Counting the days...

I wish I had something exciting to tell you, something that lifts your spirits and makes you shout Hallelujah! I guess the RWC is already filling that need, particularly some of the great games we've been treated to. (just dont mention the Wallabies - we dont want to offend anyone!) Truth is, every time I have the chemo-blast it makes me feel just that much worse. I've been told by good authority thats pretty standard, so I just have to suck it up. Thank heaven for all the supplements I've got, and the boxes of pills to help counteract the worst of the side effects. On the positive side, three treatments down, five to go. Almost halfway there!
The first 'Hornsnoggle Ferret'  book is painfully slow being released - I've learnt the world of publishing is a world where nothing is rushed, everything takes time, so I just have to be patient. Thankfully 'My Story' is finished and due for delivery this week, so at least thats one down. For those who want a copy I'll do a bulk email, so you just have to respond to that. If you DONT get the email, let me know and I'll reserve you a copy.
So to finish on a positive note, ONLY 91 shoppping days to Christmas!
There, that got the adrenalin flowing, didnt it? Stay strong.

Hornsnoggle has arrived!

Forget about the 'chemo journey' for now - I'm sure you've all had your fill of that. Dont worry about the ABs (plenty of time for that in the next few weeks). I'll give you a full report of the Opening Ceremony and first game this Friday, (yes, I'm going, thank you Elgin!). And if anyone is remotely interested in the election in Nov (yawn), put that on the back burner too.
The really BIG news is that Hornsnoggle Ferret has arrived! Hornsnoggle is the 'hero' in my new Childrens book, first one due out very soon, with more to follow. Theres even a stuffed toy and kiddies T shirt coming out to keep Hornsnoggle company. (Thats marketing - speak for adding value and maximising merchandising opportunities). David has done a great job with the illustrations, and a Hornsnoggle website is being developed to inform the world of the latest Childrens phenomena. Move over Dora the Explorer!
Ah well, dreams are free. But Hornsnoggle Ferret has been an ongoing project to keep me active and keep my mind off the you-know-what. Special discounts for book and merchandise bulk orders!
My own 'story' will also be printed next week - written for the family, but if anyone is interested, orders gladly accepetd! Most autobiographies are a real turn-off, so dont worry, I won't take your lack of enthusiasm personally.
Enough self promotion - still six rounds of the chemotherapy to go, things to do, people to support and encourage, family to enjoy, and a wonderful God to thank and praise. Life is good - keep the faith.

Round two - six to go

Finished the second round of intravenous chemo last Wed - now waiting for the almost inevitable side effects to kick in. So far its only been the 'tingly fingers and feet' which calls for warm gloves and warm socks - if thats all I get, I wont mind at all! Any food I have I can't taste, so that makes eating a bit of a waste of time as well! The ongoing chemo-pill dosage has been reduced slightly, which should further reduce the negative reactions. But hey, life is good. I've been asked to do a couple of media plans for ad clients ex my old company, and surprised myself that I still can - its like riding a bike, it all comes back to you.
Still a few more frustrating tweaks to finish on My Story, (my life story) and on my first childrens book - both have been delayed by a couple of weeks, so my patience is being tested. Had some great 'remember the days' visits from friends from way back, which has been exciting and encouraging. Friends are now turning 65 - that helps put things into perspective - I still feel young!
How blessed I am to have such a great company of friends, family and rellies to support me in my journey - now all we need is for the ABs to start winning again! Roll on the RWC!

life keeps going...

For a few days after the initial intraveneous Chemo I was left wondering 'what was all the fuss about?'. Then it hit - and I knew what it was all about! I wont give you all the gory details - you might be eating your dinner - but for a few days in week two being lost on the Canning in a sandstorm would have been heaven in comparison. The medical team at Mercy were very understanding, and i was immediately taken off the (very potent) chemo pills, and recovery was swift. I now feel almost human again! So I'm in for round two again next week, and hopefully the regime after the intraveneous chemo will be modified to lessen the almost-guaranteed, awful side effects.
Gina and the grandies have been staying while Mike is back in Melbourne for a couple of weeks, I've now finished my (life story) book, as well as my first childrens book, and am getting a sample 'soft toy' made up, hopefully to coincide with the book launch (signed edition, anyone?). So life is not dull, plenty to keep me occupied, plenty to live for. I've even had the opportunity to share my Canning Journey with a few groups, so I can relive the memories again, Great stuff!
So carpe diem, and full steam ahead!

'people want to know'

These wise words, from none less than my son Glen, has told me I should continue to keep folk informed of my 'cancer journey'. Another more blunt comment but from a person I respect told me flat out - 'you have responsibilities'. So with that in mind, I'll keep the blog going. And try and keep it interesting! As mentioned, the six month journey has begun, intravenous every 3 weeks, with 'daily pill chemo'  inbetween, scheduled to finish at the end of Jan 2012, - sounds a along time away!
Side effects can be daunting, but there are ways of combating those, and I have great help from some wonderful people in that regard. As also mentioned previously, I have some interesting projects on the go. which will hopefully keep my mind occupied. If youre reading this, I'm always aware that you may also have 'stuff' going on in your life, and sometimes YOU could do with a listening ear or a word of comfort or wisdom. We are all facing our own battles, and we all need each other, so if you want to unload onto me, I'd like to think I could be here for you as much as you good people have been here for me. A load shared is a much lighter burdern! I'll be careful not to bore you, or preach good 'food' habits to you, I promise!
Love you all - chat soon

So endeth the blog - for now

Today was the day - I have had the portocath inserted, which is better described as the 'chest plug' for the next 8 sessions of intravenous chemo, (starting tomorrow) in addition to the pill-chemo schedule which I will be taking 2 weeks on, one week off. So the regime begins, from now till approx end of January. Continuing the blog over this period is a little unnecssary, not to mention self-focused. There are many people out there equally as or more deserving of your time, attention, prayers and thoughts, so while you are certainly free to post comments as often as you like, I wont be doing any blogs unless something startling happens, like a miracle cure, an unforeseen mishap, or the ABs winning the World Cup.
Or if I get talked into doing another Canning road trip!
In between treatments I'll be doing what you all do - getting on with life, enjoying my family, keeping as active as possible, as well as writing my childrens books. Please dont misinterpret this as meaning I'm not grateful for all your support - the fact I've made it this far is due to a large extent to your love, concern and prayers, which I still need and appreciate more than you will ever know.
And I know you're all on the journey with me!
God Bless you all

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.