd place were correct - there were 3 vying for the 3rd place - so of the 10, 5 were judged very highly. from there the 4 of us, Lynda, Fran, Peter & I went to Green Gourmet a vegan restaurant with a buffet where you pay according to what your plate weighs!! love it.
So that's all for now - I am still able to be very active & social - last night I also had an invite to a party, but decided to go to the Jazz...
Will post again after chemo....
Cheers Debbie xx
I will work it out - not really a big deal.
Ive got my 3rd bout of chemo this Thurs.... not really looking forward to it, but I will be 1/2 way then, which is a great thought :)
Had a very busy week (as usual) though I don't think I did anything particular on Mon. Tues I had a job interview next to where I used to work for the dentist in Cremorne, this was with ophthalmologists, & while I felt ok about working there, they were a bit cold & I haven't heard from them yet. I visited Mich & staff briefly at the dentist, I dont know if you remember that I ordered some false eyelashes & glue from ebay, well the glue had been delivered - to the dental practice, so I had to go pick it up!! The eyelashes still haven't arrived!
That evening my friend Ruth K (I have 2 friends who r Ruth K) & I went to see the movie Morning Glory with Harrison Ford & Dianne Keaton, shes as good as ever! I found the movie to be better than I was expecting & Ruth found it worse!!
Tues night was the night I had almost no sleep about 3 hrs all night, so I was a total write off on Wed except I went to my GP for advice on what to do about it & he prescribed sleeping pills. That was all I could do the whole day.
Thurs I had booked my car in to get new front brakes, but I got up a wee bit late, then my brother Jeff rang me with the good news that he & his partner Essie had got married a couple of days previously.
By the time I drove to the mechanic it was 1130!! I hung around Bondi Junction & was planning to meet with friends & then drive Jacqui home from work. I bought a fantastic book, Ray Martin's autobiography - hes an Australian journalist & has done lots of interesting things. When I first came to Sydney 30+ years ago, there were a couple of tv programs that were watched religiously - one was the Don Lane show which was a variety show on 5 nights a week at that time, then on Sunday was (& still is) 60 minutes - Ray Martin was one of the presenters on that show at that time.
In the end the particular parts for my car had not come in! so i had to leave the car there overnight & go home by bus. I met up with Fran & we took the bus to her house as she had done some shopping. As we were walking along the pavement/sidewalk, I tripped & fell hard on my left knee, tearing my pants & smashing both palms of my hands - my concern was that my wig stayed put!!! however i had also twisted my leg as i fell, making it hard to continue walking. But I'm so glad Fran was with me!! We very slowly made our way to her place, which wasnt far. I sat down with my bleeding knee, the dog was most interested in that & shes gorgeous but very licky!! I wasnt going to have her lick my knee!!!!! washed it & dressed it & i was fine. Jacqui got the train home & I took the bus back to the Junction & got the last direct bus from there home, Jacqui beat me!!
Friday morn I got the train back to Bondi Junction, met cousin Shirley & sister-in-law Anne for lunch & had to get back to the car & drive to Epping for another job interview. I allowed 45 mins, but it only took 30!! I went on all the toll roads, sometimes its worth doing that. The car brakes are now fixed, TG.
The interview was very interesting, with a young Persian couple -when they say they r Persian, u know they r against the Iranian regime!! We got on very well! They have a business making videos, dvds, documentaries & photography. They like doing Jewish weddings as they r very well organised & not so much hanging around as with other religions!!! I thought that was very interesting. What they want from me, as I understand it, is someone to help with the admin, dealing with emails, & working on advertising & marketing. It will be very flexible, which at the moment suits me perfectly, I can even make the phone calls from home!! Let's see what happens.
