ANTIANDROGEN DAY 2

NOT QUITE THERE YET

Thursday and I wake up. First thought is to check myself over. Any signs of side effects? Nope just a craving for coffee. I get up and have a muesli breakfast and then empty the house bins and get the recycling up to date. I unashamedly potter, check emails, WhatsApp, Post Office Tracker and the dishwasher. I decide to train early and get myself to the gym. An hour on a cross trainer spends 715 calories and gets me 7.81 kilometres. Post shower I get into the club lounge and treat myself to a large americano and an after eight muffin. A moment of quiet indulgence. I am still not aware of any side effects and begin to think I might have got away with it. Of course side effects tend to take their time.

Back home I find my youngest daughters fiancé has arrived. I have soup and sort out my kit. My partner ends work and we walk into the village to do some shopping to top up our food stores. The one thing that was not available was Christmas wrapping paper! On my return I walk over to the other village shop with my eldest daughter to discover a veritable cornucopia of wrapping papers. After a while I drive my eldest daughter to her circus skill session. I wait for the hour and then drive us back home in time for dinner.

The evening, post meal, is spent wrapping a few errant presents and then writing the blog against the background of poor TV. The intention is to get an early night as tomorrow I need ot be up early to go and collect the turkey and other bits of food we have ordered from the butcher at our local garden centre.

Tonight was my second dose of Bicalutamide. I discovered today that this drug is used to stop or slow down “Tumour Flare”. I guess the rising PSA is an indication that the primary tumour in my prostrate is “flaring “so the intervention is timely. I am glad I acted decisively. All I can do is now is settle into Christmas and go with the flow. Messages from friends are supportive and kind as they prepare for their Christmas festivities. It seems Christmas is in full bright and shiny swing.

ANTIANDROGEN DAY 1

It might still be?

Wednesday the 22nd of December. I get up and make myself muesli and coffee. As usual I check my emails and messages. I do a bit of Goole research and then get ready to drive to the hospital to collect my new drugs. The drive was fine apart from my SatNav taking me on some imaginative new variations on the normal route. However I get there and instantly recognise the place, especially the car park. Being a good citizen I went to the Pay and Display to get a ticket. FUCKING COIN ONLY! What organisation in this day and aged of advanced IT has coin only parking machines, the nhs thats who. I grumpily go to reception and ask directions to the pharmacy, who kindly send me off on a long jaunt. The pharmacists was not the cheeriest but delivered the neat little packet with my name on it.

The new drugs

I get home and put my new drugs into my drugs wallet for the coming week. The big decision was whether to put them into the night or day section of my dispenser. The pill has to be taken once a day at the same time. I pick the night section. In my head I decide that I would rather take them at night. I will risk them disturbing my nights, which are already disturbed. A friend suggests that I wait till after Christmas to start the new drugs, I understand the logic and the sentiment but when I think about it my rising PSA is a reminder that cancer never rests, is relentless, does not take time out. Having decided to go for the new drug now it seems illogical to delay starting, I cannot wait, cancer is not. Having sorted that I have soup for lunch and get my kit ready to go to the gym.

I drive to the gym and find myself a cross trainer. I set Rammstein to loud and get on with the session. It goes well, very well in fact as I achieve a personal best. 735 calories and 8.75 kilometres at level 11. Go me, this was unexpected. I have a shower and have already decided to reward myself with a large americano and an after eight muffin. This hope was dashed as the club bar was closed. Yet again they have not got the staff to open it. Its shit service and symptomatic of the job market at this time. For the second time today I grumpily go back to my car and drive home. I find there is a paper so settle down to do the crosswords until dinner is ready when we all sit down to the meal. As a family we are looking forward to the Celebrity Great British Sewing Bee and post meal camp in the lounge to watch. The winner produces a Dior type best garment but then his mum is a couturier designer and had advised him on the choice of pattern to use. Had he really never sewn anything before? Call me cynical but I have some doubts.

