We decided on the spur of the moment to make a run for it and head off to France for some down time. It was a 2 day drive down and 2 days back but worth it. I must admit, I was a little nervous about being too far away from the hospital or doctors treating me.
All was fine until the morning we left to come back to London. I woke up with a really sore arm and feeling somewhat under the weather. By the time we left, I was practically in tears and feeling awful. We drove back via Mont Blanc (the highest peak of the alps). I slept most of the first day but Mont Blanc lifted my spirits. What an awesome place.
After a good night's sleep and another day on the road, we finally arrived home. I still felt off colour and my arm was useless. I had an appointment at the hospital for blood tests on the following morning. I mentioned how I was feeling and the doctor perscribed some antibiotics for me in case of infection. He was a little less impressed with me going abroad without telling anyone after my first chemo.
So Thursday arrived and my second chemo treatment. The needle went in without any bruising and on the first attempt and the drugs just filtered into my system. As yet I have had no side effects to speak of. Even my hair seems to be holding its own for the time being.
Baby is growing and very active. He gets a bit quiet after chemo for a few days. Aparently the chemo drugs do not significantly cross the placenta, so he is protected from the effects of the chemo (which is very good news)
I still have loads of questions, like: what are the chances of the baby having cancer? I know he won't have breast cancer as you have to be an adolescent but perhaps there was a cancer cell roaming at conception.
After all the years of exposing my unprotected skin to the African sun, could I have skin cancer too and will this chemo sort that out or do I need to explore this issue seperately?
I know there are more questions lurking. Perhaps someone has the answers for me. I know all I need to do is ask the relevant people which is what I will do if I don't find the answers before my next appointment.
I have this remarkable friend called Daniella, who has turned an unimaginable frightening experience into bite size chunks of calm with the utmost grace, bravery and gentleness.
Admire is a feeble word to describe not only her courage, but her overwhelming eagerness to understand and without effort passing on a picture of the light of live to her friends, family and mostly her unborn baby. This yet to be born little soul is blessed to have a mum like her!