3 Too Many

T Day = 40 (Adjuvant chemoradiation) – 1 Radiation & 3 Chemo to go this round.

Crap sleep – pain, restless, just couldn’t settle – over tired from Thursday maybe – or guilty about not posting the blog   Up at 5:15 to start the drugs early again as Jono is collecting me at 8:30 today so need to have all drugs done in time.  Damn cold too – get the fire going – even that took a bit of encouragement today!  But the best thing about today is – last day for Radiation!!!  Wahoo!!  6 weeks – 30 days of hospital visits done and dusted.

Jono arrives, complete with a light snow dusting over the car.  The cheeky bugger throws a snow ball at me – I’ll get you back man!  Off to hospital for the last time for Radiation.  All goes great, mask fits well and zapping is over quickly.  I get given my mask as a souvenir, and the team that has been delivering my treatment tells me that I have done very well with the treatment – even with the mask issues, and they wish they had more patients like me to deal with.  It was pleasing for them to also see me going so well. They shake hands with m, wish me well and we’re off.  Nice to hear even more positives!!  They just keep coming.

Head off to Logistics via Cafe Raeward of course for brekky, though at the moment the nausea feeling is not want to have brekky – sure it will change by the time that we get there!  Sure enough it does.  Bernard meets us there too.  Again a very yummy brekky, then off to Logistics to move some gear so they can take some of the PortaComs away. We then head off to Press House about 10:45am. Energy is waning so nice to be at my desk.  Struggle through the rest of the morning, then it’s lunch time.  Manage to hang in there until 3pm when Nevil collects me.  Energy has gone almost completely again – bugger it.  Have a hot cuppa tea and take it easy and all comes rightish again.  Explain the mask to Rose and how it fits on.  Then login to work but decide to take it easy instead as fading agin   Hearing has diminished more, tinnitus is worse, and blob is back big time (but these will fade off now in the next 1-2 weeks apparently as they are side effects of the Radiation.

Bloody freezing cold and tired. But get ready to go out for dinner as a bit of a celebration for finishing the Radiation treatment.  Head off to Food Sing Chinese and have yummy very fulling meal – awesome garlic prawns.  Stuffed to the brim, but not as much as Lachlan – who has a right feast.  He also learns to use chopsticks and is very proud of himself. Home then to do the blog and relax before hitting the sack as shattered.

M&D time folks.  Have an awesome day/arvo/evening and weekend all, where ever you are – and stay safe and happy.

Kia Kaha.

T Day = 39 (Adjuvant chemoradiation) – 2 Radiation & 5 Chemo to go this round.

Another restless sleep but that’s ok, quite used to them now.  Early again starting the day but its fine as I have an 8:40 zapping today so need to start the drugs anyway.  So up and into the day.  Get the feeling it’s going to be a day of rushing around.  No time to waste so into the schedule of dropping the drugs in order – sounds bad doesn’t it   Feeling a bit out of sorts today too, probably cause I did a big day yesterday.

On with the day anyhow – give boys warning we are leaving at 7:50 for the drop off run (Jacob should be right as he’s been up since 6:30 doing Graphics homework he wanted to finish off) – but I think a rocket up their dates wouldn’t get them moving fast enough!  Finally leave at 8!  Thankfully traffic is moving well and boys delivered by 8:30 then to hospital.  Second to last zapping all done fairly quickly, mask tight but not to bad.  Then off to work.  Going to be a short day as have to be back at the hospital by 12pm for a Physio appointment.

 Walk to the hospital to have a stretch out and get some fresh air.  Make the hospital with 5 mins to spare and just as the rain sets in again – perfect timing! A bit of a wait for Sarah (Physio) to turn up but not to bad.  Go through the core tests to see if I’m improving with Wilson and his mate the random left leg.  All tests are positive and huge improvements on what they were 2 weeks ago.  Even confessed to getting back in the gym a bit and Sarah was happy to hear that as she thinks it is a good thing to do as it is a good way to unwind, relax and is good for you, so contrary to what the Doc’s said – just won’t tell them.  Pass all tests with flying colours, and are free to go with no need to return unless I really need too.  Yay – more positive news from another corner of the medical professions.  Must be doing some things right in all this as had nothing bit positive feedback from all.

