Oh well , as I have said before , Shit Happens ! Chemo was stopped half way through as pharmacy were refusing to dispense any more of their wonderfully expensive drug without first seeing some improvement on scans.I had the scan and,unfortunately,there was no improvement at all,so chemo was discontinued . At least I get to keep my Portacath in place !
I went to see my oncologist and he was at a loss what to do next , but suggested there might be a surgical procedure which could be suitable for me . I would need a PET scan beforehand so that we were fully aware of what was actually going on inside me .
I had the PET scan the following week , and was not at all concerned about getting it as I had had one before . The results didn't really show any nasty surprises , so my doctor referred me to the surgeon who does this specific surgery . It is called HIPEC , and is only done in one place in Scotland  (Dundee) and a couple of places in England.
While waiting on an appointment to see the surgeon , I spent a very enjoyable day with Bill , babysitting Chloe-she was a wee dream !

She is five months old now-time definitely does fly!

I was down in Manchester to see Phoenix Nights at the arena-was a terrific show , and I laughed from start to finish-was also nice to catch up with our Paul again.He showed us round his work place at Real radio XS.

Bill and I also went to see the stage show Return To The Forbidden Planet-fabulous show - would love to see it again.

I got a call last week to go and see the surgeon in Dundee , so Bill came along with me - we took the train up and met the surgeon and a couple of nurse specialists . They were all really nice people . The surgeon explained that , as scans do not really give a full picture , he would like to do a laparoscopy to see for himself a couple of areas which were not too clear on scan . 

The upshot is , I go in to hospital this Sunday and have the laparoscopy on Monday !

Let's get this show on the road !

1st January 2015-Happy New Year !
Well , I'm still here and fighting fit! Half way through my new chemo regime and the side effects are not too bad.The peripheral neuropathy seems to be the worst-real pains in hands and feet when in contact with anything cold-trust me to get my chemo during winter in Scotland! I am also unable to take cold drinks , which is a real bind as I love cold water with ice cubes-just need to adapt-I quite like warm diluting orange or Ribena-comforting and soothing!
I went to a couple of concerts - I usually go to a lot of concerts , but sometimes the chemo has other plans for me !
Went to a lovely concert featuring the music and songs from all the Bond Movies.Went with Bill and Rosie-was a great show with great singers and musicians.
I also went to see the final tour of War of The Worlds at the Hydro. This was a great version , with a hologram of Liam Neeson , instead of the late Richard Burton . I was disappointed that Justin Hayward wasn't in this version as I have seen it twice before and he sang the songs that he made famous . Brian McFadden was a surprise replacement and was actually very good. Jason Donovan was also in it and sang well too-all in all , a great show.
My next concert was The Who ! Fantastic stuff-they played all their greatest hits and the crowd was jumping , well , apart from me! I don't need to jump around to enjoy my music any more !
I have a few concerts lined up for next year-Dolly Parton,Foo Fighters,Frankie Valli,Peter Kay in Phoenix Nights......Spandau Ballet.......
December is a busy old time for me - not just because of Christmas , but I have three birthdays to celebrate , viz. Claire, Alan , and Steven.Alan was 21 this year and wanted us all to go to Pizza Express for a Countdown studios in Manchester ! He is a real fan of the show and I managed to get tickets via my friend Dafydd ,who does a lot of charity work and manages to get tickets for almost anything !

Alan's 21st birthday

meal- it was a lovely evening and he got a lovely surprise- a trip to
Paul had a few exciting gigs in Manchester,interviewing a few favourites -John Cooper Clark , Chas Hodges , Slash.....I could go on .

Chloe and granny Annie!

Chloe is progressing well,turning in to a beautiful wee girl-makes everyone happy with her big smiles .
I went to visit my

My workmates celebrating Sheila's 60th!

workmates just before Christmas -they were putting on a tea and cake and candy stall and all the proceeds were going to charity-they decided on two charities-Crisis at Christmas,and Bowel CancerUK.Each charity got in the region of £340-excellent work by all concerned-they really are the best people to work with.
I have been trying to write this for most of the morning but keep getting interrupted by text messages from friends and family , wishing me all the best-I am not complaining-I am truly blessed !

Got a date for my new Portacath-Monday 20th october at 11 am - that's today! However , I got my new port in on Friday due to the forward thinking staff of the NHS . There were talks of a strike by radiographers , and it was set for today , so the charge nurse from interventional radiology was checking the lists and phoned to see if I would be able to come in sooner. I went for blood tests on Thursday to check my clotting screen was ok , and had the procedure done on Friday morning . The staff were incredible , as ever , so I am now in my own house waiting for the incision sites to heal up , and will start chemo next week - bring it on!!!
A bit of a sad day today , as the actress Lynda Bellingham has died following year long treatment for bowel cancer . Unfortunately ,when her disease was found , it had already spread to lungs and liver . I had a few conversations with her on Twitter , and she always seemed upbeat and positive . God bless her x

My little

Chloe

granddaughter is over four weeks old now - time flies ! She is the apple of our eyes and a real delight !

