Ho hum-How lazy I have become ! I had intended to keep this blog up to date on a regular basis , but sometimes life just takes over ! Since I have been asked by a few people what has happened , I had better try to update things . I am not going to list all my chemo days and treatments , because I am one of the lucky ones , in that I never had any horrendous side effects or problems along the way - I was prescribed twelve treatments and that is what I got . Towards the eighth treatment I was feeling the neuropathy really badly, so the doctor said he would reduce the dose slightly. I must admit that I felt if I was getting a reduced dose I would not be getting the full treatment , but the doc reassured me that I would still be getting a therapeutic dose . During my treatments , I managed to pop up to my work place to visit my buddies and colleagues - they were such a tremendous support when I was sick and it was lovely to see them all and get loads of hugs-very therapeutic!

My colleagues after the Race For Life in Glasgow 2012

Every year for the past five or six years , I have taken part in Race For Life in Glasgow , which is a wonderful and very moving experience . A whole lot of women , all shapes and sizes , and a sea of pink! I usually walk the course (I am built for comfort rather than speed ) anyway , it is not important how quickly you finish , it is the taking part that counts . This year I was fully intending to take part , but was dismayed when I couldn't manage it because of the chemo and neuropathy . I was annoyed because I had said I was not going to let this thing beat me . I was deeply moved when I heard that my colleagues were going to do the race , and was delighted when they raised in total well over two thousand pounds for Cancer Research UK . Thank you "Annie's' Stars!" I am so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends ! I fully intend to take part in it in 2013 - just try and stop me!

Carolyn on her graduation day - she is a clever girl!

I was also very touched by a get well card I received in May . The senders' address was Mark Trevorrow.... Now anyone who knows me will know that I am crazy fan of the Australian comedian Bob Downe , whose real name is Mark Trevorrow . I thought to myself  " What's going on here - am I imagining things?". My hero had sent me a get well card and written a lovely message inside , all the way from Melbourne , Australia ! I couldn't imagine who had arranged this lovely surprise , but I had my suspicions ! A few days later , my friend Carolyn sent me a message asking if Bob had been in touch - mystery solved ! Carolyn is a big Bob fan too and she had sent him a message on Facebook asking him if he could send me a message . Nobody will ever be able to imagine how happy that card made me - just the boost I needed ! I am eternally grateful to Carolyn for arranging it and eternally grateful to Mark for taking the time out of his schedule to send it.

Me and my hero Mark Trevorrow aka Bob Downe after his performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

I have been a fan of Liz Earle skin care products for over ten years now.While I was having chemo , my skin became very dry , especially on my hands and feet . I found her stuff was very useful in preventing any problems . Her shampoo was so gentle , which was a bonus for my thinning hair! She launched a new range of cosmetics and I was lucky enough to be invited along to the launch in Glasgow , shortly after I had chemo- I wasn't going to go because I didn't feel at my best , but was glad I did because I got the chance to meet her and chat about her range . She was so lovely to speak to and seemed genuinely interested .

Me and Liz Earle

Before

After

After my final chemo in mid-June 2012 , it was time to have my PICC line removed . It had been my companion for the past six months and had served me well - no blockages or infections , and hand't migrated too far from its' original place ! The plan was to go back to the hospital on the Friday that my last 5FU infusion was due to complete , and the nurse would remove the line as well as the pump . I was a bit nervous about how this would be done as I knew it was pretty long . I needn't have worried . I went to the hospital at the allotted time and was taken straight away.The nurse removed the infusion line and said she would now remove the PICC . I sat in the chair waiting for something spectacular to happen , but there were no fireworks or shocks ! I never felt it getting removed at all and was surprised when she told me that it was out ! Goodbye old friend.....