HALF WAY ....

Sunday 1 December 2020 First day of summer and the forecast isn't looking at all like producing the typical warm sunny summer day we Aussies love - cloudy, windy and showers with a top temperature of 18c and we have a scheduled power outage from 8.30 -4.00 - first thoughts were a trip to Lakes Entrance and enjoy fish, chips and scallops on the foreshore but Mother Nature said not really a good idea, next idea movies and shopping at Midvalley Morwell however my body (and mind) is telling me different - there's a lot of things on my 'To Do' list that can be done without power and Sale has a cinema (albeit old and in need of a good revamp) and shops. Half way through radiation treatment ... so far all going well - have had a late afternoon 'nanna nap' - unscheduled whilst watching the cricket! -the past two afternoons so maybe fatigue is starting to creep in, but no signs of burning or blistering. The time travelling to and from Traralgon gives great opportunity for some precious 'one on one' time that is often hard to find these days - Monday Heather & I had some Mummy/Daughter time - morning tea, shopping and lunch, Spotlight was on the agenda Tuesday with Lindie, lots of laughs with Shell on Wednesday, my long time friend (actually the first friend I made when we moved to Sale in 1970) Noelene was my 'support' on Thursday and Friday, usually when we meet up we chat about whats happening currently so it was lovely to look back on times gone by and remember those early days when our kids were babies, velvet soap and shining kitchen sinks and lots of other wonderful memories. Lunched at Eviva in Traralgon Plaza on Thursday - good food but busy and noisy. Friday Noelene had booked for lunch at Victoria Rose Teahouse in Rosedale as a special treat - we shared a Ploughmans lunch followed by heavenly lemon meringue cheesecake sitting by the open window with the scent of roses wafting in was so peaceful. I am blessed with some wonderful friends. Tuesday I saw Dr Joshi my medical oncologist regarding stage 3 of my treatment, once radiation has finished I'll take Femara for 5 years ... not jumping for joy at this however if it is going to help prevent the recurrence of cancer and prolong my life 'so be it' ... some of the known side effects are just what I don't need: weight gain, fatigue, aching muscles and emotional swings .... WOO HOO ... I can gain weight quite easily now, my emotions are still understandably up and down at the moment without medication! Dr Joshi ordered a bone density scan for comparison annually as Femara has been known in some cases to cause brittle bones. Positive thinking, meditation, exercise, fresh air and healthy eating = my plan of attack against this little yellow tablet! Bodhi & Lulu turned four on Wednesday - the past two years we have been up North on holidays and there to celebrate with them (and twice cancer has kept us from being there, first Bill now me) yesterday they 'face timed' us to say thank you for their birthday cards and gifts - sometimes you just have to love modern technology. Had a long phone call from Dylan on Friday night - once again I'm a very proud Grandma, his exam results were exceptional again top score is 7 and he achieved 7 in three subjects and 6 in his fourth which should almost guarantee him a scholarship towards his study exchange in South Korea next year. I've been a Western Bulldogs member for over 15 years now (a fan for way way way longer) just a three game membership, more just financial support for the Club I love, With this years automatic membership renewal an email was sent out with a 'scratch and win' feature as a thank you for continued support .... I won a membership upgrade ... General admission to all home and away games .... happy me, hopefully I'll get to a lot more games next season. Our lovely Sri Lankan neighbours who are employed at a local market garden keep us supplied with fresh green vegetables, lettuce, cauliflowers, broccoli, cabbage for which we are so grateful as are the family members and their friends we share the produce with ... cooked up a few dishes yesterday to fill the freezer for dinners later in the week ... one huge cabbage, doubt I've ever seen one so big, obviously too big for the supermarkets, only used half yesterday in making Chow Mein and coleslaw - another batch of Chow Mein coming up this evening (when the powers back). Heather was a happy little vegemite as I cooked up a couple of extra meals for her and Matt. On Friday my Brother Peter was remembered at the Ecumenical Service hosted at St Stephen's Cathedral Brisbane by the Asbestos Disease Support Society. It is asbestos awareness week - please be careful of asbestos. 55 butterflies representing the 55 people who have lost their lives including Pete were placed on a canvas - I wish I could have shared the photo with you however they have a copyright on them. Sadly 4000 have died nationally this year. Till next time ...

