Monday 30th January 2012 - I felt ok , was not having many effects from chemo , so I decided to go and visit my "homies" in dermatology at the Western . You could not get a better bunch of people to work with - I have been in nursing for thirty six years and have worked in a lot of places , so I feel I am able to make that statement ! Claire gave me a lift there as I was not really supposed to travel on public transport in case my immune system was low due to chemo. I went at lunch time so that I was not disturbing any clinics . It was great to see them all again . They had been very attentive since the start of my illness, sending cards , presents , flowers , and texts to keep up to date . I saw a few of the doctors too , and some of the secretaries and receptionists . It is a very well-run department and everyone gets on well - very professional , without being over familiar . I stayed for about an hour then went home . It had been nice to get out but I was feeling tired , although not the terrible fatigue that some chemo patients had described .
I had been reading somewhere about the importance of gentle exercise while receiving chemo and also the part it plays in cancer prevention , so had made a concerted effort to try and go out for a walk every day with Bill and the dog. For the five years before  my illness I took part in Race For Life to raise money for Cancer Research UK . I was inspired by Claire after I had gone along to watch her compete one year. I was surprised to see women of all ages and all shapes and sizes - I thought " I should be doing this !", so I signed up for every year after that . I fully intended to do the 2012 one as well (chemo side effects permitting). I downloaded an app called Endomondo  to my iphone to give me some idea of how I was progressing - hoping to walk a little further every day. I had plenty of time as Race For Life was not till June , near the end of my treatment!
Let battle commence....... I only lasted ten minutes the first night as my feet were quite painful . Still , it was a start....plenty of time ........