We had to get to the hospital for an early appointment to have my bloods taken.

The traffic is so bad on a Friday but we still made it in plenty of times.

A very nice man who is a volunteer made us a lovely tea and coffee and a biscuit served with a smile.

I was called in early and the sister asked me how I was going, was I tired, any problems with my hands and toes, was I sick etc etc I had to answer yes to everything although the sickness has been so much better taking the drugs.

The nurse soon took my bloods ad said they would phone if they are out so I havent received a call yet so I take it Im Ok.

So we were soon off back home calling in the shops to make sure we had plenty of food in for Ray to cope with if Im bad from Monday onwards.

I have sat around shattered as the early mornings and yesterday have warn me out.

I had a Pizza for lunch and Roast Beef with Jacket potato, spinach and podded peas for Dinner.

I did manage to take Louis for a small walk again this evening just to get some fresh air. It is cold out there though and we have snow forcasted for Monday  although my friends have had snow in Scotland already.

I have been interviewed by the  Orlando Weekly newspaper as they are covering Mesothelioma and Asbestos so of coarse I was very willing to help.

My book will be featured so that really makes me happy and proud to be able to do so much to raise awareness to our disease.

http://www.rayandmave.org.uk/html/more_of_our_books.html

http://mesoandme.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/friday-2/ rays blog for today

I had to get up early today but Ray set the alarm clock to early and 5.30 was no fun with a Buzzer going off at that time as I hadnt dropped of to sleep very well.

I got up and had breakfast and a shower with a good coffee to drink I was awake.

I took Louis for a walk just as it was dawn but it was also pouring hard I just love it as I enjoy every minute and see life so different now.

Feeling the rain on my face was a joy –I was still here to feel it xxx

We got ready and set off through the rain in the car and traveled in rush hour traffic, this meant Canterbury at roundabouts were gridlocked and very difficult to maneuver through.

We did get to the hospital on time and there were plenty of Disabled Parking but we went to the carpark Manager as the Badge only allows 3 hours and I was down for 5 hours.

Now she surprised me as we were told move to a ordinary bay and put a £2.00 ticket on the badge and we will be able to park all day. Something I and other patients didn’t know could happen.

We arrived at Nuclear medicine and I booked in for my Kidney function test.

I was taken into a room and had the drug put in to my veins and then I had to sit back and wait 1.5 hours to the first blood test.

Other patients were taken in and we all had to wait.

We began to talk to a lovely couple and the lady had already told Ray she was having the test done because she was on Chemo.

She had Ovarian cancer that was traveling and was in her stomach and lungs but I felt for her as she said there was any groups like I was in on face book and I told her all about the Mesowarriors and how great it was as we all helped each other.

She also paints so Ray and her got on so well and Ray showed her all his paintings on his iPad and it has inspired her to start again as her illness has stopped her but she would find it so relaxing and give her something to take her mind off of  Cancer.

We both kept going in for our blood tests every 1.5 hours so boring and such a long day. I think I will glow in the dark tonight.

At last I had my last one and said goodbye and walked out of there and hope i dont have to do that again.

The sun was beaming and it was a cold but lovely sunny day as we drove home to a very excited dog.

I had a Chicken Tikka ready for Ray and a Tomato Pasta for myself and we were starving hungry.

Rays back is so good and he can move around really well Im so pleased with his progress.

http://mesoandme.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/how-silly-is-that/  rays blog

I have tinnitus so it must be affecting my head this time.

It was a damp day although I don’t think we had rain but if we did I didn’t hear it.

The window cleaner turned up so now the outside has been done so Im really pleased I have done the inside.

He uses the De-ionised water system and it does work http://www.borderwindowclean.co.uk/info_reachandwash.aspx The windows stay looking so clean –well not when the seagulls go over of coarse.

Ray had to go to the Chiropractise  so we got ready and  went off in the car with Louis and while Ray was in having his back broken Louis and I went for a quiet walk together around the roads at Hernebay.

We were near the water tower that I have seen many times.

