LDN

I do realise this post is a bit late, I'm not quite sure why it's taken me so long to write it! A few weeks ago we were back down in London to see the Prof and managed to tie it in with my Willow Foundation (http://www.willowfoundation.org.uk/Home) weekend. I chose to take Mum, Rona, Teenie and Ruth to a show (Wicked, obvs) and we managed to do a lot of other things!

On Friday morning, Mum and I got a very early flight to London and made our way once more to Charing Cross Hospital. It always feels very strange going back there, but in a familiar way. I don't really have happy memories of that hospital so it's never much fun going back. Anywho, we went in to see the Prof and were chatting away as normal. He brought up my MRIs from August and April to compare and see if there's been any change. There was a bit of a fright when he noticed quite a lot of fluid in my back. He quickly ran down to Radiology (after mentioning getting an ultra sound and PET scan) so I obviously started to freak out. He was away for about 20 minutes (longest 20 minutes ever) but came back smiling saying everything was OK. The word 'Phew' does not begin to cover the relief. Apparently I have 're-feeding syndrome' which is quite common in patients who have gone through High Dose chemo. Basically, you don't eat for a month, then you come out of hospital and stuff your face which then causes fluid in the back.. I don't understand the logistics of it but I'd rather have this than anything else! My blood levels (well, magnesium) are still a bit all over the place so he is apprehensive to have my operation before they stabilise. He has delayed this until the New Year which I am totally fine with. After seeing the Prof, I then went to see another specialist who has sent me for a gazillion blood tests which will be repeated in another six months.

After a horrible panic in the morning, Mum and I were feeling pretty drained so we headed to the hotel. I've never really stayed in a swanky hotel before, but this one was well swanky! So nice. Teenie, Rona and Ruth came later on in the afternoon and we then got ready for a walk to Buckingham Palace, dinner (with Daphne!) and The Wizard of Oz!

I really didn't have high hopes for The Wizard of Oz, but I was pleasantly surprised. Most folk will know, I do adore musicals, but for some reason have never thought of The Wizard of Oz as one.. Yeah, that sounds daft but the songs aren't really that memorable are they? Well, they clearly are memorable as I was singing along (probs wasn't supposed to be) during the whole thing.

The next morning, we set off early as Ruth had booked us a manicure with Wah Nails (http://wah-nails.com/). Being a huge nail polish/nail art/nail anything fan, I was pretty darn excited. My nails are now (finally) growing with no ridges on them so this was perfect timing to get them done.

We then popped along to Liberty's (YAS) and to some of our favourite make up haunts. After all this, it was then time to be tourists again and we went on the London Eye (well, those of us who were BRAVE enough) and a wee river boat. We've been to London so many times and never done this so we were rather excited!

One of Teenie's great snaps from the boat... Oh, it was raining.

We were only about a ten minute walk from the hotel so decided to walk... STUPID IDEA. It started to pour. Oh well. We got back, chucked on more make up and some dresses and were ready for Wicked! We met Twee for some dim sum before which was lovely.

Ali got me obsessed with Wicked years ago when we worked in a hotel one summer. So, it is all her fault I love it so much! This was my third time seeing it but I was so excited for the rest to go as I have talked about it SO MUCH. Third time is definitely a charm as it did not disappoint - we all loved it. I'm so happy everyone else enjoyed it and we were singing the songs all the way home.

We also managed to fit in the Chanel exhibition at Harrods (if you can go, do. It's amazing - a HUGE 2.55 bag! The dream), macarons at Laduree, lunch in Covent Garden and the big Topshop. All in all, an amazing weekend.

As you can see, I am still carrying my beloved Mulbers everywhere. I think this bag has travelled everywhere with me this past year. I am not sure if I have told the story of when/how I got it on this blog, if not, I have probably told you to your face (as I have bored everyone with it). This is the moment I opened the beautiful net-a-porter box to find it.. Best. Present. Ever. Thanks Dad :)

Not the most flattering angle for me, but I feel happy when I look at it!

I have been doing a lot more recently and definitely building up my strength and confidence. I am now more than six months out of High Dose chemo and I can't even begin to describe how much better I feel. The prof did stress that is is gradual but I'm feeling great! OK, I will stop now - this has been long! Congrats if you got this long.