November 8, 2005, 11:18 am

Hey everyone,

I feel so charged today but first let me tell you about my drama on Friday then I'll tell you why I feel so hyper.

So, Friday night as I go to bed, my back is absolutely killing me - sitting, standing, lying down, kneeling, nothings working. One of those days I wish I had a room-mate so could ask for a back rub!

Next option, swallow a paracetamol. So I get one - 1 cm in diameter. I know. I measured after. I swallow it with a few sips of juice. What? Its not going down! I gulp the rest of the juice down...NOTHING!!! I go to the loo and try make myself throw up. Was it cough-real-hard or open-your-mouth-wide-and-stick-your-tongue-out-as-far-as-it-will-go? I try both, Nothing. Yeah, I thought of fingers down my throat but I've got enough happening in there. Don't want to compound the problem.

Ok. Next option. Run downstairs for a glass of water. Oh, groan, forgot my back. Ok. Waddle down for a glass of water. Meanwhile, the thing is chocking me and I feel like its about to block off my air supply.

So eventually, I get downstairs. I'm thinking, what if I collapse on the floor and kina Tina can't hear me and maybe I should have come down with my cell phone. Oh forget that! I need to get water down!

I swig a couple of glasses. NOTHING!!!!!!!!!! Now I'm beginning to panic, seeing myself at Nairobi Hospital with a nurse peering down my throat with pliers in her hand trying to see how to pull the thing out. I go back upstairs and start to write Tina a text message on the phone that I might need her help....to do what? Pound on my back????

Then sloooowwwlllly I feel the pressure in my throat begin to ease and the thing begins to dissolve.

I later remembered that I was told that morning that my throat has narrowed coz of corrossion caused by chemo. Oh the joys of chemotherapy! Needless to say, the pill after that was cut into quarters before I dared send it down with loads of water. I got even cleverer after that and first dissolved in water before swallowing. Tasted awful but at least nothing stuck

You won't get more updates from me for about a week or so coz the D-Day is here. I'm booked in for surgery tomorrow at 9:30am so have to check into hospital today by 5:00pm. I'll be at Nairobi Hospital but not sure yet which ward or bed.

I saw the doc yesterday coz I have some swellings on one hand. He says they may be caused by trauma coz of the chemo but nothing to worry about. Anyway, he said if my blood count today is sawa, we should go ahead with the surgery. I did the test and the WBC in particular is the highest its been since I started these treatments. Isn't God wonderful! I feel ready for it so I'm quite happy to be going in to get the thing (this time, the lump...not the pill) out.

Interesting thing...amazing thing...the doc couldn't quite feel the lymph node that was swollen in my armpit. Its seems to have disappeared!!! He said they will inject a dye and see what it sticks to (that will be the cancer cells) and remove that instead of dissecting (yes, thats the word he used) my armpit. He wants to minimize any chance of me getting....eh....I can't remember the medical term but it means swollen arm due to missing lymph nodes... or something like that.

Barring any complications, which of course we will pray against, I should be out of hospital by Saturday and the wound is expected to heal within 10 to 14 days.

I need to be okay by Wednesday next week to attend the end of year presentation at my kids school. Both of them are participating and have asked me to be there. I'd hate to disappoint them.

Please pray they get everything out tomorrow at the surgery. My surgeon is soooooo pleased with the size of the lump. He was like, "yeah, this is more like it!" He's not even calling it major surgery any more. Isn't that great.

I'm completely optimistic about the outcome and about God continuing with me on this journey. I KNOW He will be with me in hospital tonight and at the theatre tomorrow and as I wake up and begin the healing process. Yes, Mark, I do feel the prayers of all of you who are praying for me and I give thanks for all of you, for your faith in our God, and for your persistence in bringing me to Him in prayer. Thank you so very much.

So, please continue to write but send your messages with a copy to my sister, Jane, at jane.muema@aercafrica.org. She will print them out and bring them to me.

Forgive me for putting some of you on the cc line. My list has really grown!

I've got tons to do before I leave today so let me get to it.

God bless you all.

The journey continues.....

Dee