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