Nevil picks me up and we head to Westfield Riccarton to pickup Rose. Stay and have some lunch too, and do some quick shopping.  Then head home as fading.  Nevil & Rose go off to collect the boys.  I try to do some work but are fading – energy drain has opened – so sit down to have a 10 min break and doze off for about 30 mins or so.  Oh well, obviously needed it.  Wake up but not as fresh as I expected to be oh well I’ll just stay tired.

Get ready about 5 to head to Pam & Karl’s for dinner.  Round up the boys and we ‘re off.  Sue & Jenny meet us out there.  Nice to see both Pam & Karl and have a catch up and a lovely dinner – thank you very much.  Head home about 8 so the lads can get into bed not to late.  It’s not going to be a late one for me either as I am shattered.  I try to do the blog several times but just can’t without dozing off or having a complete block on the brain – sorry.

Have M&D time with a pain-killer top up and head for bed.  Sorry for the late one folks – not a good day energy or thinking wise.  Hope all had a brilliant day anyway.

Kia Kaha.

T Day = 38 (Adjuvant chemoradiation) – 3 Radiation & 6 Chemo to go this round.

Another day – another broken sleep – small but close (4.5km away)  3.8 mag shake at 2:15 which woke me, then head started hurting, and finally the stomach pain joined the party at 5:30 so decided to get up seen the rest of me is joining in stages!  I’ll opt for the singular wake up method   And bugger me if I then don’t get cramp in my bloody foot!  Ahhh – some days you just have it all not at once but in stages.  Get on with sorting drugs – only 5 more days of the strict regime but I will still have a number of sort and take at certain times.  Just not needing to start at 6am.  Make a cuppa and start checking emails and start work on the blog, as if I’ve had a crappy sleep then I’m going to fade off this arvo – as usual  – be productive while I can be.

Get on with the day as zapping is at 9:10 today and Nevil is my driver again, but we are dropping off Jacob at school on the way so need to hit the road about 8am at the latest.  Traffic is not to bad today, and make it to hospital early which is great as they take me through early. THe put new alignments marks on to the mask and zapping is quick – no CT scan and mask fits well so makes it so much better.  Then off to work.  Another busy day but fading by mid arvo so arrange to get transported home after Jacob is collected.  I will be happy when I’m off the steroids and Radiation so I can have some more energy levels come back.  Will look at even starting back into a gym routine again I think as the terrible hospital scales yesterday said I’ve put on another bloody 2kgs!!!  That means I have put on 17.5kgs all up – no way!! Debbie Jones – my old boss – comes into The Press to see her old staff & friends – nice to have coffee & catch up.

Get home and Jacob crawls into bed as he is tired and fell asleep in the car.  Lachlan arrives home about 5 mins after us so perfect timing.  Login and do a bit more work so all good.  Having a good day all up though really starting to fade now.  Doing more research on the tumors and treatment, the drugs they are using on me.  I know it seems a bit late but round 2 of this battle is going to be harder and far longer – I won’t finish until early mid January – so need to this time really be prepared for what I’m in for.  Want to stay off the bloody steroids – but know I have to be on during the treatment.  On the downside they convert protein to fat and store it!  Ahh – protein is for muscle-building / repair not weight gaining through fat storing – dammit – going to find out how to change this.

Also I got sent a link for a surgeon in Aussie that looks at operating on inoperable tumors so going to look into it a bit more.  Still the type I have could mean that it is not an option as they are not normal straight out tumors – they have a fuzzy outer round them which also makes it harder for them to be operated on.  Still can only see what they say but it won’t be a do it now option – just a maybe later if needed to be considered.

