What a week!

Indeed.
What a week!
And where to begin.
The Gang of Three embarked on a mini UK tour last Saturday.
Our primary objective was to support, watch, and 'gee-on' my VBF Julie, and my Godson Matthew, as they  ran a 10k challenge race in Derby. Julie announced on Christmas Eve, that she'd started training for this run on the day I started chemo. She wanted to do something she really hated - running - while I was doing something really horrible - chemo. It was her way of supporting me. 
I vowed on that day, Christmas Eve, that I would be there, watching her run. 
Alive. 
And well. 
Julie also dedicated her efforts to raise money for the North Devon Hospice, while Matt raised money for the new Chemo Unit at the North Devon Hospital. A massive ThankYou to those who have sponsored them......to date Jules has raised over £400 and Matt over £200. And to round off their incredible achievements - hubby Marc is running in this year's London 26mile marathon, in aid of Cancer Research. He says it was me who inspired him (he must be as mad as me!).....so get sponsoring on http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarcDarlingVLM 
So, back to Julie. We travelled from sunny Devon to freezing Market Harborough in Leicestershire. It was great to see them, although youngest son Tom, was swanning it in New York, USA. A pre-race bulk-up meal of pasta and an early night. We had a 6am start.........oh boy! Arriving at our hometown, Derby for 8.15am we assembled at DCFC's Pride Park Stadium. And it was cold. Freezing. But really exciting. Julie was nervous. Matt was calm. Cool as a cucumber...not only was it April 1st....April Fool's Day...it was also Matt's 20th Birthday. More and more people arrived. Runners of all description. Club runners, fancy dress runners, charity runners, determined runners. In the end, over 4000 runners lined up, to run the gruelling 10kilometers. We hugged, shouted and clapped as Julie and Matt passed. "Do it for me" I screamed. And to make things even more special - the original 'girl-gang', Julie, Sharon, Me, Kate & Andrea - were all there. It was truly amazing. We piled back into Pride Park, hot drink (and an enormous hot-dog for Lily!) and the first 'professional' runners were already arriving back! And it didn't seem too long until we heard the name 'Matthew Darling' as my fabulous Godson sprinted - yes sprinted - around the stadium to huge applause & cheering from our bench, in an impressive 1hour 6mins 42secs. We eventually sat down to await Julie's arrival - and we were amazed that it came only minutes later at 1hour 14mins 2secs. Julie Darling. My beautiful friend, dressed in pink, pushed herself to the limit, running all the way round the stadium. We all leaped from our seats and went to the perimeter. We shouted, and clapped, and screamed. Euphoric.
I cried.
I cried as I hugged a sweaty Matt, who had been released from the signing out zone.
I cried because all my special mates were there.
And as a flush-faced, vision in pink appeared, I hugged and cried with my very best friend - because both our ordeals were over.
And I'm proud.
So very proud of them Darlings.
Back to Market Harborough.
Celebration time.
Champagne, steak, beer, wine, G&T's, single malts.....all in there....
Next morning - headaches for some! (me excluded!)
And very stiff legs for others! (me excluded again!)
Next stop - Chester.
A flying 24hour visit to Paul, Ana & the two little ones. While we only saw the girls for an hour (Emergency flight to Mexico for them as Ana's father had taken ill) - we had a good time with Paul - catching up. I rested lots while Gary, Lily & Paul ventured out & about. A couple of lovely meals, a good nights sleep & we were back on the road. We made a stop in Long Eaton to visit Mrs Bouquet - Val - Gary's late father's girlfriend, and then onto some other good friends in Arnold. 
Another catch-up, good night's sleep and off to our final destination - Aunty Jean's.
A superb lunch - as usual - followed by lots of lovely family chat.
And that was that...back on the road...to sunny Devon.
And I'm knackered. In a major way.  
'Don't do too much' every one says. Well I have. I've done 'far too much'. But it was well worth it!
And I'm in pain.
I've been in pain for weeks. (Not just after doing 'far too much')
It's a sort of joint/muscular pain. Mainly affecting my arms (particularly my right side - opposite side to the tumour site), my neck, shoulders and hands. the joints in my hands hurt terribly. And I don't know what it is. But looking at the facts - I only stopped chemo 8 weeks ago - and that will stay in my body for at least 6 months. And I only finished radiotherapy 2 weeks ago - this can come with debilitating side effects.
So, luckily, I have an appointment with one of my oncologists on Thursday and can discuss with him. 
That's why I'm supposed to rest, me thinks.
Rest, rest, rest.
How dull.
Give me another UK tour anytime. 
Look out Long Eaton mob (Steve, Lee, Mick & Ian). You're next on the hit list!
What a week, aahhhhh, what a week!
And of course, Happy Easter!!