Saturday 25 February 2012

Lookfar out of the water and cleaned off. It looks cleaner than it is.
Lookfar is tucked away in a corner of the marina. And how did I get a picture - well - I took it myself. Drove down to Tidemill - looked at boats and had a couple of chats with people. First time out for a long time. And the sun was shining. Then fried egg for lunch in the caravan cafe -  tired after for the rest of the day - but worth it.

Friday 24 February 2012

I saw the consultant this morning. The conclusion is that the chemotherapy is starting to work, so I will continue with it for a while (every three weeks). The side effects (even the fatigue) are, of course, better than the alternative.

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Lookfar - March 2011 launch. Admire the crane.
An excuse to show my boat. It is being lifted out this week - I shall not be there to take a picture so use this one taken when she was launched last year. Note the clean underwater part - which will be disgusting when she is lifted, but hosed off ready for a general cleanup.

I am still fatigued -  but perhaps slightly better. I am trying to tidy the junk in my flat. Unsure whether I will ever get to use Lookfar again - but intend to get her sorted out - incase - - - .

Saturday 18 February 2012

Matilda in St Andrews outer harbour as the tide goes out. 2004
A good place and a good boat - and a wonder that I sailed so far in so small a boat (I sailed from North Shields). The weather was wet most of the time too - I got soft after that.

The horrible symptoms are due to fatigue - induced by a combination of the cancer and the chemo. I feel a lot better today and yesterday - but not leaping around yet. Thanks again for your good thoughts, cards, support and much else. xx

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Sailing past St Abbs Head in Matilda -  2004
I have gone round St Abbs lots of times since in different boats. I had no idea that there is real wild life under the keel.
Zapped out still -  much as yesterday

Tuesday 14 February 2012

 wolf fish - another metaphor (picture from J.J.Greenfield. Taken at St Abbs Head nature reserve.
Also at:- http://www.oceaneyephoto.com/gallery_150662.html

I am not sure what they are metaphors for exactly - whatever seems to fit. I find them truly hideous and therefore refer to my present condition. (BTW - they eat shell fish - not people.)

Update - still zapped-out. But part of it seems to have been a lung infection - I started anti-biotics a day ago. Obviously have enough energy to locate the fish!

Saturday 11 February 2012

dear friends,
Thanks for all your cards and emails and notes. If you do not hear from me - I am pretty zapped out and find writing exhausting. But will be in touch eventually. xxx

Friday 10 February 2012

All I have done is sit around feeling very much the worse for wear - just about able to totter at snail's pace around the flat. And do some very powerful sleeping.

Wednesday 8 February 2012

I did get into Ipswich hospital - (a bed came available) - in ice and cold on Monday evening - ready for the chemo on Tuesday.

Tuesday - a heavy day. The complex infusions started mid afternoon and ended at half-past midnight. The morning a nightmare of wondering whether it would happen and being seen by various (helpful)  people. For example - a palliative care doctor. Exhausting. The afternoon and evening - a nightmare of boredom and exhaustion, especially as the machine that handles it appeared to malfunction - in fact it was the cannula - adding an extra 2 hours to the 7 that it takes in theory.

Today - I was released in the afternoon - after various tests. Good (if somewhat exhausting) to be home.

Monday 6 February 2012

I have felt actually ill for over a week and since my visit to the caravan cafe last week I  have not been able to go out at all.

Add to that - I have yet to get chemotherapy (which involves an overnight stay) because there are no beds in the ward. I was hyped up yesterday for getting in and spent an unhappy day here instead - one of the darkest I have had. It seems as if it might take some time for a bed to be availabe - I guess I am in a queue - and meantime I still feel ill.

Wednesday 1 February 2012

View the other way - from the caravan cafe.
Just managed to make it here today - with Rhoda - in bright sunshine. But very cold - and hardly makes one want to live aboard a boat. I did not overdo it for once!