Against the background of the last episode of The Girl Before, where the message seems to be white blokes are shit, I start to write the blog. I’ve decided to change the header as this feels like a new period in my challenge. Undoubtedly this is a new phase with a fresh aim and that is the re reduction of my PSA levels. Its going to last at least for two months to the next oncology review and then maybe for a further period. It therefore seems appropriate to acknowledge this and change the blog heading. If all goes well and my PSA does drop then perhaps I can go to As Good As it Gets Phase III. It remains to be seen. Its coming up to 11 o’clock, which is the time I’ve decided to set as my evening drug time. Previously I just took my evening meds at whatever time I decide to crawl of to bed but with the introduction of the Bicalutamide there needs to be a constant time. So I shall take my first dose in a few minutes and then potter about for a while before taking myself off to bed. My intention is to train again tomorrow, so lets hope there is no nasty fast onset of side effects. I would be lying if I said I was not anxious, I am. Into the dark.

Time to fight harder again

PHASE II AS GOOD AS IT GETS DAY 316

PHASE II A.G.A.I.G DAY 316

Tuesday and I wake up to find my partner having gone out and my eldest daughter having gone to work to collect some IT. As I get up there is a phone call from a friend who is catching up after some time away. We chat for a while and then we get on with our days. I make myself a bacon bagel and a coffee and settle down to review my e-mails. In the process of the review I try logging on to the “work” sector of my phone and to my amazement it actually works. I’ve been struggling for months to get to work to no avail, but all of a sudden it works. Having achieved this I head for the Shed adn spend the next hour or so writing letters. I am keeping one eye on the clock as I am expecting a call from the oncologist. I have a quick trip to the post box and then settle down on the sofa to wait for the call. Time rolls by the appointment time so I continue to wait. Eventually “He who made a pact with the devil” rings. We talk for a while, especially about the way my PSA is rising and the accelerating rate at which it is rising. He suggests a two month review with scans in January. I ask about the previous conversation that included new medication. We have a conversation about the possibility of starting the new medication now so that it can be part of the review in February. He says there are no right answers in this. I decide to go for it. My reason for going for it is that it gives me a sense of control over an area that I had thought I had no control over. I had accepted that I can control my life style, fitness, food, exercise but that I cannot control my cell biochemistry and it is that that determines my PSA . In turn this indicates the progress of my cancer. Therefore to be able to make a decision that affects my cell biochemistry and to make it happen quickly seems to me to be an opportunity not to miss. There are of course risks, there always are but this way it will be possible to tell if the change is affecting the rate of PSA rise sooner rather than later, in fact at least two months earlier and probably longer. It is a gamble.

We have a further discussion about the mechanics of the decision and how it will work. The proposed medication is Bicalutamide, a tablet taken once a day. The decision is made and I agree to pick up the prescription from the hospital in due course and then the drug will be managed by my GP. The nurse will call me later when the prescription is ready. I make a final check, apparently I am doing all I can in my lifestyle that can contribute to my survival.

The call ends and I sit for a few moments and google the Macmillan site to see what they say about Bicalutamide. This is what it said:

How bicalutamide works

Hormones are chemicals that our bodies make. Hormones act as messengers and help control how cells and organs work. Hormonal therapies are drugs that change the way hormones are made or how they work in the body.

Most prostate cancers need the hormone testosterone to grow. Almost all testosterone in men is made by the testicles. Bicalutamide blocks testosterone from reaching the cancer cells.

Bicalutamide may be given:

  • on its own or with other hormonal therapies
  • for a few weeks when taking hormonal drugs called LHRH agonists to prevent any symptoms getting worse because of a temporary rise in testosterone (called tumour flare)
  • with other treatments such as surgery (radical prostatectomy) or radiotherapy.

About side effects

We explain the most common side effects of this treatment here. We also include some less common side effects.

You may get some of the side effects we mention, but you are unlikely to get all of them. If you are also having treatment with other cancer drugs, you may have some side effects that we have not listed here.