LOVE, SUPPORT, FRIENDSHIP AND KINDNESS ...

Sunday 24 November 2019 I'm not sure where time disappears to … each day just seems to meld into the next lately. A few blogs ago I mentioned how the Sale Cancer Support Group was invited to participate in a series of short videos titled Gathering of Kindness .. these videos are now on You Tube, if you have a few spare minutes you might like to watch a few of these real life stories November seems to have been a month of changing temperatures and strong winds, very little rain and thankfully no bushfires. Air-conditioner was going full blast on the trip to Traralgon (and home) … stopped of at Del Jardine in Rosedale and purchased my purple pot to plant Robyns daffodils in - amazed how affordable the pots, plants and giftware there is (shall go back one day without Bill so I can really have a good browse) - loved the lifesize cow and the larger than life Panda in the plant section - worth a visit just to see The radiation process was a lot quicker today and we didn't upset Brenda who treated me to a hot chocolate and Bill a Brazilian coffee (no cheap instant stuff for us!). Once back in Sale a quick dash into Queen of All Things to purchase a Funky Monkey Deo Ball (a clear crystal 100% pure and natural Himalayan organic mineral salt deodorant) Jenn (French) has an amazing array of 'stuff' as her business name suggests she really is Queen of All Things plus the other side of her business is Jenn French Massage and Wellbeing Centre Thanks Jenn - deodorant works a treat. No school for my Princess on Friday which meant by driving to Traralgon she was able to add another hour to her My Learners tally - we left Lilly at Stockland to shop whilst we travelled on to LVCH for my radiation - what a hoot! my radiotherapists we Sumtpa an Australian born Sri Lanken and Widith who was born in Mauritius, these two guys had me laughing with their banter. Went to The Wedge for the Taylor Henderson concert with Noelene - Taylor has a great voice and his showmanship and rapport with the audience made for a really entertaining evening. Pride of place in the lounge is the Christmas Tree … took me 5 hours to decorate (because I'm a perfectionist!!) but I'm happy with it, just need a couple more little trinkets which I'll pick up tomorrow …. H is rostered to take me to be zapped tomorrow and we're having a Mummy/daughter lunch and shopping day afterwards - watch out KMart! Started to wrap a few of the Christmas Gifts I've managed to cross off my list so far - but once again got distracted - cricket! Aussie Aussie Aussie Oops hope Bills not too hungry yet … forgot the time - luckily I've most of dinner prepared.

ONE DOWN - FOURTEEN TO GO ....

