The day after

Not much to report today. Other than some sickness this morning before she had a chance to take the anti nausea medication, it's been an uneventful day and Lee has spent most of the day resting and sleeping. The anticipated energy rush from the steroids has been strangely absent so I'll need to take care of the list myself - bugger!

The district nurse did pop in to check on her and was happy with how Lee was feeling. Told Lee the chemo drugs administered yesterday should have cleared her system by end of tomorrow.

Treatment day 1

Well, it was a long day today but I'm happy to report that Lee is now home and other than feeling a little tired from sitting in a chair for 10 hours, is doing remarkably well.

The good news is that one of the many different pills she'll have to take over the next few days has a side effect giving her huge amounts of energy (and possibly insomnia along with it). So, I'm making a list to keep her occupied.

Next round of chemo will be three weeks today assuming her blood levels have returned to normal.

Over and out.

The First Step.........

Hi team


Tappity tap tap.  That's the sound of my fingers on the keyboard of my laptop as I struggle to think of how to start this post.  It's one of the few habits that I have that Elliott doesn't like - tapping my fingernails.  I do it when I'm nervous/anxious, or thoughtful.  In this instance I am all of these things.


Tappity tap tap.  Not known for often being stuck for words, I find myself in the unfamiliar position of being at a loss for what to say.  Maybe I'll get straight to the point.


Tappity tap tap.  I start chemo on Tuesday.  There - I said it.  Chemo.  Yuk.  Cancer.  Double yuk.  


Tappity tap tap.  Our lovely oncologist (here on referred to 'Anne') called us last night (Monday night) and gave us the low down.  The cardio surgeons have confirmed that they can operate, which is good news.  They have also advised that this is a one-time only opportunity, so they need to do it once and do it well.  Before they dig in, they'd like to try and reduce the size of it to have a better chance of getting it all.  'It all' being the thymus.  Liver removal, if the chest surgery is entirely successful, will follow 6-8 weeks later.  So chemo is the first step in the hope that it will reduce the size of the tumours, therefore making removal easier.  


Tappity tap tap.   Chemo on Tuesday.  6 weeks of it - but only 2 cycles in that 6 weeks.  If you liked my hair, tell me and I'll take a photo to send to you, because in 3 weeks it will become a casualty of the chemo.  Yuk.  I will be bald.  Cool.  Not.  The NZ Government generously pays for me to have a wig.  Again, if you're interested I'll send you a photo.  This may only appeal to people with a hair fetish.  So once the 6 weeks of chemo is done they will rescan my chest to see if the tumour has shrunk in size, and assess the situation from there.  The tricky part is that they're not too sure exactly what kind of cancer it is, so they're making an educated guess with the type of chemo - and will be crossing their fingers and toes that it's the right kind - therefore effective.  Here's hoping!


Tappity tap tap.  My habit is now starting to annoy me.  I don't think that's a good thing.  I will be in hospital next Tuesday and Wednesday - so if you're in the neighbourhood then toot as you drive past.  


I have nothing further to add.  Except the tapping of my fingernails - which is eventually going to earn me so harsh looks from husband.  I love him, so will stop tapping.  For now.


Lee xxxx

Wednesday update

Hello readers, good to see you. Lee's mri results last week haven't shown enough detail to gauge whether the thymus can be safely removed. So, we're back to the hospital tomorrow for another mri. We'll hopefully have definitive results early next week which will tell us whether we're going down the surgical route or the fully chemo route.

The 'C' Word

The stigma attached to it is enormous, and it would seem that referring to it as 'the c word' means it's not actually real. Well - it is, and it's cancer. This is the start of our journey. One which we intend to see through to the other side, and it is also our intention to do it with style and humour. So consider these updates our postcards to you as we travel on this journey. Just don't expect fridge magnets or any other souvenirs! Let's do this.

Phuket has been and gone - and was amazing. It was exactly what we needed, and was the perfect week of rest and relaxation. Thankfully we escaped the bad weather that was hitting other parts of the Pacific and Asia, and only had rain on the night we arrived and the day we left.

Some of the highlights included an Elephant Safari, a day trip to the islands (including Phi Phi) on a speedboat, and a tour around the island taking in the Giant Buddha and other sights. We're picking our favourite photos and will post them in the next week for you to look at.

Emily travelled extremely well (again!) and had a great time. Everything was an adventure, and she coped really well with the constant adoration from the locals. We spent alot of time either in or by the pool, and feel so relaxed as a result. Planning for our next holiday has already begun....!!

Unfortunately we've returned to awful weather which is hanging over New Zealand and threatens to do so for the next few days. Elliott's bonsai trees are showing signs of flowering and don't appear to have suffered too much neglect in our absence. Emily is back at school on Monday, and she's looking forward to telling her friends about our wonderful holiday. Lee is back at work already proving there is no rest for the wicked!

'In our world extraordinary events happen and we're always invited'.

Take care
El, Lee & Emily

Spring has sprung

Greetings from sunny Wellington!

The countdown to Phuket continues with only 25 sleeps to go! For those that are interested here is a link to the hotel that we're staying at http://www.phuket.holiday-inn.com/busakorn/index.htm which is where we stayed when we were there last year.

We're off the WOW (World of Wearable) Arts Awards again this year, so are looking forward to a posh night out. This is year #3, so we feel particularly cultural. It's a crime to live in Wellington and not go to such events.

Not much else happening in Henderland, but will keep you updated.

:)