A Hillside of Crocuses at RHS Wisley

Radioactive?

I only have 17 sessions left to go. Well, yes there are those last two treatments which involve (please excuse me saying this) two radioactive tampons that get put up my... We won't go there. Thought someone will, I suppose! I get them during the week of the 16Th of April. I was telling someone at school and she thought that I should be off work during that time since I would be radioactive. Just to put all your minds at rest, I won't be. I've already reassured my students that should we turn off the lights, I would not glow!

To date I have few symptoms of the therapy. I am slightly nauseated and I do need to run to the bathroom from time to time but that is all. Thank heavens! I've posted a lot of pictures of England in bloom and I must admit that visiting gardens has really helped de-stress me, especially after the treatment. Mum and I often stop at RHS Wisley on the way back from the hospital in Guildford to have tea and chill out for a while before rejoining the world.

Another Beautiful Day

Another walk in the park

I came home from another walk in the park wondering if it was April and not March. There was blossom everywhere. The picture here is of a Camellia in bloom. It's not unusual for them to be in flower in February and March but the rhododendruns are more puzzling. The Observer today has an article about the early spring and reports an oak tree that never lost its leaves. It's wonderful to have this warm weather but you can't help but wonder what price we will pay.

What a beautiful day!

Beside the fact that I don't have radiotherapy today, it is beautiful outside. I went for a walk in Windsor Great Park and there were all sorts of bushes and trees in flower. The rhododendrums were budding and some seemed ready to bloom now. Everywhere under the trees were daffodils and crocuses. By next weekend the park will be alive with colour.

Radiotherapy has begun!

Yesterday, I had my first radiotherapy treatment. It didn't hurt and I didn't feel sick afterwards, well at least not from the treatment. I was extremely tired and had some nausea but I think that was from anxiety. I am much more anxious with this than I was with the chemo. How odd! Perhaps it's because it happens every day! It doesn't last long, about two minutes but that doesn't seem to make a difference. Alas!

I will write more over the next few days but for the moment this is all. I'm off to bed and I'm already feeling anxious about tomorrow. I'm going to have to find something to take my mind off this.

Lost for Words!

I haven't been writing much of late. It's probably because I have been so tired after teaching each day that I just don't have the energy for it. I've also lost the laptop I've been using and I find it difficult to sit for long at our other computer. Finally, I find that my cognitive powers are even more reduced after this chemo than before. Perhaps it is cumulative. I often find myself lost in revelry...about what I'm not sure.

Though I may not be writing I have started to read again. Since last Thursday I have read 3 books and I'm on my 4th at this moment. I am filling my head with other people's words since I can't seem to come up with any of my own. I haven't read anything particularly stimulating but they're kept me entertained. Intellectual satisfaction can come at a later date. So, if you are interested in mysteries and the Roman empire, they are well combined in the books of Steven Saylor. I also have 2 John Le Carré's waiting on the shelf (The Mission Song and The Constant Gardener) and another mystery that Emma raves about called The Athenian Murders by José Carlos Somoza (translated from Spanish). I can't leave out the novels of Fred Vargas (woman who took her pen name from a character played by Ava Gardener). They are the best novels (also detective fiction) I have read in many years. Try starting with 'Have mercy on us all'.

I've always enjoyed reading mystery novels which probably explains why I'm trying to write one. Easier said than done, of course. I have a third written now and have thought of looking for a publisher but how do you go about doing that? Any ideas from anyone?