Yesterday was day one of my radiation schedule …. I feel I've prepared myself as best as I can for this experience … I've read My Journey, asked questions of my medical/radiation team and yes I did Google some too! The best laid plans sometimes never come off and unfortunately Heather wasn't able to get the day off work and all other family and friends were unavailable, so Bill and I set off - I was confident that any fatigue I may experience won't happen until mid next week at the earliest - stopping at Clarke Rubber to purchase the weather strip for the lounge window, we arrived at LVCH half an hour early and managed to obtain a disabled park (Bill has a sticker which we seldom use) in the top car park. By now I was 'hanging' for a coffee, we headed to the café and decided to take advantage of the tranquil comfy radiation centre waiting room and consume it …. oops we upset Brenda (not really she was just pretending) as its her job to provide us with coffee and biscuits. Hannah is my radiation assistant this week and after weighing in (I like my weight better when I'm not fully clothed and with shoes on) I'm shown a row of four cupboards each one bearing an Australian native animal sticker - my gown is on a shelf (complete with my name) in the Ringtail Possum cupboard. After donning this beautiful designer gown, which just meets in the middle but hey I've flashed my boob at so many people the past two months what's a couple more! its off to the radiation 'bunker' I'm introduced to the team in the viewing room who all smile and assure me they will be watching me and can hear me should the need arise that I get traumatised or overcome - which is comforting to know. Off with the gown, hide behind the green modesty sheet and up onto the bed, feet into their correct position - somethings wrong my heads not reaching my 'mould', have I shrunk this past week (wouldn't mind if it was girth not height) nah just needed a minor adjustment on the bed and voila all is good, I lie there looking at the palm trees complete with coconuts on the ceiling whilst Hannah and Sumpta (I think that is the lovely young mans name) ensure that all the measurements are correct and that I'll be zapped in the right spots … then I'm alone in the room with the machine, I lie there silly thoughts going through my head 'glad those trees aren't real, don't want a coconut landing on me' suddenly I'm aware of someone re entering the room and Sumpta is there, handing me the rope to pull myself up and handing me the green modesty sheet once again, I head over to the chair with my basket containing my clothes and as I don my blue gown and wander back to the change room to get dressed, fold up my blue gown and put back into the possum cupboard for tomorrow. Tomorrow will be even quicker I'm told. After a quick interview with Jenny, one of the nurses who gives me a tube of cream and an instruction sheet, answers the couple of questions I have, suggests that I should have a driver each day as fatigue can set in at anytime and without warning - its time to head home. Lyn calls in just after we arrived home - she has a terrible cold and won't come inside so we chat through the security door and arrange some dates she will drive me to Traralgon. Shell rings to see how today went and find out my future appointment times - we work out a couple of dates she is able to take me and tells me to ask Rob to take me somedays, which I've been loathe to do, I know he's my son and he wants to support me but he has a business to run and now is his busy busy time as the grass just keeps growing fast and his clients like their lawns pristine. I take her advice and yep he's happy to do at least one day. Heather calls in on her way home from work - suggests the days she will try to get off to take me. Oh how much simpler it would be if we had Radiology here in Sale as well as Oncology …. maybe one day …. whilst its only a 45 minute drive to Traralgon the return trip takes at least two hours out of your day. Time to get ready for day two.

ARE YOU OK? .... WELL NO - NOT REALLY ...

