Tuesday 28th September

I have my tests on the 10th & 11th of October. I'm feeling well, that is, I'm managing to avoid catching the colds that Sue and Chris are carrying.

I wish I could say that I'm feeling fit. I'm dismayed at my lack of stamina. I'm sure I felt fitter than this when I was touring back in the summer. Even a short spell of activity in the garden tires me out. Today Chris and I drove around the town, visiting the Post Office to post a parcel to a friends, and then trawling around the DIY sheds looking for a certain type of washer for his bass drum fittings. That was a fruitless search, and after a couple of hours I was exhausted.

My neck aches, my joints ache, the bottom of my heels hurt, the skin infection on my finger has flared up, the skin all cracking and painful. It can only mean one thing- the approach of winter and the return of my arthritis.

Luckily enough, I have an appointment with the specialist in about a month's time. When I was hospitalised earlier this year I had severe pain in my hands and scleritis in my eyes. My haematologist arranged for me to see the arthritis specialist and he said that he couldn't start anything until I'd finished my chemo. My appointment was originally for July but I hadn't completed my treatment, so it was postponed until October.

If I recall, I had no arthritis symptoms back then, so this may be a blessing in disguise.

More next week