18 February

Well the last week or two have been a bit ordinary really, as my body adjusts to the new ‘Nivolumab’ drug. Some days have been almost pain free, while others (nights especially) have been just the opposite. However I am getting better at asking for medical help, so I now have a container filled with extra pills, lozenges or patches to use if needed. Of course this all takes time as it’s often a matter of trial and error before the best relief is found.

Things I am hoping for this week:

•          that the immunotherapy drug is working, and ridding my body of every last cancer cell.

•          that the best pain relief is quickly found (or better yet, that my back pain stops completely, so that no pain relief is needed at all)

•          that the barking dogs next door come down with a severe throat virus that might bring some peace into the neighbourhood.

•          that Brian’s ‘good’ days coincide with my ‘good’ days. Then again, perhaps it’s better that one of us has a good day at a time, in order to manage the daily meals.

•          that no local druggies ever discover what there is in our house – I’m sure they’d think it would be well worth a raid if they but knew...  

Things I am thankful for this week:

•          the messages of love and the prayers that have lifted us up.

•          God’s amazing promises – a new one emailed to me daily by an amazing friend.

•          (from Brian) the opportunity to enjoy a 50 years High School reunion – and trying to recognize who all those ‘old’ people were!

•          The ‘gentle nudges’ that I receive to update this blog, even if I don’t think I have anything worthy of note to say.

•          Wishing grand-daughter Lauren a happy 6^th birthday.

•          Romans 12:12 – texted to me by another dear friend           
  
  
  

8 February 2016

Looking at the date today, I realise it is exactly two weeks since my last blog entry. So today the Warrnambool procedure was repeated as I underwent the second of the immunotherapy treatments and I was better prepared this week with my kindle loaded up. One interesting comment from the oncologist was that the company that is providing this drug Nivolumab to me for free is now discontinuing the free form of this drug as of 28 Feb. This means that while I continue to be eligible to receive the drug for free for up to 2 years, no more free cases will be begun after this date. Nivolumab will still be available but at a massive individual price of over $100,000 per year or until it is approved on the PBA listing. Phew, I just got in by the skin of my teeth! Now I really have to pray that it works for me. I am not quite sure yet about side-effects, as I have had random days of troublesome back pain over the past two weeks, which may or may not be caused by the drug (it’s a ‘different’ back pain to the one I’ve had before). 

We’ve been having glorious summer weather over the past week or two, perfect for going for a drive along some of our favourite bush tracks, and this time we ended up at Dartmoor, a tiny township that is looking a bit sad right now since losing a timber mill - its only employment opportunity. It’s worth a visit though, to have a look at the creative chainsaw timber sculptures made from the stumps of cypress trees that have seen better days.

Brian inspects the chainsaw sculptures, under the theme of 'Fairy Tale' characters.

It always pays to keep an eye out for the 'locals'.

Meanwhile I continue to be amazed at the circuitous route of this blog! It has continued to spread and lead to re-connections with friends I haven’t seen for some considerable time. Thank you everyone for your encouragement – always very timely.

25 January 2016

Well today Brian and I got up pretty early for us. 
Normally the alarm goes off at 6am - and that's when we both start our daily medications. Can't you picture it? Alarm. Flurry of action at each side of the bed as we locate our pre-prepared pills. Glugs of water as we swallow them. Heads down as we resume sleep! Probably in perfect symmetry. A bit sad isn't it?

However today marked the first of my fortnightly immunotherapy infusions in Warrnambool so no luxury of a sleep-in. We allowed plenty of time to get there, though I don't know why as we did nothing for the first 2 hours other than fill out a few forms and wait around in the Oncology Day Unit. It seems that the drug is so costly that they don't prepare it at the hospital pharmacy until they know that the patient (victim?) is definitely there.
Anyway eventually all was ready and the nurse did a remarkable job of finding a vein as I am usually very uncooperative (not intentionally). The infusion itself only took 1 hour - and I was quite astounded at the puny size of the bag - as I had worked out that one infusion bag costs approx $5000 (which works out at $83 per minute - or around $1.40 per second!) Clearly I was bored, as I didn't feel like colouring in or doing dot-to-dots and had forgotten my book - so it was mathematical calculations and doing the puzzles page.
Happily, all progressed well and I couldn't feel a thing as this liquid gold made its way through my body. Hopefully there will not be side effects, but so far so good apart from hardly being able to keep my eyes open. Our prayer is that this drug (Nivolumab) will boost my immune system to attack those rogue cancer cells (and not attack other good cells which is a slight possibility). 

Next time I'll smile!

Pain-wise, I have had a very gradual improvement since doubling my Fentanyl patch, and will have regular catch-ups with the pain doctor in Warrnambool when I go for future infusions.
Brian too has had improvements, and we are very thankful for these positive steps.

Have a happy AUSTRALIA DAY tomorrow.

 

21 January 2016

There hasn't been a lot of progress over the past couple of weeks, except that unfortunately I have had an increase in back pain, so the pain relief options have had to be explored further. 
Today I heard from my oncologist, and I am to start the new immunotherapy infusion drug on Monday. The pain-relief specialist doctor will also see me in Warrnambool on Monday, so it will be good to see what suggestions she has. 

Meanwhile I have had a quiet few weeks, lots of reading, watching cricket and tennis, and even doing dot to dot puzzles (thanks to Sonya and Scott!) 

They go from 1-1000, and you have no idea what they will turn into!

 

Here's a finished one!

 
I've also been inspired by the following story. 
Perhaps it's because my hair is definitely thinning!

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only three hairs on her head. "Great," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today."

So she did, and had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "Hmm," she said, "I guess I'll part my hair down the middle."

So she did, and had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only one hair left on her head.

"Wow," she said, "today I get to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did, and had a wonderful, wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn't a single hair on her head.

"Thank God!" she exclaimed. "I was running out of things to do with my hair!"

Let's be grateful for the things God has given us and have a wonderful day!

Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.