Bevacizumab treatment No 5 of 18

 

Thursday 17 December 2020

All set to have treatment tomorrow. My bloods are ok to receive the bevacizumab drug. I've just looked up 'normal' blood results and I am definitely getting better, heading into the normal range which is good news. I am still vulnerable to being unable to fight off infection so still shielding like mad in this coronavirus world.

Friday 18 December 2020

The ward was unbelievably busy today. So many whirring drone sounds and manic beeping going off as the machines let the nurses know that one phase of treatment has finished and it is time to hook up another bag of delights for the patient or set off a saline flush through the body. The nurse looking after me was rushing around like mad doing a hundred jobs all at once. It took her nearly an hour to set me up with my drip and set me off. Phew you're OK I'll check back in an hour I can imagine her thinking. I think they are always a bit wary of me because I had 'that memory lapse' and suddenly my heart rate going bananas the first time round with bevacizumab. At 4 o clock I was just finishing and she had still not had her lunch break. God bless the NHS and all who work within the caring profession.

Sunday 20 December

Yesterday was a day of feeling bloated and peculiar with all the drugs whooshing around my body but hey today I'm feeling OK. Last night was the announcement that as of midnight we are in total lock down.  A new aggressive highly infectious strain has appeared. Families can only see each other on xmas day and no more. All non essential businesses to close. We knew it was coming on the 28 ^th but it was a bit of a shock for it to happen Saturday night. Wondering how the next 6 weeks are going to pan out as I am sure it will be 6 weeks to get the virus under control even with the vaccinations beginning to happen. 

So what project can I get on with during this lock down? The summer one was clearing extraneous stuff from the house, painting and tidying the pots in the yard, making a new album. Perhaps I should make another album of songs that have not seen the light of day for many years and never got recorded properly? A new/old album? Of course there is the planning and preparation for my new film as well! 

Time to daydream myself back onto the magical island

Island walking

 

Sunday 6 December 2020

Since the last blog I have been catapulted into editing photos and video clips into a video for the actions of the Red Rebel Brigade Cardiff. I could not be one myself (even though I have the costume and everything). A pleasing activity even though my skills with editing software are extremely limited. I have perhaps made up for my editing limitations with making original music for the videos. One video has part of a track I made way back in the early 2000. A surprising way for the music to appear as it is locked in to my CD stash in my basement that only sees the light of day if I have a live gig. The other is more abstract using drum samples.

My energy is returning steadily and the Bevacizumab treatment does not affect me as much as the chemo therapy did. I can bounce back sooner and get on with 'doing stuff'. I am ever so slightly nauseous and have no appetite but determinedly eat 3 meals a day as I cannot bear to feel physically weak. The bloody nose and the bleeding gums are slightly less now, still a bit erratic when or why it happens. I am aware my muscles and strength need building up as does my confidence and balance after months of feeling wobbly and having no breath. Exciting to feel I am 'on the mend' in many many ways.

I went on a long walk on the cliffs at Trwyn Larnog and over to Ynys Sili yesterday with a good friend, (keeping to the socially distant 2 meter rule of course) who was happy to have lots of rests and ambling along styley motion as well as slipping and sliding in some very muddy fields and tracks. We were given an ever changeing glorious dramatic dark clouds and sunlight display over the sea with occasional hints of turquoise and sky blue. Clouds turning pink at the end of the day. A special day to be alive. 

https://vimeo.com/487171102 

https://vimeo.com/487152793