Poorly PieLady 2

[Mike Kelly 1]

Shelagh, you have the most positive attitude to life of any one i know.

[Shelagh]

Thanks, Mike, but there's no point in feeling sorry for myself. These things happen and, let's face it, after yesterday's sad outcome at Donington, it goes to show that I should be counting my blessings and not bemoaning any "misfortune". It has to be all about perspective.

[Shelagh]

Well, the Hickman Line has been inserted and I survived! (Might have been due to the "relaxing drug" they fed me!)

Treatment starts tomorrow and hair will go after 3-4 weeks. Been there, done that, so it won't be a shock. Not planning for a wig so when it happens, you will all have to be nice about the new look!!

I've started on the steroid tablets (3 days' worth around the treatment), so if you ever see me guzzling food, please remove it from hand/plate and give me a slap and remind me that I don't want to buy new, bigger sized jeans!

Hopefully next out at Donny for Fun Cup.

[Paul Newns]

Steroids? That's the end of your athletic career! Or did the knees already bring that to a halt?

Seriously, hope you don't feel too bad through the treatment. As Mike said, I've can only admire your positive spirit.

[Shelagh]

Paul - when was the last time you saw me run???

First treatment over and done with and not feeling too bad. I forgot they keep you under observation for the first dose of Herceptin so we were at the hospital from 8.30am to 5.00pm! After being there on Wednesday from 7.50am to 4.00pm, I reckon I should have booked a bed Wednesday night!

I will have to see how I get on with the new chemo, and know that the Herceptin causes problems (ie, don't stray too far from a loo!), so we are re-considering doing the Fun Cup at Donington, simply due to the travelling time. We may do the BMMC sprint at Curburough instead as it is a lot closer. Bill is at Mallory today for Tour Britannia so we haven't discussed it, just mentioned it this morning on his way out.

Re the "being positive" thing - well, I could just curl up in a ball and feel sorry for myself but I have all you wonderful people out there giving me all the support I could ask for, so it wouldn't be fair on you (or me) if I went down that route.

[SouthportFC Fan]

Keep up the PMA Sheila and make sure Bill's tea-producing skills get lots of practice. We're thinking of you.

[Paul Newns]

Originally Posted by Shelagh

Paul - when was the last time you saw me run???

I don't do running now, either. I do remember many years ago at Old Hall I tripped up running to a FF1600 and you hurdled me to get to it. Like I said, that was a few seasons ago. Better to leave that to the youngsters these days.

[Shelagh]

Originally Posted by Paul Newns

I don't do running now, either. I do remember many years ago at Old Hall I tripped up running to a FF1600 and you hurdled me to get to it. Like I said, that was a few seasons ago. Better to leave that to the youngsters these days.

I vaguely remember that but blame the age and the drugs for the lack of memory! It must have been a long while ago.

Agree with the "youngsters" sentiment. When I do Assembly these days I make sure the youth are the ones getting the exercise.

PS: Assembly is a brilliant job to do if you don't feel up to being on the bank and don't mind the weather. Donington Pit Hooter is the BEST if you want to sit in the warm and dry. But don't get ideas of taking over my now preferred jobs while all this stuff is going on. I still expect to get flagging again, because that is what I really am under all the scars - a Flag Marshal.

[Mark Mitchell]

Originally Posted by Paul Newns

Better to leave that to the youngsters these days.

Exactly! Those of us in our early 30's have now been there - done that!

[Shelagh]

Sorry I've been a bit quiet but I've actually spent the last week in New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton! I felt really bad last Monday (13th), had a nosebleed and when my temperature reached 38C I thought I'd better phone the helpline, during which conversation I also threw up a few times!!! So, off we trotted and I was duly admitted to the specialist ward they have in the centre that does the various treatments.

My white counts were 4.0 on admission but were down to 0.4 by Tuesday and 0 by Thursday - so Neutropenic and had to wait until they were up again before any chance of discharge. Friday they were 0.1; Saturday back to 0; Sunday 0.9 and at last on Monday 6.8! Mind you, I'd been having the tummy injections to stimulate the bone marrow and once it starts producing, it gets going fast! So I finally came home yesterday (20th).

I had to avoid too much contact with people (risk of infection) so had my own room and, fortunately, a "real" TV that I didn't have to pay for. I was also allowed out for a smoke every so often which at least got me outside into real air.

So now confined to barracks for at least this week - not that I want to go anywhere. Even typing this is knackering, plus one of the side effects was a revolting rash on my face which, even now it's clearing up, looks worse than the worst teenage acne.

And this was just the first treatment. Only 5 to go, so let's hope things get sorted so it isn't this bad next time!

[Paul Newns]

No update for a while, Shelagh. How are you?

