What a busy week! I’ve been out visiting several sites, of which I’ll write more and show pictures later. I’ve had dinner with my father, and generally had a very good week.
The drugs have been working extremely well this week. I’ve suffered hardly any pain now that I’m taking the Oxycontin as well as the Diclofenac, both slow-release versions of their standard counterparts. I have noticed the odd difficulty swallowing, but I don’t know whether to put it down to the tumour on my spine that we found out about recently, or — worse — a re-growth of the tumour in my oesophagus. I’m mostly inclined to the former as I can feel the effects of swallowing in a band all across my chest, which makes me think it is much more likely to be an issue with the nerves that meet my spine at the L1 vertebra. In any case, it’s not too much of a problem at the moment, so I shall wait until I see the consultant in the normal course of events before mentioning it to him.
Although I still get tired quite easily, and need to go to bed early, and sometimes even take a nap in the afternoon as I did today, I’ve found that my stamina is improving. I’m able to spend all day scrambling over a few ruins and generally poking about, much as I used to do before the cancer stole my strength. It’s been one of the highlights of this post-chemo period for me, and I hope it’ll last quite a while.
All in all, a good week.
{ 9 } Comments
Great to hear that you’ve been having a good time on your trip, and that your energy levels are improving. Afternoon naps sound like an excellent idea – this is one of M’s habits that we aim to copy as often as possible, but for which we have no excuse for finding so tempting.
All the best,
R&F.
R, and Veronica, those naps are all very well at the time, but medical advice for sleeping well at night says that they are a bad idea. I’m trying to cut them out for that reason. The trouble comes when I’m so tired that I fall asleep over my reading, even when I’m trying to stay awake.
Glad to hear that you’ve had a such a good week. As for the afternoon naps, look at them as a siesta:)
I’m so glad you’re feeling so much better at the moment!
Thanks, Catharine. I’m trying to make the best of this good time at the moment, and it seems to be working.
Surely, short naps of 20 to 30 minutes maximum should not affect night sleeping. The problem is that it is too easy to oversleep.
Lots of love and good wishes,
F&R&M.
It’s hard to know, really. The doctor’s advice to Gillian was not to sleep during the day if she wanted to sleep at night. There was no mention of how long she wasn’t to sleep, if you see what I mean. But sometimes it’s impossible to avoid falling asleep in the middle of the day, as I’ve just proved 🙁
An old curate of ours once told us that the best way to take a short nap during an exam was to rest on your nose. The discomfort woke you up before you had used up too much time but you still got the boost required. Can’t say I ever tried it though.
I have just read about Chris in the Merton Postmaster and tracked down this blog. I studied Maths with Chris at Merton (I was Claire Farmer then) and he truly was a lovely guy. I have such fond memories of his great sense of humour and much time spent together. I am so sad to hear that he has left us. Reading the blog by both of you is so humbling as you were both so strong. Although we’ve never met, Gillian, I’m sending you lots of love and best wishes.