Saturday, September 27:

Well, I'm up and about and really don't feel too bad. One miracle is that so far I haven't been sick this time. I mentioned all my troubles to the nurse and she gave me an extra anti-sickness injection which didn't make me sick! I was amazed and delighted.

Also, I'm not sure if it made any difference to the end result but this time I had the chemo red infusion first, last time it was given as the middle lot. We had a bit of trouble with the needle and had to change the canula placement as the first one was hurting.

Actually, it serves me right because the man in the next chair was just having his put in before me and he was making a lot of fuss and giving out sharp intakes of breath as the needle was put in. Sister had to abandon the attempt and start again.

What a lot of fuss I thought, such a baby. Then it was me. I don't normally feel anything and usually watch with fascination but they used the same vein as last time and as the needle went in it really, really hurt.

Determined not to recreate next door's situation I clamped my mouth shut and we carried on. Although the fluids were going in well, the soreness got worse very quickly until I just had to say.

There was no hesitation or "don't be a baby, Mrs Candy". The infusion was stopped, needle removed and I was left to "gel" for a while before finding another vein – luckily I have good bulgy veins – which I didn't feel at all when the next one was selected, a good big blue one up the side of my arm.

On we went with no problems. In fact I think nurse was quite pleased to have a small gap in the proceedings, as it had been a non-stop morning for her - it was already 2.30 and she had had no lunch or break and so I provided a small "break" for her.

The waiting is always long. I arrived at 11am but didn't actually get in the unit until 1.30. I was away by 2.45. It's a long day waiting around and very tiring, but they are so very busy and often emergencies arise that have to be dealt with.

I'm sure other professions, like window cleaners would just down tools and eat or go home! Why did I mention window cleaners? Well bear with me for the next small chapter, which is another part of my life that doesn't really concern my cancer and yet it does in an everyday sort of way.

This morning I went into the garden to "potter" for a short while - that's how good I feel, but after 20 minutes of pulling up weeds just had to come in for a rest. However, this is where the window cleaners came into play.

I had hardly stepped out in the garden when next door's window cleaners ascended their ladders. As we live on the crest of a hill, next door's upper windows have an unfettered view of our garden, especially if you're the nosey type.

Normally there's nothing much to see or the neighbours are so used to ignoring us that it doesn't matter, but no sooner did I come into view than I heard: "Hello, here comes Bill Oddie".

The acoustics from that height are brilliant and I don't think they thought I could hear, or they didn't care. Now, I have put on a bit of weight but I think I could still give Mr Oddie a good run and win! Then I realised they were probably talking about my garden gnomes, which as we all know Bill Oddie has a garden full of.

Now, mine are a leftover from my mother who, in the '80s took a passion for them and painted a wonderful "King Gnome" which I have been unable to part with and still stands around my pond and yes, I really do like it!

OK, I can put up with that. Then he says: "No, I think Orinoco(Womble) suits better." Now, I was wearing my pirate headscarf so I obviously have a sense of humour, but in my own back garden, I mean really, that was too much.

I pondered on whether I should engage myself in this little charade but considered in the end that intelligence probably wasn't high on their list of qualifications (sorry, but if you can insult me, I feel that I, too, have that right!) and watched as the two bald (!) loud mouthed "Chas & Daves" hoisted up their little ladders and marched off chuckling.

Two things here, lads, I won't be using your window cleaning services, that's for sure, and I hope that you never have to face a crisis of health in your life that requires a little thought and understanding from other people – and if you do, please call on me so I can give you a dose of your own medicine. Oh. I feel better now, I really do! I'm going for lie down.

Sunday, September 28

The only problem I had yesterday, apart from the tiredness, in the end, was a minor one in that the mouthwash the hospital gave me to combat the sore tongue and mouth ulcers that plagued me last time, practically took the skin off the inside of my mouth.

Websites I have found useful:
Breast Cancer Care
Cancerhelp.org (the patient information website of Cancer Research UK)
Netdoctor.co.uk
Scarf Studio (scarfs and bandanas)

I laid awake for some time sipping water here and there trying to cool it all down. It felt like I'd washed my mouth out with Jeyes Fluid. I've switched back to the milder version which, although made me feel sick when I first used it, I've got quite used to now.

Hilary came round yesterday with a beautiful little plant for me. Through all this she has always been an outstanding person, and apart from my close family, Hilary deserves the Gold Medal for Best Supporting Friend – actually we're more like sisters and have been through all of life's worst moments together and all the best ones, too.

We have worked together, spent leisure time together (all right we were drinking partners in our more youthful, single days) and cried together. Enough of the gushy stuff, but everyone should have a friend like this – I am so very lucky and one day, hopefully in less serious circumstances, I will be able to repay the debt. Until then, Hil, a very public and huge "thank you"!

Part 30 next week

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