Chemo 15

Cherry

By jeand

Sun, 20 Nov 2022
  • 1663 reads
21 comments
 

 

Chemo 15

 

What difference does a month make?  Four more episodes of poison being pushed into a vein made to swell by sitting in a tub of hot water for 10 minutes.  Four more periods of extreme tiredness when crying takes too much energy.  Four weeks without going back to play bridge and scrabble with friends.

 

What difference does a year make? If the blood clots in my lungs had broken off and gone into my heart; if my blocked bowel had exploded; if my surgeon had been too tired after a long day to take on a very  complicated surgery; I wouldn’t have had the chance to see my son get his own house and leave a job for another, without being fired.  I wouldn’t have seen my granddaughter go off to University; I wouldn’t have fully realised the kindness and care of the NHS, and I wouldn’t as fully appreciate the love that others have for me, and me for them.  

 

Last chemo session I told the nurse how excited I was about counting down to the end of my treatment. “Only 7 more to go after today,”  I said with a big smile on my face. “Are you sure? I will just look it up,” and a few minutes later, she wiped the smile off my face.  “You’re only just over half done, and I have down that your last day will be the 9th of February. And then in a few weeks after that you will get your scan to see what the result of it all has been.” 

 

Maybe in that extra month I will be better able to appreciate what a good life I have and that the NHS is doing the best to keep it going.

 

 

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Comments

Submitted by marandina on

Keep counting down and keep writing, our Jean. You are getting there! Take care of yourself. Paul x

 

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Paul

 

I am feeling better today.

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

You do have a way to go yet Jean, but you always manage to keep your spirits up somehow, and for that I commend your strong spirit. 

Hope you can surround yourself with love and happiness, so that the time will go by quickly. I wish for you a bright future and good results from all your worries.

As Paul said...take care Jean.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Jenny for all your positivity. I do feel more positive today.

Jean Day

Submitted by celticman on

much to be glad of here. thanks for reminding us. 

 

Submitted by jeand on

thanks Jack for replying

Jean Day

Submitted by Kilb50 on

All best wishes to you Jean. 

 

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Kilb

 

I will read some of your work later. Nice to hear from you.

Jean Day

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Reasons to be cheerful - do you know that song? I'm sorry you had a disappointment. I hope the tine passes quickly for you. I guess your grandaughter will be home soon (with three months' worth of washing if she's anything like my sons). Thank you for sharing your experiences with us Jean and please keep them coming

 

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks very much Insert.  I guess my disappointment was more wishful thinking.  I went through the calendar and I had forgotten that the first time I wasn't given chemo - and I guess they are making up for the ones I missed - at their requst - so it is pretty much as it should be.

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I've been wondering how you were getting on, whether to email, praying for the day-by-day. Difficult times, but some joys, and things to do to encourage others. The nurse sounds as if she was a bit clumsy in how she broke the news to you? love, Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Rhiannon

 

I am back to normal cheerfulness today.  The nurse apoligised when she saw how taken aback I was, but she was right and I had calculated witih more hope than reality. 

Jean Day

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks very much eds for the cherries.

Jean Day

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

 

Submitted by Starfish Girl on

Hi Jean

Once again you tell things how they are, both ups and downs. I like the beginning of your piece where you list what could have happened 'if' and the contrast with all the good things.

Glad to hear that you are feeling better after the disappointment over future chemo treatment.

Take care

Lindy

Submitted by jeand on

thanks Lindy

 

For your support through thick and thin. 

Jean Day

Submitted by Ed Crane on

The pain and discomfort you discribe is worth it. My last session was eleven years ago.

We all react differently to the effects of chemo, but you will never forget the experience or the fact it had to be done if you wanted to see all those good things happen now and what's coming.  

Very best of luck. heartheart

 

Submitted by jeand on

HI Ed

Thanks for reading and commenting. 11 years is very good news for you. I have been told I have an 85% chance of the cancer returning, so if they are right, I probably won't have that long.  

My chemo has been very mild compared to others, so I don't really have the right to complain at all, but just sometimes I feel a little down.

Jean Day

Submitted by TJW on

Feel a little down, if I were there I 'd pick up my little jeannie and carry her.  

X

 

Submitted by jeand on

Thanks Jack

 

You cheered me up. But I'm not so little - so carrying me might prove not so easy.  

Jean Day

Submitted by TJW on

Don't doubt my strength, little jeannie, and nothing worth it comes easy.

X