Chapter 20 - Your Christmas edition with pull-out TV guide

Sorry, I was lying about the pull-out. It's just a marketing technique to grab your attention.

Well, nobody said it was going to be easy
Reviewing the last chapter, it was a case of 'so far, so good' and inevitably the last part of the chemo regime - actually nothing directly to do with the chemo itself but more the state it leaves your body in - takes longer and is more complex/risky than you might think.

The chemo has the effect not only of destroying your platelets (for clotting the blood), red and white blood cells (the latter to fight infection), but finding other ways of infecting you; for instance through the gut, wherein lie millions of nasty bugs all waiting to attack any imperfection. So the indirect side effects add a list of ailments like gout, abdominal cramps, nosebleeds, ear problems, oral thrush, mouth ulcers and haemorrhoids (don't laugh; apparently there are two types of people in this world, those with piles and those who have yet to get them).

So my week has been difficult. Fighting fatigue, a direct result of the chemo is one thing, but add in all the other stuff as well and it really takes it out of you. You simply feel as though you are being attacked on all sides at once. Then, just as you think you are turning the corner - platelets are in double figures, blood count on the up and you're snuggling down in your NHS bed for a good night's sleep, routine observations pick up a temperature spike - anything above 37.5C is enough to set off a series of procedures, antibiotics, huge bags of fluids, midnight visits to X-ray, doctors with cold stethoscopes and yet another sleepless night.

New challenges
Each day presents a new challenge it seems - this week I nursed a chronic nosebleed from lunchtime until early evening (anything but have my nose with packed tampons again); my intrathecal procedure was cancelled because with a very low blood count it was too dangerous; my temperature twice more spiked late in the day raising nightmares of intensive care units. Three different antibiotics and hopefully the third one will keep the threatening infection at bay. Today the ward - as is the whole hospital - on lockdown because of an outbreak of Norovirus - seven wards are closed, visitors deterred, A&E at breaking point. If they don't get me from within my gut, the little sods are out there determined to get me some other way.

Sally adding up the Cheriton School proceeds to the fundraiser

Going on at home
On a much, much lighter note it is Christmas, the season of goodwill. And I have been bowled over by what's been happening on my behalf - or rather not mine but efforts to raise further money for the Lymphoma Association fundraiser. I received an email from Cheriton Primary School's headteacher yesterday, along with some very cute pictures, saying that they not only raised well over £100 at their Carol concert on Monday but nearly £200 more for allowing the children to wear a Christmas-themed costume, jumper or whatever. Impressive from a school with only 95 kids! Thank you, guys!

Class 4 from Cheriton School with a very special message - jut for me! Bless 'em.

I have already made mention of the local efforts going on at The Flower Pots Inn: Paul McTaggart grew a Movember (a valiant effort from Billy NoHair as he calls himself), Paul Tickner has grown a handsome (grey) rat under his nose and David Robinson has opted for a Decembeard which he reliably informs me has raised over £350!!

Sian and Jo from the pub both gave up booze for November and put a couple of quid a day into a pot instead; The Cheriton Singers (with whom I sing when I can hear in both ears) did their annual pilgrimage to the pub last night and even sang 'Once in Royal David's City' which Paul McT filmed, titled 'A Song for David' and posted on my facebook timeline this morning; the proceeds from the raffle also went into the pot. I believe the intention is to leave the various pots until 31st December and then put the whole lot in at once (we could have a sweepstake to see if we can guess the amount they have raised, yes?).

The Cheriton Singers serenading me from afar, bless 'em. Apparently a good night!

Oh, and go on. One last plug whilst I'm chatting about the fundraiser. It's a great cause and worthy of anyone's fiver. Click here to check it out and donate.

To be here or not to be here?
Now that is the big question. Come Christmas Day will I be helping the nurses jolly along the poor people who are stuck in hospital? Or will I be in the bosom of my family enjoy a 'normal' Christmas day? That's anyone's guess, but I know which one I'm hoping will happen.

"Happy Christmas one and all" as Tiny Tim would say!

I'm assured it wasn't a fix - well won Sally, fair and square!