Well, its Good Friday - so obviously good things happen.

In all seriousness I've felt pretty shocking all day.  Woke this morning and really wanted to take advantage of the Bank Holiday and skip the radiotherapy, however theres no rest for the wicked and into town we went.  It was amazing to drive all the way to the hospital without the slightest hint of a queue - our 45 minute journey was done in 15 minutes flat!  Had my radiotherapy and was on my way home by 9.10am.

Nearing home the nausea took over, I managed to hang on til I was in our kitchen - but the pain of throwing up through a mouth that has become one big ulcer (tongue, cheeks throat - nowhere is sacred!) was awful.  I haven't eaten real food for 3 days now as its impossible to swallow.  Laid on the settee moaning all day and feeling sorry for myself - until....

I watched one of my favourite films today - with one of my all time hero's - Rocky 4.  It's the one where he fights the Russian Ivan Drago - Dolph Lundgren is about a foot taller than Stallone...  Anyway - as the film was progressing through the usual training routine, Rocky getting murdered in the ring til the last few rounds and finally overcoming a seemingly invincible opponent - I got to thinking how apt it was!  I don't mind saying that when he finally beat him at the end and the usual music struck up - I had to stifle a tear or two!! Crying at Rocky films - what the hell is happening to me?!?!   I will definitely be playing that music all the way home from the hospital on my last day of radiotherapy in 4 weeks time!!!

Secondly, I had a comment on my blog today from a girl called Hayley.  Hayley is 18 and is going through a very similar round of treatment to me - Chemo and Radio with a mask etc - and I've read her blog before.  Its quite inspirational stuff, the way she's dealing with it is a credit to her and her Mum.  She left me a great message and I read through her blog again - and boy did that make me sit up and stop feeling sorry for myself.  So, thank you Hayley - you reminded me about how we have to stay positive through this - your message couldn't have been timed better.

Go read her blog - you really should.  Any aches and pains or grumbles you may have pale into insignificance in comparison to what this bloody brave young girl is dealing with.  www.kickingcancersarse.blogspot.com

Finally - comment readers will have seen the invite to Spain for Jill Raduch's 40th 21st birthday party in July - I'm pleased to say I will be doing everything in my power to attend this event and clearly I now have something huge to look forward to at the end of all this.

I can't sign off without wishing you all a very Happy Easter, please think of me on Sunday when you are tucking into your Easter Eggs as I will be going without this year.  I do of course fully intend making up for that as soon as I can eat again!

All the best

Nigel xx