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.

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 .