It is a landmark that you can see for miles around.

It was very pleasant as Louis trotted along by my side and we came back to the car where we sat and waited for Ray to come out.  he looked very stiff but said he felt good but has to go back Monday again. So good that he is going to stick to it and that he will be OK again.

We came back home to lunch so the rest of the meat pie was used with a salad.

Nice rest in the afternoon and tea I made Ray a chip Sarnie and I had a baked cheese.

Early to bed tonight as I have a long day at the hospital tomorrow as I have a Kidney function test to get through in Nuclear Medicine -so many hospital appointments coming up in the next few days.

http://mesoandme.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/a-thoughtful-day/ Ray has been thinking today bless him xx

So the appointment should be for the February one. Good job I rechecked. they were very good about it at the surgery thank goodness.

This left me with the day ahead for me so we had a slow breakfast tidied up and then took Louis out for a walk, when it stopped raining.

It was a damp day though  but no wind and not to cold either.

Ray has been using the frozen peas for his back and then the hot water bottle –hot and cold –looks so funny.

Congratulations to Norman Fletcher who has been accepted for the Adams Trial at St Barts –well done xx I will be following your progress with a great interest.

I made a lovely steak pie for dinner with potatoes and carrots even Louis loved it.

John Barrowman showcases his recipe for homemade steak pie, using ready-made pastry to save time.

Ingredients

• 900g/2lb stewing steak, cut into cubes
• plain flour, seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper, for dusting
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 570ml/1 pint hot beef stock
• 225g/8oz ready-rolled shortcrust pastry
• 1 free-range egg, beaten

Preparation method

1. Dust the cubed steak with the seasoned flour
2. Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan and fry the meat, stirring frequently, until browned on all sides.
3. Add the sliced onions, herbs, salt and freshly ground black pepper and the stock and bring to the boil.
4. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for an hour and a half.
5. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.
6. Transfer the filling mixture to an ovenproof dish. Line the rim of the dish with a thin strip of pastry. Dampen the pastry rim by brushing with beaten egg. Cut a piece of pastry to fit across the top of the dish and place on top of the dish, pressing the edges together to seal. Decorate with pastry trimmings, make a steam hole in the centre of the pie by slashing with a sharp knife, then brush with more beaten egg.
7. Transfer to the oven and cook for 1-1½ hours. If the pastry gets too brown, cover it with foil. Serve hot.

    

   Yogurt and mango for sweet and we were full up.

    

   Rays blog http://mesoandme.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/fresh-day/

    

I had to phone and book my Vitamin B Injection for tomorrow so I will have to get ready and go out early as its 9.10am.

Today was a colder day outside so we had to wrap up warm to take Louis out and we were happy to get back home again.

I made a corned beef hash for lunch as we had to go to Hernebay for Ray’s appointment for the Chiro practitioner, and I knew we would be home late so I planned on a sandwich then for Tea.

We set off 3.45 and arrived in time for the appointment, such very nice people there and the receptionist chatted away to me while Ray went in and a bone cracking time.

The lady asked me if I was well, why I dont know but I said not really as Im under the effects of Chemo and we chatted away, what a small world, as her husband has Plural plaques as he used to work in Chatham Dockyard and also they lived right by my Mother in Chatham. So we had a long chat.

Ray came out and he looked so much better and could move around so we made another appointment for Wednesday for him and he has to use a bag of frozen peas for 10 mins and then a hot water bottle. So we had to go to Tesco’s to buy peas and a hot water bottle.

It was dark when we got home and so the day had gone. I had a bovril and cheese sandwich and a cake.

Louis had his favourite Tesco’s chicken so he is happy.

Rays blog http://mesoandme.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/chiropodist/

In the comment box Emma said –Dear Mave, actually I am honoured to be in contact with such a brave and inspiring woman. As I have commented on Ray’s blog, your story illustrates just how asbestos can affect a family. It must have been hard for you to watch your father suffer and now to be going through what he did must be very frightening. Yet here you are helping others. Thank you.

