Marsden and Brighton

Wednesday's visit to the Marsden was uneventful really, we discussed the next proposed trial and this one looks OK. Basically it's a mix of an existing general use drug, which I have had before and responded OK to and the use of the experimental element, which is an injection of a virus generally found in ponds and ditches. Although the virus is common and a lot of people will have had exposure to it "naturally" the trial precautions are to "quarantine" me for a few days after I have had the injection, so there will be stays in hospital. While the virus lives in my body and before my immune system kills it, the theory is that it will go to work on the cancer cells, invade them, and like a parasite if you like take what it wants and leave them for dead. Side-effects to date have been few and not serious, results have been promising with some tumour reductions recorded.

We expect to start in September and we are just waiting for information now. This trial is being run by a Canadian drugs company but Marsden have been involved for about a year so far.

Brighton was it's usual busy, interesting and lively self. We really do love it there. We went back to our favourite Spanish restaurant and ate far to much. Started talking to a regular diner who had been there last time too, interesting stories about National Service, plus of course the inside track on the restaurant, useful for future use. He has been going there once a week for the last 12 years when his wife wants a night off cooking. We also had our favourite chinese take-away, such creatures of habit. We didn't just eat, we found other shopping areas we hadn't seen before and areas of the Prom too, Frank got plenty of exercise pushing me along, unfortunately the camber on the prom was terrible to try to self steer, so I was a lady of leisure most of the time. Shopping in a wheelchair is hard work, everything is above your head height so you can't see it, imagine being a 5 year old walking around a shop it's very similar, in terms of what you can see or reach. Many shops don't have ramps to get in and the everything is so crowded you can't get through. I have man-handled displays out of the way to get through. I have to say nothing should be built without input and approval from a wheelchair bound person, but that's another battle for another day, I'll stick to the ones I've got thanks :-)

So again we are left wanting for more in Brighton and will return again in September when the silly season is over. It's probably one of the few places we feel we could live.

Anyway must go. Speak soon.

Sheila x