You will see a doctor, nurse or pharmacist regularly while you are having this treatment. Always tell them about any side effects you have. They can give you drugs to help control most side effects. They can also offer advice to help you cope.

Most side effects can be managed. But sometimes side effects are harder to control. It is important not to stop taking hormonal therapy without telling your doctor. If side effects cannot be managed, your doctor may suggest you take a different type of hormonal therapy.

Serious and life-threatening side effects

Some cancer treatments can cause severe side effects. Rarely, these may be life-threatening. Your cancer doctor or nurse can explain the risk of these side effects to you.

Contact the hospital

Your nurse will give you telephone numbers for the hospital. If you feel unwell or need advice, you can call them at any time of the day or night. Save these numbers in your phone or keep them somewhere safe.

More information

We cannot list every side effect for this treatment. There are some rare side effects that are not listed. You can visit the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) for more detailed information.

Common side effects

Hot flushes and sweats

Hot flushes are a common side effect of this treatment. During a flush, your neck and face may feel warm and look red. Flushes may last from a few seconds up to 10 minutes. You may have sweats and then feel cold and clammy. Some people feel anxious or irritable during a hot flush.

There are things you can do to try to reduce flushes:

  • Wear clothes made from natural fabrics, such as cotton.
  • Wear layers of clothes that you can remove if you feel hot.
  • Use cotton bed sheets and have layers of bedding that you can remove if you feel hot.
  • Keep room temperatures cool or use a fan.
  • Have cold drinks rather than hot ones. Try to avoid drinks with caffeine in them.

You may have fewer hot flushes and sweats as your body adjusts to hormonal treatment. Or your doctor can prescribe drugs to help. Flushes and sweats usually stop a few months after treatment finishes, but some people continue to have them.

You can read more about coping with hot flushes.

Breast swelling or tenderness

This treatment may cause swelling and tenderness of your breast tissue. This is called gynaecomastia. Your doctor can give you advice on preventing and treating this.

Sexual effects

Most men lose their sex drive and have erection problems during hormonal therapy. Things often return to normal after you stop taking the drug. But some men continue to have problems after treatment is over. Your doctor can prescribe treatments to help with erection problems. But these treatments will not increase your sex drive.

Tiredness

Feeling tired is a common side effect. Try to pace yourself and plan your day so you have time to rest. Gentle exercise, like short walks, can give you more energy. If you feel sleepy, do not drive or operate machinery.

Anaemia (low number of red blood cells)

This treatment can reduce the number of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. If the number of red blood cells is low, this is called anaemia. You may have symptoms such as:

  • pale skin
  • lack of energy
  • feeling breathless
  • feeling dizzy and light-headed.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you have these symptoms.

If you are very anaemic, you may need a drip to give you extra red blood cells. This is called a blood transfusion.

Skin changes

This treatment may affect your skin. It may cause a rash, which might be itchy. Your doctor or nurse can tell you what to expect. If your skin feels dry, try using an unperfumed moisturising cream every day.

Always tell your doctor or nurse about any changes to your skin. They can give you advice and may prescribe creams or medicines to help. Skin changes usually improve when treatment finishes.

Some people are more sensitive to the sun during treatment and need to take extra precautions to protect their skin.

Weight gain and loss of muscle strength

You may put on weight when you are having this treatment. This will often be around your waist. You may also lose some muscle strength. Eating healthily and being active can help you keep to a healthy weight. Your doctor, nurse or a dietitian can give you more advice.

Feeling sick

You may feel sick when you are having this treatment. This is usually mild. If you feel sick, your doctor can give you tablets to help. It may also help to take your bicalutamide tablets with food.

Loss of appetite

This treatment can affect your appetite. Do not worry if you do not eat much for a day or two. But if your appetite does not come back after a few days, tell your nurse or dietitian. They will give you advice. They may give you food or drink supplements.

