Lola is really weak and listless today. I thought perhaps the blood would pick her up a bit, but she's just exhausted. The nurse explained that her bone marrow is taking longer each time to recover and it's really wiping her out. We bought seeds and plants yesterday on the way home from the hospital and Lola was desperate to sow some (indoors!) today. She has plans for a patch of her own in the garden and has chosen flowers and tomato plants! It was hard to see her sitting on the floor trying to muster the energy to spoon compost into a plant pot, and immediately she had done, she went back to the sofa to sleep.

Lola has cramps in her legs, most probably due to lack of water, but she is a reluctant drinker (unlike her mum!). 1500mls feels like a lot when your powers of persuasion are waning and I'm trying hard not to resort to the threat of a nose tube because I know she's trying. Greta wants me to mention that she has a lovely big verrucca on her foot and Nancy says she is excited that she will be starting her guitar lessons again on Friday.

We heard from a Macmillan Nurse in Birmingham tonight, who has kindly answered a number of our questions over the phone. It looks like we won't manage a consultation with the surgeon prior to the op as he only has next Tuesday free and we are in Ipswich having kidney filtration and heart tests.She explained that the incision will be on the front of Lola's arm, to the right of her muscle and stretching from shoulder to elbow. They may not stitch her, but use glue and staples instead, to reduce scarring. It's not clear if she will have a cast, but it is most likely she will have a back slab to protect the shoulder and a sling to support the arm. The operation takes from 2 to 4 hours and, if all goes well, she may be out after a week. Analgesics will be dripped directly to her shoulder and a plentiful supply of pain relief given. And clothes??.... Lola is going to need big zip front hoodies apparently!.... i feel a trip to H & M coming on....

The most striking thing the nurse said to us was to remember that, by the end of the week after next, Lola won't have the cancer in her body any more.