Shocker
Today is simply a shocker. Smiling on the inside only.
My Unplanned Sabbatical
A journey with follicular lymphoma
Archive for the category “Uncategorized”
The Slip
Slipped into usual processing position around 2.30 pm today. Thought I may have dodged it this last time. Not a worry as I know it should be my last time.
Will ride this one out with a smile!
Not to bad
A very slow , slothful day. Slept a good 12 hours and woke up ok. I have been horizontal for most of the day. Dozing off and on watching the various games of football. Went for a slow walk around the block with Lily and the dog around 4.30pm.
Back in bed. All symptoms under control with the various medications holding nausea and other aches and pains.
Hoping for this trend to continue. Siena and Alessia at Nonna’s for a sleepover. Lily staying as she has cross country in the morning. Petra will manage that. Italian guest pottering around on Skype, Facebook etc etc
Dogs my best friend!
Done
The last black bag has drained into me and I have been separated from the machines that go bing!
I have 6 weeks to regroup before my next raft of tests. I feel good right now which is the norm. I expect to start the usual decent sometime later this evening or in the morning.
Last day ran smoothly with the nursing staff all saying I am way to healthy to be sick! Strange given the tumors in my abdomen but I took it as good sign.
Nice to hear.
I took a couple of happy snaps to mark my last day..
Don’t want to see this sign for a long time.
Or this bag. I sort of love this bag.
Some light reading they handed to me. A change in focus.
The main support making her 345th tea for me!
The drill
Went well, like they all have. It was a longish day in the chair and the ward was very busy and chaotic. Lots of very sick looking patients today and the nurses worked hard all day.
We collected our kids from the Pelusi household tonight. Sneza had taken a party of 6 to the zoo today including our 2 girls and Italian visitor. Whirlwind tour apparently! Adrian had also dropped off Alessia at gymnastics so it was a logistical exercise. Big effort by the neighbors today. Greatly appreciated.
We also all had dinner together at their house tonight which was fun. Good to see all the smiling faces around the table. Also good not to have to cook!
I have put myself to bed to rest before tomorrow. Feeling a little light headed and spaced out. Slightly flu like. Body heating up nicely. I know this drill well. I will take my drugs, drink plenty of fluids and sleep.
Looking forward to completing this thing tomorrow.
Thanks to all for your texts, emails and calls.
Live update!
Going well in the big blue chair. One bag almost down and feeling quite chirpy.
Ward really busy and I am just letting it all wash over me. Petra is making me laugh with great one liners today. Nursing staff great material. Opening line by my nurse to me was “you look excited, I think you may squirt”.
I said “clearly I have come to the right place then”. Another Christian Grey fan.
The day is young.
Note that impressive fringe!! Worst hair cut ever!!
Pre game ritual-for the last time…
If feels a little surreal that I am preparing for the last two black bags..(with a some luck).
I have had quiet day today and I have been reflecting on the last 7 months and 5 months of active treatment. I can recall the good Dr saying “take some time to feel the sand between your toes” over summer before the journey begins. At that stage I recall being frustrated, wanting to start right away and the thought of having to wait until February for my “medicine” was a source of frustration and angst. I now have a deeper and clearer appreciation of what he was suggesting.
I am not going to write too much about it now but the past 5 months have been pretty tricky and challenging on so many levels and I am thankful that I have reached this point in pretty good shape all things considered. I am ready for this to end. I am over it, however if my results late August are such that I need to continue the treatment or try something new I feel I can stump up again without great difficulty. My family has done so well over this period, I am incredibly proud of how they have each approached this individually and as a collective.
I am approaching tomorrow and the August tests with well founded optimism as all results to date would support a good outcome. I also believe that as each day of crap passes over the coming weeks it will be gone forever, not to be repeated. This is something unique to the last chemo cycle and I hope this will make it more manageable, mentally.
I don’t feel particularly great today. I have not fully shaken off the impact of last months cycle. I feel its claws still in me, so I will start tomorrow slightly weaker that at the same time last round. Not much I can do about it.
I have been drinking more fluids than usual and have spent a good part of the day just walking around Camberwell with the dog and thinking.
I will soon start to pack my bag for tomorrow with plenty of fruit, healthy snacks, my Ieverything and headphones. Tonight, I will “carb up”, drink more water than I want to and try to get to bed early and hopefully sleep.
We have received great support from friends this week as given the school holidays it is a challenge having the girls looked after. A big thank you. You know who you are.
Here we go……
A great day
Having a great day today although I am totally worn out!!
I am now resting in bed like an old man and it’s only 4.30 pm. We have been invited out to a Greek Tavern tonight so I need a sleep to prepare. I like Greek food.
I plan a slowish day tomorrow, a quick trip to the hospital for a blood test in the morning and then drink heaps of fluids to get ready for Thursday.
Feeling ok but really tired. All good.
Playing Harry the Tourist Guide
After another very slow start to the day, a trend has definitely developed here, we spent the late afternoon and early evening in the city. Family was sharing some of Melbourne finest with our guest.
The mandatory trip to all things marble and bright, the Casino, a stroll around South Bank, a trip up to level 88 Eureka tower to view the wonderful urban sprawl and brown Yarra river flow, an early dinner at the Blue Train and a short blast in a games parlor. Who could ask for more!! I think Chadstone Shopping Centre and the Zoo is planned for tomorrow but I am not getting involved in that.
I am pretty shattered.
To bed James!
Busy Weekend
Another hectic day. I am struggling to keep up with the pace set by the Duchini household this week. Strange as usually I am better at this stage of the month. Not so this month. Not feeling healthy.
I have not been able to sleep well. Restless mind. Last night was terrible as I was still awake at 3.00 am. Friday night not much better. So I will take a little something tonight to push me over the edge.
We left Portsea this afternoon and returned home. It was a good short change of scenery. The girls really enjoyed it and I hope our Italian guest did as well. Not particularly expressive is our 20 year old lodger. That may change with more time with us.
A good friend suggested that at 20 she maybe more interested in access to Wifi, clubs, pubs, sex and drugs than spending time with a middle aged family and the splendor of the Port Nepean National Park. It’s possible.
Anyway I will stay hopeful. From my perspective it feels a bit like another smiling dependent, maybe that’s a bit harsh. Blame the lack of sleep and next Thursday.
Three full days left before my last chemo session. I hope to enjoy them. Feeling both anxious and positive. I know I will hate the post chemo period with passion but I hope that it will be finally over and that is a very good thing. Six months of treatment has been pretty punishing on me physically, mentally, my family and my life. So will be pleased to be clear of it.
Starting to look to the future and returning to a more normal life. Time will tell.
Time to watch the tour and take a pill.
Me
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My Unplanned Sabbatical 