END OF FIRST 2 WEEKS OF CHEMO (WHICH WAS ALSO HALF TERM !)

So as the first fortnight draws to an end its difficult to know where to begin with this post. So much has changed in my internal world but Im feeling so grateful because none of it has overwhelmed me or been too much. The first chemo infusion went smoothly appart from a reaction to one of the drugs. I had severe pain in my arm as soon as it started to go in but the nurse reduced the speed of the pump and it eased off so I could cope with it. I came home with anti sickness pills and steroids so my first few days were ok. Unexpectedly my appetite increased hugely. I have not had any nausea but my digestion was very tender and painful for the first week after infusion.....but I was waking up in the night with growling hunger ( and have been ever since). My energy dropped off massively mid cycle as predicted, very dopey, and muscle weakness with wobbly legs and trembly hands at the slightest exersion. Not brilliant for a rainy half term - I definately felt a bit blue and could only shuffle about the house. As the steroids wore off I also really felt the pain kick in my arm where the vein was damaged during infusion. Ended up having ambulance come out to us one evening - not really needed but a certain chain of events kick in when you call for advice and on chemo ! Anyway I got to meet our ambulance men who are local ( yes living in a small community has great perks) and ended up spending a chatty hour or so with them whilst they took all my obs and told me I was in perfect health, then called my GP who came and joined the chat and put me straight back on steroids and gave me stronger pain relief. They were all brilliant and so friendly - this community rocks ! Since then I have picked up and the pain is gone. I am still shockingly low energy and get muscle aches and trembles BUT Im learning to pace myself. Im also very forgetful and concentration goes at random - so please bear with me if I dont get back to you or repeat myself ! The kids think its hillarious and Im sure they could give you some funny stories. So thats enopugh of my medical blah de blah - onto half term news. Its been quite homey, partly due to weather in first week - continuous rain and squally storms. Ari is a champion baker and spent one day making a fabulous looking christmas cake. We watched a lot of Dr Who. We went out for a couple of little trips out to cafe for lunch or afternoon coffee in local bookshop. The holidays ended as it started with another big trip to Inverness.This time we drove threough beautiful snowy landscape, just a dusting but proper pretty. I treated myself to a juicer as several friends have recommended it to support my diet during the chemo. Send me your recipes for juice that help with cancer or chemo. Then we went clothes shopping for the girls as we are now eligable for benefit vouchers for clothing for kids. Ari got new boots for school, Robin tried on endless pairs of jeans but had trouble finding some to fit. Its so disheartening for young women who dont look like barbie dolls ! We have discovered a fabulous street in Inverness with good interesting cafe's & resturaunts( jamaican/wholefood cafe/comfort food cafe/organic pancakes). We opted for the pancake place and it was amazing. There are also a couple of good charity shops and a brilliant bookshop - we feel very home there and some christmas presents were bought ! Then we hit lidl and massive tesco for groceries. I discovered that Tesco havemobility scooters available and took advantage as I was very wobbly by then. Came home exhausted but very happy. Today has been a day of cooking for next few days and afternoon snooze. Tomorrow Im off for my second infusion and possibly fitting of a PICC line.