Slightly later than usual this week.

Firstly, I had the follow-up call from the recent, positive, meeting with the Oncologist. The call was not with him, but with one of the team, who was calling in direct response to my email, detailing the queries we had following the meeting. They confirmed our assessment, in that, this is currently the best outcome we could wish for. It is however, much too soon to determine the impact on the prognosis and connected bone issues. That will require further scans, but they sound like they will be months off / into 2024, as they need to allow time to see the longer term impact of the chemo treatment and combined hormone treatments. For now, we will aim to relax, then see what unfolds in the future. A second person confirming the results and how they impact me for now, was great!

In the past week, the ongoing main issues persist, back pain, sensitive finger tips and foot soles. The toe nails have become one of the main focuses, especially over the second half of the week. Whilst they are there, the big toe nails appear to not be attached fully. Hard to determine, without messing with them, which is something I am not keen to do; will see how things develop there!

The balance of ‘a degree of normality’ and managing the bodily impact continues. Our few hours with the grandkids was spent at Dover seafront, which was great and a benefit of living so close to the coast. Both of the grandkids enjoyed a paddle in the water, assisted by Alanna, but the return walk back up the shingles (I was walking with my granddaughter) proved another stamina test. The head cold has as good as gone, so will aim to increase the stamina-related activities; the back pain is proving a blocker to some of this. Some shopping and outside activities rounded off the weekend, but my body felt it all.

As we continue down this path of ‘slight normality’, my view is that I maybe move this to a bi-weekly update. However, do let me know your thoughts. I really appreciate the continued interest and input and I want to ensure the weekly updates do not become repetitive. A nice place to be and to be able consider this, I will not get complacent about it!

Thanks and regards

Peter