From there I went to Macquarie Shopping Centre & bought some things in the sales - a new handbag cum backpack, I was using a very cheap thing & this one is really nice!!! I also had to replace the pants I had torn the other day & I had another pair I had ruined with another fall I had at the beach a couple of months ago, so I bought 2 pairs of pants as well. Our lovely Rabbi Paul Jacobson & his wife Lisa had invited me for Shabbat dinner, so after shul went off to dinner at their home, which was so lovely of them. Lisa even gave me a doggy bag to take home & I took that to the Jazz in the domain on Sat. Fri night was the night I took 3 sleeping pills & woke up very groggy, Ruthie G in Glasgow & I had the most wonderful almost 2 hour conversation with camera on skype, so fab - its like we r together sitting in a lounge room!!! But after our conversation I went back to bed & woke up feeling crap & not ready to go go bookclub, so sorry to let u down girls, next time is at my place!! In the end I didnt even drive to the concert in the Domain, Bill & Sue collected me & they drove in. Los Lobos was the attraction, preceded by a Mexican Mariarchi band, it was a lovely warm night, just the same as last week!! It's a good time to be in Sydney - no flooding here...
Didnt do much today, but had free tickets to the Short + Sweet theatre which is on every Jan. Its 10 x 10 min plays. Really enjoyed most of them & agreed with the judges that the winner & 2nd place were correct - there were 3 vying for the 3rd place - so of the 10, 5 were judged very highly. from there the 4 of us, Lynda, Fran, Peter & I went to Green Gourmet a vegan restaurant with a buffet where you pay according to what your plate weighs!! love it.
So that's all for now - I am still able to be very active & social - last night I also had an invite to a party, but decided to go to the Jazz...
Will post again after chemo....
Cheers Debbie xx
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Hi There - Been a While!!
Hi All - Thanks to those who have been asking how I am & wondering why I haven't posted anything for a wee while! Well I did have things to say, & today is the day!!
Yep, day 4 (last Mon) was pretty awful as I had experienced after chemo 1, but I had a lovely lunch to go to - so I got up dressed & was collected by Miri & Baron, thanks heaps- & taken to Sue & Joes. Very glad I went, even though I couldn't do very much but sit & listen to conversation, hope I did contribute. I couldn't have driven anywhere that day. Day 5 was much the same, but I did have to go to my doc & visited Sue & Bill - had a couple of guys who may have been interested in moving in, but neither were suitable!! By Wed, day 6, my head was back on my shoulders & I felt more 'normal' but my legs didn't work!!! I had to drive quite far to go to a job interview with an agent. I told her my story, whether that was good or bad, I have yet to find out cos she still felt she should put me forward for the job - front desk with ophthalmologists near where I used to work for dentists in Cremorne. Ill find out tomorrow if they are interested in interviewing me themselves.
From the interview I drove back to my local shopping centre - I wanted to buy a scarf to complement the wig & I did buy a gorgeous scarf that I can put on Israeli style!! its lilac, purple, turquoise & white, very pretty. I'm wearing it as I write this...
I've been wearing the wig pretty much all the time, but its hot, heavy, itchy & I never forget I've got it on!! It looks good, so I'm told - I will get a pic with it on & post it on here & FB, but not yet :)
Went with Lynda to the Art Gallery, thanks so much for driving in & paying the fortunes for the parking!! but I know the train is a better option, most of the time, however, there was no way I could have walked from the station, then walked round the gallery!! We went with Fran to see the Entombed Warriors from Xian - very very interesting exhibition. Really worth seeing. In the evening Lynda & I had a very quick bite to eat, where we bumped into a whole family of friends which was just lovely, we were going to see Sarah's Key, the movie & Belinda had seen it the night before - Lin, will call u to talk about it, sorry about Fri!! I liked the movie - Kristen Scott Thomas is always good & no exception here. Its not a true story but the background is based on fact. Lynda & I both thought it a bit sentimental. I'd rate it about 6.5/10, maybe 7 but no more.
On Friday I had my 2nd appt with the oncologist Dr G. he seems to be a good dr, but very dry! & hard to get any feedback from him. My sister-in-law Anne came with me (Fran, my usual support person, had home plumbing probs & had to be there for the plumber!!) & also thought trying to get anything out of him was hard work. He did give me some info on the last 3 chemo treatments. What I mean is that the first 3 treatments are the same & the 2nd 3 are different. I have had 2, with the next one on Jan 20 being the same.
