Burpday

"Happy Birthday!" said the National Trust lady as she scanned my card.

I was impressed, I had never had this happen before.

"Is it in your systems?" I asked

"No, you're wearing a badge...."

Oops. I forgot. 

I Remember!

It's really not that exciting, but I remembered one thing.

So since my hands have gone super-dry and cracked, security on my mobile phone no longer works as it doesn't recognise my fingerprint any more. It will again one day, but right now - no chance.

So I'm resorting to pin's. Remembering passcodes. All those sort of things. For someone whose brain is healing it's quite an achievement, so far I've been able to get into everything. My fingers are looking better too so I'm hoping this weird part of it all will sort itself out. 

So yes, if you use your fingerprint for security, maybe set up facial recognition too. You'll thank me for it. I didn't do it and it keeps rejecting me. Sigh! 

My Memory is Bad

So every day around this time I potter around on the laptop, looking up things I need to. Then something happens - and I think "oh, ho ho ho this will be funny to blog!" and go into Blogger. 

Then I open a new page to post something, and whatever it was I was going to post is gone. I retrace my digital steps in case it reminds me, but no - nothing. 

It's irritating. I mean, whatever it is I've forgotten isn't going to change the world. Every time it comes back into my head I'm somewhere like the shower so know I won't remember it by the time I'm on the computer and I can't just write it down.  

So I'm posting to try to think of ways to actually remember whatever it was that came into my head - or in fact I should say, comes into my head repeatedly. 

Spoke Too Soon

Last night I was awake until gone 2am as guess what? My skin was really itchy - all over. 

I am putting it down to taking a drowsy antihistamine too late in the day. Or just sleeping too long the previous day. This might not be helped by me sleeping until gone 10am today. I was tired! 

Progress

Last night I slept all the way through and didn't need cream to calm the itching.

That's all. 

"What do you need?"

Disclaimer - I am not picking out any individuals - just writing what has happened. Please don't take offence. 

Back in the radiotherapy days I had a brilliant rota between friends and husband to get to the hospital now I can no longer drive. It was great, we'd chat, catch up, grab a cuppa afterwards and chat more. Then the treatment stopped - and with that the rota was over. I'd have friends occasionally checking in, but more often than not there was silence. Now, I know I could get in touch with people so I'm also at fault here - though the sheer amount of appointments and getting things into the diary (which I spectacularly fail at).

Since early January I haven't had as active a social life. But I think we both know that - there's just one thing I wish happened when I meet people, family, whoever. I wish someone would ask 

What do you need?

Because I'm not sure what I need, but I'm never asked to form those thoughts. When we go out for the day teen hands me my walking stick, the car is unlocked by husband, things are done. So I might have a train of thought of things I need to take out with me, but the more things done by others, the more likely I am to forget them. 

Almost every time we go out I've forgotten a hat and - to be fair - I'm getting really bad at forgetting my stick. Which is why I don't want anyone to take offence. 

So yeah, I'll get back to you with something I need. There will be something, I'm sure. 

Side effects update

Hands : very very dry and peeling. The good news is the peeled area has lovely soft skin. 

Legs : It feels like the heat - rash - peel and itchiness might be spreading to my lower legs. There is nothing better than scratching my legs raw and then having a bath to cool my skin down. 

Upper back : itchy. Helped when I insist husband or the teen put cream on. They're very good indeed. Current itch out of 10, probably 2.

Scalp : dry skin patches, fairly easily fixed with a nice massage oil. I have a Kiehl's one which smells great and works. The biggest downside is I can't smell it.

Appetite : Coming back slowly. I am eating three meals a day, sharing anything I can't eat. 

Hair : has FINALLY slowed down falling out. I can no longer stuff a teddy with it. Now I just have the world's smallest ponytail.

Walking : I can walk, I need the stick. Today we went to Bluewater and by the time we got home my legs had seized up. Husband and teen are doing a sponsored walk for my hospital. Lovely stuff. Since I came off the steroids my legs have functioned normally which I am forever grateful.