Hope this can continue...

I don't know how it happened, but since I underwent the 5 sessions of radiology in the hospital of Aalst, I have been feeling better than ever.

At first I thought it could be because I had to stop taking my Cabometyx (the medicine that prevents growth of cancers) for a while. The months and weeks before that, I couldn't eat very well (was satisfied after a few bites), my feet hurt like hell and I had to take painkillers all the time, I was nauseous every week, ...) All these side-effects stopped as soon as I started the new treatment. 

After the radiology sessions I started with Cabometyx once more (guess I have to take it until I die) but up to now the side-effects haven't returned.

You can't imagine how that feels! Now I can have a glass of wine when dining out - and eat the full menu. The first time we did that was in Manchester. We both had a cocktail, then had wine with our dinner. And we ate a lot! Last Sunday we lunched in Mirage (one of our favorite restaurants here in Dendermonde) and I managed to enjoy the entire Easter menu as well. We finished a bottle of champagne (a present to my sister, from one of the people she works for) and I never got nauseous. My feet still don't hurt and I haven't had to take a paracetamol (the only painkiller I can have) for 7 weeks already!

I feel stronger as well.

I don't dare to hope that the metastasis on my pancreas will have gone. But perhaps my pancreas is working better now. I'm not a doctor, I don't know the reason, but I just hope this can continue for a while (and hopefull for ever). Be assured that I treasure each day I'm feeling great and enjoy every morsel I put between my teeth.

Trip to Dresden

Because of my having a course of radiology to treat the metastases of my cancer, my sister thought it better to cancel a two week trip to Egypt during the Easter holidays. When I did not seem to suffer any ill effects of the treatment, we replaced this long trip by a shorter and more relaxing one.

Our destination was the town of Dresden in former East Germany. Dresden was bombed during World War II and most of the city was destroyed, but the people there were quick to start rebuilding. As a matter of fact, the renovation is still going on. I suppose that withing 10 years or so, the city will be restored to its full glory.

Dresden is a beautiful town, with lots of baroque buildings. We were lucky to have our hotel practically next to the Frauenkirche. Beautiful church , from the outside and inside. And best of all, the ringing of the bells didn't disturb our sleep!

We were also lucky with the weather. Up to now the weather here in Europe hasn't been great. Last year, the month of March was sunny and warm. Now it rained practically every day and the temperatures were below normal. In Dresden it was sunny, but still a little cold. Of course, you can dress up to the cold. A warm sjawl and bonnet help a lot! 

Besides the churches, monuments worth seeing are the Semper Oper (the opera building), the Residenz palace (where the kings of Saxony used to throw their parties) and the Zwinger.

We had a good time there. I'll be posting something on my travel blog, as soon as the pictures are all uploaded.