HAME SWEET HAME

As you can read by the title IM AT HAME. Where to start. So, yesterday I did NOT expect to be told that I could go home. I was told that to go home my counts (neutrophils) had to be at least 0.50 so I was holding out for the weekend, mine were 0.33. When the doctor came in and asked if I would like to go home I cried. Not like a normal person but I pulled the Greek lady crying on the street move out the bag again. Ugly mess sitting on my bed going "I'm so happy! I'm so happy! Oh my I'm so happy, oh thank you." I swear he must think I am the biggest loser. I am like a big bag of emotion, if you took my cup of tea away from me I would cry.

So I packed up (a ridiculous amount) my stuff. My mum arrived and we headed out onto the open road.  The first thing I noticed and appreciated (there is a LOT of appreciation coming your way in this post, heads up) was the fresh air when I got out the car. Lush. I am a big fan of crisp air.

So, sitting in my living room hearing my family run about the house like mad cleaning, making my dinner. Just sitting in a comfortable chair is a luxury in itself. Do not get me started on my bed.

Surprisingly, I didn't sleep well. Not because I was too comfortable, but I forgot what it is like to sleep in the countryside. Complete darkness- not like the bright lights of the hospital. And noises all through the night, not noises of drip machines, noises of imaginary people I can hear outside. Anyway, as you can see I was extremely comfortable.

When I imagined getting out all I could think about was going out to eat, shopping and going to see all my friends. Since being home I have realised how tiring just walking places has made me. So I am staying put because I am loving being at home being cosy and with my family is just so nice. I ventured into Ocean Terminal yesterday to get myself a thermometer and there was just so many germ risks I was seriously about to have a panic attack, so sharp exit back to the car and home. I am still on my diet until Saturday evening when my counts are expected to be at 0.50.


So I was enjoying my day when bam. I look down at my Hickman Line and it looks angry and seeping and really radge. So being extra cautious I headed up to ward 1 of the Western to get it checked out and cleaned and swabbed. As I am home with low counts I have to have my temperature taken every 4 hours. If we hit 38.0 deg then its straight back up to the hospital as a high temperature means there is an infection somewhere. Obviously I don't want to be admitted before my week is over so thats why I am being extra cautious. So sorry if I don't come to see you its just because there are airborne germs and viruses everywhere. Of course you can come to me, as long as there are no nasty bugs in sight.

Since being diagnosed I have become much more aware of fundraising etc. My uncles and their friend have organised a charity fund-raising event in East Linton in March to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity that has already made its way very close to ma heart. Aww. There will be tickets and a fancy dress theme, whats not to like? Another thing I'd like to mention is a family friend of mine, Andrew Souter. Well his mum Moira is really good friends with my Mama Jules. Anyway, she told my mum a nice story and I thought about it all day. Andrew (Moira's son)went out to get his lunch, handed over £20  and with his change put it in a Teenage Cancer Trust collection box that are next to the tills. And I just thought "HOW. NICE". Thats a lot of money just to give away like that, so thank you Andrew!

I will also be speaking on BBC Radio 1 again on the Surgery show  tomorrow night (Sunday 25th 9PM ish). As probably everyone knows by now I am well and truly obsessed with Radio 1. Scott Mills, Coxy, Huw, Gregory, Aled and the gang THANK YOU, YOU ALWAYS CHEER ME UP! 

Speaking of cheering me up. I am a big fan of comedians to the point where I listened to Michael MacIntyre's audiobook to put me to sleep whilst I was in hospital. I like to laugh okay! I think when people see me they expect me to be all doom and gloom, a negative Nancy! Not the case pal! Since being at home I get constantly asked by everyone (mostly my mum and dad), constantly...

"are you okay?"
"how do you feel?
"are you dizzy?"
"are you too hot Rachel?"
"are you too cold Rachel?"
"are you hungry Rachel?"
"do you need anything Rachel?"
"have you washed your hands Rachel?"
"is that clean Rachel?"
"are you enjoying being at home Rachel?"
"have you wiped your bum Rachel?"

Okay, so I went too far but you get what I mean. I've never had this much attention before. Sometimes I take advantage of the situation when I know I shouldn't. Things like "could you do me a favour?"...

"could you get my phone its in my room?"
"can you get me something to eat?"
"turn the telly off please" (when I'm practically sitting on the remote)
"make sure the bacons crispy!" I holler down the hall.
"geez peace man am tryin' to play Sims."

I will end up turning into ten tonne Rach. I made myself sound like a mean old fart there. I do appreciate everything my Mum and Dad do for me obviously. And I promise this lazy behaviour is not permanent, a time will come when I have to get of my arse and make my own bacon. As I was saying about me liking to laugh. In about March time I booked tickets to go and see one of my favourite comedians Kevin Bridges, I'm not brown nosing here, but I am genuinely in love with this guy. Anyway myself, Laura Presly and Isla Mowat (Happy Birthday for today Mowat!) planned to go down to Newcastle to see him on the 29th. Unfortunately due to inconvenient hospital timings I will have just gone back in before his concert and I'm GUTTEED. So, to make myself feel better I bought one of his tops that says "Toughen up ya wee prick." And I like to wear it so people know who's boss (Kev). I think I may tweet him this link and see if he will read it, it worked with Greg McHugh, so I am even more determined to get Big Kev to read this. I've seen him doing stuff for Teenage Cancer Trust before so Kevin, if you are reading this come up and see me sometime eh! It would be majorly appreciated. 

http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/236488-kevin-bridges-brings-a-smile-to-faces-of-young-cancer-patients/  COME OVER TO THE EAST SIDE KEVIN! :D

Went driving today for the first time in 5 weeks, apart from stalling on the A1 and almost loosing my rag with some children who were staring at me (emotional Rach) I think I did a pretty good job for a learner! 

Also to update you on the sleeping situation. I now sleep like a baby again. I had a dream last night that I was sentenced a week in jail because I was caught nicking the pick n' mix from the cinema. Was so happy when I woke up because i thought my life was ruined! That is all for today folks. All in all not that exciting being a lounge lizard but I am loving being at home. And for anyone who's doing a wee bit of complaining today..."TOUGHEN UP YA WEE PRICK!"

Also for a laugh I thought I would put this picture on. I am running out of weird and wonderful pictures of myself so I may start moving onto my friends soon. I bet they would pay serious amounts of money to delete some of the photos I have in my possession. If you know I have dodgy pictures (obviously not nude pictures- I'm not a complete weirdo) then speak now or forever hold your peace. I clearly was having a severe bad hair day and decided to make things worse by adding the glasses then documenting this monstrosity by taking a picture of my face from one of the worst angles you can possibly take a picture. 

See any similarities? 

Not got much else exciting to talk about C YAA!