Constipation

This treatment can cause constipation. Constipation means that you are not able to pass stools (poo) as often as you normally do. It can become difficult or painful. Here are some tips that may help:

  • Drink at least 2 litres (3½ pints) of fluids each day.
  • Eat high-fibre foods, such as fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread.
  • Do regular gentle exercise, like going for short walks.

If you have constipation, contact the hospital for advice. Your doctor can give you drugs called laxatives to help.

Tummy pain

You may get pain or discomfort in your tummy area (abdomen). You may also feel bloated or have indigestion or wind. Peppermint capsules, mint tea or charcoal tablets may help with indigestion or wind. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. They can give you drugs to help.

Dizziness or drowsiness

Tell your doctor or nurse if you have either of these symptoms. It’s important not to drive or operate machinery if you feel this way.

Hair changes

Your hair may become thinner when you are taking this treatment. This is usually mild. Ask your nurse for advice if you are worried about this.

Some men notice their hair gets thicker during treatment.

Mood changes

You may have some mood changes during this treatment. You may feel low or depressed. Let your doctor or nurse know if you notice any changes.

Blood in your urine

You may have blood in your urine while taking bicalutamide. Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice this.

Effects on the liver

Treatment may affect how your liver works. This is usually mild. You will have blood tests to check how well your liver is working. Tell your doctor if you notice any yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Effects on the heart

This treatment can affect the way your heart works. Your doctor may do tests to see how well your heart is working. You may have these tests before, during, and sometimes after treatment.

Contact a doctor straight away if you:

  • have pain or tightness in your chest
  • feel breathless or dizzy
  • feel your heart is beating too fast or too slowly.

Other conditions can cause these symptoms. But it is important to get them checked by a doctor.

In essence I am going to have a second chemical trying to block testosterone reaching my cancer. This drug is usually given as a precursor to the degralex that I had initially. Because of my circumstances it appears that I missed this stage out and now the strategy seems to be to put that step back in. The side affect list is as awesomely inclusive as ever, that’s part of the risk but I will be lucky to get away with out any at all.

I ring my sister on her landline. She had rung just as we were waiting for the hospital so it was not possible to talk. We chat and I am relieved that the engineer turned up and was able to sort out the line fault. While there he also checked the broad band speed and found it barely functioning so sorted that out as well. So a very good outcome. I had not long finished my call with my sister when my youngest daughter arrived bringing her washing and Christmas presents. I get on the internet and sort out a pantomime ticket for her adn in due course we all pile into a car and drive into Leicester and the De Montfort Hall. We pull into an almost empty car park, have our COVID status checked and have a coffee. We go into the hall and find our seats. Then the fun begins. There is nothing like a pantomime and it was clear the kids loved it all.

I am glad I decided to do this on oncology day, it is the ideal antidote to all the crap that cancer plants in my head. We go home, order an Indian takeaway and eat around the table. A strange serial is on TV but I get on with writing the blog. Tomorrow I will drive over to the hospital and collect my drugs and start my new drugs, a kind of Christmas present to myself. Time to buckle down to training and new treatment regime. I hope my hair does not fallout again. Tomorrow I need to decide if this is still as good as it gets or whether my blog needs a new heading.

Did the wind just blow, I’m not sure.
I’m trying.

PHASE II AS GOOD AS IT GETS DAY 315

PHASE II A.G.A.I.G DAY 315

Monday, its Santa run day, which means toast, coffee and car juggling on the drive. This time it also means checking to see if my missing blood results are in. They are not. It pisses me off but it is what it is, time to go to London to do the Santa drop to my sister. I drive off with my eldest daughter beside me into the still murky dark morning. Its a route I ‘ve done many times before, M1, M25, M4 and jiggly bit at the end and there I am. About two hours give or take depending on how many miles of road works there are and restricted speed limits.

