Saturday, 12th July

Jimmy had chemo yesterday as well as the Endoxan.  His white blood count is still the same, which is below the accepted range, and his red blood count and haemoglobin have actually dropped even more but they did go ahead and give him the Endoxan.  After almost 4 cycles of chemo these levels are now to be expected and this is another reason why he needs a rest and recovery period before he has the stem cell transplant.

On Tuesday Jimmy has the last chemo session of the 4th cycle and then we have an appointment with Prof Novitzky on Wednesday evening to discuss the latest M protein reading, which he will have by then, this being blood results that were taken at the end of the 3rd cycle.  Prof Novitzky will decide whether he is happy with the results from 4 cycles or recommend that Jimmy go on and do another 2 cycles prior to stem cell transplant.

Jimmy is feeling very good and everything is going well.  The kids and I had tea with the ladies on Friday and Jimmy phoned me to tell me he had driven down to the beach and just had a walk on the beach.  I was so cross with him!  I blasted him when I got home explaining that there is a difference between taking a slow stroll on the Catwalk, like we did, and walking half the length of the beach and back on soft sea sand.  He still doesn't believe me that he was completely out of breath when he phone me.  I told him he is lucky that he didn't injure his back anymore and that he will exhaust himself as he hasn't done any exercise since February and walking on soft beach sand in the cold is tough work.  Shame, I was so mad that I told him he mustn't ask me to tie his shoe laces if he is well enough to walk on the beach.  I do understand his wanting to get out and do something by himself.

The girls are all into Looming now, thanks to Maureen, Sheila and Kate.  We had tea, champagne and cake yesterday afternoon in front of a cozy, roaring fire at Maureen's house.  They stocked up on wool and looms and the bug has now bitten in this household too.  Loren, Shannon and Emma are all busy making snoods.  So this morning we all went down to Olive's Menage at Valyland to get some more wool as they have finished their first ball already!  Jimmy came with us and from there we went to the Mall to stock up on some more cakes for tomorrow's tea.  I think he thoroughly enjoyed the morning bumping into so many people and saying hello to them all.  It's also always nice for people to see Jimmy, specially now while he is looking so well.  He is totally buggered now and fast asleep in his chair, in front of the TV.

The day is coming closer and closer now that Megan leaves.  All that is left to do is pack.  She had her last hair appointment this morning and picked up her slacks that needed to be shortened.  Tomorrow we are having a farewell family Tea at home and on Monday night, if Jimmy is up to it, we are going out for dinner. Tuesday morning is going to be a huge rush as Jimmy has chemo in the morning and we need to be at the airport at 1:30pm.   Whew...my first born is leaving the nest.

Dinner on Wednesday night at home, a rare occasion these days when we are all together.