Sunday 17 November Spring is drawing closer to summer - the days are getting warmer - that's what should happen but here in Gippsland its still been cold and windy. Appointments last Monday with my GP followed by Radiation CT scan and planning so we made it a day out .. I needed a referral signed to take with me to Gippsland Cancer Centre and I've been struggling emotionally the past week or so - I feel I've coped with losing Pete as I'd known for the past 6 years he was on 'borrowed' time but losing Robyn seemed so sudden even though I knew her prognosis was terminal - so I put my 'big girl pants on' and asked for an appointment with a counsellor plus a referral for oncology rehab exercise and a dietician to help me lose some weight. Admitting we are struggling mentally isn't easy to do and I admire those in public life who have come forward recently and sought 'time out' and help. Next stop Rosedale to pick out a purple pot ready to plant the daffodils from Robyns garden, alas the pot place only opens Thursday to Sunday, oh well just have to stop there another time. Onto Clarke Rubber, wasn't quite sure what we needed, served by a most obliging young man Aaron who gave us a sample piece to bring home and try - just what we need so will stop off on our next trip to Traralgon. On to Morwell where I had to return a couple of items I'd purchased on-line but didn't like before a well earned morning tea at Donut King where Shay another delightful young person served us, good customer service with a smile makes such a difference. After a quick walk round Big W it was back to Traralgon, enjoyed a cup of coffee courtesy of Glenda before my scan. After changing into a delightful blue hospital robe, a walk of approximately 20 paces down the passage to the scanning room where I had to disrobe again - flashing my boobs is becoming a regular occurrence and I guess its only going to happen more frequently as the weeks go on!! Alex and Dom were the radiology technicians assigned to 'map' me today ready for commencement of radiation on Wednesday 20th - after positioning me in the position I'll be required to be in for each session a mould was formed ….. the following information is from BCNA and gives a more accurate description than I could! Careful planning is necessary before radiation treatment can begin. The planning ensures that you get the full benefit of radiation with minimal impact on other parts of your body. During the planning session, a radiation oncologist maps out the breast area that needs treatment. The oncologist or radiation technician uses a special X-ray machine called a simulator, and the process is called simulation because the treatment is being "simulated," or not really given. Because it is so important to position the angles of radiation accurately, the planning session can sometimes last up to an hour. The extra time and care during this session will make your future visits run more smoothly and help you get the most from your radiation therapy. You do not receive any treatment during the planning session. Positioning is extremely important in radiation therapy. Your body will be positioned carefully in order to get the best radiation treatment. You will be in the same position during every treatment, and you will have to remain still. To stabilize your position, you will probably be asked to lie in a special "immobilization device" on the treatment table. You may be asked to lie down in a custom-shaped mold that just touches your back and sides; or your treatment center may use a "breast board" that places your head, arm, and hand in a fixed position. Unfortunately, no padding can be used on the treatment table or positioning devices because that makes your treatment position less precise. Pictures will be taken of the area that needs to be treated. Those images are sent to the radiation planning computer, which will help set up the general treatment fields (the areas that get the radiation). After the simulation is done, the dose of radiation you'll receive is calculated, and your radiation treatment is designed over the next few days. This is called dosimetry. Your radiation oncologist works closely with a radiation dosimetrist, who helps further define the best arrangement and size of your treatment fields and is responsible for making sure you receive the correct amount of radiation. Together they establish the size, shape, and number of the treatment fields. The treatment fields are designed to maximize the dose of radiation to the area that needs to be treated and to avoid or minimize the dose to the normal surrounding tissues. My Princess, Lilly Georgia turned 17 and we celebrated with family dinner at Lakeside - the years are flying by way too fast. Tuesday we left Sale at 8.30 with the LVCH Carers Group for an overnight trip - the weather was quite pleasant when we set off however by the time we stopped in Yarragon for refreshments etc it was raining and the wind was blowing a gale (no refreshments for us) It had been 12 years since we last went on Puffing Billy when we did the tourist 'thing' in the open carriages - today we were treated to the Steam and Cuisine trip, the dining cars had been purchased by the Puffing Billy Historical Society back in the early 60's from the Mount Lyle Railway in Tasmania and named after towns along that railway - Mt Lyell, Double Barril, Rinadeena & Teepookana. The food was beautifully presented and restaurant quality - we both had pork rib eye for mains OMG it was huge but so tender and succulent and dessert was decadence at its best, crumbled chocolate mud cake in an espresso martini jelly, topped with chocolate mousse and Chantilly cream. At the end of the three hour round trip we were off to our overnight accommodation in Kalorama, unfortunately our bus driver hadn't done his homework and was relying on good old Google maps so we did a few laps of the Dandenongs! Our room was not overly large but absolutely spotless and quite comfortable …. dinner … yes more food …. Lamb noisettes for me, salmon for Bill (enjoyable but didn't surpass lunch) tiramisu for dessert. Bill spent a lot of time over dinner reminiscing with another couple who were originally from South Gippsland and whom he had known way back when - in fact he and Beryl had worked together when in their teens. Buffet breakfast on Wednesday morning - yes more food - an excellent selection of hot and cold foods to chose from. Homeward bound (bus driver must have done his homework overnight as we didn't get lost once) with a stop at LVCH in Moe for a talk by Corina on Health matters for seniors, I don't think I have ever been so entertained at an information talk/lecture before, this lady knows her stuff and had us all in fits of laughter (we all received a little gift from her - not sure you'd really want to know what it was!! Last stop on our way home was at Green Olive in Traralgon - oh yes more food ...Chicken Duchess and Mars Bar Cheesecake for me, Seafood platter and Banana Spring Rolls for Bill …. everyone just rolled out to the bus - an amazing couple of days and a welcome break for all carers and those they care for. Thursday was spent recovering from an over load of scrumptious food. Friday had a little bit of 'me' time for a cut and colour. Saturday Heather & I had planned to go to Red Katt for lunch but as it was McHappy Day we changed our mind and supported Ronald McDonald House by having a burger for lunch before going to watch Jack & Shell play tennis - it was the first time they had been in opposition teams playing against each other - Jacks team won, rather proud of my grandson he didn't lose a service game all day. Today the weather is still chilly though the sun is finally shining - supposedly going to warm up as the week progresses.

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PARCELS ....

