Thank you
Thank you for all your messages of support through this site, the private emails, texts and phone calls.
A little overwhelming.
They make a real difference and it’s greatly appreciated.
My Unplanned Sabbatical
A journey with follicular lymphoma
Archive for the category “Uncategorized”
One down
As I mentioned last night seeking to approach today with less anxiety and a more positive attitude.
I did glance up over my left shoulder to welcome my friend that I share a love, hate relationship with.
One black bag down and I asked the nurse if I could have a little umbrella and olive with the second black bag.
I don’t think she gets me.
The nurses station message.
Respect the bag
Pleasing news today. The tumors have reduced substantially over the first 3 cycles. Something more than 60%. I will be given more precise data soon.
This is very good news and with it comes a new appreciation and respect for the black bags.
Tomorrow I will glance up and give them a respectful nod of appreciation as the infusion starts. I will still hate the side effects but I know they are saving my life and as such will be thankful and positive for the remainder of my treatment.
Happy mothers day
Sunday morning the girls woke us early to serve Petra breakfast in bed. They did a pretty good job on the presentation front as you can see below.
I then got up to drive and have coffee with my mum like the dutiful Italian son that I am.
We had booked lunch at an Italian resturant, Giuseppe Arnaldo & Sons. Great restaurant, I highly recommend it.
After a big Sunday lunch we decided to go to an amusement centre for some chaotic family fun. It was full on. Girls loved it.
Check out Siena and Petra in the simulator below. Siena makes me laugh!!
Worn out.
Nice way to finish the weekend leading into what will be a big week.
A trip to the city
I spent Friday morning doing some work and then attended an Ord Minnett budget briefing in the city. First time I wore a suit for a long time. The briefing and lunch were good and I bumped into a few people I had not seen for a while.
Pleased to have done it. I forgot how expensive parking in the city is. I elected not to park in the office but the Hyatt where the function was held. $66 for 2 1/2 hours! Must be well over $100 a day.
Low key for the rest of the day. Had my father in law over for dinner and watched Hawthorn win on TV.
No results yet, I was contacted and informed I will be told Monday morning. About to start the usual weekend of children sport. I will dive into this as next week I know I will we flat out just getting to the fridge!!
Got to make the most of feeling ok.
The scan
Had the required scan today. Had a little mishap with the IV in my left arm that was in place to deliver the contrast. Unfortunately it was not inserted correctly and it fell out while I was being scanned with hot contrast material and my blood leaking all over me and the machine.
A little dramatic. I was shouting to the man behind the glass that all was not as it should, a little voice came through the speaker telling me that the machine cannot be stopped once it started.
So they fixed the IV to do it again.
Well it fell out again! So most of the contrast ended up on me. Lucky it’s not radioactive. Anyway, no time for a third go and the man behind the glass said the scans should be ok.
Hope so.
Scans tomorrow
A late post for me tonight. Enjoyed the day today with a long walk, some good exercise, a nap, lily’s cross country training and then dinner with some friends. Just finished and it’s way past my usual bed time.
Great Japanese restaurant.
I will be up early tomorrow so I can eat before having to fast from 7 am. I am having my mid treatment scans tomorrow. I am looking forward to the results as this will be my first indication of how I am progressing. Hoping for some good news that the tumors have shrunk or better still disappeared. That maybe be asking for to much though.
Either way I will have drawn a line in the sand that I can move on from.
I expect preliminary results on Friday and a full debrief is planned for next Monday.
Round 4 of chemo starts next Tuesday and just the thought makes me sick. Not good. Anyway, that’s 5 days away and I won’t worry about that now.
Such excitement
Budget night.
Sitting in front of the TV in a suit trying to recreate the feeling of prior budget nights! At least I will get to bed before midnight.
Such excitement!!
Almost to much for this man to cope with.
Slow day
Not much happened today. Some family chores, I read a bit, spoke to my allocated counsellor for a while and exercised a little.
My allocated counsellor was happy I had not yet jumped off my desk and then let me know at the end of the call that there were only 4 allocated calls in the system and they have all been used. I should be so lucky. So I need to make my own arrangements should I want it to continue.
I discussed with her in a professional manner my views on patient care and the system. She thanked me for the feedback and said she would pass it on. All a bit strange.
It really is up to me to drive what I want. I guess that is normal. I just find it a bit surprising. I am probably naive and green!
Me
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My Unplanned Sabbatical 