Off for two weeks

Well would you believe it? Chaos has taken over as (last-minute) packing can no longer be ignored. Even by my standards, I've exceeded myself.

I'm sorry I haven't been able to email everyone. I'll make sure it's done when I get back.

I'm not sure what I'll be able to do while I'm down there as the pain is still bad, but sitting on a beach has got to be better than staring out of a window in central London.

Hope you're all well. Behave while I'm away.

To all Fribourgeois

Now if this doesn't bring a smile to your faces, nothing will. To those who don't know Fribourg, ignore this post.

Good news mainly

I received a letter on Friday telling me I was entitled to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - because I can't do anything alone really. It's good news for a number of reasons. First, I get additional financial help which is more than welcome, especially as I would like to eat more healthily. Second, DLA is a gateway benefit, which means I'm entitled to further help. I've looked into it and I should be able to get a railcard (with 1/3 off most fares), a taxicard for cheaper taxi rides and, best of all, a Freedom Pass, which should let me travel for free in London. I'm still waiting to hear on this one, but a quick chat with an adviser seemed to confirm my entitlement to it. It's wait and see I guess. So a special big thank you goes to Finn who, thanks to her previous jobs, was able to help me fill in my successful DLA claim, and to my Mum and Hazel, for suggesting available additional help. It should make a massive difference to my life.

I've also phoned the British Red Cross to hire a wheelchair. I'd only be entitled to it for three months maximum, but that ought to give me an idea as to how useful they are. I can then decide to hire another one and actually pay for it - the British Red Cross requires a deposit but is free otherwise, though donations are more than welcome. So that's looking good, too.

And since I was on a roll, I also contacted Pesticide Action Network for my volunteering. I have an appointment set up so with a little luck, I'll be up and running doing something for them very soon. Though I'm not 100% sure how ready I am for that. I guess time will tell. And if they are flexible, I'll be able to ease into it without any trouble.

Other than that, I finished my first painting in acrylic. It really is completely different to oil painting so I'm going to have to get used to it. I decided to stick what I've been doing more recently, but I'll be doing a couple of paintings as Christmas presents so I'll be moving back to landscapes for that. I don't mind either way. The only concern is that I can't paint too long because of the pain. Even typing is a problem as my fingers and wrists, and to some extent my arms, start to hurt after a while - one of the reasons it's taking me so long to e-mail people.

(Hazel, I'm not sure how to describe this painting. I drew a rectangle and used different tones of orange so that it goes from dark orange to light orange. The rest of the painting goes from light to dark orange. If someone finds a better way to describe it, please let me know).

Last bit for today. I decided to dye my hair using Henna dye, to cover greys and nourish my hair. So I bought myself some auburn dye and applied it on Saturday. My hair's now ginger and orange - it would appear that my hair's too fine and/or too light. But it has given it volume and it feels a lot better - it's not far from its first proper outing. I've not been out without a headscarf since October, it's quite exciting.

Be good.

Nothing much to report

So I thought I'd post some drawings made by my friend Valerie's children. Valerie visited me from Switzerland for a couple of days. Her children were a bit anxious that all she was bringing me was a picture of them so they took their colouring pens out. I have to admit (here goes my tough image) that I was very touched by this gesture. Jade drew the first two pictures. Jade's 3 years old and at this moment in her life, can't really mix circles and straight lines in her drawings - which is fair enough in my opinion.



This heart with its ponytails - in case you thought they were horns, they're clearly not - was drawn by 9-year-old Dariane. I have to say I quite like the clashing of bright colours in this drawing, and she certainly was very meticulous about it all.

And the final drawing was made by Mathias, who's 11 and actually not keen on drawing at all. Well I think it's a fantastic effort. I used to draw butterflies a lot when I was young (couple of years ago) but I can't remember ever doing one so colourful.
I look at the pictures a lot - they tend to brighten my days.

Other than that, I've basically been housebound. My father and Claudia came over last week and I thought I'd better mention this as there was a bit of a hissy fit for not being mentioned on the blog. More importantly, there was a threat to take my Zweifel paprika crisps back to Switzerland - the most cruel thing you could do to me. Not impressed. (I haven't eaten all the crisps yet, Dad - thanks for bringing them over).

I'm thinking of starting an Anne-Marie Blackburn Nintendo Wii Fund as I read an article by a woman claiming that this games console had helped her overcome breast cancer. Well, if it's on the internet, it must be true.

Hope you're enjoying life.

Unlimited boredom

I think I've reached the ultimate point in boredom. I don't think I was ever one to cope very well with not doing much, so after ten months of it, it's starting to make itself felt unequivocally. I'm too tired to do much, and when I do things, I tend to end up in a lot of pain. It usually starts with the ankles (having to put up with a lot more weight for starters), and as I overcompensate, everything goes. And once I've actually done something, I need a few days to recover completely. I suspect you've heard this all before, I'm just starting to lose patience. My fingers seem to be in constant pain, and if I need to get up during the night, my ankles and legs are usually hurting. I'm not quite sure what's that all about. Either I've been lying around too much doing nothing, or the chemo's done some kind of damage. So a trip to The Haven is on the cards and I'm hoping they'll have something that might help.

I've done a bit of painting and that's going reasonably well. But other than reading and watching TV, that's about it. I'm a bit stuck and not quite sure what to do for the best - either I rest or I try to gently push myself. It's particularly problematic since summer has decided to make an appearance - the blue skies and lovely evenings are an invitation for trouble really. Decisions decisions, and I'm really not good at having to make my mind up.

Thankfully we'll all be off to Cornwall soon - a welcome two-week break on the North Coast, can't ask for much more. I'm deciding what to do with Justin, who'll be with us for one week - teaching him to swim, looking at rock pools (better learn to recognise species), flying his kite (better learn to fly one), building sand castles, going to an organic smallholding (where Auntie Laura works) and a pirate-themed treasure hunt. Parents, feel free to recommend things. (And if Fiona or Patrick read this, please don't tell Justin about the treasure hunt - that's a surprise).

Roll on the footie season - I know Michael (e-mail on its way) is looking forward to it, and I suspect Hazel, Boris and Wendy (e-mails on their way) can't wait either.

Enjoy the sun. Or whatever weather you're experiencing in more exotic places (Australia and Dubai, among others - Stephanie and Isabelle, e-mails on their way).