We had hoped to use this week in the run up to the start of chemo as a time to relax, enjoy the simple pleasures of life and prepare ourselves for the journey that lies ahead as Steve has six cycles of Alimta (pemetrexed) and carboplatin between now and February 2013.
Some hope!
Steve's mum remains in hospital in Bristol, about an hour and a half away by car from where we live in Oxford. We have made two more round trips to see her in the last five days - one in appalling driving conditions - but sadly she has not been very responsive on our visits. Because of the risk of hospital acquired infection whilst Steve's immune system is compromised, we won't be visiting her again in person until she is discharged. However, between visits we have been working away in the background, exploring Lasting Power of Attorney, reviewing accommodation options for the future and looking at ways of communicating long distance with someone who is profoundly deaf, not mobile enough to post a letter, and shown no aptitude or willingness to use technology.
At the same time, we have been trying to sort out a builder to do work on our house before the winter weather gets a grip, and thinking about how we can help our daughter get a foot on the bottom rung of the housing ladder in London. Not easy tasks, any of them!
By the time we returned from Bristol, exhausted, late on Friday night, Steve couldn't face the thought of getting up early to travel to London the next day for the Mesothelioma Patient and Carer Day. He decided to stay at home, relax and get his mind in gear ready for Monday. However, I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with daughter Katie and her partner over a long lunch, and was relieved to find Steve in much better spirits on returning home.
So the count down to chemo is nearly over. Bloods were taken at the GP surgery on Friday afternoon. Steve started taking steroid tablets today. Tomorrow morning, we will phone the hospital to make sure the results of the blood tests were OK and then he's clear to go. Must remember to pack a bag of things to keep us occupied during the chemo session, plus a drink and snack for me (as Steve will be fed and watered by the hospital).
There's one last social do tonight before we get on the chemo train - the Private View of Oxford Photographic Society's 2012 exhibition, where I have a couple of prints on display. If you happen to find yourself in Oxford during October, please drop in! Entry is free and I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Some hope!
Steve's mum remains in hospital in Bristol, about an hour and a half away by car from where we live in Oxford. We have made two more round trips to see her in the last five days - one in appalling driving conditions - but sadly she has not been very responsive on our visits. Because of the risk of hospital acquired infection whilst Steve's immune system is compromised, we won't be visiting her again in person until she is discharged. However, between visits we have been working away in the background, exploring Lasting Power of Attorney, reviewing accommodation options for the future and looking at ways of communicating long distance with someone who is profoundly deaf, not mobile enough to post a letter, and shown no aptitude or willingness to use technology.
At the same time, we have been trying to sort out a builder to do work on our house before the winter weather gets a grip, and thinking about how we can help our daughter get a foot on the bottom rung of the housing ladder in London. Not easy tasks, any of them!
By the time we returned from Bristol, exhausted, late on Friday night, Steve couldn't face the thought of getting up early to travel to London the next day for the Mesothelioma Patient and Carer Day. He decided to stay at home, relax and get his mind in gear ready for Monday. However, I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with daughter Katie and her partner over a long lunch, and was relieved to find Steve in much better spirits on returning home.
So the count down to chemo is nearly over. Bloods were taken at the GP surgery on Friday afternoon. Steve started taking steroid tablets today. Tomorrow morning, we will phone the hospital to make sure the results of the blood tests were OK and then he's clear to go. Must remember to pack a bag of things to keep us occupied during the chemo session, plus a drink and snack for me (as Steve will be fed and watered by the hospital).
There's one last social do tonight before we get on the chemo train - the Private View of Oxford Photographic Society's 2012 exhibition, where I have a couple of prints on display. If you happen to find yourself in Oxford during October, please drop in! Entry is free and I'm sure you will enjoy it.
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Thoughts and wishes for the start of a long and gruelling time for you both. It isn't easy on either party to go through this regime. Linda I am sure you will keep Steve so occupied over the next few months it will fly and all those odd jobs on the computer you keep meaning to do will be completed. Good luck from the whole of my heart. xx
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