Digging for bone marrow & chemo conconctions

My apologies for the blogging delay but quite frankly I have felt better. In fact, this is the best I have felt in a few days and I still feel rather rubbish.

It's been two weeks since we returned from our holiday and in that time;

- the weather has been frrreeezzing! I thought the 'Seoul Transit Tour' we did in South Korea prior to flying back to London was cold enough but this is on another level of cold we are currently experiencing! It doesn't help that it is also very rainy and  I can't fly away from it but never mind. We are forecast some snow which I am looking forward to, if only for an afternoon to take some pretty photos.

- after confirmation and consent forms had been signed for this round of treatment to start, Mat and I cheered ourselves up by visiting The Art of the Brick exhibition over at the Truman Brewery.  We also indulged in a hipster lunch in a trendy pub somewhere in Shoreditch. The lobster could have been fatter and the roll it came in bigger but it was tasty nonetheless. Photos of the exhibition to follow.

- I have been catching up with family and friends. All of you remain a constant source of strength -  you know who you are.

- I had a bone marrow biopsy conducted. This is so that the medical folk can measure how 'bad' the cancer is and how 'good' I'm doing following treatment. I'm always awake whenever I've had this procedure done (I can't be doing with the palaver of a general anaesthetic) and pain levels from it are dependent on the person conducting it & how much painkiller injections they decide to give me.  I like to think I have quite a high pain threshold but when it feels like someone is screwing a mini apple corer into your hip bone, I figure its OK to shout a little.  However, the comment of; "You would never see me get this done. No chance!" from the nurse was neither useful or helpful. I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE!

- After years of taking nothing stronger than a Lemsip, I received my first chemo treatment last Friday. Before my stem cell transplant, I have 4 cycles of chemo to go through with 1 cycle lasting 1 month. Fun times!  In addition to this, I have been given tablet upon tablet upon tablet upon tablet to also take. This includes steroids and all the crazy highs and lows you get with taking all this sh-t.

Just like before, I'm happy to down whatever pills and potions I'm given but it's the immense fatigue that I find the hardest. It feels like something has sucked my energy levels dry and all that is left of me is a dry husk where my spirit used to be.

I'm remaining positive and trying to keep cheerful. I'm grateful for everyone's good wishes and the fact I have the chance to get better and frankly to carry on living. 

It's just really, really hard.

F-ck you cancer.