Halfway through radiotherapy and so far not feeling sore but the area does look rather red!

Not been too bad really only had a few delayed sessions so far.

The loft is nearly finished just the last few bits to be done and the bathroom things to be purchased i.e...shower/tiles/flooring.

Off up to Middlesbrough tomorrow for a long weekend, Jack is so excited to be seeing his cousins

Prince William and Kate Middleton get married tomorrow and it was lovely to see all the children at school dressed in red/white and blue as they had their very own Wedding Picnic for lunch.

Love Clare xx

It's gone...I've ditched the wig!

Whilst we were away I couldn't really wear my wig on the rides, for fear of it being blown off into someone else's face!

I wore a baseball cap most of the time but did wear my wig for meals out.

Since being back I haven't worn it and now it's been put away until I need it again (far far in the distance I hope).

So what's my hair like under that mop of a wig, well it's been trimmed around the edges and back but it's still a bit sparse on top, there is hair there but not very thick.

I have no idea why it's taking so long to grow back this time, last time it only took 3mths to have a really decent head of hair.  It's been nearly 5mths since I finished chemo and it's taking it's time.

Yesterday I just thought sod it I can't do this anymore and am now going eau natural.

Managed to do an Asda trip without the wig and thought if I survived that then what the heck.

School next week will be hard I reckon but I have to do it and the sooner the better.  If people feel the need to stare then they should feel thankful it's not happening to them.

Love Clare xx

1st Radiotherapy today.

Long appointment as they had to take pics and get me in the right position.

I had an intense blast on my spine (T6) and then a blast on my clavicle/ neck and armpit.

The mask was horrible as I have a bit of a cold and it was very difficult to breath but they loosened it off and it was more comfortable.

I was told I may feel tired/sick/in more pain than usual and that during the 15 sessions I may find it difficult to swallow - all good for the weight loss though!!

Was in terrible pain this afternoon, just felt really weird all down my back and in my side/stomach.

Took some painkillers and went to bed - sorted me right out!

Love Clare xx

Disneyland Paris 11th - 15th April

Our trip began on the Sunday when we travelled down to Ashford to stay overnight in a Premier Inn. 

Breakfast Monday morning and then off to Ashford International Station.

Eurostar left at 10.28am and arrived Marne-la-Vallée at 1.30pm.

We booked in at reception and our room 3268 was ready for us.  Lovely room, 2 king size beds, dressing gowns, slippers, lovely bathroom, tv, chocs on pillows.

Jack managed to get 'autographs from and have pics taken with - Mickey/Minnie/Pluto/Goofy/Chip & Dale/Eeyore/White Rabbit/ Baloo/Donald Duck and Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh.

Here is what we did whilst there:

Day 1 - Monday

Disneyland Park 

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blaster x 2 - all

Star Tours x 2 - Jon & Jack/ Me & Jack

Autopia - all

Space Mountain - Jon & me

It's a Small World - all

Dumbo ride - all

Labyrinth - all

Tea at Bella Notre (fast foody type place)

Day 2 - Tuesday

Walt Disney Studios

Tower of Terror - all

Parachute Jump - Jon & Jack

Crushers Coaster - all

Animagique - all

Magic Carpets -all

Watched Parade - Stars & Cars

Back to hotel for lunch

Swimming/whirlpool 3-4pm - all

Disneyland Park

Disney Railroad -all

Star Tours - all

Indian Jones - Jon & Me

Thunder Mountain - Jon & Me

Dinner at Billy Bob's eat all you can buffet (77euros without drinks!!)

Day 3 - Wednesday

Disneyland Park

Disney Dancers Parade

Pirates of the Caribbean - all

Peter Pan Flight - all

Tea Cups - Jon & Jack

Snow White Castle - all

Star Tours - all

Lunch

Riverboat ride - all

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast - all

Space Mountain - Jon

Thunder Mountain - all

Indiana Jones - Jon & Me

Dinner at Steakhouse (88 euros!!!)

 Day 4 - Thursday

Walt Disney Studios

Photo with Minnie - Jack

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster - Jon

Tower of Terror - all

Parachute Jump  - all

Crushers Coaster - all

Armageddon - all

Stitch Live - all

Motor Stunt Spectacular - all

Drinks at Sports Cafe

Dinner at Plaza eat all you can buffet

Day 5 - Friday

Disneyland Park

Looked in shops

Star Tours - all

Space Mountain - Jon x 2

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast - all

Lunch in Main Street Square

Captain EO - all

Disney Parade

Shopping

Home on Eurostar 7.37pm arrived in Ashford 9pm

All in all a very busy few days but hey...it was worth it.

Love Clare xx

Another milestone reached...

Jack was 5 yesterday and had a lovely day at school and then tea out with myself, Jon, Grandma and Grandad.  It seems like yesterday that he screamed his way into this world and into my heart.

I feel incredibly grateful to the professionals at RBH who have made it possible for me to see Jack have his 5th birthday.

I will be reaching my 5year anniversary soon and although cancer is nothing to celebrate, reaching 5yrs when at the outset diagnosed with secondaries is, and I may just crack open a bottle of champers on the day.

Despite the crap I'm going through just now, life is good for me and my boys...

love Clare xx

I had my planning session today for radiotherapy.  Wow what an experience!

As I have to have radio to my neck and shoulder/armpit area I had to have a mask made to shield my face..

The mask starts out as a flat piece if plastic with holes in it shaped like head shoulders and chest and they get you to lay down in position and then the plastic is heated with warm/hot water and quickly placed over the face/chest and neck.  It was an amazing experience and the radiographers mould the pliable plastic to the face and then blow cold air on it to set it in place it is battened down with clips so that you cannot move!

Starts like this...

End up moulded like this...

I then had to have a CT scan with the mask on...I had my eyes shut when they moulded it so now I have to keep them shut as there is no room for movement at all!

I have appointment times for the first week of treatment and it will start on 18th April.

Love Clare xx

Have had a lovely weekend.

Jack had his 5th birthday party yesterday and everyone really enjoyed themselves.  We hired a hall and bouncy castle and Judith organised the children with party games which they loved.

Back at Mum and Dad's Jack opened all the presents he got and I must say all his friends are so generous...he was so excited to get so many nice things.

I had a lovely handmade card from Jack for Mother's Day and some chocs and wine.

Today I had my Mum and Dad to lunch - what a fab cook I am - it was really dee-lish!!

The loft conversion is coming along nicely, Jon went up the scaffold and had look around upstairs...it's going to be fab once it's all done.

Looking forward to the weeks ahead...birthdays/holiday/visit to Boro/loft being complete..it's what life is all about doing things that make you happy.

My family make me happy.

Love Clare xx