Big questions

Sometimes we question why stuff happens, or why it doesn't happen. Here I was, feeling great, all set for a positive report from the oncologist, only to be told my scans showed a deteriorating situation, further growths in the lungs and lymph nodes. And chemo should not be put off any longer! So after much soul searching, heartache and prayer, that is the course we have decided to go down, supported by my 'supplement regime' which will, we hope, help keep my immunity system strong and protect me from the worst ravages of all the side effects of the chemo.  I'm scheduled to start the 6 month course very soon - possibly within the next 2 weeks, a mix of tablets and intravenous chemo - all designed not to cure (they admitted a total cure was not possible) but simply extend my life by a few months, maybe a year. So I now have a 2 year window!
I get the feeling I'm in this for the long haul - miracles might happen, but not as I pictured them, and certainly not in the time-frame I imagined. So I'll hang on to the memories of the Canning trip, and press on with all the projects I have in the pipeline, and continue to live one day at a time - every day a new beginning. Thanks for being there for me - dont give up, theres a silver lining somewhere. Its just a little hard to see at the moment.

Back to reality - part 2

Reality really kicks in this afternoon when i have my first appointment since the Big Adventure - my oncologist is sure to schedule new scans, and following that, a new course of intense chemo lasting up to 6 months! Whats that I hear? The sound of amazement as he discovers that I dont need the continued treatment, that the tumours have shrunk and the cancer is in remission? Well, anything is possible, so I continue to live in hope. And we know, dont we, that with God, everything is possible!
So I'm keeping myself busy compiling my Canning Journal and photos, finishing off My Story (my lifes story) and working on a range of childrens books that all going well will be out for Christmas, or even earlier. The Melbourne family is now back in Auckland safe and sound, and Leanne and Richard are expecting no 2 sometime in November, just in time for our 40th Anniversary. Does it get any better than that? There is so much to be thankful for. More to come - be encouraged, life is too good not to celebrate.

Back to the real world...

Hard to believe its been over a month since i left NZ, and no blogs in all that time! Needless to say a lot has happened, my life experience has been stretched, and i feel blessed to have had one of the most incredible months of my life. No room here to give you all the details, but for the masochists out there who need some night time reading i DID keep a journal, so it you want to read all about it let me know by way of a comment and i'll either post it on the blog OR send you an email attachment. Flew out of Darwin on Thurs am, picked up at the Brisbane airport at 5am by Fay (hows that for wifely commitment?) and now spending the next week showering off the red dirt, doing a mountain of washing and generally having some r and r in Main Beach before heading back home on the 15th. New treatment to start after meetings and scans scheduled for the 20th and thereafter. Fantastic to have the opportunity to meet up with Gina, Mike and the grandkids who are also in the Gold Coast for a conference before heading back to NZ. They hardly recognised the Outback Man, but it was a great catch-up and cuddle time!
The Canning has given me a whole new perspective on Outback Australia, and the history of this remarkable land. As one of our group commented "God did a good job when He made this place".
Jim deserves kudos for putting up with me for almost 5 weeks, but we do have some great stories to share and reflect over in the months to come. Thanks all for your prayers and patience- I'll try and be a bit more vigilant in keeping you in the loop in the weeks to come .