Another bit of 'rough road' coming up...

The results of the latest CT scan was a 'good news, bad news' story. Good news - the tumors being targeted have shrunk, and are quite a bit smaller. Bad news - the cancer is confirmed as an 'aggressive cancer' and has spread to the lungs. These are still tiny growths, but its a bit of a worry that they are there at all. So a new round of heavy-duty chemo treatment is planned, timing to be confirmed. Those who have been there have told me I'm in this for the long haul - i hope they're right! So as part of the journey, consider this a patch of rough road with a few pot-holes - but there's smooth road ahead!
 Just returned from a fleeting visit to Chch to catch up with travelling friends and family - if they can repair this city, restoring me to full health should be no problem! Right now I'm sussing out alternative treaments to complement my new diet and health supplement regime and help the healing process.
Will and Kate are done and dusted, Breakers rule, and the Blues are the No 1 NZ rugby team. All is right with the world!

CT Scan day come and gone....

Well, that didnt take long! Less than 4 weeks and I was in for another CT Scan this morning. Results wont be known for a day or two, but I'll keep you in the loop. Like waiting for school exam results, only I won't want to fail this one! Your encouragement, prayer and support has been amazing and so appreciated - keep it up!
Helpful hint to prevent cancer - and believe me, prevention beats the cure everytime. Google WebMD, and on the column on the left, click on 'cancer'. Two very helpful heading in the list are Cancer Fighting Foods, which gives 20 hints on foods to eat/avoid to give yourself the best chance of avoiding cancer. Most of the foods I've already bored you silly with over the past 2-3 months, but its worth a reminder Not over the top, not extreme, just very basic and sensible advise which would benefit everbody - complete with colour pics. Plus, a heading 15 Symptoms Men Ignore - every guy should read this!  Definitely no place for 'Kiwi macho - I dont need to go to the doctor' attitude when it comes to checking out unusual or niggly symptoms. Believe me when I tell you, it could save your life.
You can subscribe to the WebMD newsletter - no cost, and definitely worthwhile.
Off to Earthquake City on Friday to catch up with family and friends. Enjoy the Breakers v Taipans/ Blues vs Highlanders/ and some little wedding in London (William somebody?) - I hope your house has three TVs - there will be a test on all three 'events' in the next blog!

Its Friday, but Sundays coming...

I've been neglecting you - so sorry! Truth is being in limbo is no fun, but it does give me a chance to finish up GST returns, end of year accounts and all those other boring things that are necessary. The supplements and 'good food regime' are keeping me going, and I even have a personal trainer coming once a week to help restore the bod to some of its former glory (minus the weight-loss!) Thanks Glen!. Thats Glen the friend, not Glen the son.
This weekend its Easter - we know what Friday stands for. Why do they call it Good? Pain, anguish, betrayal, loss, suffering. Most of us have been there - some of us are still living in the 'Friday' Take heart - the story of Easter is that there is a Sunday, a day of redemption, victory, renewed hope, new beginnings. Its not just another story - its THE story. Its what gives our faith wheels, makes it the Greatest Story Ever Told, and gives our lives purpose and significance. I've had my fill of Fridays - like you, I'm hanging out for Sunday, when the glory of the resurrection puts everything we do, everything we are into perspective. So have a great Easter, go easy on the Chocolate Bunnies (sugar, remember?) and thank God for life. And if your life seems stuck in the Friday, heres the good news - Sundays coming!

The waiting game...

Waiting is never easy. Whatever we want we want now, and waiting for it doesnt build the expectation, it just makes us more impatient and more frustrated. Anyway, thats me. And with the last two weeks out of the way since the 'treatment', we're now in waiting mode. Waiting for the radiation and chemo to finish their work (yes, its the gift that keeps on giving, even when you stop getting it) and the bod to restore itself to some sort of normality. And after 3-4 weeks - another further round of scans to see what further treatment is required, almost certainly more (higher dose) chemo, and possible surgery... all for a few more months? Who knows? In the meantime I am embarking on another course of treament from an alternative specialist, highly recommended, with the hope that whatever she can do will negate the need for going back to the traditional treatment. These costs arent covered by any health cover, and they dont come cheap, but ifs it helps the cause, it will be worth it.
The cab has gone, so now we're on the lookout for some casual or part time work - this is the first week I've felt up to it since the treatment stopped, so thats a good sign! Stay with me during this 'limbo' stage, dont give up! I'm not! Now for a nice fish meal courtesy Phil the Fisherman - well done Phil, and thanks!