Watch some TV, finish off the Blog – answer some comments and look up some more about the Surgeon. Then M&D and bed as tired from the restless night last night.  Also wonder if we’ll have the hat trick of 2 amish quakes tonight

Take care all.

Kia Kaha.

T Day = 37 (Adjuvant chemoradiation) – 4 Radiation & 7 Chemo to go this round.

 Crappy sleep – pain, restless, and a bloody loud rattly 4.2 quake rumble through at 2:30am.  Oh well – guess that the fun of living in quakesville! Still fascinated/impressed by the physics of the quakes. Sort drugs and start into regime quickly.  Stir fire into life as it is bloody freezing downstairs.  Make a cuppa tea and start on the blog for the day as I am finding it very draining / non logical trying to complete it at night.

On a positive note – I have been thinking about the talk yesterday with the Chemo Doctor/Registrar and how happy (actually you could say chuffed) he was with how I have made it through this first round battle of Adjuvant treatment.  He had my file with him that is slowly turning into a novel, but the latest entry in it was a report on my treatment both Radiation & Chemo, mental state, attitude, any side effects, blood levels charted over the 5 weeks so far – and as he said that it is nothing but encouraging reading from the perspective of what they are trying to achieve. Which is to buy some extra time balanced with been able to give me quality of life.  It is encouraging to hear that what they are doing is what’s been achieved.  We also spoke about the steroids and managing them through the second round – as they are the biggest impact on everything, in terms of side effects, that I am suffering from.  He has agreed that he will look at that closely but I will have to be on them.  Because of the rarity of the tumors, the medical team here are having to take direction from a team in America that have dealt with several similar cases and are  working based on the results from the treatment they have dealt out.  There is some fine tuning needed for each patient.  But the biggest thing that he was impressed with was the attitude to it all, which he said was the most encouraging part.  And that to have the right attitude going into anything like this is a great part of the solution.  I said that it was because of all the positive and supportive people I have  – so all of you out there in Blogland take a bow   Thank you for your support, positive thoughts, kind words, and just keeping me inline when I start tracking off on the bad days.  Right enough of the teary moment – just take the praise and move on folks

Nearly time to roust the boys and get on with the day – well intend too but Jacob appears at 6:50 already dressed and ready for the day. WIll head to work this morning then Nevil will pick me up for my zapping at 12:20 then grab some lunch before the 1:30 Radiation Doc appointment.  Mask fits good today so Radiation is a breeze & they don’t do a CT scan again as they put new alignment marks on the mask yesterday so it makes it even quicker. See the Radiation Doc and get the X-ray results back – they are not sure what is causing the pain but will continue to monitor it.  Doc is very happy otherwise and gives the thumbs up to how I’m going – its great 2 docs happy with all the treatment so far in 2 days. The good news is that from Monday I will decrease my steroid intake to half a tablet with the plan to come off them n about 2 weeks – yay!! Then come home and login to work.

Nevil picks up the boys and brings them home so they can get ready for footy practice – won’t be helping today as far to cold & I’m starting to fade energy wise big time.  My hearing seems to have taken a bit of a hit with todays Radiation too – as I have loud ringing in my ears and the left ear is like it has cotton wool in it too – bugger.  But these side effects should fade in about 3-4 weeks after the Radiation finishes. Do the shuttle runs to the footy grounds with the boys.  Struggle to stay awake during the trips.  Then home for tea.

Quiet evening – blog done, head hurting, nausea still going – has been most of the day  – so force myself to eat when I can   Intending to have an early night as very tired and need to get energy levels back up again.  Just as soon as MasterChef finishes. So M&D time at 10 then bed.

Keep it safe & happy out there folks   We’re nearly at the end of round 1 of this bloody battle!

Kia Kaha.

T Day = 36 (Adjuvant chemoradiation) – 5 Radiation & 8 Chemo to go this round.

