Round 4 Day 14

The day before Round 5. The day I feel healthiest, and most stressed.

Went to the Creative Expression Workshop again today. It took me to some dark places, but also gave me some good visualizations. I pictured this whole cancer thing as a tornado, sucking me and everything I know and love up, chucking it around and dumping it. And I just have to try and hold on.

In the afternoon more appointments, and blood tests. The lady who did my blood test today was a total ninja - she had 2 vials of blood from me before I knew it.

Then more rushing around - I drove Dave to work - it was good to drive again.

Today's the day I 'launch' my blog - I'm a bit nervous about that, but glad to get it out there before round 5 starts.

I've got all my little household chores done that I like to do before each round starts, so after feeling behind for most of the week, I feel as prepared as I can now.

Its Mums birthday today so we're having a takeaway and watching a movie tonight.

My tights matched the construction site at the hospital today - I got a kick out of this.

Round 4 Day 13

I had an appointment at 9am today. It felt like an early start. I used to start work at 8.15am on Wednesdays. Dave drove me in to town. Its been a beautiful day. I see people walking to work or riding bikes in and remember I used to be one of them.

I feel like there is a shift happening in my perception. What I think of as my 'normal' life, I am also starting to think of as my 'past' life. That scares me a bit.

After my appointment I worked from 11am onwards. A long shift for me now. Its always nice being at work. I started to fade a little late in the afternoon. I think I could have made it until 6.15pm, but then I remembered how much I have to do when I get home, and how much I have to do tomorrow. I decided I needed to pace myself a bit. I tried to go home at 5.45pm but ended up there until nearly 6 anyway. I got a lift home.

It got a bit smokey as the evening wore on and the sunset was spectacular. I love the view from our flat.

Round 4 Day 12

After such a busy few days, I was really worn out this morning, and slept in late. And I could have slept in later but I made myself get up.
I caught up on emails and phone calls, and drank lots of caffeinated drinks.

I worked today from 1.45pm to 6.15pm. For the first time since all this nonsense started, I felt nervous about going in, like I've lost some confidence or something. But it was fine, as always. 
Dave drove me in, and Mum picked me up. I miss walking. I miss driving too. I prefer to drive myself if travelling by car.

Round 4 Day 11

Today Dave and I went to Hastings Cave. It's nearly a 2 hour drive but a scenic one and we always enjoy the sights and the music we put on.
The cave was great. The hot springs and walks were closed but we've decided to come back another time for that.

We then headed all the way down to Cockle Creek - that's the furthest south you can get by road in Australia. It's very beautiful. We ate our packed lunch on a beach, then had a short walk before heading home.

I was pretty worn out by then! But I love our day's out. By the time we got home I felt like we were returning from a holiday.

I'm starting to feel 'normal'. With that comes a sort of franticness, trying to get as much done as I can in that short space of time before I'm wiped out again.

Pictures of Hastings Cave and Cockle Creek

Round 4 Day 9 & 10

Yesterday was busy but fun. First I met up with my rowing buddies after they'd finished their morning row and had a coffee with them at the club rooms. It's always lovely to catch up with them, wish I was rowing with them too though!

Then I went to the Sustainable Living Festival. Lots of interesting things to see, it turns out I've pretty much already signed up to most of it! In the spirit of sustainability I brought a bag but less sustainably I picked up lots and lots of brochures and leaflets to go through.

Then a look round Salamanca market - always fun. Had a late lunch from Pacha Mama Mexican - I had a vegan bowl - delicious as always.

Its almost impossible to go faster than a shuffle at the market, but it turns out shuffle is my top speed at the moment anyway!

Then I met some friends at Jack Green for some drinks - in my case - sparkling water with no ice (and no straw!). There's actually no need for me to totally avoid alcohol, but I just don't want it at the moment. I had a great time catching up anyway :)

Later we went out to a Day of the Dead thing on top of Melville street car park - it was awesome! I really enjoyed the live music, but the whole thing was really good. I'd definitely go again.

Today I went horse riding at 5 Mile Beach. The weather was really warm. Its a really beautiful place. The tide was high so we stuck to the tracks, which also provided some shade.

Funnily enough, I feel pretty tired this afternoon! Just enjoying a quiet night in now.

Round 4 Day 8

Feeling almost normal today. Its been pretty successful.

I went to the gym to do my supervised exercises, designed to help people undergoing chemo (or whatever stage they are at in cancer treatment).

Did really well - most noticeably I turned up on time and completed all my exercises within the 30mins allowed.

Managed a quick catch up with a couple of the guys at work - I miss them! Even a snatched 5 min chat is really nice.

Mum and I had a lovely lunch at Mures in town. The sun was shining at its just lovely sitting out there watching the world go by.

Its surreal too though. I was only there because I'm too sick to work. I had a couple of 'I really can't believe this is happening' today.

I really can't believe it. But you just have to go, 'well, it is, so there'. And carry on.

I did my washing (well, mum got it off the line for me, but I did the rest myself). Its raining now so really good to get it in and put away!

Going out tonight - Farewell drinks for a colleague, dinner at mums, and movie at a friends - so many things! It'll be fun, hopefully not too tiring!

Round 4 Day 7

Today I went to a 'Creative Expression Workshop' for people who have been affected by cancer. I tried to have no expectations, but somehow I found myself surprised at how it went, so I guess I must have had some expectations after all.

I enjoyed it though, its a course that runs for a number of weeks so I intend to keep going.

It started with something a little like a meditation, which then involved into a series of movements, stretches and steps - it must have looked ridiculous if anyone could see us all, but it felt really good. I've been so sedentary for the last week it was lovely to gently move and stretch.

The idea of that exercise was to clear your mind and then allow thoughts to come. It kind of worked.

Then we all grabbed our chosen mediums and got to work on our postcards. From there it was bit like being back at primary school. I was doing the same kind of drawings then as now, there was no pencil sharpener, and I was the last to finish.

It turned into a nice sunny day too. Later I took the compost out - its always a strong sign of recovery when I start doing little chores around the house. While I was out in the garden I picked a few flowers to add to the vase in the kitchen.

I think I'd like to challenge myself to go in the garden and pick a flower every day.

My 'Creative Expression'