Wednesday 6 November Good things come in small parcels so the saying goes … and for us this is true with our beautiful daughter-in-law Shell. These days everyone seems so busy with their lives that we don't get to spend that quality time with our loved ones that we should - so when an opportunity arises we grab it with both hands! My appointment with Louise Nardone was scheduled for 11.20 and Shell offered to be my support person and drive us to Traralgon - 45 minutes in the car gave us a chance to have a natter and a few laughs. A couple of forms to fill out (isn't there always!) - the waiting area for radiation at LVRH is quite pleasant, well lit with nice comfy couches and chairs, tea and coffee making facilities, the obligatory jig saw puzzle sitting waiting to be completed and a delightful hospitality worker Brenda who is always on for a chat, knows and remembers patients and family/support persons and who has been happily doing this for over 20 years. Brenda starts discussing climate change with us … when a male voice calls 'Valerie', he introduces himself as Christian - I tell him he doesn't look like Louise! Then I remember I hadn't been available for Robyns initial appointment with Louise and she told me she had seen Christian and said something similar to him - yes my beautiful friend is watching over me and putting words in my mouth!! Thankfully my memory isn't too bad (yet) as the questions Christian had to ask required me delve way back - almost 60 years back … what age did you start menstruating, how many children do you have, did you breast feed, what age did you reach menopause, how long did you take HRT, Shell learnt lots about her mother-in-law today …. all questions that may be helpful with research into breast cancer, its causes and relationship to lifestyle and health as we progress through life, I was finding it hard to concentrate on this handsome young Dr as he had an Essendon Football Club membership lanyard round his neck and I kept thinking of the absolute drubbing the Bulldogs gave them … and yes it got the better of me I just had to ask if he'd been at that game - yes unfortunately was his reply …. big grin on my face as I told him I was a Bulldog fan. I'm not sure what question Christian asked that brought on my tears - Shell explained that I'd had a really traumatic time recently … and as quick as the tears came they stopped. (I understand we grieve because we have loved … but I'd prefer to not cry in public so often!) After an examination to ensure my wounds were completely healed and ready for radiation he left the room to get Louise - I thought Louise would have been advised Robyn had passed but she didn't know until Christian told her … Louise delivered the good news - I would have the three week course, 15 sessions of more intensive treatment …. woohoo that's 10 days less of travelling to Traralgon daily. Normally I would have had the planning CT done after this consultation but the CT machine was out of action (overworked probably and unfortunately) so I'd need to come back either Friday or Monday for this. An enjoyable lunch in the hospital cafeteria (lamb roast for $7 was delicious) before heading home - discussion on the way home was centered around my question answers, information that may be helpful or necessary for Lilly in the future. Heather and I had only discussed menopause yesterday and the fact I'd had endometriosis at age 34 which resulted in a total hysterectomy and early menopause therefore she has no maternal gauge as to what she's experiencing. Another positive from this negative is that information regarding family health has been shared - I'd not thought previously about the fact that this information may be of importance to my beautiful Princess and any daughters she may have in the future. Not many of my family and friends are shorter than me … however the honour of being the shortest in our family goes to Shell … love my beautiful English DIL

FAMILY, FRIENDS, FLOWERS ....

