The Colours of Autumn

Since reporting in during the week of my birthday the Autumn colours have been and gone and before uploading any more photos of the spectacular display this year I must add that it continues to be a colourful time for me too.

Minley Wood, Hampshire

Minley Wood, Hampshire

New Forest, Hampshire

By way of summarizing the current situation I am taking a shortcut and quoting a forum post I made today in response to Charles, a fellow traveller along the Real 3 trial trail:


"Hello Charles


Familiar responses I must say and I can sympathize with the swelling and bruising on the arm: I have chosen to stay with the left arm for all 3 of my infusions so far (use the right arm to do photo editing while they pump the toxic cocktail into me) and without doubt the damage caused by the first procedure was, and still is, the most severe. They do pick a new vein each time. I find having a heated blanket wrapped round the arm eases the passage of the 'molotov', but cannot escape the feeling of having shards of broken glass traveling the veins whenever they remove the cannula. But as you quite rightly say it all calms down with time. The pattern forming, as they seem to speed up the infusion time as my tolerance increases with each infusion, is that it takes me a good week to get back on an even keel. I am so thankful the weather is still, generally speaking, quite mild so the effects of Peripheral Neuropathy are much reduced. I have experienced very little nausea and on the advice of the research doctor even left out the 1 dose Ondansetron 'bomb' on this last occasion, so even the bowel movement balancing act was easier to manage. As the accumulation factor comes into play the side effects continue to multiply and increase in severity but like you I have found everything so far to be easily manageable with basic meds and a huge adjustment to lifestyle. The catch phrase of the day has to be: 'Be kind to yourself', as there is no need to suffer any more than is absolutely necessary; and in my own experience the protocols are infinitely flexible if anything becomes intolerable: Sort it out, sooner rather than later, and make adjustments accordingly.


I am looking forward to a further scans after the 4th cycle on the 24th and before the next in December when decisions about the way forward have to be taken, but to my mind the efficacy of the chemotherapy is all too evident and, touch wood, I am living an almost normal lifestyle, eating like a horse, keeping my weight stable at around 100kg and feeling fitter than I have done for a long, long time; notwithstanding undergoing palliative treatment for this cursed incurable disease. Hey, I even had  a grade 2 trim on the old barnet last week. (the researchers expected me to have lost it all after the first cycle). And, miraculously, the unrepairable (according to an ENT specialist) damage to the vocal chords has healed.


So here we are five an a half months down the road since it all kicked off, and we are at a place where dreams abound and hope reigns eternal!


By the way the location of my Caesar's Camp is near Aldershot in the Farnborough, Farnham and Fleet triangle, but having lived in Bracknell not too long ago I am familiar with that which you mention. I now live in Yateley and walk my dog (and foray and forage for fungi) in such places as Minley Wood, Hawley Wood, Yateley Common CP and Castle Bottom NNR all easily accessible from my front door. (Minley Mushketeers) Last nights dinner with friends saw me prepare Braised  Pheasant and Partridge with wild mushrooms (1/2 kilo of fresh picked Wood Blewits), shallots and bacon.


The sudden onset of the autumn colours, though late arriving  and relatively short lived, have been truly amazing this year and hopefully I will be uploading some spectacular photos to the next blog update

Go well Charles and if you fancy a mooch round my neck of the woods at some time get in touch and we'll organize an outing soon


Cheers


David."


Packing loads of activities into a busy schedule tends to be somewhat of a two edged sword with which to smite the ever reticent Goliath: My positive attitude remains consistent but one wonders just how long the body can sustain its composure on such an exhausting programme whilst surviving on so little sleep and undergoing the ravages of the disease and moreover the proscribed treatment regimen. On that train of thought the lyrics of a song by Bette Midler which I have recently had playing in the car come to mind:

"This ole house once knew his children

This ole house once knew his wife

This ole house was home and comfort

As they fought the storms of life

This old house once rang with laughter

This old house heard many shouts

Now he trembles in the darkness

When the lightnin' walks about

CHORUS:

Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer

Ain't a-gonna need this house no more

Ain't got time to fix the shingles

Ain't got time to fix the floor

Ain't got time to oil the hinges

Nor to mend the window pane

Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer

He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints

This ole house is a-gettin' shaky

This ole house is a-gettin' old

This ole house lets in the rain

This ole house lets in the cold

On his knees I'm gettin' chilly

But he feel no fear nor pain

'Cause he see an angel peekin'

Through a broken windowpane

CHORUS

This ole house is afraid of thunder

This ole house is afraid of storms

This ole house just groans and trembles

When the night wind flings its arms

This ole house is gettin' feeble

This old house is needin' paint

Just like him it's tuckered out

But he's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints

CHORUS

This ole house dog lies a-sleepin'

He don't know I'm gonna leave

Else he'd wake up by the fireplace

And he'd sit there and howl and grieve

But my huntin' days are over

Ain't gonna hunt the coon no more

Gabriel done brought in my chariot

When the wind blew down the door

CHORUS"

Shakin' Stevens version of This Ole House (can't find a video of Bette):



Fortunately for me all such doubts are swept aside my the memories of letting the good times roll and recently those include a weekend away in the Southhampton Hilton with Geraldine which led to visting Exbury Gardens and The New Forest, a favourite haunt, quite literally exemplified by riding the Exbury Ghost Train,

and for not the least of reasons because of the existence of Willy's Well and the friendship we have forged with Moyra and Sheila. Chaka's loyalties are divided between their own dogs and the two Ridgeback bitches Dot and Ruby; owned by Dan, the landlord of The Three Tuns at Bransgore where we invaraibly dine whenever in the vicinity. Other highlights which made for a memorable birthday celebration trip were the Hampshire Fungus Group Exhibition and Foray at The Reptile Centre and a long leisurely Sunday lunch in The Victory at Hamble on the way home.

Homecoming meant many more long walks with the gang around various local environs and teaming up with Gary and doing the photography at the Crown and Cushion for their website which Gary has been commissioned to design (Watch this space!). This resulted in more supernatural happenings when not only capturing a bride and groom and a gorgeous bar maid in my viewfinder but also, unkowingly, the pub's ghost.

Click to see Ghost

I also took on a portraiture shoot for Dave Lavelle's daughters Steph and Jen with their offspring Mia, Scarlet, the twins and Ellis

Still enjoying another favourite pastime in cooking for friends and family has meant we have on three separate occasions entertained Gary and Lori for supper of Pork Stroganoff with 3 mustards; Lyn and Graham for a Sunday roast lunch,and most recently last night I prepared Braised Pheasant and Partridge with wild mushrooms, shallots and bacon for Ken and Christine.(Thanks for a wonderful pudding  - you are that chestnut tart Christine!)

And there is no way I can round off the week without mentioning the fanatastic performance of England's rugby team who put Australia to the sword, again, in an amazingly clinical  and spirited fashion in what I consider to be one of the finest matches ever played

However the Aussies may not give a XXXX for the wooden spoon, but I reckon they are the right bunch of candidates to be next  in line to volunteer for some more  floor washing exercises with Nicky and her rubber gloves?????????????

Hi Nicky. The ponytail and french maid 
fantasy may have been shattered, but I do
like the new sophisticated, chic hair cut!