Week 12

Well it still hasn’t sunk in that I’ve officially finished university yet. There are only a few weeks till I find out what grade I have got and then I can really look forward to my graduation.

I don’t know what I am going to do with myself now I have no university work to do. I can’t get a job in Broadcasting because of all the treatment I am going through and can’t even get a little weekend job because I can never tell what each day will bring while fighting the cancer, I could be really tired one day or sick the next. It sucks a bit as everyone I know from university is applying for big jobs and I am stuck at home.

I had my chemo last Friday and it all went okay, but to top the day off I was told I wouldn’t need to have the nasty bone marrow injection because my blood count was high enough, I was so happy. I know the injection is for the best and helps, but being told I didn’t need to have it put a huge smile on my face.

That night though the chemo kicked in and from about three o’clock in the morning I was wide awake and could not sleep at all. In fact I was that wide awake I could have run a marathon, I am not joking with you. The reason for being awake so early was from all the glucose I had been given when having my treatment. I had been given over 2 litres of glucose which is the equivalent to a lot of energy drinks.

On Sunday the side effects began and my mouth infection started. Even though I know it going to happen and can start to take tablets to help it, I can never completely get rid of it and it lasts the week. It does upset and annoy me because it really hurts and I can’t eat or drink properly.
I have been to the cinema a few times this week. I went to see “She’s out of my league”, “Death at a Funeral” and “Sex and the City 2”. They were all really good films and I would definitely recommend them.

Week 11

YES! It is official I have finished university forever. Today I handed in all my work for the very last time. I can’t believe it. It only feels like yesterday I was starting there all scared and nervous and now look, I have my very own column in a newspaper.

I have loved every minute of being at university. There have been highs and lows but I will have some great memories to take away with me. I have met some lovely people and made friends that I will hopefully keep for the rest of my life.

Now all I have to do is sit and wait one more month to see if I have passed my last year and graduate in July. Fingers crossed I can, Mum’s already brought my outfit and ceremony tickets.

I am a bit upset though as I cannot apply for a big job in Broadcast Journalism till at least six months after my treatment has stopped. This is because it takes about that amount of time for your body to recover and get back to normal.

I had a bit of an eventful trip when I went to get my line flushed last week. I nearly had to have a blood transfusion. I had been feeling a bit tired and drained and had very, very bad stomach ache and the nurse’s thought I might be anemic, so they took a blood test to see if I was. If I were anemic it would mean being admitted into hospital to have a blood transfusion, my worst nightmare.

Those few minutes waiting for the results to come back seem liked hours and I had everything crossed. I really didn’t want to have a blood transfusion. Thankfully my results were okay and my red blood count was fine.

Last Thursday I went for a meal with my girls and I had a lovely time. It was really nice to go out and have a good catch up with them. I miss going out loads with my friends. That’s the down side to having side effects from the treatment they really affect your life.

My weekend away in the Peak District was a nice get away, shame about the weather though. I don’t know what it was like here, but where we were it rained and was cold most of the time. It was nice to not think about being ill and have a change of scenery.

This Friday I have another session of chemo and then the dreaded bone marrow injection the day after. I’m not looking forward to that at all.

Week 10

Well it seems like my treatment is back on track now. My mum and dad alternate taking me and last week it was my dad’s turn. I was able to have my chemo with no hiccups which makes a chance as the last couple of times my dad has taken me things have not gone to plan.

However when my consultant came to see me on the day he gave me some news I did not want to hear. He told me every time I now go for my chemo, the day after I will have to have that nasty bon marrow injection I had a few weeks ago. Well when I heard the news I just buried my head in my hands.

The reason for having the injection is to make sure my blood count is high every week so they don’t have to delay my chemo when it drops or even worse admit me to hospital. I know the injection is for the best but when you know it hurts and causes you bad side effects you don’t think about the positive side.

So last Saturday I went to have the injection. My stomach was doing summersaults because when I had it last time it hurt a lot and I knew it was going to hurt again. Out came my best friend the emla cream which mum put on my thigh an hour before we left home to try and numb my leg.

I got a bit of a shock when it came to having the injection this time. Diana decided not to use the freezing spray as well and the injection hurt and I did scream but for some reason it did not hurt as much as last time. I don’t know whether it was because she didn’t use the spray or because I wasn’t as tense, I guess when I go next week for my third one I can work it out and let you know.

I haven’t had as many bad side effects this time round. I have had some pains in my legs and ached a bit, but nothing like when I felt like a 90-year old lady that was not fun. I have had my mouth infection from my chemo though. Hopefully my weekend away with my family in the Peak District will give me some time to relax and recover.