The final week!!!  Yipee!!  Good sleep – though very tired – managed a 6.6 km walk on Sunday so had earnt a good sleep but it still has a hold on me.  Usual routine – up and into drugs – this time next week – won’t have too! How cool!  Well sort of anyway.  Sit down to start getting the blog done for the day as have a busy day ahead & any advantage now will be a bonus.  Try to reply to the comments folk have put on the blogs – something is still up with the Blogtown website as I have double and triple ups of some comments & can’t edit, approve or comment on them – so if I’m slow reply that’s why at the moment.  But please keep them coming as it ‘s nice to know there is life at the end of the ether.

Hurry on with the day as Jono is picking me up at 8:45 to get to the hospital for the 9:10 zapping.  Traffic is going nowhere quickly and we make it just in time.  They take me through straight away.  The mask fits tightly but make sure they take their time putting it on and all is good as long as I can breathe – bonus that!  Another CT scan then into the zapping for the day. All good with it – stop for a blood test on the way out. Then we head to work. 

Busy day getting on with work – have a good day actually.  Throughly enjoy been busy and also catching up  with Cath (my new desk neighbour) whose been away in New York the past couple of weeks.  Nice to have almost all the IT crew back together – just missing Ann now to complete the Portacare crew.  Also thanks Martijn for the awesome Dutch Apple cake – very yummy!  Jono is heading off to get the tyres replaced on his work car and passing the hospital so I hitch a ride there for my 3pm meeting with the Chemo Doctor.

Meeting goes fantastic – as they are very happy with how the past 6 weeks have gone, in fact they couldn’t have expected better from someone having adjunctive treatment.  We go over the ending of treatment & getting off steroids. Though this will be decided properly with tomorrows meeting with the Radiation doctor.  We also discuss the 6 months Chemo plan – it will be a higher dose and done on a routine of 5 days on then 2 days off.  And I have been told to expect to have worse side effects than I have had this time.  That’s fine as I said to them that it is me – just cause you say it is expected then I probably won’t do that – and he laughed and agreed!

Walk off down to meet Jono as he will drop me off home on the way after getting the tyres sorted.  Find out that the tyres aren’t done yet as the Fleet company doesn’t have a record of the vehicle so they won’t authorise the work to be done. Wait there with him for a bit while he tries to sort it then get a text that Sue is passing by so she picks me up on the way thru.  Head home via the chemist to get the last of the drugs I need for the week – yep, more of them!!

Get home and Nevil & Rose are there to greet us.  They are here for the week to help shuffle me around and help with the boys as a full week with work for Sue so driving duties would be to strained.  Nice to have you here – and the help is appreciated hugely.

Not home for long as have a meeting to attend tonight as the Council are replacing our sewerage system with one like we have – go figure.  The quakes have broken the main street system badly and they are about to start repair/replacement of it then put in septic/tanks & pumps for the residents feeding into it. Ask if they will do ours as we already have one – they think so but not 100% sure.  Need to get proper answers – later!

 Back home & tea – need food as I am fading fast.  Then blog.  Tired so its going to be a shorter one folks.  M&D time now – so I will sign off.  You know the deal folks – keep safe, and have an enjoyable day//evening/ arvo where ever you are.

Kia Kaha.

T Day = 35 (Chemo only in weekends) 8 Chemo to go this round.

A half decent longish sleep thank goodness – though woke aching and sore & slow.  Actually I don’t mind as I know that once I start moving round that it eases up. The head is too bad pain wise either which is good.  Just looking forward now to Monday week – even though it’s a work/school day I will not be setting the alarm before 7am as I will have not drugs to be up for or Radiation appointments to be at early!!  7 more days!!  Then maybe Tuesday start back into an early start in the gym and get myself ready for round 2 – plus try to dispose of the 15kgs that have joined me over the past couple of months! Think they can take their leave now along with the mofo’s.

