23 September 2009

Our brief break in Norfolk was really great, as the hotel -- right on the dock of the saltmarsh estuary full of sailing boats -- was very comfortable, the food good, the weather fine & warm, & the countryside full of interest, including a boat ride to see some 100 seals basking in the sun on Blakeney Point on the North Sea & a visit to an award-winning, ecologically sound (wind turbine, planted roof, etc.) Norfolk Wildlife Trust building overlooking more saltmarshes full of birds.

Roy's cataract surgery was successful & he will have his new glasses soon. The stairlift, which was installed about 3 weeks ago, is the joy of his life. Because of the bend in the staircase that slows it down considerably, the ride takes 1 min 50 sec -- longer than Roy's walking time of about 1 min -- but he doesn't mind.

I had my first chemo in tablet form last Wednesday. I still have to go to the hospital for it, as it can't be supplied without the necessary blood tests beforehand, but I can swallow it in seconds instead of sitting the 45 min or so necessary for intravenous administration. I have noticed recently that my hair has thinned considerably, & when I mentioned it to the chemo nurses they said they'd refer me for a wig (on the NHS). My chemo isn't supposed to cause great hair loss & it hasn't, but I've noticed a lot more falling hairs around my face & shoulders, & some patches on the top of both sides of my head show quite a bit of pink scalp. I had an appointment with a wigmaker in Ipswich on Monday & walked out topped so well that Roy & a friend here for the night thought I had just been to the hairdresser, nothing more!! I'm not wearing it all the time, but it'll be handy when I need instant glamour & when it gets cold.

So things are ticking on rather well at the moment. Thanks for all your e-mails & notes, which are wonderfully supportive.