Enjoying the sunshine

It has been 3 weeks since Colin finished his HD IL-2 treatment and he is looking more and more like his old self as the days pass, which is brilliant as he hasn't looked this healthy for at least a couple of years.
I will be doing Race for Life in 2 weeks time, so I am hoping this weather is here to stay for a while. If anyone wants to sponsor me please feel free to go to my sponsorship page http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/colswife
While I'm on the subject of Race for Life, I had a surprise phone call the other day from Wyvern FM (our local radio station) asking if they could record an interview with me about why I am doing Race for Life following an email I sent them a few weeks ago. I'm a bit nervous about this because I've never been interviewed before but hopefully it will be OK :-)

Recovering Slowly

It's a week since I picked Col up from Manchester. He is still tired but has been out for a couple of walks, which helps because if you don't do anything even though your exausted you still can't sleep so gentle exercise seems to work well. His skin is still very dry and itchy but is improving slowly and the anti-histamine stops the itching.
I'm off to Birmingham Symphony Hall on Monday night to see John Barrowman in concert ;-), which should be a good night!!!! oh and I've paid the balance of our holiday this year (I forgot last year).

End of Round 1 - Part 2

Col didn't have any more doses after number 8 so I went and picked him up today. His sister Rachel came with me, it was nice to have company other than Kieran in the car. Col was very tired again when we picked him up but didn't look quite as drained as he did last time.
I have been relegated to sleeping in the basement again as he has come home with a cough like he did last time (good job we still have the spare bed).
Now its a 5 week wait until his CT scan to see if its all been worth it. Fingers etc crossed that it has worked, only if it has worked it means going through it all again in a couple of months, but it will be worth it in the long term.
Thanks to everyone for their support & e-messages.

Round 1 Part 2 - Day 5

Col was awake most of the night, last night. This morning he had the "evil" nurse who stresses him out, then does his Obs and says his pulse is too high. After the shift change his pulse was low enough for dose 8 at 3pm. He should get at least one more dose in (hopefully 2 more) before they kick him out and I get to drive to Manchester again to pick him up - no visits to football stadiums this time though Kieran, my purse hasn't recovered from the last time yet.

Round 1 Part 2 - Day 4

Col was sick last night but thinks it was the water, obviously Manchester water is different to Worcester water. He had dose 6 at 9.30am and was out of it until 4.30pm, had dose 7 at 8.30pm and hopefully they will continue over the weekend and he will be able to come home on Monday. Kieran will hopefully stay in his own bed all night tonight and I can sleep without being kicked.

Round 1 Part 2 - Day 3

Col had a good night last night. He had dose 4 at 5:45am and has just had dose 5 at 9.45pm "could have had it an hour and a half ago, but they were either too busy or forgot me" was the text I got. I said they must have been busy as they couldn't forget Col, that's an impossibility.
I don't think I'm going to get the bed to myself at all this week as Kieran couldn't get to sleep last night in his own bed and is asleep in my bed now. I think he is missing his Dad although he won't admit to it, but that's 8 year olds for you.

Round 1 Part 2 - Day 2

Thanks to everyone who sent us anniversary wishes.
Colin had the 2nd dose at 1am and then had to wait until 6pm for the 3rd dose as his pulse was to high - he really should stop watching those nurses!!!
I didn't have any visitors last night as Kieran's pillow didn't attack him this time.
Rachel & Laura came round for tea tonight, which was really nice as adult conversation is needed occasionally (I was talking about Laura) when the only company you have in the evening is an 8 year old.

Round 1 Part 2 - Day 1

Colin has his first dose of HD IL-2 at 12 noon today and it took 4 hours for some mild side effects to kick it which were rigors, high temperature and high pulse. His next dose should be around 8pm if everything is back to normal, but after speaking to him I think it will be around 9 or 10pm.
Its our 19th wedding anniversary today and the first time we haven't been together which feels very strange.
I had a small visitor call Kieran at 4am this morning because he was being attacked by his pillow in his dreams.
I was very good when I got home from work and mowed the lawn as Colin didn't do it at the weekend ;-) and it was getting very long.

If anyone wants to send Colin an e-greeting here is a link:
http://www.christie.nhs.uk/egreeting/default.aspx

He is on Ward 11 again

Seconds out - Round 1 Part 2

Here starts another week of worry/anxiety!!! I took Colin to the train station earlier as I'm making him catch the train to Manchester this time - only joking he is catching the train because it's a Bank Holiday and the traffic will be horrible. He has recovered fairly well from round 1, apart from his skin itching due to using the hibiscrub, I think he will be happy when he can stop using it.
They say the 2nd lot is worse than the first, here's hoping its not!!! fingers etc. crossed.
On the plus side I get to sleep in my own bed for the first time in over a week which will be strange.
I will try and update my blog each day with how Col is doing so watch this space.