Molly Cat Doesn't "DO" Choice

Molly is a fussy eater. I may have mentioned this before? The only wet food she will reliably peck at is Felix. Unfortunately, Felix is made by Nestle. My cat and my principles in direct conflict. Of course, the cat won, but I continue to try to introduce other brands.

Two weeks ago I tried two new brands. Both came highly recommended. The "Book" [the cat equivalent of Dr. Spock] said that, if you are introducing new food, mix the old and the new. I tried this. Meal times became a complicated nightmare. There was a choice between fish and meat; a choice between Felix plus one or other of the new brands; a decision about how much to use. I was going demented. Molly kept picking and howling. However I  thought, on balance, that she was eating slightly more of the wet food. Was it possible that one or other found favour and, if so, how to know which? A brainwave struck.

Yesterday, I put down two quarter bowls of food: one of Felix, the other of one of the new ones. I labelled them (for me, not for her), and I walked away.

She howled for two hours. She would touch neither. I came close to succumbing, but I really do draw the line at throwing away that much good food. There was always the dry food. By this morning, she had picked at both but eaten neither. I admitted defeat, threw the rest away. Clearly, she does not approve of choice. From now on, she gets what she's given. If she doesn't like it, she can eat the dry food.

ARE ALL CATS THIS DIFFICULT?

Chemotherapy, and how to survive it: The First Half

On Wednesday, I shall be exactly half way through my chemotherapy. I shall have completed the first three cycles of FEC and will be starting the three cycles of Taxotere on Thursday. So this seemed as good a time as any to take stock and see how I had coped.

I think the first thing to say is that I consider myself very lucky. Side effects there certainly have been, but nothing that could not be managed. And I have received an enormous amount of support from friends and colleagues, which has meant that I never need to do anything I don't feel up to. However, this has been a learning curve, and I thought putting some of it down might be helpful, so here goes.

I have already talked of the first appointment, but re-reading those early blogs it all feels rather different now. It is, of course, true that stepping into the unknown was a big part of the nervousness the first time. It is amazing how quickly it all becomes completely routine. You know what every noise means; you do your own nasal swab while you are waiting; you remind them about the cold cap; you check your own drugs and make sure you have all the appointments for next time; you chat to the other patients and find yourself dishing out suggestions and experience to the newbies.  It is all rather astonishing. I found myself singing out 'see you all in three weeks' as I left the ward last time.

So, what are the lessons I have taken from this?

1. Everything is temporary; nothing is permanent. When my hair started falling out in fistfuls, I was far more distressed than I had anticipated, but I kept telling myself that it would grow back. In fact, I've been lucky, and will write about that separately, but the fact that everything is temporary is important.
2. The effects are, to an extent, cumulative. In other words, it takes slightly longer to bounce back after every dose. You need to factor this in to things like returning to work.
3. Write down what you have to do when: it is astonishing how complicated taking a few drugs at different times on different days can feel when you are under the weather.
4. It is important to eat sensibly and drink lots of water.
5. If, like me, you need to lose weight - it won't happen. This is not a quick fix diet.
6. Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to rest and read and do lots of internet shopping.
7. Make life as easy as possible for yourself. Buy in whatever support you can afford.
8. Embrace the silence and get to know yourself better.
9. Keep smiling - IT WILL PASS.

So, on Thursday we start the next round. I hear different things about whether it is better or worse, but frankly I'm not too bothered. It's downhill all the way from here, and I'm starting to plan some nice things to do in December. And I'm not going to worry about the radiotherapy until after Christmas - so there!!!! I'm off to book my train ticket for London for two weeks after my last dose. THE GIRLS are having a reunion.