time marches on...

Hi All
I last wrote that my vision had gone weird & it is still weird!!! Friday, 10 days ago I went to my optometrist, Mark, who told me that my vision has improved by 2 diopters! meaning it's dropped from 6.5 to 4.5! so my wearing my normal glasses with the +2's on top is correct!!! just looks so stupid. he also gave me a pair of contact lenses at the right script which is much better & I wear them with a pair of +1's for close work. But, I find my eyes are very dry, specially towards the end of the day.
The reason for all this is twofold. I don't know who of you know that my blood sugar levels are elevated - no I won't use the 'D' word!!! I'm a very recalcitrant & non compliant person in regard to this. However, my body right now won't let me put anything with sugar in it into my mouth, good thing!!! Mark feels that the fluid in my eye has changed consistency which is why my script has changed to dramatically.
However, my next appt after Mark was with Alex G, my oncologist, & when I told him of the vision issues, he didn't seem to think they were anything unusual!!! It is possible that the chemo affects the pancreas (as well as everything else) & that affects insulin. He doesn't want to see me again until August.
From there I went to see my new GP, Felix. He is much more pro-active regarding the 'D' word, than John, my GP of 25 years who has nicked off to Ballina! Felix has put me on new meds for high blood sugar & he will do blood tests every 3 months to monitor it... Oy.
After those appts I went home & stayed home!!
Saturday afternoon I went to the YouTube Symphony Orchestra at the Opera House, you can check it out on YouTube - all different musicians from all over the world got together to create a concert, it was brilliant!! That night was Purim. Our wonderful Rabbi Jacki together with Avril A, created a Purim Schpiel that was based on Elvis songs rewritten for the Purim story. Hilarious as ever, such talent we have in our Shul!!!
Sunday was Frans birthday bbq - I do love any reason for a party/get together!!!
I worked Mon & Tue, leaving early on Tue for my last blood test - hooray!! Then Jacqui & I went to see Jersey Boys - it is brilliant, recommend it highly. Very interesting story & of course the music is wonderful.
Wed morn off I went for my last chemo session. As agreed with Alex G, I had the same type of chemo as I had the 1st 3 times. I just couldn't have coped with the disgustingness of the last 2. So far the taste is horrible, but not disgusting, I can eat fruit, but still have no desire for sugar. I made some more stewed apple, which is very successful!!
That night after chemo, I went with Marilyn & Judit to see The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. Just as good as the other 2 movies - I've read book 1, still have to read the other 2.
Thur & Fri I worked, Mandy felt I was quite effective, so that's good feedback!! Fran & I went to a play on Thurs night called Orange Flower Water - we should have given Geoff S some feedback, cos neither of us liked it!!! It sounded good, but it was very dark & no humour. The good thing to come of the evening is that there is a British Lolly shop round the corner from the theatre & I was able to buy some Heinz Sandwich Spread!!!! I was halishing for it :) You Brits know what I'm talking about hahaha.
We had a Shabbat dinner at Shul on Fri & that was great - but by then my eyes were so dry I just had to go home & get the lenses out.
Did nothing on the weekend at all, was supposed to vote in our State Election, it is compulsory here to vote, but I will say I was recovering from chemo & they can take it further if they want. Didn't make it to Chloe's farewell party unfortunately, I really wanted to go.
I took today off work because I knew I would have very little energy & yep I have had very little energy today. I did go to Esther for acupuncture this morning, it really does seem to help. Planning to go again on Fri. I will work 3 days this week, with no plans for social stuff after work!!! But then that should be it!! back to normal on the weekend & I will never ever again do chemo no matter what.
One thing I was advised of after chemo on Wed, is that the port that was inserted under my chest wall, will need to have regular flushing!!! That means going every 4-6 weeks for them to flush it, not a comfortable procedure. I meant to ask Alex G when I can get the damn thing removed, but I think they want to make sure all is well, all scans are clear, etc before taking it out.
Next appt is with Gillian L, the radiotherapist, or whatever she is, to discuss the 25 days of radiotherapy logistics, etc. That is next week. Oy, it will end. Still no hair, but there is fuzz!!! not fluff, fuzz :) eyebrows & eyelashes r still lacking, can't wait for them to grow back!! I decided to let Vinnie, my tenant, see me with no hair, cos I'm not prepared to worry about walking around the house with no wig on. I need that freedom at home. It doesn't seem to worry him. He seems to be a decent guy.
Hope life is treating you all well & I'm still managing to entertain - will write again sometime soon....
Cheers
Debbie xx