Weeks 5-6

OK, so if you're reading this now, this is the fourth posting I've made in less then 24 hours, so you've got a ways to go to catch up!  Sorry; some of my posts I've had half written since the beginning of March, but life and treatment have got in the way of completing them.  They are not nearly as well written as my first couple of meanderings, but it will bring you up to date.

After my little hiatus back in the John Radcliffe Neurology/Neurosurgery ward (I think they wanted to keep me there just to keep the students out of the way and entertained, actually!) I went straight back into the final phase of my radiotherapy.  Phase 2 consisted of a much higher dose of radiation to a very focused areas of my tumour - as opposed to the all-over radiation I've been receiving.

1. Seizures: none
2. Tummy problems: none
3. Headaches: none
4. Steroids: experimenting between 4 and 6mg per day. Still hate the fat cheeks, the body swelling and other side effects.
5. Wine consumption: low
6. Chocolate consumption: high.
7. Motor function on right side: good, but feeling tingling as playing with steroids
8. Dysphasia: non-existent
9. General feeling of wellbeing: downgraded to good
10. Online shopping: nil

I have kept these two weeks quite quiet, concentrating on wedding planning - and culminating in shopping for The Dress with three of my best girlfriends and the help of a Personal Shopper at Selfridges, Oxford Street.  I am now the proud owner of a Nicole Farhi dress, a DKNY jacket, and a pair of Vivienne Westwood boots - and that's all I'm saying on the matter until after next Thursday!

All thanks to Clodagh who organised it all - we met at the Hix Bar for lunch, toodled on up to Personal Shopping, and sat around drinking champagne while somebody else ran around the shop scooping up things for me to try on.  I have to say, the most exhausting thing I did all day was to lever myself into a pair of Spanx - and believe me when I tell you that was hard work.

Mum has been with us for a couple of weeks, looking after house and home - I don't think I've ever had as much ironing done or cooking done!  It is almost like living in a hotel where everything is done for you, but I have much enjoyed our glass of wine and a cheese and biscuit last thing at night.  She deserves it and apparently red wine is good for me, so it works all ways round.

These two weeks culminated in a Mothers Day lunch at the Watermill Theatre, for both me and Mum.  The food was OK, the grounds were delightful and we'll definitely be booking the Christmas Panto there this year!