9.3.16

Thank goodness i had a good nights sleep. I still feel like I've strapped myself onto  HGV lorry and dragged it from Bournemouth to Poole. Everything is aching, but i can cope with that.
Today is stem cell levels at PGH which is lucky cos I'm still there with my lorry! And another breakfast out. Where can we go? The view isn't as important today cos its windy and rainy out there. But i also need to remember to not have a huge breakfast cos it makes me feel uncomfortable. Ive tried to figure out why I'm feeling this way.
Chemo gives you a thing called mucositis, where you are inflamed from the mouth down to the underpant department. I think thats it. My mouth feels swollen and is not working properly, which some would say is a good thing! But i hate to say it. I can still talk! Mucositis would explain why i have mild tummy ache and wind! Luckily its blowy outside so i can blame it on that. However, this is all do-able. It could be far worse.
I noticed last evening after dinner that i felt like id eaten a 7 course meal. I used to feel like this when i was on steroids. So uncomfortable.
Another thing...my hair hurts! Whether this means its on the move, only time will tell. I haven't washed it for a while. Its difficult to wash it with a hickman line in. I have to keep the line dry and it goes from my chest to my neck, so thats a challenge in itself. Todays the day tho. I will be covered in so much tape to keep it from submerging. Then when i remove the tape, cos my skins sensitive now, its quite tender. At least its taken all the hair off my chest!!!
Oh dear, that didn't go well. I was lathering up when a bit got in my eye so i had to keep them closed. I reached for the shower attachment and rinsed the shampoo off. Managed to clean my face of suds and opened my eyes to see my 'tubes' dangling in the water. I don't think its the end of the world but not the best thing to happen.
Its amazing how much bathing takes it out of me. After a dunk, i need to chill for a bit, and i usually fall asleep quite quickly. Today i was away with the fairies and the phone rang. I nearly hit the ceiling i jumped so much, but i suppose thats a form of exercise so i shan't complain too much. It was Sammy, my specialist nurse practitioner. She told me my stem cells were high enough now so i could stop the jabs. Oh what nice news. I can't say it was hideous having them, but everything has a psychological effect. Its all a reminder of what i have and what i  have to go through. Its like when I'm having chemo. Watching the 24 hour bags drip (theres 2 of them constantly running one after the other for 5 days) is not too bad. They drip slowly. But when they put the etoposide, mannitol and methyl prednisolone up they near enough run into my veins and that really spooks me. I almost look forward to the methyl pred because its the end of the fast flowing part of the treatment for the day and back to my trusty 2 bags, and because the steroid reduces my symptoms, making me feel better than i should. However as you know, cos I've moaned enough about it, steroids make you feel awful not just when you come off them, but during too. I hope hope hope this next lot get me into remission so i don't have to have any more of that and i can move onto the next step.
Sammy also told me i don't have to go for bloods today, which also was nice. I asked if my issues were mucositis and should i still have that 10 days after chemo and she assured me it was and its a very heavy duty chemo so to be expected. It sounds quite pretty doesn't it ESHAP.
Every Spoonful Has A Poison! Every Smile Hides A Pain! Enjoy Some Healing At Poole! Exterminate Swellings Helps At Preventing! I think ill stop there, i could go on and on.
So today, all being well,  i will possibly go in the garden and fill the green recycle bin ready for monday (i think its Monday). I must be feeling better!