Round 9

01/08/2014

Monday was a catch-up appointment with the surgeon. This was the first appointment Wayne didn't come to as the battery was flat on the van. He has done so well being there at every one so far.

Mr Truter is more than happy with how I'm going, thrilled the scans were clear. He is still adamant that he doesn't want my lymph nodes radiated and insists I get Radiology to ring him about they start.

I went to see a Cancer Counsellor on Wednesday. I had actually booked six weeks ago, which was when I thought I needed another perspective on things and now six weeks later I have it sorted in my head, but the appointment came up so I went anyway.

It all sounds so clear and simple when you start talking to a stranger. They don't know your story so I found myself expressing myself in a way I possibly wouldn't with friends and family (though re-reading my Facebook blogs, you guys do get it both barrels. There's not a lot I hold back.) What I do hold back I probably do for fear some may think I am being silly, fatalistic or in denial, or too religious. So it was useful to go along and get some stuff off my chest. I don't think I changed my view on much, just realised how far I have come and hoping this experience does change me for the better, that I don't forget what it is/has taught me and that I am more empathetic and compassionate and encouraging to others.

So Round 9 arrived on 31/07/2014. As an upshot of missing Round 8, due to holding off while more tests were done, once they were confirmed all clear, we started up chemo again this week. I think I have one more to go next week, but if oncologist says he wants another one for round 8 that I missed, well so be it. I am going to find out early next week though because I would want to celebrate on the right day. How I will celebrate I'm not sure - a big yahoooooo might have to do for a few days until body catches up with mind. But no doubt you will hear the yahoooooo at your house.

I wasn't in the 'naughty corner' this time so that was a good start. They were taking a long time to start the process so Wayne went and checked if I had been 'bad' again. No problems they said. So Wayne went off to the music shop while I waited and waited. 

Three-quarters of an hour later I asked what the hold up was, oh just waiting for email from your oncologist to say go ahead. Dah - you guys rang me to set the appointment because he said go ahead. Oh, okay then...and away we went.

Pre-meds had me nicely wasted in no time. I had the flush, two syringes, another flush, then the Pinot Gris chemo. Wayne returned and we noted I had 37 minutes to go of the hour long Pinot Gris process, only to have the nurse come check the machine and find I wasn't having any chemo pumped into me! Either the machine malfunctioned or it wasn't set up right...so we had to start again.

Bugger this, I thought, I need a pie! So Wayne delivered accordingly. What Andrea wants she gets at this point. So here I am sitting have chemo eating a pie. And it was delicious. 

We finally got out at 1.30 instead of 11.30.

Sleep had me in its arms on the ride home and straight to bed. Wayne had a gig but he kindly came home and checked on me between a break to make sure I was okay. How sweet is that. And sleep kept me busy most of today too.

Thank you this week to:
My angel - completing Dry July and raising over $800 for cancer research
Cousin shouted dinner out at Thai before she heads abroad and early birthday dinner
My clever friend who gave me a beautiful Kelly Rae Roberts book called "This Little Light of Mine" in my letterbox when I got home from chemo - so kind 
Prayer warriors - front and centre again !

Blessings...