My Unplanned Sabbatical

Skippy star beats cancer

One of my earliest posts was on my meeting with Ken James at a support group meeting. I had a bit of fun with that post and included a You Tube clip on the famous skippy whistle.

I will be meeting him and others tomorrow at another meeting but it great to share that Ken is in complete remission. There was a recent (rather dramatic) “Today Tonight” story on him which I will link to for you to have a look at if you want to. Ken started from a worse place that I as the cancer was stage 4 and in his bones. Not a great starting point.

His treatment was similar to mine with Mabthera (Rituximab) as the primary chemo although my treatment was much stronger with a more intense chemotherapy drug (Bendamustine) being added to the cocktail.

Really pleased he made it.

I worry a little who will be present at the meetings, some don’t make as they are sick and others, well just die. A harsh but truthful fact.

Let’s hope I see them all tomorrow and at the September meeting I to will be able to share some great news.

Sport

Like most I have been watching the Olympics on TV. Time zone is not perfect but it’s manageable.

Not having to work is clearly a bonus.

In the theme of sporting achievements as you can probably tell sport and our children’s sport is part of what we like to do.

I was with Lily at her cross country open day this morning. It was freezing and very, very wet.

Really proud of Lily she ran really well in the rain and came second winning an individual silver medal and helping her team win the Silver as well.

She was really happy and frozen!

Update

The last couple of days have seen continued, although only slight improvement. I am experiencing intermittent migraines which aren’t flash but Panadine moderates them.

I spent yesterday in bed from 1 till 4 pm before I decided to train. I trained for just on an hour for the first time since my last treatment and I think that helped me sleep better last night. Solid sleep still remains an elusive want though. Thinking about popping a tablet to help but have not done so yet.

Also took advantage of being at home yesterday and attended the girls assembly in the morning at which both Lily and Siena spoke.

Watched the girls sport today which was a bit if fun. Will rest all afternoon as we have a school function on tonight that I will put in a cameo.

A visit

Had a good day today. Feeling generally better and slightly less fatigued.

Karen S was in working in the Melbourne office for a couple of days this week and dropped in to see me at the end of the day. Karen reminded me that it has been 8 months since we had last seen each other. How time has passed. It was really good to sit and talk for a couple of hours about work and a bunch of other stuff.

Update

The last couple of days I have been improving slowly physically. The nausea has all but gone and I feel pretty normal most of the time. I am fatigued but that’s about it. Not sleeping well which is strange as I am so tired. I have been walking around 5km each day with dog. I am pretty much back to normal pace and I have enjoyed lining up and passing the older shoppers in Camberwell! That elderly Asian woman has gone to ground, can’t find her.

I will start to train soon I hope. Maybe even today.

I am surprised how quickly the body can recover. Its only 13 days since the last bag.  Strange how the thought of that black bag can bring on a physical reaction. Yuk.

A moment

Had a moment this morning where I packed away the raft of drugs that where positioned in a basket beside my bed for the past 6 months. They are gone hopefully never to return.

As Bruce would say “it was special”.

Brilliant blue winter sky today in Melbourne.

Sunday

Weekend is over and it was ok. Spent a slothful half day in bed today to help ensure I had the energy for some kids afternoon sporting activities and a friends/family dinner at our place. Almost made it, started to fade badly around 6ish but hung in there till the end. It was as early dinner so it was fine as it ended around 7.30pm.

If was a good night, it’s purpose was to sort off say good by to our Italian
guest who moves onto another family for 3 weeks tomorrow.

I am really, really fatigued. I have jumped into bed and I am hoping for a good nights sleep tonight. Nothing is planned for the week so hoping for steady improvement. I will have a mid cycle low which should hit later in the week and then it should be all up.

I don’t think I will blog that much these coming weeks as I expect the days to be pretty similar. Will see how I feel.

Cheers

Hawthorn won well

Today was a further slight improvement on yesterday. I was not quite up to attending the various Saturday sporting events, Petra took control of all of that thankfully. I rested in bed and had a slower start to the day.

During the rest of the day I watched Hawthorn win really well on TV, listened to music, took the dog for a walk and hung out with the kids.

Tonight the twins are out at a sleepover and the balance of the family, our italian guest and a friend went out for a very early family dinner. It’s was really good.

Looking forward to a similar day tomorrow. Melbourne weather has been great for this time of year. Happy with today.

Bank the day.

Today has been much better. I have been up all day. I started to detest my bedroom and being horizontal. I will
ask Petra to renew everything in that room. I hate it.

The change of environment has been pleasant. I got up and had breakfast with the girls in the kitchen before they left school which was a first since the last treatment. They were very happy to see me up and it was a great start to the day. Good energy.

I drove into the city and had a quick lunch with Petra and returned home tired but content. A quicker walk with the dog. I avoided old ladies.

I have been drug free for two days and feel better for it. I know the worst has passed and each day should be a little brighter than the day before.

I know to expect major variations during the day and to be stopped in my tracks by either bone deep fatigue, head aches, nausea or some other thing but in time these to will diminish in frequency and severity.

In football parlance it really will be taking one day at a time. So far today is a good one and I will bank it.

A little better

So bored with this whole thing. It’s mind numbing!

Today is an improvement on yesterday. Managed to walk the around the block. Must have been setting a cracking pace. I could hear someone advancing behind me, so I pulled over with the excuse of checking my phone, only to be passed by an elderly Asian woman carrying two bags of shopping!! Even Mika looked up at me with that “You have got to be kidding” look.

I have read all I can manage to read, watched most things I am interested in and slept enough for the next couple of years. So fast running out of ideas to keep me interested. There are only so many times you can tidy your office!

Anyway, sun is shining and I am sitting in the garden like a 70 year old. All I need is a blanket.

Everyone is out doing stuff, maybe I can think of new ways to annoy them when they return. Maybe not.