Nothing much to say about today. Family all slept in as no kid sport this weekend. Girls shopped and I did the odd thing around the house. Had the Pelusi children over for a play.
Had a nana nap in the afternoon and nothing planned tonight. Cold, dark and wet outside. Maybe a nice red by the fire or maybe not.
Siena has a fancy dress party and she had decided to go as a boy, Hansel and her friend as Grettle.
Another very quiet day today. I was feeling pretty fatigued and needed to spend the afternoon in bed. I slept most of the afternoon as I was conscious of being able to last tonight’s game at the MCG.
Early family dinner with in laws and then to the game. Sneza had got to the MCG early and secured excellent seats at her peril, fighting of the hoards of fans! Well that was her story.
The Hawks won well and the game was a little flat. It was a good night though. The Duchini and Pelusi kids managed to secure a few player autographs and are enjoying the football experience.
Lily and Clara stalking footballers.
A better day today.
I was a parent helper in Lily’s cooking class. It was organized chaos. I am hopeless in the kitchen but luckily the kids are very forgiving. Petra was a parent helper as well although she absolutely nailed it!
I did enjoy the experience and Lily was very happy. I supervised the making of Salsa and Pita chips! Very technical. Thank god I did not get the eggplant lasagna.
Did a bit of work for a while and then in the afternoon my friend and personal trainer came over to train me. I was a bit nervous as it was my first real session since I was diagnosed last December. It was a good session and I was pleased. Laura was very forgiving. I have a long way to go. Pretty sore legs already and I have put myself to bed early to recover. I think I will be hobbling around tomorrow.
My goal is to slowly rebuild my fitness and strength as I approach the end of my intensive treatment.
Very happy with the day. Girls are on school holidays now which will be fun.
I had planned on going into work today but that did not pan out. I did not feel great and there was a little bit of illness in the office, which is normal this time of year but with my immunity lower than normal I did not chance it.
I had a lazy day at home with the dog. Had her groomed and walked her. I worked in the afternoon on a matter which I enjoyed and then did a bit of light exercise.
I set up a Sonos distributed audio system in the home in the morning and I had a play in each of the rooms. The girls each have the ability to access unlimited music in their bedrooms as well. Tonight’s been fun as each bedroom is pumping with different music, maybe not such a good idea!
Lucky I can shut it all down from my iPhone.
I have promised Lily I am going into school with her tomorrow to help in the class cooking! That will be just a bit crazy. I hope I am up to it. Just dawned on me there may be sick kids there. Hmmmm, may need a plan B.
School holidays start on Friday. Fun and games will begin.
Went to see the oncologist today. My usual Oncologist was busy so I was seen by the Registrar. A nice young Dr.
The news continues to be positive in relation to my progress and test results. I am thankful. I had a number of questions that I had prepared in relation to potential outcomes and treatment plans etc.
Unfortunately, none of these questions could be handled by the Registrar. He took note of them and agreed they should be discussed next month when I have my next scheduled appointment.
I have nothing against the Registrar but I was disappointed with the process and visit. He had some background to my condition and was reading my file in my presence but to me it was a waste of my time. Few relevant questions were asked in respect of how I was coping this month physically and mentally. There was no tangible outcome to the meeting other than another bulk billing opportunity.
Fortunately I have time to invest in this process but if I was working and had to rearrange my day or take leave etc I would have been further disappointed.
I was thinking about how our clients may feel when they invest time to see us and we are either poorly prepared or staff turnover results in a new fresh face on the account that needs reeducation etc etc. I hope we are better than this at work.
I have not done a great deal today. Started a new book “Barack Obama The Making of the Man”. I am reading chapters of the book to the dog who seems very appreciative!!
I will pick up the girls from school soon and we have friends coming over for dinner tonight. I think I may be ready for a nice Italian red.
Have not been able to push myself to do any exercise. Maybe later, maybe not!!
Today was a nothing day. I woke up late, did some work, caught up with my brother and rested. I did not feel well today. Not sure why, I felt really fatigued, anxious and slightly nauseous. Not well enough to train or do anything physical.
It was a slight step backwards.
I have my mid cycle appointment with the oncologist tomorrow and I am armed full of questions re the next phase of this journey.
I was scheduled to be on a plane today with a good friend flying to France to ride in the Phil Anderson tour of the tour de France.
Maybe next year.
I continued to feel better physically over the weekend. I am completely off all drugs including Panadol.
I managed to train for an hour or so today and I am planning to try and do so every day till the next cycle. I have 18 days to go until my last cycle and my goal is to be as strong and fit as possible before my last cocktail.
Thankful the intensive cycle of treatment is almost over.
Interestingly although I have managed to keep my hair I have almost lost my eyebrows! Weird. I think this has just started to happen. I also need to shave less. I can live with this.
Still feeling reasonably fatigued and pretty flat. I can be feeling half ok and then be hit out of the blue with intense fatigue that stops me my tracks. All part of it I guess.
A better day. Slow and nice. The girls left this afternoon with my in laws to fly to the Sunshine coast for a family wedding this weekend. They will return on Sunday. It was good to see them get together with their cousins and show their excitement.
It’s also good that they have a positive experience away from our house and this illness. They need to be just kids for a while.
Petra and I have a childless weekend which will be a change. Went out for an early dinner tonight to Brunswick street which was good. Such a great eating strip.
Feeling ok but really tired.
Continued today with my no drug strategy. It is working really well. My head feels clear and pretty normal and better than the same time in previous months.
I am eating much more than usual as this helps with the nausea but I am sticking to only good healthy food so I am ok with it.
I am still pretty fatigued and pant like chain smoker but I know that this will pass in the coming weeks. I find I can become frustrated and anxious quite quickly and with that comes increased nausea so I try not to think about work issues too much. They are ever-present as the world does not stop but I do my best to park them or refer them on.
It has been a real winters day in Melbourne, really cold and wet. I have welcomed being inside and I have chilled out in front the fire watching the rain fall into the pool, reading and listening to music. Quite therapeutic and indulgent. I tried to train the dog for a while which was a pleasant distraction although I have no real skills at it. I also planned to try to get my tax information ready before year-end but that stayed just a plan. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not.
I am pleased with the last few days and hopeful I am turning the corner in this cycle.
I stopped taking my nausea meds yesterday and continued without them today. Resorting only to Panadol for the headaches.
I wanted to test the link between the quality of my headspace and the anti nausea drugs. I think there is a strong link. I feel so much stronger and positive mentally off those drugs. I am also much happier. Nausea is still not great but I can tolerate it if I eat regularly.
I am also off coffee. Cold turkey. It was making me ill.
So my plan is to continue this month without the drugs and hopefully avoid some of the blacker days.
Today felt like a day of transition. More good than bad.
My Unplanned Sabbatical 