Tuesday 5 November 2019 ….. Melbourne Cup Day Wow I didn't realise how long its been since I last blogged - life has been getting back to some form of normality - Watched a few games of cricket on TV - amazing how the social media trolls have been quiet now the Aussies are winning and Dave Warner and Steve Smith have been making the runs. Sold our large outdoor setting and gas BBQ as we seldom used them and they were way too big for out small courtyard and replaced them with a hammock chair and a small 3 piece bistro set - an electric BBQ seems a much safer option as Bills memory wanes. Dylan was home for a few days and we enjoyed a lovely family dinner at H's - I do so miss his head pats and hugs. So proud of him and the grades he is achieving at UQ - I'll need to start saving as he's hoping to achieve a years study exchange in Seoul next year! Weather has been so up and down lately - a wild wet windy weekend where it was movies and cricket followed by a few days of beautiful sunshine and temperatures into the high 30's Went along to Carers Group - as I parked my car a lady parked beside me and she followed me into LVCH and sat down beside me and I felt a familiarity about her, as she introduced herself I realised she was Glenys who had been my mates spiritual and financial mentor - I'm sure our beautiful friend Robyn had a hand in us becoming friends. I've had a few emotional outbursts, just simple things make the tears flow, like my fluffy pink slippers - yep a simple pair of slippers (we'd both bought them on one of our visits to Big W prior to one of Robyns appointments at Gippsland Cancer Centre - why waste an opportunity to shop was our motto) Had lunch with the 'hydro group' - best chips in Sale are at Aqua Energy - I have really missed my hydro exercise …. roll on radiation and the New Year so I can get back in the water. Bill wasn't happy with me 'street walking' though I'm really sure no-one would really want to pick up this old chook! so he bought me a treadmill - my kilometer rate is much faster when I'm out pounding the bitumen than the rolling rubber! Enjoyed a relaxing hour in the Salt Cave with Noelene - its the one place I can find complete peace, no distractions, no phones, no TV, no doorbell - just utter relaxtion. Finally received the call I was waiting for my appointment for the Radiation Oncologist - Wednesday 6 November at 12 noon with Dr Louise Nardone (this brought on another flood of tears - I've met Louise on several occasions as she was the oncologist Robyn saw for her brain mets … I think they were more happy tears that I have already some rapport with Louise and I'm not dealing with a stranger. I'm hoping I can put off starting radiation until around the 14th after we have been on the Carers Group Puffing Billy trip - two days away from home with all meals, accommodation and travel provided. Lots of visitors last week, Hannah & Heather came with a beautiful bunch of roses from their garden, Bills cousin Col just back from his three month winter sojourn and my BFF Lyn with a bunch of orchids stopped off on her way to the airport for another one of her international escapades OMG the mind boggles at what scrapes she may get into this time! Lindie treated me to a day out - morning tea, shopping, lunch at Eviva followed by more shopping - even the rain couldn't dampen our day. Today was just the best - H and I went down to IGA to meet Samuel Johnson - yes the legendary Love Your Sister Samuel Johnson - this man deserves every award and accolade ever awarded him - his quest to vanquish cancer sees him travelling around the country raising funds towards a personal treatment of cancer and other serious illness' for every - yes treatment tailored individually. https://loveyoursister.org/get-involved/ The world needs more Samuel Johnsons. Backed the Melbourne Cup winner - go me!!

GOOD NEWS DAY!

Sunday 20 October 2019...…. Friday was good news day - the wait was finally over - the results were in - the biopsy done on my two sentinel nodes came back clear - the cancer had been confined to 'Dotty'. No further surgery needed. The dressings were finally removed and woo hoo I no longer need to wear the TEDs. Goodbye BO I'm now allowed to used deodorant under the right arm again. Next step is for a medical oncologist and a radiologist to contact me to make appointments for further treatment - Mr Strauss says he doesn't believe chemotherapy will be warranted just radiation followed by hormone blockers. Heather and I celebrated with coffee and cake at Café 123 and a rummage through the clothes in the Thrift Shop there - got a couple of bargains. Last Sunday Heather took me out to Legends for afternoon tea - my first outing since the op, apart from a couple of short walks round the block. David & Lindie brought us lunch on Monday - vegetable pasties which just needed heating - oops they ended up a little burnt, gave the boys something to stir us about! Happens when you talk too much!! Kath arrived on Wednesday lunchtime with KFC $5 meal boxes as a treat for us - the value in them was amazing. Thursday was Cancer Support Group meeting and I drove for the first time in two weeks. Agent Creative is making a video about Kindness in Cancer and wanted to film some of us and our stories to use, possibly just a few words from each interview will be used. Bill & I had been a little reluctant however over afternoon tea Andrew Gill the facilitator got talking to me and felt our story was exceptional and of great interest so I agreed to an interview with him being filmed - will be very interesting to see the finished product. www.gatheringofkindness.org/kindness-videos Yesterday we lunched at Dock 70 with Geoff and Pat - lovely sitting by the window with the sun streaming through looking over the Port of Sale. Bill & I strolled through the Art Gallery afterwards. I've been sleeping well, getting around 8 hrs a night. The past few days my wounds have been a little itchy as they heal, a few twinges here and there when I reach or stretch and an odd sensation around the nipple area when I'm walking (hard to describe). All in all I'm feeling extremely grateful for Breast Screen and regular mammograms and early detection.