I have wanted to write sooner but firstly I have been ill with the cold/chest infection, and secondly I am currently doing a residential course at the Penny Brohn Centre in Bristol, and there has been very little free time.

I had my chemo on Thursday last week even though I was not feeling that great.  But, I was pleased I had it, as I did not want to delay my treatment any further.  In the evening Suzie, Nicky and I went to see Fyfe Dangerfield play at the Scala.  Suzie won these tickets that allowed us to ‘meet and greet’ Fyfe before the gig. It was quite exciting.  He is a talented artist, his new album is lovely, and he seems to be a very lovely chap too!  I could not watch the whole gig as my legs got tired towards the end and had to sit down at the bar.

Next day I did not feel too good, pretty knackered and slightly feverish.  It did not help that I had to trek to more appointments in the rain.

I rested all Friday afternoon, evening and all day Saturday as I wanted to be well for my trip to Penny Brohn Cancer Care centre in Bristol on Sunday.  I woke up feeling still full of cold and pretty rough on Sunday, which really upset me.  I had had the cold for over a week with antibiotics, and I still was not much better.  Nevertheless, I decided to pack my bag and go to Bristol.  I thought, at least I will be pampered there; cooked and cared for.

I am so happy I did, as it has been so lovely here!  The place is so calming, the food delicious but also mega healthy, they have the biggest and the best selection of herbal teas, and the staff is so helpful and lovely.  The best thing is I do not have to cook for myself, there are people who look after me!  And the fellow course mates, they are sweet and they have so many stories that I can relate to so it is great to talk to them.  They have also moved me to tears with their situations regards to their cancer, and how brave they are.  There are a couple of people around my age, and two of them have terminal cancer, which really upset me.  Even with this terrible prognosis they try to keep a positive outlook on life, make the most of what they have.  I find them amazing, and wish there was something I could do to help to reverse this unavoidable outcome.  Cancer can be evil.

There is also an Italian girl about my age who has exactly the same cancer that I have.  She is currently getting the R-CHOP.  I said to her that she has a strong chance to beat it with that treatment and it is only the minority that end up relapsing like me.

We have learned different ways of relaxing, what we should eat and what we should not, and we have had some healing.  We have also learned about the ‘Mind-Body Connection’, how our thoughts and emotions can affect our physical body, and how being happy, loved and cared for encourages our cells including those of the immune system work better.  On the other hand if we hold on to e.g. anger and stress, we can end up feeling tired and depleted, which will lower our immune system.  The optimal nutrition, learning ways of relaxing and promoting healing in ourselves are designed to help to support the immune system.

I love being here, I feel like I am finally getting a little break!

Here is a link to Penny Brohn if you want to learn about their residential courses:

http://www.pennybrohncancercare.org/page76.asp