Neil and I had such a great day yesterday. We watched Exeter Chiefs THRASH Montpellier at Sandy Park. It was so exciting. Three of our 6 tries were scored right under our noses. For me, it was even more than amazing rugby, it was Neil and me beginning to resume normal life. What could be a better start than a great rugby victory?

The day before we went to Sidmouth where Neil swam, as part of his polar bear challenge, in the cold sea, ruddied from recent landslides. While he warmed up over a hot chocolate, I shopped… and shopped (successfully) for curtains. Then we went to the cinema where we thoroughly enjoyed the new Churchill film, then went home to have takeaway fish and chips.

I had a blood test last Wednesday and ALL the indicators were normal, which is such great news, so I’m on course to complete the next chemo session on Thursday the 18th. If I continue at this rate, I’ll be fine for my final chemo session on 1st Feb.

So, as you see, I’ve responded very well to this 75% chemo dose. It did make me feel a little sick for about 5 days and I’ve lost enjoyment of most food. Water and many other things taste either like metal or have no taste at all, but I am eating, and that’s the key. Even if I don’t feel like eating, I force myself to eat a decent amount and I’ve put on a little weight. My energy is slowly coming back and as the chemo wears off I’m even enjoying some foods such as fish and chips and curries.

I’ve been careful not to ‘overdo’ things with my returning energy and a walk up to the beacon is a little way away yet, but is most definitely my next goal. I’ve been trying to conserve my calorie intake to put on weight instead, although I’m afraid I couldn’t resist picking up the paint brushes and making a start on decorating the house. I absolutely love designing and decorating and its been so frustrating not being able to put our own ideas into our new home. But I did get too carried away and it exhausted me, so we’ve employed a great chap who started yesterday. Instead, my job is ideas and SHOPPING!!!!

Even more good news is that friends are popping in for coffee and a hot tub. Its a good idea to text first, but we love seeing our friends again. Neil and I are slowly emerying from our reclusive (and quite romantic) few months, but with the flu bug still running rampant out there, I’m still staying away from our warm, bustling, cosy pub and other crowded places. I’m so determined to catch no bugs and complete this chemo course. (The new pump worked first time by the way. It was rather bulky to have strapped to my waist or under the pillow for 24 hours but thankfully it was reliable)

We did have one more surprise last this week. I found one of our doves in our sitting room…cooing and pooing! He must have fallen down the chimney. He was so warm and happy inside, and possibly traumatised, that it took a lot of coaxing to get him (or her) to fly outside again and he spent the night in the warmth of our front porch where he deposited a rather large amount of dove poo for such a beautiful little bird. We were rather worried about him during the chilly night and were very relieved to see him join the other 7 the next morning to fly around our roof. Maybe he’s a loner as we often think we are down to 7 doves, then he returns to complete the flock of 8.

So…. next chemo is Thursday, with the pump fitted again and removed on Friday. Then I suspect I’ll go through a similar two weeks as this current 2. I still have 4 well days ahead of me before the next chemo and my lovely sister Toni is coming to stay. My hair is still falling out and I’ve started wearing the wig, but I still have enough wispy hair to look vaguely OK. Hats are great in this weather anyway.

All is well. Very well indeed as we start planning our life without Deirdre.