I know I’ve said previously about the steroids decrease making such a big change – but honestly they have.  If you know anyone put on to Dexamethasone http://www.chemocare.com/bio/dexamethasone.asp (great website for understanding Chemo drugs) during their Cancer treatment make sure they understand the doses and why they are on it, but most importantly how long they are on high doses for. The one thing I have learnt the most through this experience / battle / journey (I guess you could say all 3 really)  – is that while I went in with the full faith of the medical profession behind me, I have also learnt that you have to dig more behind what’s going on with their decisions as over the last 5 weeks I have had to ride some easy times with the treatment and I’ve hit some bloody new lows that are hard to deal with – but turn out to be because of mis-management to an extent of my treatment.  So the key is to research – understand and question.  The Doctors are only human.  I nor they can’t blame the rarity of the tumors for any mistakes.  I mean every week they ask how are you going – do you have head aches, any seizures, etc?  You answer no – they look sort of surprised sometimes.  It is frustrating as – typically I don’t medically fit the tick boxes for diagnosis – yeah, yeah – I know if it’s different I’ll have it or do it  

The only signs that I have these 3 unwanted extras is the left side face droop which is actually improving a bit – Wilson occasionally, memory issues (forgetting bits and pieces – more from the last 6 months – frustrating as hell as I used to have a good memory).  Oh the hair is now gone & bruise really easily.  Yes I still tire with energy going quickly but that will apparently get better again once Radiation stops – so in the next 3-4 weeks it should be better.  I have taken several moments to look back at the past 5 weeks treatment & just see how it went – cause in terms of how some people get thru I think that I have done it easily.  I realise that different cancers and treatments do knock the hell out of you, so don’t get me wrong, I’m just saying from my point of view.  I’ve been nauseous, tired, fatigued, had an appetite that would rival a locust, insomnia, put on weight, suffocated by the mask in the radiation, moody swings, blob in eye, hearing getting fuzzy in right ear, head, back and joint pain – you know all minor things really in terms of what they are trying to stall to give me more time.  And as they differ mostly each day you learn to cope with each day as that. You also learn to deal with people telling you to slow down and rest, and take it easy – most of the time believe me compared to what I was like – I am slowed down and taking it easy! So as we close out on the last 7 days of the first round of the battle against these 3 too many unwanted guests I think that in general terms I am pleased with where I have gotten too with it all. But most importantly I couldn’t have gotten here and be in this semi sane mental state without the ongoing support from you folk – everyone out there that reads this, takes an interest in what’s going on, has provided support in some way from just a text message saying stay positive to those that have been able to shuffle me around, provide meals, etc – every bit counts and helps in every little bit – it has been an incredibly humbling experience.  I know that at times I haven’t been the easiest person to be around but I’m still learning this too – as I’ve said there is no Cancer for Dummies book or Cancer 101 class to take – each person who gets dealt a Cancer card faces their battle in a different way cause not only is each Cancer different but we all are too.  Yes there are times when I’m pee’d off about it all – 3 months ago everything – I mean everything in my life changed over a period of 2 weeks, which of course has an impact on those around me meaning their lives, plans, dreams, futures changed too.  The hardest thing I’ve had to do is tell people who – especially those closest to me that I’m going to die sometime in an unknown amount of time cause – I’ve taken the usual medical route and got something rare.  I think the saying it is the easy part – the dealing with the reaction is the hardest.  I can accept that I’m dyeing – we all are from the time we are born, but the protective nature in me I guess doesn’t want to see people hurt by something I’m doing or done.  But this sort of falls outside the square a bit I guess.  Anyhow – enough waffle or ramble as I don’t feel like waffles today   I intend to be here for as long as I can be.

Spot some emails coming through that a system restart at work is delayed so jump in to help get things running again.  Nice to be able to help out and make myself useful.  Actually great that I could remember how the hell to do some of it.  Though a bit slow it is coming back to me.  John, Govi and I get thru the server starts and John & Govi chuck through some test files – all looking good.