What he said is that I will probably have fluid retention, swollen legs, feet, etc (how thrilling!!) & have to take steroids for 3 days or so, to help combat this, so at least I'm prepped!! I got that script filled at the hospital & the pharmacist was saying that the medication, dexamethasone, should be taken morning & lunchtime - it says to take it twice a day - wouldn't you presume that meant morning & night? I have taken this med before - they give it to me for its antiemitic properties for 2 days after chemo now & I havent slept well, cos this med keeps me awake lololol - duh!!
Yesterday was the first night of Sydney Festival. Went with Bill & Sue & we parked - parking fairy working well here lol. We met up with Fran, Peter & Rachel, & listened to lots of music, watched lots of dance & stood for a long time watching & listening to Taikoz, which is amazing drumming. I'd seen it before, but not so up close - I was in front of the stage. Absolutely fab. From there we went back to Hyde Park, the temp was 24C all evening - not sure what we were watching, but it was ummm interesting!! We should have probably gone to the Domain & watched Emmylou Harris.... but we didnt. Legs were no issue, wobbliness had gone, so even though quite a lot of walking, standing, dancing was done, I had no probs - so glad all is back to normal!!
Today met Suzi & Cheryl for coffee, Suzi is also from Glasgow & we talked about all the people we knew in common, poor Cheryl, just had to listen to us talk about people she'd never heard of, cept you lot on facebook!!! She & I had a short walk, but I got tired quite quickly... not sure if that is unfitness or chemo effect :) Wore my scarf all day today, cos yesterday I was wearing the wig & couldn't wait to get home to take it off. The scarf is much more comfortable & I had a chat on skype with my family in Jerusalem - Nechama liked the scarf!! I'm interested in hers!! There were no squares in the shop, only huge expensive wraps that may have been square, but not something to wear on my head!! The only ones available were like the one I bought - very long & quite wide, with a bit of a fringe, but I really wanted something with fringes, bells, bits of stuff, bling, etc, all over!! however I'm happy with this one.
So that's me for now, hoping that someone will come along to take the room, Jacqui is still here, which I'm loving, it's great!! but it's not a cheap option for her. Someone will come along soon, expecting someone to view the place on Mon. fingers xd!!!
Speak to you all soon - pls give me feedback via email, comment, facebook, etc
Cheers
Debbie xxx
Yep, day 4 (last Mon) was pretty awful as I had experienced after chemo 1, but I had a lovely lunch to go to - so I got up dressed & was collected by Miri & Baron, thanks heaps- & taken to Sue & Joes. Very glad I went, even though I couldn't do very much but sit & listen to conversation, hope I did contribute. I couldn't have driven anywhere that day. Day 5 was much the same, but I did have to go to my doc & visited Sue & Bill - had a couple of guys who may have been interested in moving in, but neither were suitable!! By Wed, day 6, my head was back on my shoulders & I felt more 'normal' but my legs didn't work!!! I had to drive quite far to go to a job interview with an agent. I told her my story, whether that was good or bad, I have yet to find out cos she still felt she should put me forward for the job - front desk with ophthalmologists near where I used to work for dentists in Cremorne. Ill find out tomorrow if they are interested in interviewing me themselves.
From the interview I drove back to my local shopping centre - I wanted to buy a scarf to complement the wig & I did buy a gorgeous scarf that I can put on Israeli style!! its lilac, purple, turquoise & white, very pretty. I'm wearing it as I write this...
I've been wearing the wig pretty much all the time, but its hot, heavy, itchy & I never forget I've got it on!! It looks good, so I'm told - I will get a pic with it on & post it on here & FB, but not yet :)
Went with Lynda to the Art Gallery, thanks so much for driving in & paying the fortunes for the parking!! but I know the train is a better option, most of the time, however, there was no way I could have walked from the station, then walked round the gallery!! We went with Fran to see the Entombed Warriors from Xian - very very interesting exhibition. Really worth seeing. In the evening Lynda & I had a very quick bite to eat, where we bumped into a whole family of friends which was just lovely, we were going to see Sarah's Key, the movie & Belinda had seen it the night before - Lin, will call u to talk about it, sorry about Fri!! I liked the movie - Kristen Scott Thomas is always good & no exception here. Its not a true story but the background is based on fact. Lynda & I both thought it a bit sentimental. I'd rate it about 6.5/10, maybe 7 but no more.
