Tuesday 16th September

Update to another exciting few days in UCH!!! Got here Sunday evening, to find that 2 of the 4 TVs were not working by the beds, so glad we weren't late and managed to bag a bed with a TV that was working!! THANK GOODNESS!!! We also had a working internet point too which is even better news! 3 years old and the hospital is already in a state........good old NHS!
No unexplained sickness Sunday night and a quiet night. Monday, the physio came and had a chat with Sarah and told her the strict plan of action for the next 3 weeks we have here - she is going to get her foot down and knee bent by the end if it kills her I think!!! Chemo went up around 12 and as soon as the yellow fluid reached the line in her body, Sarah began to feel sick - not sure if it is genuinely the chemo, or the anticipation of what might be - she had had all her antisickness tablets and medicines, and she wasn't actually sick. Remarkably, once in school, she felt a little better, and still managed to eat a yorkie bar and a pasta bake for tea. Once the chemo came down, she was fine, and the fluids started their task of washing it all out again, which instantly makes Sarah feel better.The physio came to do a few exercises but she was a little tired after the chemo, so did a little bit on the chair. I went away and she achieved much more without me present.
Quite a good night except for the constant trips to the bedpan as usual........
This morning up early for Sarahs venture to the hospital gym. Had a good dose of McDonalds breakfast and pancakes, so she had loads of energy!! Off they went, again without me, as I'm sure she uses me as an excuse to stop - the 2 physios stood for no nonsense and wouldn't take no for an answer. She did loads of knee bends, squashed putty on the floor with her bad foot and walked along parallel bars(or hopped mostly, but she's trying!!)She stood for 5 minutes and played giant 'connect 4' and generally did really well.
This afternoon after school, she did yet more exercises, and was managing to bend the leg to about 50-60 degrees.This evening on the leg bending machine we got to 75 degrees, albeit by Sarah cheating a bit by twisting her bad ankle, but it still bent further than ever. More gym tomorrow,so have to persuade Sarah to get up by 9am!!
Sarah has become an expert at evaluating student doctors too - at the beginning of her treatment here, she was interviewed by some students and she had to give her opinion to the consultant of how she thought they did - she obviously did it well, as she was asked to do it again today - she told the consultant what they should have asked her, and how they should have behaved, and she didn't mince her words!!!
Methotrexate levels were 5.5 today and they need to reduce to less than 0.2, so probably another 2 days in here as usual, then home for the weekend and back Sunday night again - oh joy!! Still, another week crossed of the chart - 7 more to go...........