Living room make over, chemotherapy cycle 2, and knitting

 

My mum and Lein cleared out and revamped two rooms, the second bedroom and the living room. Mr Margie and Lein purchased new sofas for the living room and assembled them. It looks so nice and it's lovely to sit in and knit. Yesterday I began cycle 2 of my chemotherapy. I was exhausted during the hospital visit and fell asleep during the treatment, I slept in the car on the way home and when I got home and I even slept for 5 hrs last night despite the anti sickness meds that include steroids. I plan a walk this pm. My hair began falling out last week and reached excessive amounts on Tuesday.  My mum, Leiny my daughter, and my nephew Cole all rallied and cut it to just below my ears on Sunday and then shaved it off on Tuesday. I have decided not to get a wig at the moment anyway, maybe I will change my mind later.

I knit six hats and wear them if I feel the cold, but otherwise I love my new " pixie" look, there is some stubble but that is falling out daily.

I have such love, positivity, support and understanding from my family and friends, work colleagues, members of the Travelling community, hospital staff, doctors and pharmacists, fellow bloggers, Instagram followers, Facebook followers and fellow cancer patients. I am feeling so  strong and positive, thanks to all your support. I found someone in Singapore who also has stomach cancer, he is a few months ahead of me in terms of his diagnosis and treatment and is post op, his advice, support and strength, in short his solidarity has become so important me, together we are beating cancer. I am also following a support group in the USA called " No stomach for Cancer" , and November is Stomach Cancer Awareness month. 

Big hugs, 

Margie ❤️

Knitting, crochet and treatment

Today is day 15 of the first cycle of chemotherapy. I had bloods done and the pump changed. My platlets are a little low at .9 but not low enough (above 1 is considered to be the cut off) to stop this cycle. Lein has come back from UK and is again working on my diet, she has discovered that flax seed oil and sesame seed oil, along with coconut water will all help to boost the platlets again. 

I finished the hot water bottle cover I started on my first day of my treatment.

About three years ago I bought some Debbie Bliss Aran Chunky wool at the knitting and stitching show and I started knitting a cardi for myself.

I also finished the hat I was knitting for when my hair falls out. I used a fairisle pattern from Debbie Bliss Celtic Knits book. 

Thank you for the love and support, 

Big hugs, 

Margie ❤️

Baby Esmé

Isla became a big sister last Thursday October 24 th when her sister Esmé Margaret was born weighing 7lbs 7 ozs. I knit a little cardi for her

and I also knit some clothes for a rabbit I gave Isla a few weeks ago. 

Today is day 8 of my first 21 day chemotherapy cycle and I had the pump changed. The pump is connected to a port I have implanted on my chest and the chemo is administered according to my heart rate. I am on three chemo drugs during the cycle, two of which are only given on Day 1. My bloods, liver and kidneys were all good today. 

Thank you to Edel, Karen, Susan, Deborah, Stephanie and Paula for your lovely comments and support on my last post, it really means so much to me. X

Big hugs

Margie ❤️

My ill health and diagnosis

On September 6 th I collapsed I. Work throwing up blood, I was taken to my doctors where it proved difficult to find my blood pressure at one stage there were three doctors around me trying different equipment, they got a cannula into arm and hooked me up to a saline drip while the ambulance took me to the nearest hospital,  

I had an endoscopy next morning where a bleeding ulcer was injected and biopsies taken. These biopsies proved to be inconclusive. The next few days saw my haemoglobin levels yoyo and I was eventually allowed home. I was weak again on Thursday 12th a d was re admitted on September 13 th, the morning of the 14 th I suffered a seizure when my haemoglobin dropped to 7:9.

I got two blood transfusions the next day and had another scope on Thursday the 20 th, with further biopsies. I had a CT scan that came back normal. My haemoglobin was still like a yoyo going between 9 and 10, I went home on Monday 24 th.  I returned to see my consultant on Friday October 4 th to get my biopsies results, I have stomach cancer, the ulcer is cancerous and has come from the wall of my stomach. My haemoglobin was 8:9 that day and I returned to the hospital for two more blood transfusions the following Sunday. My case has been referred to the top IG surgeon in the country Professir PAul Ridgeway, Senior Lecturer at Trinity College Dublin. I have been told my cancer is treatable and I am young enough and fit enough for it. I have remained positive and strong throughout, knowing I have faced many challenges in my life and I know I can do this. I met my oncology team, and had a port put in. I had a laparoscopy and staging done with a washout. Yesterday I started ECF chemotherapy, the first day of a twenty one day cycle, I am on three doses, two administered at the hospital and one on a pump will pass through over the week.i will get that changed every seven days during the 21 days. I am on lots of anti sickness meds and am likely to lose my hair. I will have three of these 21 day cycles befor surgery and three after. Results of washing came back all negative. I plan to take this one day at a time and would welcome your support. I did some crochet yesterday when I was hooked up to the chemo. I am not sure how much crafting will go on here. I have changed my diet for the last few weeks eating small amounts often, six meals a day, I cut out tea, alcohol, sugars, cakes, crisps, biscuits, dairy, I have not eaten meat for 25 years, I so eat fish, I am enjoying smoothies, raw kale pesto  twice or three times a week, porridge with almond milk, rice pudding and semolina with soya milk and honey, beet root in various ways, fish stew and quorn bolognaise,I had raw wheatgrass shots also and I am drinking lots of water too. 

Big hugs 

Margie ❤️

Garden party

All the family were together last month to celebrate Isla's 3rd birthday and my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Mr. Margie, Leiny, Mel, Chris, and I "pulled put all the stops" and put together a garden party for 65 people. Leiny went in to baking overdrive and gave the two ovens a good workout in the days before the party. The sun shone all day and everyone was in high spirits. 

The Gustavian bench Mr Margie and Lein designed and built when Isla was born was dusted off and taken outdoors

My collection of white sheets were used to cover chairs, and the arbor took a central place in the long garden

Car boot sale garden furniture were given an upcycle and my singer sewing machine was whirring and humming making covers

Leiny made paper roses from her fav book pages as well as a wreath and two balls which were hung in the trees along with my homemade bunting and paper lanterns 

There were 400 cupcakes of various sizes and shapes, hand iced and filled (all vegan)

My collection of vintage cups, saucers and plates were laid out on polka tot table cloths and the tea party was set

A day to remember ❤

Hope your summer is going well

Big hugs, 

Margie ❤

Happy Summer Solstice

Carcassonne, France also known as La Cite, on the longest day of the year.  Hope your all enjoying the solstice. Big hugs, Margie ❤

Making Bunting

I am making bunting for Isla's birthday in July.  I have chosen a vintage fabric and have cut 42 triangles with my pinking shears today. Hope your enjoying a fine Sunday afternoon.  Big hugs, Margie ❤