I should really keep this up to date , because so much happens that I forget about!
I had two doses of chemo , and everything was going well until the second week of my second  chemo. I noticed on the Wednesday  that the area over the portacath was quite pink looking.I had never noticed this before, and it didn't feel uncomfortable , so I just ignored it! The next day it looked a bit worse so I phoned up the Beatson helpline for advice. They advised me to go in to the hospital and to bring an overnight bag in case I was kept in.
I got expert attention from the moment I arrived , and was subjected to a lot of different blood tests , mainly to find out if there was an infection anywhere . I was started on IV Vancomycin and IV Gentamicin , which meant regular blood monitoring to check I was receiving the correct dose . I was kept in hospital for eight days , which I wasn't really happy about , as I wanted to get out and visit my new

Chloe Harper

granddaughter .
I always hear lots of complaints about hospital food , but I must say that the food was always tasty and warm ,and i even put on weight while I was in !!

Chicken and mushroom casserole ,with Brussels Sprouts and baby potatoes-Hospital food is good!

Roast pork,with potato croquettes and broccoli - lovely!

 After about a week , the doctor said that my portacath would have to be removed , because , by this time , there was a lot of pus oozing from the site . The prof who inserted the device came to see me on the Thursday afternoon and said he would remove it that day. He was true to his word and removed it on the Thursday evening .
I was getting quite impatient about being in hospital , despite the excellent care I received. I had tickets for Still Game at the Hydro and had been looking forward to it for so long . The doc had said that they would let me out for the evening if need be . As it was , I was discharged in the afternoon and was able to make the show , and it was hilarious !

We got a new wee arrival to our family on Friday 19th september 2014.A beautiful wee girl called Chloe Isabella Harper was born.A first grandchild for Bill and me.She was a couple of weeks early,but is perfect in every way.well done Paul and Claire!

Chloe Isabella Harper

Proud grandpa Bill

Proud gran Anne

proud parents

On Monday 1st September , I  had an appointment to get a portacath inserted.The procedure was done in the radiology department of Gartnavel hospital.The staff were incredible-a professor , registrar , nurses , medical students , and radiographers - all there for little old me.Our NHS is just wonderful - hope it can stay that way !
In the afternoon I went to see my oncologist and was prescribed my treatment , including my new wonder drug , for the Wednesday.
Went to Beatson on Wednesday and was hooked up to chemo , which lasted about six hours in total .

My new line

ready for take off

Just chilling!

No problems during the infusion . Paul had downloaded some comedies for me to watch - Max and Paddy , and Phoenix Nights - absolutely hilarious ! Peter Kay is a very funny man.
Went home with my chemo pump in place and had it removed on Friday. One of the side effects of this chemo is the problems with nerve damage to hands and feet , made worse by coldness.Thankfully , the sun has been shining constantly since I got my chemo , although I am sure that will not last !
Went to see Paul and Claire's new house on Saturday-they have moved to a place called Woodilee Village , which is in the grounds of an old hospital - beautiful area , and beautiful home !

Decided to get my hair cut as it was getting unruly , don't know if I will lose it again with this chemo , but at least I know what that is like .

before

After

All my life I had curly hair , and all my life I wanted straight hair-be careful what you wish for !

On 14th August,Bill and I travelled down to London to attend the Loncon.

We went first class on Virgin trains, and it was a very enjoyable journey! We stayed at the Hilton Hotel in Canary Wharf.Very nice hotel and close to the Docklands Light Railway.
The convention was held at the Excel centre,which was massive-just as well,as there were ten thousand folk attending!
It was a lot of fun, and there were a lot of interesting people there, especially Guy Consolmagno

Bill with Guy Consolmagno 

There were loads of folk in costume as well - each to their own !

A highlight for me was sitting on this throne!

We had a great time there and I even let Bill visit the local football ground!

We went toWestminster cathedral while we were down-beautiful place!Bill got a photo taken there , too.

You would never guess he was a fan of Father Ted!


We came back home on the 19th August after a great time!






On 25th August,Bill and I celebrated our thirtieth wedding anniversary-quite a feat in this day and age!We are not "party people", so went for a meal at our favourite Italian restaurant , Qua,in Merchant City in Glasgow.

 Here are a few snaps of the evening.

Claire,Anne,Bill,Paul

Paul,Claire,Bill,Paul,Alan