Round 2

Well, I'm back in hospital and I have to admit I'm a bit anxious about the second round of chemotherapy. They are giving me Idarubicin again - the same drug that gave me brutal side effects last time. I'd got used to a bit of freedom and wasn't overjoyed at the idea of being an inpatient again.

That said, the dose will be around 40% of what I had last time. I'm also going into this round a lot stronger. Although I've lost 2 1/2 stone since I started treatment, my blood counts are much higher. It shouldn't be as bad this time round. And come what may, I'll handle it and put it behind me. It's another step towards ringing that bell and being cured. 

I received the news I'd be going back to hospital as an in-patient on Friday the 28th. I'd been enjoying the freedom of being at home and was feeling quite well. It burst my bubble a bit. I'd almost forgot I still needed to have treatment! I'd had the excellent news the cancer was in remission though and I felt I had a clear plan of what was coming next.

That afternoon I managed to get to my Daughter's swimming lesson. It was the first one I'd seen in a couple of months and she'd come a long way. It was great to see!

We had a drive out into the Peaks to watch the sun go down afterwards. It was a perfect start to what would be an incredible weekend.

We set off fairly early on the 1st of March and my partner drove us deep into the Peak District to walk one of the many routes she knows and I'd never heard of. It was absolutely stunning. The weather was perfect, sunny and just warm enough. The scenery was incredible. We walked 6 miles through the steep valley of Wolfscote Dale with her little dog, stopping briefly for a bite to eat. In the evening we had a takeaway (Doctors orders) and watched Vikings curled up on the sofa. Bliss.

On the 2nd of March I had a walk into town and picked up a couple of gifts for my Daughter. She wasn't too impressed that I had to go back into the hospital. We'd explained I needed more medicine and it wouldn't be for long. A couple of toys wouldn't do any harm in softening the blow. It was another unseasonably sunny day and I had a walk back through the park.

In the afternoon I met my Partner's parents over coffee and (a lot of) cake. This is a Swedish daily ritual called Fika which I am very much on board with. They were lovely and really easy to talk to. I have to say that because they might be reading 😉 We watched a film in the evening and had a massive takeaway (Doctors orders again). I'd recently come off morphine, so I'd been able to drive there and back. It was nice to get behind the wheel for the first time in a couple of months and remain strictly within the speed limit.

On the 3rd we had a viewing on a flat for my Mum which went well. My Daughter came round after school. I gave her the alien cuddly toy I'd bought her, before being informed it was actually an axolotl. She knows more than me already. We played Mario Kart for a bit before saying our goodbyes. Hopefully it will only be one or two hospital visits this time.

My Partner came round and we waited for the call from the hospital, binge watching Vikings again. I arrived back on the ward at around 8:30pm. It was nice to see I'd got my own room again.

So now it's time for round two. Bring it on Cyril.