The journey goes okay, and we arrive about 10:45. We sit in and chat for a while. I have a look at the landline phone as it appears not to be working but cannot see anything obviously wrong apart from the lack of a dialling tone, one of the more crucial elements of a working phone. I contact the BT help bot and get it to test the landline. Within 15 minutes it comes back saying it has tested the line and found a fault so it wants to send an engineer. I reply indicating “soon as” and in thirty minutes it it comes back with an appointment time for the next morning. I rely the information to my sister so she can be in just in case they need to come onto the property. I ring her mobile and find it is not charged and goes straight to voice mail so we put it on charge, set the time and date display and then everything is hunky dory. So with luck by Tuesday afternoon everything will be sorted and my sister can give us a ring on the landline. We stay till early afternoon, exchange presents and then head back to the motorway.

The drive back goes better than the drive down and even with a quick comfort break we arrive back just as it is getting dark. A cup of coffee and I settle into the evening, doing a crossword, putting the decoration storage boxes back in the loft and stringing the Christmas cards in the lounge. I watch a film and write the blog and what I am really doing is passing time to midnight. Its the last time that my missing bloods can turn up. Tomorrows oncology review is going to be a farce without the PSA result so if its not available I foresee weeks of pissing around ahead. Still perhaps there will be a midnight miracle or the oncologist will have the results.

STOP PRESS 12:30 THE RESULTS ARE IN:

Creatine, Alb and Potassium have all slipped out of the normal range this time, Urea has slipped further out of range in an upward direction, eGFR (kidney function) has slipped a bit more below 60, the norm. The biggest issue is the 0.9 rise in my PSA level. That’s almost double the rise in the same length of time from last time. So that’s an increasing rate. My guess is that on this alone they will give me more scans and if they are the same suggest I start new chemo. It is what I expected. Hoped for better but the logic in the biochemistry is relentless and undeniable. So review with the oncologist tomorrow and then Christmas, after that a new year and new challenges. I’m off to bed, perchance to dream.

PHASE II AS GOOD AS IT GETS DAY 314

PHASE II A.G.A.I.G DAY 314

Sunday and I wake quite late, which is unusual as the symptoms of my prostate cancer gets me up several times a night. The consequences of this is that I never wake up feeling refreshed or with a sense of having slept. Its such a change from the days when I would got to bed and just “die” and wake up the following morning feeling refreshed and renewed. Anyway I wake up and take a shower, a coffee and my morning drugs. I check the “patient view” app but there is still no sign of my missing blood results. I try to be cool about it but at root I am anxious. My bet is that I will have to wait till at least gone midnight tonight for the next data download. I pondered over what I was going to wear, which was complicated by the arrival of my impulse buy Christmas jumper. In the end I went for smart casual, which I think I rock pretty well, judge for yourself.

Smart Casual my way.

We drive to our friends golf club to join them for a Christmas lunch. It is a real pleasure to spend time eating and chatting with friends. Much of the conversation was about COVID and what effect it will have on Christmas and the New Year. I think we shared the expectation that there are more restrictions to come. We enjoy our time and then exchange presents before driving home through the misty gloom of the afternoon. Once home I shed the smart casual and switch in to trying on my new Christmas jumper, which I definitely like and can feel myself wearing it a lot. I think it makes an interesting comparison to the smart casual.

I like this.

Having had my vanity moment I settle down to wrap more presents and to tag a lot that had already been done. Its getting to be that time of year when finding hiding place for parcels and packages becomes tricky. As the evening approaches its time for a snack and then I get sofa bound to watch the Sports Personality of The Year. By a third of the way through I am already bored and start to write the blog in preparation for my dashing to bed at midnight once I’ve checked for my blood results. Tomorrow is the London Santa run.

PHASE II AS GOOD AS IT GETS DAY 313

PHASE II A.G.A.I.G DAY 313

Saturday, and my first thought is the rest of my blood results. I check my phone App. Still not complete, and it stays that way all day. So I shall be sitting up till past midnight again to see if they get posted at that time. Of course I will be writing the blog and watching American football while I wait.