Morning sort of ambles away and head to Bunnings to look at paint colours – again – need to find a match for the colours in the house. Run into Fridge & Nutty – there  – have a bit of a natter and catch up. Buy an uncooked sausage from the Halswell guys doing a sausage sizzle outside Bunnings – not nice eating raw onions, & cold meat! Home then via Dad’s and a cycle store – looking at a new bike for Jacob.

Get home and have late lunch, then get changed and head out for a walk.  I think we are setting a good pace – then realise that if I go any slower I’d be heading backwards – guess that’s the bugger with the what the treatment does to your brain!  As I said before, there is no way I could drive as I have no concept of distance or speed really.  And it does make it fun trying to cross the road!  Get about half way around and stop for ice creams.  Then get by the Booths house and stop in to say Hi and have a catch up & a coffee.  Nice break on the walk. Head off then as nearing dinner time.  Get home finally – 6.6kms walk – not to bad!  Absolutely knackered though.

Have an easy dinner, then sit down to blog and cruise and watch crap tv.  Go and listen to Jacob read for a bit too.  Then back to blog to get it finished as need an early night – knackered and fighting against the sleep/fatigue demons.  But all in all a good day.  That’s about it for the day folks, so the usual – M&D time about 10ish, then to bed I think.

Have a good one  folks.  Till tomorrow – keep it safe and happy.

Kia Kaha.

T Day = 34 (Chemo only in weekends) 9 Chemo to go this round.

Broken sleep but that’s fine – up and bloody hurting lots – joints very sore but it’s OK.  Into the pain killers before doing anything else, then sort out the regime for the day and make a cuppa tea, and revive the fire to take the chill off the house  Still feeling like I have a lurgy on board too as – bother!

Into the routine of the day  – first lot of pills down – then go to start on the blog for the day as feeling tired and exhausted already (probably are if I haven’t slept well due to pain). Struggle to get into writing as just not really functioning well I think. Wilson has a tingle feeling today too and having little tremors in  both hands.  Again all could be just cause I’m tired.

Nothing to rush for today as all sport is cancelled.  Just cruise along and get brekky when ready too.  Do some house work and get on with nothing much.  Mum stops in to say Hi and have a coffee – nice to see you Mum.  Head off after Mum leaves to Resene as need to find paint colours and wallpaper for when they fix the house. So dig out the old paint tins and take them with us. They colour match as best they can and I look at wallpapers – goodness who thought they could do so many bloody awful prints and patterns – mind you the snooty tart across from the table from me was choosing some terrible papers so the market is there   Head off then to home via Coupland (to get a couple of slices) as Mark, Kylie, Josh, Oliver & Harrison are coming over to visit. 

Have a great catch up with the Reid family the boys all play like it was yesterday that they had last seen each other not 5-6 years! They all have a fantastic time & a ball of a time. The boys scheme to stay at each others houses next week – toerags! Still give 5 boys a bottle of coke, some chips and a 1kg container of Pineapple Lumps and you’ll get that!  Thanks for visiting guys was awesome to catch up!

Sit down to blog – but still the creative is not flowing so give up and help cook dinner. Do dishes and then sit down to watch movie with boys – end up dozing off & on – back to the old routine.  The AB vs Ireland game starts on Prime so get laptop out & do blog while watching the game.  Good game – AB’s first hit out and look like they have some things to work on and they will be a really awesome team, this year! Some sharp-looking young blood too, which is great to see.  Game over – good win to the AB’s.  And that is bed time for me as hurting and tired.

Did M&D time earlier so pain killers would kick in by bed time – they have sort of.  Have a brilliant Day/Arvo/Evening folks – enjoy & chill.  Till the morrow.

Kia Kaha.

T Day = 33 (Adjuvant chemoradiation) – 6 Radiation & 10 Chemo to go this round.

