253. Thwarted by Barbie

Bear in mind that, sadly (actually bloody tragically) we couldn’t have kids so I’m not au fait with children’s toys. My friend asked me to set up this Barbie sewing machine for her granddaughter Anya. It is the work of Satan. 

I started making my own clothes from about 14. I made suits, trousers, you name it, I could make it. I’d been an abject failure in the one term of Needlework we had at school - I was too busy chatting. So yes, I took home incomplete pyjamas with one sleeve set in upside down so you’d have to sleep with your arm over your head! I got better though, much to my mum’s delight, and she kept me supplied with sewing machines as she upgraded. Boy, did she upgrade! So I was pretty confident it would be a 5 minute job as I can thread up any machine.

After an hour, breaking out in a sweat and cursing and generally turning the air blue, I decided YouTube must have a video. After all, there’s a video for everything. I reckon if you looked hard enough, there’s be one on how to mop your brow. I found one - a child and Mummy who was going to show me how to set up the machine. Yay. It was identical. I tolerated the build up, I knew what was what, though I didn’t know the grid decorating the front was there to stick the Barbie logo on and spell out my name. Then she started to thread up the machine. She managed the top thread, only one error but at least it worked. Then came threading the needle. I have to say I don’t remember ever seeing a sewing needle with as tiny a hole as this. Even the needle-threader provided wouldn’t go through - so the video skipped the next bit (the very bit I needed to see - how on earth to thread up the bobbin when the bobbin holder was set into the machine). I ask you! What a cowardly Mummy, leaving me no better off after over two hours.

I’ve had another look today. I did manage to get the lower thread caught up ready to sew but I have no idea how - I couldn't do it again. But it’s academic - the front lever is loose and keeps sticking. There is no way I can repair that so I’m afraid whoever bought this “as new” was diddled and Anya is not going to get her sewing machine lessons. Her mummy would never ever be able to thread the machine and it’s not a job a child can do, though they could sew in lines to make Barbie’s satin skirt and top so she can sashay down the catwalk. Yes, they even supply a catwalk though you need a bit of imagination and a label in the useless handbook to know what it actually is.

Anyway, I got my CT scan results - “perfectly clear”. So I have: 

1 x MRI showing tumour but no progression

1 x CT scan showing no identifiable cancer elsewhere in my body (trunk)

Blood and tumour markers down to 5 and 16, the lowest ever

Versus

A slightly more swollen eyelid

2 new skin mets

Some existing skin mets still hardening.

We reckon the capecitabine is still containing it but Dr U said “the cancer is fighting back”. So it’s just a case of how much longer cape will keep on top of it all. After that, I’m scheduled for Trodelvy if NICE changes it’s proposed decision on June 9th. That would be a great birthday present, only a day late. I don’t want to start it, just know it’s there for when I need it later. Incidentally, the Breast Cancer Now open letter has got 110,000+ signatures now. 

Brilliant, considering their initial target was 50,000. PLEASE let NICE listen! So…watch this space. I may have a whole wardrobe of Barbie clothes completed soon!