The hospital today!

We were in hospital for only 4 1/2 hours today - much shorter than usual! Mari was able to have some time with her consultant. They will be unable to let her know how the cancer is responding to treatment until they do CT scans etc in 2 months time.

Her consultant was impressed to see that Mari's neck lumps have gone, since treatment has started! Also, Maris breathing difficulties have improved - she is now able to lie down almost flat for the first time in months, after having to be propped up in bed due to shortage of breath -so these are encouraging signs. As we've said before, we believe the prayers and support you guys have shown us are every bit as effective as the medical treatment.

Mari is in bed, wiped out tonight post chemo, but she sends her love. We will update soon. Mari is usually in bed a lot over the first few days following chemo but she is starting to get used to some of the common side effects and patterns - such as a change of taste in mouth, sore mouth and ulcers, sore throat, some times a slight nausea, tiredness and drastic temperature changes, (one minute she will be shivering, then sweating the next ). All these symptoms are less intense by week 2 - we will keep you in the loop.
Good night and thank you from us once again xx

That time again

The routine blood tests went fine today at hospital, so it's looking like chemo will go ahead at 1pm tomorrow in Southmead hospital. This will be round 5!
Mari has been keeping well generally though not sleeping too well - with night sweats again keeping her awake and disturbing her sleep - the nurse informed us these symptons are a side effect of the B drug in her chemotherapy mix.

We will update the blog soon after the weekend to let you know how Mari is holding up post treatment.

Thanks and have a good weekend, bye for now. x

This week.

Mari is doing well this week. She was quite weak last week but she is definitely picking up now ready for another round of chemotherapy on Friday morning at Southmead hopsital, (and the usual blood tests again in hopsital on Thursday before). We will let you know how it all goes ...With love.

Back at home again...

....after only 5 hours in hospital, all went smoothly today and Mari is now tucked up in bed, wiped out, but feeling hungry due to all the steroids!
We will let you know how she gets on over the coming days.
We found out today that the Dr's will do tests on Mari in a couple of months time to see how her body, and more specifically the cancer, is responding to the treatment.
We will of course let you know when that happens.
Thanks, as ever, for your wonderful support - Love from us, x

Chemo tomorrow.

Mari had her blood checked today and a couple of injections. At this stage it looks like chemo will go ahead (as usual) tomorrow at 11 am in Southmead hospital.
Two rounds of the treatment make up one cycle so after tomorrow Mari will have done two cycles of treatment.
Hope you have a good weekend - we will update soon...
With Love from us all

The week ahead...

Hello,
Thanks for your encouraging messages. I am a bit under the weather today ( my white blood cells are at their lowest). My hair has started falling out which is quite distressing ( and annoying - gets quite messy and keeps falling in my eyes and mouth etc...) Some days it is hard to imagine life post cancer and post chemotherapy so I'd say one of the biggest challenges is the mental struggle.
Back in to hospital on Thursday ( for blood tests) and friday for more chemotherapy.
Thanks again for your continued prayers! Much love xx Mari

Update

Mari is doing well this week, low in energy - but side effects are being well controlled again thankfully. She is back in hospital on the 12th June for blood tests, before more chemotherapy on Friday 13th June. We will keep you in the loop.
Thanks for your prayers - much love.