Update: June 2023 

5 June 2023

Hi everyone – just letting you know that I continue to be fine.

 

(Photo taken on Friday, while a storm was building in another part of the sky. I liked the birds.)

 

During the last few days, I’ve been propped up by the steroids they gave me with the chemo and to take at home until yesterday (not to mention the fistfuls of other meds that one goes home with, as well!). The blood transfusion also helped a lot.

 

So I’ve been able to do a bit more of the overdue organising and unpacking from our move, and also to do some essential shopping with Gail on Friday. (Gail was concerned that I was overdoing it, but that didn’t happen.)

 

Today was my Day 7 check, and everything was as it should be – including the fact that I have no immunity, as is intended for the chemo to do its work! So it’s now ‘quarantine’ week for me, and I’m hoping to do some more organising at home, and also to rest a bit.

 

Thinking of those of you who are also dealing with health issues and other issues, and sending love to all, as always.

PS: I drew the flowchart that I was half-joking about, last week: here it is! I can guess who will read it with a fine-tooth comb! (And who won’t ...) 

2023 06 19

Hi everyone – a quick update:

I've been doing well in the past week, after a slight wobble (of low energy etc) in the previous (quarantine) week. Have even seen a few people, including my nephew Tevya and niece Nina.

 

Tomorrow, all going well, is Chemo No.4. 🌹❤️

2023 06 20

 

So here I am, in the chemo ward, waiting for my turn. It was a little bit touch and go this morning, as I had started feeling a bit off-colour during the afternoon, and that had continued this morning. After my blood test, I saw both Sr Pat and Danie (haematologist), and Danie said that the blood counts were strong enough to go ahead with chemo today.

 

I'm using my flowchart this time (I have my stickers)! 😄 It's now up to the red flower. 🌹❤️

2023 06 21

 

Thanks to those who sent messages along the way, yesterday ...

 

Chemo started after 1pm, and seemed to take even longer than last time – even without me having to interrupt the process to go and get my admission stickers.

 

Go figure!

 

(Not complaining – that's just how it was.)

 

Gail was there during the last round (by then I was the only person still there), and we left the hospital at 10pm, accompanied by a big packet of meds, as usual. I was feeling way better than earlier!

 

Love to you all 🌹❤️

 

2023 06 26

 

Hi everyone – today was my Day 7 check, and we found that my haemoglobin count is low (which also explains why my energy levels have dropped a bit extra over the past couple of days, after being really good just before that).

 

I'll be going back to the hospital late this afternoon to have a blood transfusion and stay overnight – it's safer for me to wait at home until the blood arrives, because they don't have an isolated bed for me right now and it's my "quarantine" time.

 

Very grateful to my wonderful chauffeur, Gail, and also to all the people who donate blood regularly for those of us who keep needing it!

 

Lots of love to all of you 🌹❤️

 

2023 06 27

 

I'm back home, and thrilled to be here! Neria is both my minder and my role model right now, as she and I both lie here quietly ... what a relief, after a rather busy night!

 

The blood transfusion only started at 8:50pm, and continued until about 2 or 3 am. There were three of us in the room (my first time there without the luxury of a room to myself), each dealing with our own issues and discomforts, with all sorts of disturbances and comings and goings throughout the night. Not much sleep for any of us, and somewhat of a sense-of-humour failure for me! (Low blood counts can do that to a person, anyway.)

 

What a relief when it was decided that my blood count, while still a little low, was high enough for me to go home, and Gail could bring me back to some peace and quiet! 😅

 

Thanks, as always, for all the love. 🌹❤️