Autumn Ote catching falling leaves

Is that a light at the end of the dark and long tunnel

24 days before I complete the chemo treatment which is hopeful the last medical procedure for my sarcoma. Post will be some recovery and a CT scan to get sign-off that I am clear of cancer for now. Then from mid May I plan to step up the physical recuperation of my new back and progressively get back into the business.
I am very tired from all medical procedures and after bad chemo cycle 3 one of my consultant callled this 'fatigue', not to be confuse with 'sleep tired'. Cycle 4 has been a great cycle which has given me confidence that I will complete the whole procedure and not melt down along the way. We are very well geared up with support structures with treatment and this makes a big positive difference. I am now targeting to come out of treatment strongly and for it to be weeks not months to overcome most of the side-effects of Chemo. Its going to take longer to recover physical fitness and strength and thats fine, as a a key factor will be final healing with the spine and development of the core muscle's. The rehab work at ISIS and DIY landscaping and construction have been great at straightening me up and getting a base fitness, but still a way to go and I will need to do this over a longer period, Christmas summer holidays may be a good target date to do something like this: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/canterbury/aoraki-mount-cook/mueller-hut-route/.

My top priority post treatment is 'health'. My body created or at least supported the rapid development of cancer and I believe my lifestyle contributed to this. So in next few weeks I'm going to use the Hauora wellness model, here , to see what changes I need to make. My hope this will improve my Joule de Vivre, not reduce.

Morning of 2nd day in hospital chemo cycle 5, had a great sleep last night and have food on board. I am currently unteethered from drugs for my 1 hour in 24. Soon to have a shower and a few laps of the ward, luxury.

Ciao for now.
Gary

Sent from my iPhone

In for chemo cycle 5, 1 to go

Gazza's getting his workshop sorted

and its looking good!
He now has his own man cave and can be found out there at all odd hours fixing things..putting up spouting and installing our new water tank which is very exciting.And for those of you wondering how he is doing all of this..he does take it slowly and comes in very tired and sore but VERY pleased with himself. I like him out there doing this its good:-)
We are pleased only two more chemo cycles to go and we can start practicing some normality again.
Light at the end of the crawl space..which reminds me I was in the ceiling this last week cleaning out old batts and rat poo.YUCK!
The roof is off our house at present too which makes for an interesting Autumn.
Hopefully the rain will divert this week and we can get it sorted.Ciao KAT

Thanks to the random dude in Grafton for giving me his blood

Blood transfusion today to overcome a progressive drop in hemoglobin. This has been an ongoing issue post surgery and I've been struggling to get bloods in order and each chemo round it knocks them back further. We & spinal surgeons have had some reservations about doing it, but its just got to the situation that it needed to be sorted. I didn't like the idea of taking on some random persons blood, but I am over that now I have had 1 unit with another due and it seems to have immediately picked up my VIM, which has been lagging. Although I have just stated chemo cycle 4 and maybe the 2 DEX steroids daily have assisted also. Chemo is such a roller coaster.
The blood thing is quite interesting. The blood is given to you unpacked and when it is seeded into your blood stream it circulates picking up oxygen, nutrients etc. One unit of blood is approximate 300 mls when in the body and loaded up with goodies converts to 1 ltr of good blood. So there is also more that goes on behind the scenes with blood donation and the cleansing, testing and unpacking the blood. Apparently NZ are the best in the world in this process, maybe an export opportunity? Start milking the people rather than milking more cows.
So to random dude in Grafton, Auckland who took the time and donated his O positive universal blood, I salute you.

50% through Chemo

Just coming out of the worst of 'icky' chemo cycle 3; the side effect drugs in hospital got pretty mixed up and it has taken awhile to load up again, get into a routine and back under control. With chemo drugs you lose short term memory and at times get very confused, so throwing in getting side effect drugs out of sync, things can go pear shaped fairly quickly. Athough I haved blogged about being positive, I find  it very difficult to feel positive about something that makes you feel so sick. Maybe I just don't believe in the old cliche "if it doesn't kill you it must be good for you". Again this cycle I am coming out of the worst of the side effects quickly and its fantastic to have a pattern building that you don't stay in the dark side for too long.

Notes to self (and others) to make future chemo cycles less disgusting
- Plan the care and drug regime prior to getting "chemo brain" and stick to the plan
- Drugs are your friends, take them especially if you are sick or confused
- Try to do normal everyday activities e.g. early shower, time with kids, exercise.. even in hospital you can modify exercise regimes and do a couple of laps of the ward
- Enjoy regular fresh, good food and interesting drinks; things that encourage your appetite and make you feel good
- Enjoy the happy, between cycles there are lots of time gaps to enjoy life, participate. Even in hospital you can have a few laughs and meet amazing people.
- In the unpleasant thick of it remember Kia Kaha (be strong, move forward), its your own tenacity, courage  and resolve that will get you through the chemo just fine.
- Countdown the milestones e.g. only 2 more days in hospital, just 2 more days on the darkside and for me only 3 cycles left.

My major milestone reached this week is that I am 50% through my last planned medical procedure for my sarcoma and all going well, I up going to return to a more normal life and existence in May. Yeehaw, where's my horse.

inner at TC and Janes

RIP Pete - 16 March 1975 to 23 February 2011

Pete's mum Reggie has been sharing Pete's story battling Sarcoma for the last 2 years. Unfortunately this week Pete lost his fight. Their blog highlights the ebbs and flows of the medical treatment and prognosis and the bedside vigil of his loving mother. Reggie thanks for sharing.

More about Pete courageous battle here: http://pete-vs-sarcoma.blogspot.com/     

Riding the Chemo Cycle

Moeraki Boulders Day Trip

I have had far more happy and active days this chemo cycle and its great getting out of the chemo haze quicker and getting into more normal life activities. I'm learning to deal with side effects better although dislike the feeling that at best your 70% and your body always feels rundown, like your dragging around a spare tire.  Fresh air, exercise (what ever you can handle), good food and just trying to do normal things all help. 

I am due back into hospital tomorrow for 4 days for some more of that happy chemo juice. I have been reading some good articles on how chemotherapy works and how effective it can be at killing cancer. I think to get the most out of chemo you need to think of the obvious positive that chemo kills cancer. It doesn't work all the time, but may work in you. The side effects are horrid and need managed;  but focus needs to be on eradicating the cancer and healing.

Ciao for now

Gary

Back in hospital - Chemo Cycle 2

I have had a good week of rest and recovery and feel ready for another cycle, I am hoping that knowing what to expect will make it easier this time around. Also they are making some changes with medications that will hopefully reduce the side effects. Just had my steroid DEX which gives you the munchies and they've started injecting and pumping in the chemo drugs. At the moment feeling really good and pain free. I have a few strategies to work through the difficult times ahead and hoping that we will get through this cycle more easily. Pic above is the kids clowning around during a hospital visit.