Early night has worked and have a great sleep.  And up early as usual to start the last day of the week. Another frosty one.  Get drugs ready and make a cuppa tea to warm, up. Try to sit down to blog – and the site is still down   Oh bugger!  Not feeling the most flash today either, but think I can get on top of it.  Need to watch time today as Jono is picking me up at 8:20 to get me to the hospital by 8:50 for an X-Ray on my back & spine – they are trying to find out why I keep getting so much pain there not just now after taking the Chemo drugs but also later on too.  Then I have my last zapping of the week at 9:30 – again take time to get mask in position & it makes the whole treatment so much easier & relaxing. 

Finish up quickly and head out to logistics print site to remove the network and remaining IT gear.  Decide to stop at Cafe Raeward for brekky on the way.  Nice surprise to see Cath there.  Great to hear about New York and the trip.  Also she has got a present for the boys from the M&M’s store – it is apparently 3 storeys high of M&M stuff!!  Sounds like an awesome trip.

Off then to the frozen land of Logistics – there is snow everywhere still.  The portacoms are bloody cold but then again the heat pumps are not running & there is no one in them.  Go through them stripping any remaining IT bits out – cables, switches, etc. Good job done. I’m starting to fade noticeably and not feeling quite right – so wonder if I have a bug on board – so Jono arranges to drop me at Tower Junction with Sue.  We then head to pickup Jacob then Lachlan – though I fall asleep & miss the whole trip to and from schools – when I wake up again I am asleep in the car on the drive alone. Go inside and find out we had not long got there.

Have a quick cuppa tea and a bite to eat and drugs to take, then head to supermarket to get some bits to get through the weekend. Go past the Chemist and pickup the last lot of Chemo drugs for this round – yay – the first round of the battle is almost over.  Then home for tea.  Find the Blog site is back up and running so do Thursdays blog and then start on Friday’s.  Keep dozing off while doing them as not feeling brilliant.  Thinking I have a bug on board too as I have a runny nose, wheezed up, headache, and generally feel lousy – bugger it all!!

 Quiet night all up so going to do M&D time then hit the sack as need some sleep to try to shake this crappy feeling.  No footy tomorrow as all the grounds are shut to all sport so a novel sleep in for all.

Have a great evening/day/arvo all – and be safe.  Till the morrow.

Kia Kaha.

T Day = 32 (Adjuvant chemoradiation) – 7 Radiation & 11 Chemo to go this round.

Well – seems that not long after I posted Wednesdays Blog the site had issues (nothing I could do to fix it sorry) – and also meant that I could not do Thursdays blog.

Slept in again and woke to the alarm, at 5:50 – shuffle downstairs to get the first load of drugs on board in time.  Then sort out the order of the rest into their little pottles for the day.  Liking this been on lower Steroids levels as actually sleeping thru/better and feeling overall so much better – more energy, not so foggy and able to function better.  Need to be on the ball today time wise as the snow is now ice and worse than snow to try to drive on.  I get zapped at 10:10 and Jacob starts school at 10:30 and Lachlan at 11am as I’m getting dropped off Jacob gets a text saying that they have just closed his school and then we find out that Lachlan schools has just been shut too.  So Sue heads home with the boys and I’ll just walk around to Press House after treatment so I can get somethings done that I can’t do remotely.

Treatment is running late as they are sort staffed due to the snow and ice. Finally get strapped in 30 mins late  – take the time putting the mask on this morning & all good.  As it has spacers on it they have to CT scan me everyday to make sure the alignment is correct. I also have a meeting with the Speech Therapist to followup with how I’m going with my eating & swallowing.  All good – actually a good day in the hospital all round.

