The shaving has begun

This is Uncle Dave. He is the very first shaving. And Joe got to do it. Didn't do a bad job either.

So it's kicked off.

But we are running a bit short of volunteers! We have until Feb on the web-site, so maybe we could stretch a point and some of us could shave twice, even closer the second time. I guess I should get a shiney when all Joe's hair really falls out.

So step up! Or stump up! The link to sponsor us is on the right here. A lot of people are shaving AND sponsoring! Just do one! Ignore the large amounts of money of you like, it doesn't have to be much.

News-wise: we went down to Cambridge today for Joe to have another bone-marrow sample taken and to talk to a doctor properly. All done now. He's also had another dose of Vincristine (Vinc), on top of some Methotrexate (MTX) last Friday. Ooof!

The doctors are very happy with Joe's progress. Everything is within expected bounds. His leg weakness is from the steroid and also the Vinc, and it will pass. His voice is OK (but funny). It's all fine, or at least no worse than could be expected. Some people get weak arms, some weak legs, some weak bowel muscles ... So it could be worse ;) (Actually weak bowel muscles causes constipation, not the opposite; not so unpleasant for us, but really painful for him).

We know more or less what is going to happen all the way up to February. Give or take a dodgy blood count before a dose of chemo or an infection (both quite likely). He has only 2 trips to Cambridge in all that time: once for another bone marrow, and once to get his central line put into his chest so drugs can go into his vena cava (yes, that would be his heart and yes, one of the drugs can cause permanent damage to the heart, but the damage would be rather worse without it). The rest of the treatment can be done here in Norwich, just 5 minutes from our home. Fantastic! There is quite a lot of it though. He has a general anesthetic every Tuesday for 3 weeks to put MTX into a lumbar puncture, for starters. Then there's more Vinc and more steroids (just a few days a week, so hopefully no more food obsessions, though it's tough coming off them again, we're told).

Had an impromptu huddle of the family tonight. The Bowleses came round first, followed by the Peacocks. Joe coped well (cut his Uncle's hair off, if that's coping). Sammy's back too. Bit of a party, and we are very grateful: we had a lot to share. 3 nurses in the family gives us a lot of backup, a lot of knowledge and a lot of inquisitive visits, all welcome. We get through a lot of wine and cheese too.

Not a very deep blog tonight. We're all feeling very upbeat: fully informed from hospital, free from hospital, supported and in control.

Now we have to start thinking about wark. I can't even spell it. How on earth am I going to do it?