And having done all

It was quite a pleasant interlude between 1.30am and 4.30am - I read my bible, prayed and played a bit of scrabble. I made rooibos for the older PS who was also awake and ginger cordial for me. I can do this I thought.

I woke up with these words in my head: I will be with you all day, I will help you through it. And I realised that the radio was playing "what a wonderful world" - the version that segues into "somewhere over the rainbow".

I reached frantically for the mega strong anti-nausea tablet, then lay still 'till 7. Then proudly I got up and did the usual stuff and took the young PS to school. I came back, did some emails, ate and took myself off to run the support group. To be greeted by one of the ladies, who is both client and friend, desperately saying she has just been diagnosed with breast cancer! 3 children, all under 9, one with ASD one with Downs Syndrome.

We got through the 2 hours, difficult but pleasant. I wanted to go to Hobart and treat myself to some new clothes, but, by the time I had stopped at the nearest chemist to get a thermometer, I was ready for bed. I dashed home and slept for 1 1/2 hours, then finished a report and made some calls.

Side effects became more noticeable: my stomach felt, and feels like a giant is clutching it. My mouth tastes terrible, and so I am diligent about the mouth care which gives some relief, I feel incredibly tired all the time. This morning, the nausea was improved, and I have not needed a tablet! Yay! But my throat is sore, my nose is bleeding intermittently and my jaw and teeth are aching. Sharp pains shoot through me every so often. But It's not too bad. I have been able now to sit and write, and my stomach cramps are more bearable. I also managed to get some washing done and hung out... so I'm not too feeble.

Yesterday was the worst, and I did have second thoughts about my decision to have chemo - after all I could have just had hormonal therapy. But 8% made a big difference when I was a student, and now it makes an even bigger difference. This is an evil disease, and I need full armour to fight it. As often happens, my bible verse for yesterday was the one playing in my head: " Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. —Ephesians 6:13" so I'm standing,..... well sort of!