Head off to Press House by foot – love frosty mornings – and even better snowy, icy mornings when it’s sunny.  There is just something invigorating about them!  Only dodgy thing is the muppet drivers that just don’t get it with the roads and are sliding around everywhere – which makes it fun when you’re a pedestrian as you’re just waiting for a car to come flying at you.  Get to work and not many folk there  – including no IT folk.  Get on with things and enjoy the solitude (not that I don’t want others around but nice to have time alone). Jono turns up not long before lunch – which is surprising as he lives on the hills and the ice is bad up there.

Get a ride home then about 2:30 as we have the builder turning up, who is doing the quake repairs to the house, at 3pm to go over the scope of works. Good meeting with him as get to discuss several things he is doing that we needed clarification on.  Sunny day turns to a cold frosty night again as the temp plunges quickly when the sun sets.

Go over to the Mathews Home after dinner as Viv is down for Daniels 5th birthday.  Have  a lovely catch up with all.  Then home again and try to get on with doing the blog – but the site is still down   Oh well – get on with other things.  Starting to fade off a bit so think it’ll be an earlish night tonight.  Crap on TV so play on laptop but board of that too.

M&D time and hit the hay early.  Hope you all had a lovely day and keep safe, warm or cool, and didn’t miss the blog too much as your night time read to put you to sleep

Kia Kaha.

T Day = 31 (Adjuvant chemoradiation) – 8 Radiation & 12 Chemo to go this round.

Good sleep – probably because I was so damn shattered last night – I had no choice!  Woke at  4:30 in pain but managed to go to sleep again.  Then woken by the alarm at 5:45 – downstairs get into the drugs for the day.  Need to be on time with them today as have a 9am zapping and the weather is meant to pack in so there will be lots more traffic on the road.

Starts to snow about 7am and looks like its going to settle in for a while – big flakes and settling fast. Traffic is worse than the driving conditions – so take the long way to get Jacob to school – slow going too – 30kph max.  Get to Jacob’s school in about 20 mins – which isn’t to bad really – and with only one close call.  It really amuses me how many drivers just don’t adjust to the snow or road conditions – esp. those turkeys in 4WD that think they are bullet proof cause they  are in a big vehicle. They tailgate and tend to have a false illusion that the snow parts from under them to a dry road therefore they can drive at hell speeds still.  Hello (or gobble, gobble turkeys) – yes it is 4 wheel DRIVE only, it still has only 4 wheel brakes like every other vehicle except you also generally have an extra 400+ kgs to factor in stopping.  Granted most are responsible but there is also many more idiots out there.  Call Lachlans school then to find out that they are still deciding on what to do but advise to keep him home.  So hit the road then for the hospital and zapping at 9am.

Make the hospital spot on time.  Bloody bad day with the mask again – though get through the treatment and a CT scan – they have to do this each time now as I have the spacers on the mask so to make sure it in  the correct location the scan is needed.  They will look at making a little adjustment as well to another part tomorrow if there is more issues.  But really I only have 7 more Radiation treatments to go so might be easier to suck it up.  Off then for home as snowing really heavily now. And I need to eat as I haven’t had brekky yet or drugs I need to have with brekky either and starting to feel a little out of sorts. Also the left eye is playing up badly now – and I can’t judge distance and have a blur constantly on it therefore making me feel giddy almost.  Head is having a bit of pain today too as well as my back – so going to stay on top of the pain killers.

Try logging into work but can’t get in.  Bugger Manage to finally get in eventually. Should keep me busy for a bit.  Boys have been out playing in the snow for about 3 hours – guess they don’t feel the cold!  Bloody cat is in and out the door  – doesn’t like the snow much.  Put Edward Sissorhands on after lunch to watch as the snow starts to come in thick and fast again! Bugger it – looked like it was easing/clearing!  I keep working as saw the movie 21 years ago when I went to the UK on my OE – all those years ago!  Join in on conference call – nice to finally be able to listen in on one – usually have treatment or appointments or to drained so miss them – sorry Aaron.

Snowing still falling about midday Wednesday 6 June 2012 What's a cat to do on a snowy day?