The day continues with breakfast and then we take a trip to the garden centre to top up with food and back up presents. Having secured these its time to go to our local Wickes to raid their shelves for yet more Christmas gifts. Then its home and time to start doing the Christmas decorations. At this time I get a delivery from a supplier who should have sent it to someone else, so irritating. I take a break to readdress the package and get it over to the post office. It wont get collected till Monday and delivered on Tuesday, but it will arrive pre Christmas. First step is to get the tree in the holder and then get up into the loft to get the decoration boxes. After that it hours of wrangling the lights, hanging the baubles and spreading the tinsel. The result is the transformation of a bare tree to a Christmas miracle.

As I am engrossed in the transformation process our friends ring to tell us that tomorrows cancelled Christmas meal is back on at a different venue. So I have a Christmas dinner to look forward to tomorrow lunchtime and the opportunity to spend exchange presents and Christmas stories. The transformation is complete just as dinner is ready in preparation for the grand final of “Strictly”. Of course the family is glued to the final and we all vote for Rose, which we are convinced swing it in her favour. The right result. This is followed by a film, but I am preoccupied really by wondering if my remaining blood results will be available. So I end my evening writing the blog and waiting for midnight. Midnight comes and I check my “patient view” app for the results. Its 12:11 but no more blood results. Experience tells me there is no point in waiting any long so I take myself to bed wondering if the system is just slow or one of my bloods has gone missing.

Beneath the stars

PHASE II AS GOOD AS IT GETS DAY 312

PHASE II A.G.A.I.G DAY 312

Friday, bloods day. I am up and ready, I get to the GP, sit in the reception area. I am uncomfortable and then realise that I have not got my blood form. I go home and get it adn then dash back to the GP surgery. All good for my step count for the day. I get called in to find the nurse was delayed anyway as she had had to do an emergency ECG, which explained why a receptionist was standing outside with a couple waiting for an ambulance. I get my blood taken and go home to breakfast and coffee.

The day is a blur with highlights, buying a Christmas tree, taking my eldest daughter to have her booster jab and a call from a friend. There was a spider man film and some TV dross till it gets to midnight and some of my blood results come in, but not the crucial PSA result. My white blood cell count is up, good, my platelet count is up and normal, good. My haemoglobin level is up and in the normal range. So far so good. Its 00:41 and the rest of my results still have not been posted. I watch mixed martial arts fights and wait. Its 1 am, I go to bed none the wiser on the important markers.

PHASE II AS GOOD AS IT GETS DAY 311

PHASE II A.G.A.I.G DAY 311

Thursday and it starts with a 9am work meeting. Of course there is an initial Christmas photo of the team dressed in festive garb. My quickly thrown together effort was I thought festive enough.

My festive Santa look for todays meeting.

The meeting is constructive and ends with the usual seasonal wishes for each other as we head off on our various ways. Me to a fried egg sandwich lunch before going to the gym. I get myself on board a cross trainer do just over an hour burning off 711 calories and travel 8.13 kilometres. I was looking forward to a hot shower but unfortunately they turned out to be tepid. I obviously did not linger and got home quickly. I cook the traditional Thursday tuna pasta and the family having eaten I drive my eldest to her circus skills class. We drive back to find my partner in her singing lesson. I settle down to watch a football match and drink pints of water like a drunk. I’m on my fourth pint as I write the blog. I’m desperately trying to make sure I am hydrated as it affects my platelet levels when my bloods are done. Tomorrow is the day for them so I just need to keep downing the pints. Once the needle is out of my arm at 9:05 tomorrow I can stop. The plan then is to get on with Christmas, buy the tree, get the decorations out the loft and play find the dud light bulb. Midnight is the witching hour when the results of the blood test get posted. Then the fun starts.