Thank you Emma xx

He said

I had a nice e/m today from Emma. Thanking mavis for her book. She was writing a Thesis for her degree and contacted Mave some time ago, She has now completed  it and said that mavis is referenced in  the thesis.

I was unable to help  further on  asbestos victims from my past association with Chatham Dockyard as I have been away far to long and most of my old workmates are no longer with us. All getting old now you know.  Funny its exactly 4 weeks today and I hit 74. See thats what I mean getting old.

***

I have given the painting  3 coats of varnish now. So  all I  have to do with it is store it somewhere safe untill I can deliver it.

Apart from that I have not done a lot today. mavis has had another good day. She did remind me that in a weeks time we have to start all over again,she isnt looking forward to  it. I said neither am I. But if needs must.

——————-

So you can see Im really proud to have had a Thesis written about me and Emma has used my book as a reference, so she has written about my book as well which she said “It is such a moving story and so very well written.”

So I and my book will be referenced in her Thesis -that is such an honour.

I have helped her to find more info about the deaths of Mesothelioma at the Chatham Dockyard as we have lost contact with all the friends Ray made in the dockyard all those years ago. Im interested  as well to know just how many have died through the Disease.

—————————————————————-

It has been a lovely sunny day all day long and not cold either so we managed a walk but I found out another neighbour has died on Friday –so sad.

She had a stroke bless her.

I said to Ray there was I given 3 months and because of chemo I keep missing the grim reaper but in the three years of my fight so many of my neighbours have gone. people that had been so sympathetic to me. You really do have to enjoy each day don’t you.

We came back home to lunch and then enjoyed a lazy Sunday afternoon.

I have been watching Dancing on Ice which I love Chico

Chico

 

 

 

 

When I got up this morning I thought the heating was on, but it wasn’t, It was just so mild again.

A little windy and cloudy at times but a nice day for a January day.

After we had tidied up Ray wanted to  go to Halfords so we were soon dressed and up and out.

Yes we stopped off at Tankerton slopes but it was very windy, I couldn’t breath so we got back in the car and went to Halfords and parked up. Ray did his shopping and we went for a walk with Louis.

After we went through the rough ground we came to the road and on some railings by a alleyway we saw bunches of flowers and lovely letters all tied to the railings.

I googled tonight to see if it had been a murder or an accident there an found it was an accident at the new year, when the man had been walking home and was knocked down.

The photo of him showed a lovely man, a husband and a father –so sad !!

Ray has made an appointment for his back to be worked by a Osteopath on Monday so maybe they will cure his back. His painting is finished and I know our friend will love it as it is just wonderful.

We really will have to go to Poole Harbour now to see the buildings that are still there today. Its the boats that will look different I expect.

I have found this photo but it isnt at the same angle

Ray Painted 

Thats it really as we just chilled out reading and drinking Coffee until I finally made dinner of a beef  roast and apple pie which we have just eaten.

Not much on telly tonight so will watch a film.

I did watch this afternoon the story of  The royal family Bertie and the Queen Mother and saw that he died of Lung Cancer and of coarse Princess Margaret did. I know they smoked heavily but it did cross my mind that the Palaces must have had Asbestos to —I wonder!!!!!!

http://mesoandme.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/a-good-day/ Rays blog

I went to the bathroom and came back and it started again. I prodded and poked but got no where and he just went on and on.

I must have dropped off as I awoke again at 7am so I got up and made a drink then.

Potted about until and changed the bed and put the washing on. I feel better again.

We went out to Tankerton slopes and kept the wind on my back we walked Louis along the Front he was happy to be in his favourite place again.

The weather was mild and windy and I was wrapped up with a scarf around me but it started to rain so I didnt look silly.

We traveled on to Sturry where Ray wanted to buy and have fitted, two new window wipers so I crept into M&S and bought things for dinner tonight.

Their sausages are lovely and I fancied sausage, mashed potato, fried onions and tomatos with a salad, real comfort food for a wet windy day as the rain got heavier and heavier.

