THURSDAY 22ND JULY 2021
So today is the first session of the first cycle.
Todays colours - Pale Blue walls and purple chairs
Mood - Scared but ok - pragmatic and forward thinking.
1st Drug - PACLITAXEL
2nd Drug - CARBOPLATIN
So this morning quote, as it's the first .....
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger; Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage; Then lend the eye a terrible aspect; Let pry through the portage of the head Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it As fearfully as doth a galled rock O'erhang and jutty his confounded base, Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean. Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit To his full height.
On, on, you noblest English.
(from Henry V, spoken by King Henry)
So what draws me to this quote, well "once more unto the breach" seems to be quite a common phrase these days when were about to do something, that is maybe not the most pleasant, again. So strange that this would be the quote to pick for my first session.
Whilst it may be the first session that includes "drugs" it is not the first medical session / consultation on this journey but probably the biggest to date.
And the most powerful line...... "Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide, Hold Hard the breath and bend up every spirit to it's full height".
I tried it - i bared my teeth at Andrew, who thought this was most shocking behaviour at 5.30am over morning tea, snorted, puffed out my nostrils, put my big girl pants on and walked head on towards my destiny.
I will keep in my mind to see this foe off with "Modest Stillness and Humilty"