Mince Pie is it???

Sensitive teeth, Spanish, Mince Pies, Sofa, Blood Counts, Ann Summers, Beanies........

Buenos Noches, I am learning Spanish! I am learning it phonetically so can't write down everything I have learnt, that's my excuse. As I am still so limited with what I can do with my days, it seems a good way to spend my time. And a good excuse to go to Spain again....

Last time I wrote I was all cocky about my blood counts coming up, and then the next test they had basically rocketed and I was feeling very smarmy and bullet proof! But the next time I hit a plateau and I started to realise the seriousness and the enormity of this 'recovery' business. It's hard because there's nothing you can do, there's no overall deficiency of xyz it is purely that my bone marrow is starting from scratch. Apparently strenuous exercise can hinder your immune system but to be fair there's not much chance of  that right now.

Yesterday's counts were on the up again - I now have a neutrophil count of 1!! Oh yeah, I am only mildly neutropenic so although I still need to be careful I have a much lower risk of infection than before. So I have hugged people, seen children, gone nuts!!

I am a bit anaemic, my iron level has dropped in the last couple of weeks and my blood pressure is low so I get really dizzy when I stand up. I have been out walking for a good hour most days which is fine but I am good for nothing when I get home, apart from snuggling up on my groovey sofa :) I suppose cos of the anaemia I am super cold all the time and pretty much live in beanies. That's fine though, I often forget I have no hair and then when I am getting undressed for bed I am like whoah there! Who's that! I haven't felt like wearing any of the scarves I bought, they just feel like cancer badges and I have been there and done that. This is the 3rd time in 5 years I have been bald and I have tried the mad wigs, the realistic wigs the scarves and now I am glad it's winter and I can feel 'cancer incognito' in a nice beanie :)

My friend Sue shaved her head - she looks fabulous, it does convey a certain boldness and confidence. And I can look at her and think wow mine will be like that in about 6 weeks! She raised a load of money toward the sofa, again, people have been so kind and amazing. And seriously it has greatly enhanced my quality of life to be so comfy and snug and not have to be in bed :)

The worst left over effect I have from the treatment is sensitive teeth!! What? I have just had high dose, chemo, stem cell transplant all that! My biggest complaint is bloody sensitive teeth, hot, cold, sweet equals massive pain. Really annoying and very random.

Talking of sweet, why are mince pies so good? How I have I managed to justify them to myself after years of denial? The cream seems to offset the sweetness so not too much pain involved from the teeth. I blame the sofa, just sitting here all cosey and then thinking ooooh I know what would top this off nicely.....So far I haven't put any weight on but I am worried that I will wake up one morning and all the pies have caught up with me and I will be like a stone heavier!

Right, so the other thing I have been thinking about is the fact that I probably will have to get a job at some point next year. Now I need to start slowly and I have had a fab idea! Hosting Ann Summers parties! (tupperware for the bedroom)  How much fun would that be?!! I have never actually been to one here but went to the equivalent in NZ it was awesome fun! Toys all over the place, everyone loved it, I am sure the woman made a fortune! I will put a shout out on facebook to see how much interest there is.

Buenos Noches xxxxxx