26October 2016 YES!!!

I have just heard from the Orthopaedic Team at St Vincent's, and have an appointment for Monday 7 Nov, to discuss the procedure and sign the consent forms etc. Then I'll go on a waiting list for the procedure,
YEEEHAAAA! Perhaps I'll soon be able to do the 'air-kick' that goes along with this expression!!!

24 October 2016 A breakthrough (fortunately not through the hip... but concerning the hip)

At last – a breakthrough (or should I cautiously say, a possible breakthrough).

It’s unbelievable that it is 2 years ago that I first experienced pain in my left hip and began to limp. It took around 3 months before the staggering diagnosis came to light of a metastatic Stave 4 kidney cancer. Because the hip was severely compromised, I have been unable to weight-bear, hence I haven’t walked for almost 2 years, and have been wheelchair bound for most of that time, apart from some careful hobbling around with a frame. This has been quite a millstone for me to bear, as it has severely compromised my independence – especially things like independent driving. It has also placed a lot of extra responsibility on Brian’s shoulders, and there’s so many extra things I’d like to be doing for him too.  

So I was very disappointed in August last year when the Orthopaedic team at St Vincent’s decided that hip surgery was too invasive, and a less invasive procedure of injecting cement into the hip to stabilise the area of tumour was also not considered appropriate.

Ok – fast forward 12 months.

Here I am, responding well to a Targeted Therapy Drug, and feeling well in myself.  So much so, that I have questioned my oncologist as to the possibility of reviewing my left hip, and this has gone through all the processes of referral until I landed back to the same orthopaedic surgeon as before at St Vincent’s. When I updated my GP regarding this impending appointment, I commented to her that I’m not expecting a miracle, but just want to ensure that all possible options have been explored. I was heartened to hear her response, “my dear, you already are a miracle”! I say this because it is a reminder in whose hands I am in – and that God has indeed given me more earthly days than was ever expected at my original diagnosis. Thanks God!

Anyway my appointment was this morning, and I had no expectation of a successful outcome, so it was lovely to instead enjoy a catch-up in Melbourne last night with some of the family. After navigating our way through the end of the morning peak-hour traffic, we made our way past a series of very crowded waiting rooms, before presenting for our appointment, and after a short wait (that’s a miracle in itself) in we went. To my shock, the surgeon was very sympathetic and supportive of my request. After a careful review of last week’s CT scan, the surgeon pointed out areas where the bone has actually increased and pushed back the tumour (other areas showed tumour presence that has ‘eaten’ a chunk of bone, though this area has not increased).  Verbally, the outcome is that she recommends the non-invasive ‘cement’ procedure, and even asked ‘now are you available to come back here on Thursday, or how about Monday?’ (Actually, no I’m not as we are heading instead to a Renewal Conference at Mt Barker!) Basically, if she does this procedure, there are some risk factors, but the intended outcome is that I would be able to walk!!!!! Now that’s a total miracle to look forward to!

So I basically walked (wheeled) out of this appointment walking on air, wondering if I had truly heard correctly. Really? Walk again? Perhaps with the aid of a stick… but then again perhaps not? Would we sell the wheel-chair?

However – now comes Brian’s sense of reason, and perhaps my natural caution too. There are some hoops to go through first, the major one being that the surgeon needs to first discuss this with her colleagues (this will happen on Wednesday). There are also risk factors to be considered.

But for now, please allow me my excitement and also pray for God’s will to be done regarding my hip.   

I’ll update this blog when I know more – maybe as early as Thursday.

17 October 2016

I’m sitting here alone. Brian is out at a Men’s Shed night, the rain is pounding on our flat roofed house (as it has done frequently this season) and I’m trying hard to be interested in eating. I’ve discovered that with the variety of heavy drugs I am on, it takes very little to upset the equilibrium so if it’s not minor nausea, it’s far more likely to be either constipation or diarrhoea – or even all three. Today happened to be the day of my CT scan – and because this involves some fasting, then drinking a litre of rather unpleasant liquid, not to mention the injecting of iodised contrast fluid – my body’s been decidedly offish all day. It’s the means to the end I guess and as it’s been over 12 months since I have had a review of my left hip I’ll be interested in the results, and also to check the progression (or rather lack of) the disease. I’ll get the results back later this week which will be helpful as I have an appointment next Monday with an orthopaedic surgeon from St Vincent’s. This will either close the door to any future hip restoration or open it all up to who knows what possibilities. However I’m sure CT scans are different in Portland compared to anywhere else. Today the nurse assisting was a friend from church, and as she led me to lie down for the scan, the protective pillow cover had hand-written on it “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14” Now where else could you get such personalised service??

In the meantime, Brian and I have been quite busy of late with work on our various committees, attending meetings and appointments, enjoying the company of Simon and Caitlin for the weekend, and having a lovely birthday chat with our grandson Liam on his 11th birthday today. 

5 October 2016 Where is Spring?

Where is Spring indeed? We seem to be in the midst of a cold, squally, wet and windy spell, though Portland has not had the damaging winds and floods of some regions. We’re nearly halfway through Spring so please bring it on!

Meanwhile the weather has not deterred our participation in recent local events. We spent last weekend enjoying the “Seek His Face” Lutheran renewal conference here in Portland, and feel very blessed through this. I was able to take turns in the worship band, and also enjoy the company of Geoff (brother) over the weekend. I was very tired by the end of it all but wouldn’t have missed a moment of it. Brian was the same – and remarkably had no pain which enabled him to participate fully.

Yesterday brought another lovely visit – from my dear Auntie Betty and cousin Sharon. Auntie Betty lives in Hamilton and is the only remaining sibling of the 9 children in my dad’s family – she claims she is quite grumpy at her brothers all leaving her behind! Sharon showed us some photos taken by helicopter of the Great Ocean Road which has had a lot of landslides due largely to recent wet and wild weather conditions. One small section of the road is still closed off, but when you see some of the collapses it makes one wonder about the future of this spectacular scenic road, and the amount of money that will be needed to maintain it into the future. 

Lorraine, Sharon Linke, Auntie Betty Handreck

Healthwise Brian and I are both feeling stable. I will have further CT scans in 2 weeks time so I hope for another good report like the one almost 3 months ago, but in myself I feel very well - so much so that I would dearly love to throw away the wheelchair and 'do more stuff'! I have to keep working on patience, as I know I have to be very cautious because of the high risk of hip collapse. Tomorrow I am starting with a new physio, and I hope he will assist in helping me increase overall fitness levels. Then watch out - you may not catch me as I zip around...