We got back home and was glad to snuggle indoors.

I have had a good day but Im finding the muscles in my legs are getting worse. the first Chemo wakened my muscles and this round is having even more effect. I dont want to start using a walking stick but must admit that when I out I could do with one.

I had better start doing some strengthen  exercise to help.

http://mesoandme.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/back-to-back/  rays blog

So up early I slowly did some housework to take the pressure off of Terry while I was feeling better but had to keep sitting down as I soon drained of energy.

Ray helped anyway and took over and we were soon straight and ready for the day.

My son phoned and said that something awful had happened–not to them but —our friend had died. “Oh no how sad”, I said “well its more than that Mum”

It appears that his mate had told him at work this morning but he said that he had died of a blood disease, called M-meso- something.

My son told him, thats not a blood disease thats the Asbestos disease Mesothelioma, my Mum is Terminal from that.

The other lad was shocked and so was I that there is still ignorance and still isnt well known by the Industry, they are Fire Alarm Engineers.

My son said that everywhere he goes now there are hazardous signs on ceilings and walls etc etc so he is so aware where Asbestos is, but also that he has been an Engineer since his 20,s and knows that it must have always been there and he didnt know the dangers then.

But there is still more training of Engineers regarding Asbestos and just what it can do to your body.

Our friend has always been in the Fire Alarm business and had ended up with his own company and now he has died and I didnt even know he was a Mesowarrior and had been fighting for 5 years, as he had moved to Devon and we all lost touch.

My heart goes out to his family.

We went out for a walk when the rain stopped and I had to take it slowly so Ray told me to come back home while he went shopping for dinner tonight, I didnt disagree, I just took it very gingerly and was so pleased to get in.

I then had another phone call this time from the Hospital asking me if I would like to sit in on the young Doctors exam where they have me as a patient and they have to ask me questions and work out what is wrong with me.

I said I would love to but then she said it would be on Feb4th on a Saturday–Whoops i had to say I would just have had my 2nd Chemo and might feel sick.

She said she hadn’t realised that and really they shouldnt put me through it as it was with lots of student Doctors taking their exam.

Must agree I dont think I could put up with so much prodding and pokeing. I had to be sensible—what a shame.

We rested this afternoon and I then helped Ray make dinner.

So today has been a very mixed day but each day is getting better.

http://mesoandme.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/painting-finished/ rays blog

A friend called and bought some lovely roses

She stayed to chat which has cheered me up, and I managed to stay awake so I know Im back on track now.

Ray has made some wonderful meals for us in the past days and just by using the Local Spar, which has amazed us as I normally go to Tesco so he hasnt been push by all the buy 1 get 1 free.

They say buy local and we have become to believe that could work from now on.

You buy what you fancy that day, the experiment is on.

We had a lovely Chinese meal tonight

So many different flavours  —lovely.

Thanks everyone for your wishes but of coarse it starts all again on the 30th ekkkkkk!!!!

I have to be honest and write all details and what has been happening as it is my medical journey. So if your dont want to read about Bowels switch off now ha ha !!!

I was told the anti sickness drugs could cause chronic constipation –well!!  yesterday I phoned Oncology to say I hadnt had a bowel movement since the Chemo on the 9th.

The nurse said that was not good so go to the doctors and get a prescription.

I phoned the surgery and was told the Doctor would phone me in the afternoon.

I spent the day with my system completely closed down, getting very uncomfortable.

The phone rang at last and the doctor said he would write a prescription for Movical and as they don’t do enema’s anymore I had to dilute 8 sachets in 1 ltr of water and keep in the fridge, drinking it in 6 hours.

So we collected the prescription came home with 60 sachets and got the procedure under way.

I drank them all by the time I went to bed and prayed.

In  the night 4 large stones were passed, gosh compact wasnt the word.

When I got up this morning all the Litre of fluid washed through and the job was done and felt so weak  what an experience.

http://mesoandme.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/almost-normal-again/ rays blog