She With A Capital V: ECG drama, getting crafty & flowers galore

Usually when I go to hospital for treatment, everything is done so efficiently and without fuss (from me and my treatment team) that it is actually quite boring. Dull in fact! I'm grateful for any entertainment that is on offer, namely having a laugh with the nurses and staff. I think some of the other patients that are there are not quite ready for me yet so unless I actually get eye contact from one of them, I leave interaction to a cheery hello. I'm pretty sure they have other things that they would rather get on with than having to deal with someone like me!

Anyway, having now gone through my second round of treatment I thought I was more aware with what my body does before, during and after it and so fully prepared. However, yesterday as I wandered down to UCH for my next round of chemical warfare I started to experience some weird tightening on my chest area. As I wasn't familiar with this sensation, I mentioned this to one of my nurses. Well! That woke them up!

Out came the blood pressure machine (normal), thermometer in the ear (normal), pulse check (normal) and general conversation on how I was feeling (normal for my treatment). After pretty much concluding that I wasn't going to have a heart attack in their cubicle, I was still sent for an ECG (electrocardiogram) test just to make sure that the electrical activity of my heart was yep, you've guessed it, normal.

Not sure if any of you are familiar with what an ECG test involves but in order to measure my heart's electricity, sadly a meter man does not go into a dark place with a machine to get a reading.....

Instead, you have to have these small fabric pads which are connected to leads stuck on to your pulse points and heart area, stay very still and the machine is switched on. You then get the classic small up and down line reading (normal) and hopefully you don't get the massive peaks (not normal) or a flat line (erm, possibly dying or dead).

I was actually quite excited to experience a new medical procedure (yes, I'm a saddo) but this turned into embarrassment because the small fabric pads would not stick to my skin because.... I was too moisturized!!! Yep, all these oils, lotions and potions I have been slathering myself in proved to be a hindrance. The poor nurse who was attending to me was doing his best to stick as many pads to me (there was about 5 at one point round my left boob -a great look) but they just kept coming off! He had to get a doctor in to help in the end and fortunately everything was yep, normal.

They believe the tightness was caused by the steroids I'm taking (Dexamethasone) which causes constricting of blood vessels while it is doing its magic. I feel OK now and I haven't experienced it since so I'm hoping it is a one-off. I really hate these steroids. They make me feel so pumped up and high I literally do not sleep for 2.5 days then go on a massive come down which makes me feel cr-p, feel OK and then it starts again. All the other drugs I have to take don't help plus obviously the chemo. But, it is keeping me alive so a small price to pay.

Anyway, to distract myself from all of this, I have been getting crafty and making Valentine cards for charity. I made around 25 'to sell' to people at work with people asked to contribute a minimum of a £1. Latest feedback I have received is that they have raised over £50 which I am delighted with! People are so kind and giving. My generous husband has also mentioned that he would double final monies raised and once all sold, I'm hoping to donate to Myeloma UK and another cancer charity (I'm still deciding which one).

As a victim of success with this, I have now been asked to make birthday, anniversary and other event cards so watch this space!

I have also received some beautiful flowers! As it is still a little cold for me to go out in the garden to start tinkering, they have brightened the house and I feel so loved. They really are not necessary but thank you so much. I have put photos below to brighten this blog up a bit also.

Anyhow, I'm off now to try and get some sleep before I take more steroids later and spend the day wishing I still liked hard core clubbing so I can make use of feeling so bloody wired!!

Thank you all once again for your kindness, love, support and friendship. I really could not do this without you all and I am grateful from the bottom of my very 'normal' heart.

♥