I managed 3 1/2 hours of dialysis on my own yesterday Paul coming for the last 1/2 hour. 4 hours still seems such a long time! I try and persuade them that 2 hours would be enough but they won't have it! I am sure for many of you 4 hours spent quietly on your own would be a treat. I am learning to be still!

The meeting with the oncologist went well. He is pleased with the progress I am making. The skin involvement is almost gone and the lump is smaller. We discussed what happens next and came up with a plan. I have the 4th chemo today and then have an ultrasound in the next week or so. He will then discuss the results with the renal team and decide what to do next. We will then meet with him in 2 weeks to decide what happens next. There is still some concern over the involvement of steroids (which I would have to take with the new drug) and the kidney damage. I would still like to follow the original plan! Please pray for wisdom for all concerned.

I feel slightly more reluctant about chemo today just because I have taken longer to recover this time and know what it will entail. Dr C has given me different mouthwash for my mouth in an attempt to enable me to cope better with the sore mouth. If I have the new drug then I am half way through my chemo.

Paul is recovering from the labyrinthitis slowly and managed to drive in the afternoon yesterday. We will be thankful when he is able to drive normally again.

We are on a countdown to Chloe going. She leaves tomorrow evening after dialysis. I will miss her so much. She has been my constant companion and my own mini Dr! However I am so excited about the next phase in her course and looking forward to hearing all her tales. She will be home in a month for the weekend. Wonderfully Ed is taking her stuff down at the weekend which will save Paul driving to Southampton. I will miss him too as he has been so much part of our lives this summer. We enter a quieter, tidier stage at home!