On Friday I had my 2nd appt with the oncologist Dr G. he seems to be a good dr, but very dry! & hard to get any feedback from him. My sister-in-law Anne came with me (Fran, my usual support person, had home plumbing probs & had to be there for the plumber!!) & also thought trying to get anything out of him was hard work. He did give me some info on the last 3 chemo treatments. What I mean is that the first 3 treatments are the same & the 2nd 3 are different. I have had 2, with the next one on Jan 20 being the same.
What he said is that I will probably have fluid retention, swollen legs, feet, etc (how thrilling!!) & have to take steroids for 3 days or so, to help combat this, so at least I'm prepped!! I got that script filled at the hospital & the pharmacist was saying that the medication, dexamethasone, should be taken morning & lunchtime - it says to take it twice a day - wouldn't you presume that meant morning & night? I have taken this med before - they give it to me for its antiemitic properties for 2 days after chemo now & I havent slept well, cos this med keeps me awake lololol - duh!!
Yesterday was the first night of Sydney Festival. Went with Bill & Sue & we parked - parking fairy working well here lol. We met up with Fran, Peter & Rachel, & listened to lots of music, watched lots of dance & stood for a long time watching & listening to Taikoz, which is amazing drumming. I'd seen it before, but not so up close - I was in front of the stage. Absolutely fab. From there we went back to Hyde Park, the temp was 24C all evening - not sure what we were watching, but it was ummm interesting!! We should have probably gone to the Domain & watched Emmylou Harris.... but we didnt. Legs were no issue, wobbliness had gone, so even though quite a lot of walking, standing, dancing was done, I had no probs - so glad all is back to normal!!
Today met Suzi & Cheryl for coffee, Suzi is also from Glasgow & we talked about all the people we knew in common, poor Cheryl, just had to listen to us talk about people she'd never heard of, cept you lot on facebook!!! She & I had a short walk, but I got tired quite quickly... not sure if that is unfitness or chemo effect :) Wore my scarf all day today, cos yesterday I was wearing the wig & couldn't wait to get home to take it off. The scarf is much more comfortable & I had a chat on skype with my family in Jerusalem - Nechama liked the scarf!! I'm interested in hers!! There were no squares in the shop, only huge expensive wraps that may have been square, but not something to wear on my head!! The only ones available were like the one I bought - very long & quite wide, with a bit of a fringe, but I really wanted something with fringes, bells, bits of stuff, bling, etc, all over!! however I'm happy with this one.
So that's me for now, hoping that someone will come along to take the room, Jacqui is still here, which I'm loving, it's great!! but it's not a cheap option for her. Someone will come along soon, expecting someone to view the place on Mon. fingers xd!!!
Speak to you all soon - pls give me feedback via email, comment, facebook, etc
Cheers
Debbie xxx
Saturday, January 1, 2011
new short post, 2/1/11
I know u all know how positive & upbeat I am, but I do want to have a whinge today!! The only real problem I have is with the hair loss, I find it quite depressing, looking in the mirror is a horror!!! U know Im always made up & groomed, yes the wig is ok, but its a wig!! I took it off for 2 seconds last night so Fran could see what was under it, oy. Yep have to deal with it & move on... For me being groomed is about making the most of what I've got, so far eyelashes & eyebrows r still in place, but have ordered 10 pairs of false eyelashes from ebay - 10 for a $1, lol Jacqui also bought a packet - incl post was $2.50...
I have booked into a class they run at North Shore Private Hospital called Look Good Feel Better, apparently the cosmetic companies come along & give freebies :) im going along that day, bare faced!! but with my make up bag ready. its at the beginning of Feb.
Today is day 3 after chemo, not feeling 100% today, not real bad, just off..... it better be gone by tomorrow :)
take care all. have a wonderful 2011 - healthy, happy, bringing all ur hearts desire :)
cheers
debbie xx
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