It’s all good, so where do I start? I feel FINE. Last night Neil and I donned our black tie and evening dress to attend the GP and Consultants ball and my progress is surprising everyone. It’s a shame my surgeon wasn’t there to see his success, but he’s Plymouth based and this was for the Exeter area. We had a great time and I had intended to enjoy the first dance with Neil before slipping away, but by 10.30 the desserts hadn’t been served, so we left before the dancing, enjoying the glow of our first proper evening out together. (The first photo is in the pub and the second with our lovely friend Clare)

Before going, we went to our pub for a ‘swift one’. Friday evening at 6pm is a popular time for our Culmstock community to share a beer or 2 (or 3 or 4!) and it was the first time I’d been there in 3 months. It felt wonderful being back with our Culmstock friends and we were both given the warmest welcome. Culmstock is indeed a very special place to live. I’m a pretty cheap date these days not drinking alcohol yet, but it’s just a matter of time, although I did enjoy half a glass of champagne at the ball before it got too warm to finish.

One irritating medical issue is laughter! We saw Paddington 2 this week and Neil laughed all the way through, noticing that I didn’t seem to be laughing at all! It’s just that I can’t laugh heartily yet as my lung hasn’t quite recovered and I end up coughing. It was such a lovely uplifting film and I really was laughing just as much as Neil, but inside and silently!

The Weetabix Test

I had a long chat with my brother yesterday, just back from his second honeymoon (one can never have too many!). Have I tried the 2 Weetabix test yet? I did giggle. With all those letters after his name, surgical papers he’s written, and a title of Professor, he’s still my little brother who has eaten 2 Weetabix for breakfast all his life. He described my stomach as being the size of a large clenched fist which should accommodate 2 Weetabix, so I’ll be testing that soon. I reckon my porridge every morning is about that. I can eat most things now, but still only in tiny portions.

It’s a bit of a juggling act deciding how much exercise to take so as not to burn up too many precious calories. I did have 2 bad days this week, but it was nothing to do with surgery. It was a migraine!! I felt sick and so very tired, and I was beginning to wonder if I was taking a step backwards, but once it had lifted yesterday morning, I actually feel I’ve taken 10 steps forward!

I simply feel so well! Which is just as well as we have 2 weddings to attend in December, a few theatrical productions including the concert we are singing in, plus all its rehearsals, plus lots of carol singing, plus Cara’s 30th birthday in London. And then of course, Christmas where all our families are coming. I am absolutely determined to attend all these events.

Sooooooooo…….next is chemo from Monday to Tuesday with that gadget attached to me pumping it in for 24 hours. I had a blood test a week ago and everything was normal, so whatever I’m eating is doing the trick. I’ve no idea what to expect about how I’ll be with this new chemo, and I hate the idea of losing my hair, but in a weird way I’m looking forward to it. Life is far easier dealing with something than worrying about it beforehand. It’s the final stage of the story. Bring it on!

Later on…. I’ve just passed the Weetabix test!!!