30 July 2016 A new milestone

Today we went for a drive to nearby Bridgewater to get a view of the seals that have decided to relocate from their home at a remote seal colony to a spot much more visible to onlookers. Brian took some great photos while I waited in the car, unable to walk the short distance. He must have felt sorry for me, because when he returned he said, "Well, do you want to drive home?" So I did!
This was quite a milestone, as I have not driven a car since late December 2014 - and it was wonderful to feel the independence of being in the driver's seat again. It was the first time driving our current car too, but I can say it is certainly just like riding a bicycle - as if I had never stopped.
Because of my cancer stability, we are now considering a short holiday away (between medical appointments), so it is good to know that I can assist with driving if Brian wants to relinquish the driver's seat. 

Brian saw dozens of seals...

...some cute...

,,,and some not so cute.

 

28 July 2016 Positive news!

Today I met with the oncologist to get the results of my recent CT scan of chest/abdomen/pelvis. 
I have been on the Targeted Therapy drug Sorafenib for 3 months now, and this scan is the first opportunity to find out if this drug has been effective. This scan compares with an identical scan taken 3 months ago. 
Results are as follows:

• multiple cavitating pulmonary metastases (cancer spots on lungs) - unchanged
• pleural effusion on left lung - gone 
• lesion on left acetabulum (hip) - unchanged
• chronic pathological fracture of T12 (on spine) - unchanged
• primary lesion (tumour) in right kidney - unchanged
• there is no evidence of any further cancer spots
• conclusion - disease is stable!                                                                                                                                                                                                                            This is actually very positive, as 'unchanged' not only means there is no evidence of cancer growth, there may well be shrinkage as part of what looks like tumour may in fact be scar tissue.                                                                                                        So I'll take that! I feel well and it would seem that this drug is currently working for me, so I will continue with it and will have a further CT scan in another 3 months time.          We were therefore feeling so positive that we headed off to check if there were any whales in the harbour and were blessed to see a mother whale and her calf cavorting close to the shore at Dutton Way.            

  

  This pair was not so easy to photograph today...

  
  

  
  

...unlike this pair of sisters last weekend!

26 July 2016 Visitors to Portland

Over the past couple of weeks we have had some wonderful visitors - and you have no idea how much both Brian and I appreciate this. 
Firstly, we loved a catch-up with Dianne and Ian Kluge. My friendship with Dianne goes back around (small clearing of throat) 45 years ago when I first began teaching in Maitland SA. We then traveled to Europe together and have kept in touch ever since. 

We even sold some blood in Greece to supplement our meagre travelling funds...

... and no, of course we haven't aged a bit (despite the 'clown hat')

 Then on the weekend we enjoyed a visit from the person who has known me longer than anyone else on this earth - my sister Marlene, and husband David. They were kept busy with us trying to catch glimpses of the Southern Right whale with young calf frolicking around in the nearby beaches, or helping out with some handyman projects. 

Healthwise, all has been stable for me. The dental specialist that I saw a couple of weeks ago was happy to leave my teeth alone - and I was certainly happy with that too.
Yesterday I had a 3-month CT scan done to check how I am responding to the cancer drug. Other than minor discomforts I am feeling very well, but will get test results back later in the week.  

Last night Brian looked out the window - only to see a flat tyre on the car. That's the second tyre in less than 12 months that we've had to replace thanks to a drill-bit through it. 

Brian's getting 'tyred' of replacing these.

11 July 2016

Me: "I'm just going to brush my hair."
Brian raises eyebrows.
"Well 'hair' is singular as well as plural."

Hmmm. It's clear that there's not a lot to report this week. 
Fortunately we've had cold wintery weather which is very well suited to wearing hats. You'd think that would make my morning dressing a little quicker but not so, as the time previously spent in hair-styling now goes into carefully selecting a hat suited to my mood and chosen clothing!

Meantime it's amazing how cancer (or more accurately, the drugs used to treat cancer) impact the more ordinary things in life. A recent routine trip to the dentist for a check-up revealed 2 ulcers around a back tooth. Further checks two weeks later showed that the ulcers hadn't changed and because of the risk of an abscess forming it may require treatment. However my dentist is not game enough to touch anything in my mouth because of my monthly denosumab injection which may impede healing, so off to a specialist in Geelong I have to go (consultation in Warrnambool, treatment in Geelong). 
Nothing is quite as straight-forward as before. 

Sum ting wong?

Just in case you have been wanting to learn a little Chinese, try these phrases…

1) Are you harbouring a fugitive?....... Hu Yu Hai Ding
2) See me ASAP................................ Kum Hia Nao
3) Small Horse ................................. Tai Ni Po Ni
4) Did you go to the beach? ............. Wai Yu So Tan
5) I think you need a face lift ............ Chin Tu Fat
6) It's very dark in here .................... Wao So Dim
7) I thought you were on a diet ........ Wai Yu Mun Ching
8) This is a tow away zone .............. No Pah King
9) Our meeting is scheduled for next week ... Wai Yu Kum Nao
10) Staying out of sight .....................Lei Ying Lo
11) He's cleaning his automobile ..... Wa Shing Ka

12) I bumped the coffee table…...…. Ai bang mai ni

13) I am not guilty……………........... Wai Hang Mi?

14) I got this for free…………......…. Ai No Pei

15)Has your flight been delayed?..... Hao Long Wei Ting?