29 June 2015

It’s high time I updated this blog, though there is not much change to report. Thanks to you all for taking an interest in our lives, and for your love, concern and prayers as we soldier on day by day.

Brian is going along well, and it is now 2 weeks since his foot surgery. We have managed the foot elevation okay, and Brian returns to Ballarat on Wednesday to have stitches out (thank you to dear friends Michael and Robyn for transportation!) He will than find out what the next stage of recuperation entails, and how long before he is able to drive again. During the past fortnight I have been able to manage the day to day meals etc, though we have needed some help with shopping, hanging sheets out on the line, and even collecting our mail out of the letterbox.

During this period I have been able to continue exercise classes, with one of the other participants able to pick me up each time. I have also kept up with the swimming, thanks to good friend Jen. It’s a bit of a rigmarole as I need to be wheeled down a ramp into the pool, and then we tether up the wheelchair with a bit of rope so it doesn’t float away while we exercise! The water buoyancy allows me to move around freely in the pool and exercise better than I can outside. The worst part is getting out of the heated water and back into the chilly winter air.

Last Friday I went to Warrnambool for a repeat MRI on my spine. This was to check if my spine has remained stable. I have had a bit of an increase in back pain over the past week and am hoping all is well. I haven’t heard anything yet from the neurosurgeon so I assume that it is OK. Mind you, following the MRI the radiologist told me she felt shocked looking at my spine, and asked me how ever I managed to cope with the pain that I must be experiencing! I have to say I am thankful that the pain is mostly under control, and that there are more medical options if it increases.

Today the District Nurse came and administered the injection Denosumab which finally arrived after a 2-month wait. This is to increase bone strength and reduce damage caused to the bones from cancer. I will have it monthly. My oncologist was able to organize this injection free of charge (instead of $1000 per injection), so hopefully it will be useful and effective for my spine and hip. There are possible side-effects (mainly dental and jaw problems) so I sincerely pray that I will be spared that side effect (despite a dream the other night that all my teeth fell out after having the injection!!)

Otherwise I am trying to live as normally as possible, and even managed to play the piano for several songs and sing in the band at church last Sunday.