Hi all,

Well got back yesterday from a 4 day break in Somerset. I panicd about going as didn't think I would be able to do anything due to needing to take my medication and needing so much sleep. I was wrong....

We drove down friday night - I snoozed in the car. Then after a long lay in for everyone we went caving (we being me & my kids, my freind Tim & his kids). We got in the cave and I promptly burst into tears and thought I couldn't do it (I have been caving twice before sucessfully). But I did do it! Only for 15 minutes but I was so proud of this and saw it as a real achievement considering less than 3 months ago I could barely get out of bed and was constantly spitting up mucus.
Sunday was spent on Weston-Super-Mare beach. We didn't quite get rained on. Whilst everyone had their picnic I had soup and custard and even tried a small crumb of Tim's cake! We spent about 4 hours by the seaside as we took a 2 hour walk along the sea front and in the amusements and shops. We then got in the car and the heavens opened! Prior to going away there had been wall to wall sunshine - I have a holiday and it rains! When we got back to the cottage I did sleep for 4 hours nearly.
Monday we went to a swimming pool and I was pleased to see that my peg wasn't noticable through my costume and water didn't leak into my stomach lol I can do normal stuff!
Tuesday it bucketed down again so I spent the morning in my pajamas in front of a roaring fire whist Tim took the kids caving again. We played games in the afternoon and went to a pub in the evening where I had a very small drop of Somerset Cider which was delisious
Yesterday we stopped at a zoo/farm on the way home (it was a strange combination - giraffes and cows, rhinos and sheep - but a great place) and it didn't rain! Every day I managed to take my medication wherever I was. I also tried eating noodles and rice pudding as I was with other people so had a bit more confidence.

2 week before - when I was quite depressed I changed my mind about going - now I am so glad I did as I had a great time and so did the kids. Also I found out on Friday that my job is being made redundant. I can go back to my old job but for less money.

Sorry Big Ray - I meant to email you my number before I left so we could meet up but forgot until I was half way there.Went to Shepton Mallet a few times for food shopping.

IT WAS FANTASTIC BEING NORMAL AGAIN - IT HAS BEEN SO LONG!

Thanks for letting me share

Love Chloex

Well done Chloe! So glad that you did go and by the sound of it enjoy yourself. Each day will just get better and better As for the job it happens to the best of us so don't take it personally. As you said after what you have been through it really isn't that important.

Take care

Mum
xxxxxx

Congratulations Chloe!
I can sense your satisfaction on the other side of the world! Isn't it great when you break through to the other side? It's very reassuring to find that same old world that you used to know is still there. Sometimes the centre of gravity may have shifted an umpteenth of a degree but with some adjustment and re-focusing, you can fit right back into it.
Great going. I'm very happy for you.
Love
Deborah

Hi Chloe

I am so glad you managed to get away and you had such a fun time. I had visions of you having a panic attack and locking yourself away in the coal bunker!

Don't worry about not being in contact...I thought that my weird sense of humour had scared you off. I'm not exactly the easiest of people to get on with...and that's just for people who are well!!

Isn't Shepton just the pits? Since Tesco has opened, all the smaller shops have been disappearing one by one. Mind you, they don't exactly help themselves what with high prices and rather poor service. The town is that dull that the opening of the new Aldi store hads hundreds of people queueing for hours...you'd think the place was doling out the cure for diseases or had the answer to the meaning of life (which the educated of us know is 42!)

I had a call from a friend of mine in Torbay yesterday who wants me to babysit her two little darlings next week, so I'm off to see them, I can't wait. They are two of the nicest girls and I love them to pieces. I am feeling rather poo at present and this will be a chance for me to forget about me and revel in the joy of being Uncle Ray!

I saw my gp today about the increasing fatigue/muscular hurt that I am feeling and he has ordered a blood test and is going to speak to my oncologist about it. It has been an ongoing thing for about 20 months now. It actually saved my life as it was what took me to the doc in the first place. I had a sore throat but very little else to indicate my toncil cancer. If my current gp hadn't looked down my throat and instantly recognised what he saw, I'd of been worm food.

Anyhoo, I am so glad you sound so much more cheerful and that you had such fun.

Take care.

Ray

Yay for Chloe!!!

Sounds like you had a lovely time, I bet the kids did too.

It seems a long way off for us at the moment, Graham came out of hospital Tuesday having had a RIG fitted, still vomitting, not as much but when it comes it's without notice. As for spitting, when will that end, it really is off putting for Graham, enough to make him not want to go anywhere or see anyone, hence why depression sets in?!

It's my birthday on Sunday so am going to lunch with daughters, neices and mum and have got friends of Graham's coming to sit with him, I feel a bit guilty and down as I would rather be doing birthday outtings with him involved, but he is sure he wants me to go, so I will.

Also just to kick me while I'm down, I've had tooth ache for 3 weeks, no time to go to the dentist so I made myself go and now have had a root treatment! damn!

Shame about your job, but hey I think all on this forum realise the important things in life (and it's not work!!)

Take care and hopefully be watching BB tonight!

Joanne x

Great news Chloe,

It's so great to get away and fell that you can do 'normal' things again. It can get very claustrophobic stuck in the same routine day in day out.

Hope yu took lots of pics so you can enjoy the memory.

Ian xx

Wonderful to read about your great Holdiay!!!

Chloex,

Way to Go!!!! I'm glad you had a great time your holiday! It gives me hope because Al & I have a fishing vacation planned in month for a week. 4 full days on a pontoon boat, and I hope I handle it ok. I'm still on the feeding tube and can't eat anything yet, but I'm sure hoping in another month I'll be up for it!

Thanks for letting us know about your trip and how succesful it was!

Best wishes, Cricket

Thanks for all your comments guys.

Cricket - I finished on the 22nd May so it was actually just over 2 months since I finished! Go me lol. I now have more confidence at home and am trying more solid foods.

Love Chloex

Hi Chloe, I enjoyed reading your posting. Great, sure I want to follow your example, stive for this goal of self confifence returning and being out and about, and eating and talking well. I take my hat off to you, thanks for the inspiration. Nigel

Hi Chloe, glad you enjoyed your holiday. Not long after my treatment my wife and I went to St.Ives paid for by MacMillan. It was much needed and gave us a feeling of normality. It's good to get away. Hagg.