[Shelagh]

Well, I've had No 2 treatment (1/3rd of the way through) and have survived the really yucky feeling bit over the last few days. And no stay in hospital this time, although that could be because they reduced the dose slightly and I had to give myself an injection into my tummy every day last week (to help stimulate the bone marrow/white blood cells). Even though doing that was easier than I thought it would be, I don't think anyone on the rescue crews needs to worry about me taking their place!!!

I can now confirm that I have a wonderfully shaped skull and that my ears don't stick out too much! I still have eyebrows and eyelashes so look a bit like a hawk - so I must have a big nose!

We are still playing things "by ear" so not planning too far ahead, although I'm still letting Bill out to play even if I don't come along. There is a slight pattern even after 2 treatments when I know I'm not up to doing anything, but I can't guarantee how I'm feeling from day to day (or morning to afternoon) over the rest of the 3-week cycle between treatments.

Still, I get to watch you all on TV now and then so you had all better be on your best behaviour!

Love to all.

[Paul Newns]

Maybe a new career in phrenology beckons?

[Mike Kelly 1]

Originally Posted by Paul Newns

Maybe a new career in phrenology beckons?

I bet you had to google that one!

[Shelagh]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly 1

I bet you had to google that one!

Mike,

Bill & I have already had the dictionary out to get the right word! I know, we are old fashioned enough to use a reference book rather than Google.

Happy to rent out my head should anybody want to draw dotted lines on it for practice - but no tattoos!

[Slipstick]

How do you feel about Terry Pratchett's invention "retrophrenology" - hitting people on the head to raise the appropriate bumps for the characteristics they would like to possess ?

Steve

[Paul Newns]

I knew the word but had to check the spelling!

[Mike Kelly 1]

Originally Posted by Slipstick

How do you feel about Terry Pratchett's invention "retrophrenology" - hitting people on the head to raise the appropriate bumps for the characteristics they would like to possess ?

[The Flagman]

Shelagh, a hairless pate has a usefulness discovered on a cross channel ferry en route to Croix en Ternois with HSCC quite a few years ago.

When you pitch up at the shop and want to sample scents you have just two wrists. The head means you have a multi-palette of places to test samples. The only drawback is that with wrists you can amuse yourself - your head is only amusing to others!

Wishing you good fortune along the journey. See you out and about soon.

David M

[Keith Kehoe]

Originally Posted by Shelagh

Mike,


Happy to rent out my head should anybody want to draw dotted lines on it for practice - but no tattoos!

Hi Shelagh
Glad to see that although you've lost your hair, you haven't lost your sense of humour. Wishing you a speedy recovery & hope to see you back at Oulton some time in the near future.

[Paul Newns]

As someone who is becoming gradually more folically challenged may I offer some advice. If we get anymore nice weather use high factor sun cream. Lobster coloured dome followed by a flaking scalp is not a good look.

[Shelagh]

Originally Posted by Slipstick

How do you feel about Terry Pratchett's invention "retrophrenology" - hitting people on the head to raise the appropriate bumps for the characteristics they would like to possess ?

Steve

A fellow Pratchett fan - excellent! Re-reading his books is another way I keep sane during all this (and only a fan would understand the irony in that).

And I have some "beany" hats to not only wear outside but also when I'm up at 3:30 am and it don't half feel cold on the bonce. I don't know how you blokes cope when you "thin out upstairs". At least I've got until September to hope it will grow back - and curly again (fingers crossed). I'm not putting any money on colour - I'll be grateful for grey!

[Bryan Degerlund]

Nothing wrong with grey ( aka silver) Shelagh

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by The Flagman

The only drawback is that with wrists you can amuse yourself - your head is only amusing to others!

My problem with that is there are just too many jokes available, so I'll pass.

[Shelagh]

Steroids have kicked in again - take them around treatment time (No 3 completed yesterday; half way through the chemo now), so hitting the internet time again, now I'm not sleeping all the time!

Great day last Sunday at Cholmondley. Made it to the start-line and lovely to see and speak to various folk (Fay & Alan; Margaret S and Gill S; Mick Avery amongst others). Did find it a bit much but was able to find a comfy seat in the "Pageant Pub" so let Bill have a wander around while I just rested. Good view of the BofB display.

Now setting up for a "French-themed" weekend watching Le Mans. OK, takeaways don't count, but we will be having proper coffee, croissants and Bucks Fizz on Sunday morning! I won't be staying up all night but Bill will. It is 6 years since we were there and, seeing the weather, I think I know where I would rather be. Last time I acted as a downspout whilst holding out the SC board! Good luck to all there and hope you're having a wonderful time.

Got to have a blood transfusion for anaemia and another round of DIY tummy injections but, as said, if it keeps me out of hospital, it has got to be worth it!

Not sure when I'll next be "out", so don't forget me!!!