See the source image
Indulge and rest

PHASE II AS GOOD AS IT GETS DAY 310

PHASE II AS GOOD AS IT GETS DAY 310

Wednesday, lots to do today so it warrants a bacon sandwich and coffee to start the day. There is something luxurious about a bacon sandwich to start the day, a proper working class starter. I get some materials organised for the afternoons training session and then luxury of luxury I head for the Shed. It feels like an age since had Shed time, so I turn the heater up to full and set out my writing implements. I write quietly for a while interrupted only by the occasional passing squirrel. By lunch time I need a trip to the post box and find that my partner also has letters to post so we make the trip together.

At lunchtime I do the crosswords in the paper and them go into my first meeting of the day. Its a meeting of sensitivity where carefulness is a priority. The meeting is very useful and resolves a tricky issue that had exercised me for a while. I have time for a drink and then I am into a training session. I cannot get the IT to work so that I can share the correct materials to the screen. It excruciatingly embarrassing and makes manifest all my worst nightmares about presenting. I try to recover and manage a partial recover dur to the kindness of some of the attendees. We break for a drink during which time I frantically put right the IT glitch and go into the second half complete with materials. Of course it goes much better and I get to the end with some self respect and confidence in tact. However the experience has reinforced my thoughts about giving up work to take a more calm path for a while. Anyway I go straight into my late afternoon meeting to discuss a current report that is being written on a service. It is another meeting where the sensitivities are tricky but we get though to a reasonable and proportionate way forward. By the end of the day I feel tired but have enough energy left to do a bit of admin.

I finally stop by which time a friend of my partner has arrived to take my partner out to a film tonight. My eldest daughter and I do some Christmas organising and then order ourselves an Indian take away and I settle down to watch a football match and then to write the blog.

Mixed in to all of this working and doing are the messages from friends who are being boosted, raising children, caring for ill partners and facing both predictable and uncertain futures. In all of this I consider myself lucky. I have my family raised and my faculties in good working order. I am warm, sheltered, fed and debt free, above all I am loved and cared for, which makes me infinitely rich. Regardless of how my coming oncology review goes none of these riches are diminished.

PHASE II AS GOOD AS IT GETS DAY 309

PHASE II A.G.A.I.G DAY 309

Tuesday and I have a busy day, so I am up showered and breakfasted early in order to get to my chiropody appointment. What a joy my chiropodist is and the whole experience is one of luxury adn comfort. This was me giving my feet a Christmas treat. To have my feet done and left feeling renewed and invigorated is something I would recommend to anyone. So my day started with a real high.

Once back home there was a number of things to do including a lunchtime work meeting. I continued my wrestling with the RCP Share Point trying t get access to the training materials that I need for tomorrow. Eventually I ended up asking a colleague in the central team to email the materials. So much for the ease of information sharing with the wonders of modern technology. During this time I get a call from a friend who was dashing about trying to get through a list of chores before her energy gave out. It was good to have an opportunity to talk and catch up on how someone else was getting through the Christmas preparations and juggling the demands it makes. I do my lunchtime meeting and of course there is admin work to do as a result of it.

I put a meal in the Crockpot and then I finally get to drive to the gym, putting the bin out as I go. I settle down to an hour on a cross trainer. I arrive in the light but by the time I leave at 5 o’clock its dark. I really do not like this time of year. I get another call from a friend so I have the luxury of a chat before I get changed and exercise. My session goes quite well. I burn off 707 calories and make 7.68 kilometres. I drive home, put my washing in and settle down to eat the meal that was put in earlier. Tonight there is football to watch, a goal fest! At half time my washing goes into the dryer. At the end of the match I start the blog, retrieve my dry washing and get ready to go to bed. It feels like its been a busy day. What got left out to day was my Shed time. It would appear that my main juggling balls are Work, Shed and Training. Tomorrow will be the same juggle. Just a couple more days and I can drop the work ball for a few days and focus on Shed and Training activities. Of course Christmas and my cancer will have a say in that. Roll on Fridays bloods.