Update at long last

I'm back. Well I've been back for some time but never got round to updating this. I got back from Dorset tired, and I barely had time to recover before Theo, Justin, Fiona and Patrick's visit. I think that because I'm not feeling as bad, I tend to overdo it and then need ages to recover properly.

I had a great time in Dorset. The weather was reasonably good throughout our stay despite the forecast. They had said that Tuesday was going to be the last day of decent weather so I thought I might as well push myself. So we made our way to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door (first and second photos). It was a beautiful, sunny day and the walk along the coast did me a world of good even if I did have to pay a price for such a long walk. I knew I would suffer - those who know me will know that I can be a tad on the stubborn side at times - but that was never going to stop me. I of course paid a hefty price for this and wasn't able to do much for the rest of the week, but I still enjoyed a couple of walks in the vicinity of the cottage. I returned home exhausted but very, very happy.

A few days after my return Fiona and family came to visit us. I was finally able to meet Theo, who's an extremely sweet, smiley little thing. I taught him a few Liverpool songs, which he seemed to thoroughly enjoy - but maybe he was laughing at the singing. Justin was a star, baking us all lovely biscuits. So here again i enjoyed myself thoroughly. It was just great seeing them all as I hadn't seen them since my graduation.

Last Wednesday I made my way to the Chelsea Physic Garden, which is just on the other side of the Thames from where I live. It's a great little garden, with patches dedicated to plants used to treat medical conditions - and yes, I paid my respect to the Oncology patch, patting a yew tree. I was lucky enough to see Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Rosea' (second photo) in bloom as this Australian tree doesn't flower very often here, I am told. The flowers were extraordinary so the visit was certainly worth it.





I'm off to see my oncologist on Wednesday. As far as I know we'll be discussing Herceptin and Tamoxifen. To be honest, having just enjoyed a few weeks of freedom, the thought of further treatment does not fill me with joy. I know it's got to be done but it's going to be tough putting up with it all again. I still don't know what's going to happen with radiotherapy - I'm supposed to see a separate consultant for that but I haven't heard from that department yet. Ah well.

Hope you're all well and happy.