We continue to pull together towards a happier destination

By Erica Russell Watson

11th March

TREATMENT number six and this was the first time I felt a little concerned. I had quite a rough time after the last chemotherapy session but it wasn’t feeling bad that worried me, but more the fact that my immune system wouldn’t be up to scratch. So with trepidation I went to the hospital for my blood tests.

When you have had as many tests as me you notice different techniques. Well the lady this time just told me to totally relax and she took the sample without me having to ‘make a fist.’

I have to say it was excellent, I hardly noticed a thing.

I had my usual breakfast and went up to the eighth floor to wait to see my oncologist. There was a very funny elderly lady complaining about her doctor and asking everyone in the waiting room which doctor they had.

She was not impressed with her oncologist and said that he had better be prepared  because she was on form today and wasn’t taking any nonsense from him!

I have to say that despite the hours you have to spend waiting, the Spanish are so entertaining that time seems to pass by quickly.

The mood is generally upbeat. People don’t tend to speak about their treatment too much but more about current affairs, family, the weather or in the case of this week, politics as local elections are coming up.

Finally I was called and it was the moment of truth. I was amazed to find out that my tests were good and I could go ahead with my treatment. So many times I have heard other people being sent home as they just aren’t in good enough shape to take a chemo treatment.

I find myself becoming more impatient as I near the finishing line. My seventh treatment is on April 1. Interesting date! I will have to call the radiotherapy department at Carlos Haya Hospital to let them know that I am nearing the end of my chemotherapy so that they can book a full CAT scan and also book me in for my radiotherapy sessions.

I don’t know much about that yet as it depends on the scan results and my surgeon and oncologist’s assessment.

I am not feeling as wobbly as I did last time but I do have lots of muscular pain. I am, however, more prepared for it. Just have to get through it. I had a great day after my treatment, a lovely walk by the sea and lunch out. You have to enjoy the good moments when you feel up to it.

The weekend will be spent resting when I need to and doing things with the children. For me the biggest test lately has been steering them through the last few weeks. They are very sad and find it hard to reconcile to the fact that they will never see their father again.

I know that time will heal.

They always say they wish they could talk to their Dad. So instead of bursting into tears which I can assure you I feel like doing, I ask them what they would say to him. It seems to help. Every time they feel low I just tell them to have a little chat with him and to tell him about their day and the funny things that have happened.

Little steps are best, otherwise the enormity of recent events and the uncertainty of the future could capsize us and we need to stay afloat.

So we continue to pull together, paddling in our boat to a happier destination.