Day 87: Chilean Lapis Lazuli drops

These are a very special pair of earrings - they are the ones passed on to my friend Pauline by a fellow Australian chemo patient, Maree, who Pauline (Day 24) met when she was in Chile recently (Day 70). They arrived here yesterday, sent by Pauline when she arrived back in London. I'm still so touched by this gesture - it makes me feel connected through the golden web to others going through a similar experience, despite being strangers.

The timing of their arrival couldn't have been better. First, they came at the lowest point in this cycle when I really needed some bucking up. Second, they arrived just in time for Pauline's birthday, which is today and meant I could wear them and be linked to her. I'm sending my love and birthday wishes across the oceans - I think she's celebrating in France.

There's another special birthday today - my nephew Henry, who turns 8. He's an incredible character - a dog lover, swimmer, comedian, and a very kind and compassionate boy. Last weekend he was busy running three fundraising stalls outside his house - one for his darling young school friend Carys who has a brain tumour and is being sent to the UK for treatment, one for dog rescue, and one for saving the organutans. Happy Birthday Hen!

Henry throwing water bombs in Tassie, 2015

Birthday presents, 2017

Day 87 and I'm flattened. After another disrupted sleep, it's great not to be taking the steroids, but without them I've got zero energy. The white blood cell booster also strips out any residual energy. I managed an walk this morning but came home for a rest and didn't really move from the bedroom all day. The boys have been waiting on me hand and foot. I'm so lucky to be so well cared for. I need it today.