My Blog

Nov/Dec 09
 
Met with my surgeon and he seems pleased with the recent scans. I mentioned pain in my jaw and he said it was probably due to having to cut through my chewing muscle during surgery. Something I can deal with.
 
Christmas parties/kids parties/school activities keep us hopping. My two sisters Theresa and Carol came for a three weeks visit. It was really sad to say goodbye to them. I was sick for one of the weeks they were here and the time flew by really quickly.
 
I have hit a bit of a wall with my treatment.  My Oncologist has suspended my Chemo until she can find out what is happening with my bone marrow. Basically she said they are doing me more harm than good as my Bone Marrow is not recovering at all. Jan 5th I will have a MRI and follow up with Oncologist to reassess what to do. She has told me most likely a bone marrow test is in order. Take each day I guess. It appears it is out of our hands.  There are 4 more days until Xmas so I plan on enjoying  it fully with family and friends. Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
 
Love Audrey xx
 

 Oct/09
 
 It has been 6 months since my diagnosis and so much has happened. I guess that would be one of the reasons why I feel like a totally different person. Living day by day, week by week is a new philosophy for me. One that is taking time getting getting used to. My September MRI was clear. My Oncologist said that she plans to keep me on Chemo indefinitely. If she takes me off of it she thinks the tumour will come right back. The trick will be to get my bone marrow working again. My bloods remain dangerously low and to date have not recovered like they should. I have also had a couple of more minor seizures. My seizure medication has once more been increased to help with this. I find myself dreading going in and out of the hospital now. It is so upsetting for the kids. We seem to take 10 steps forward and take 20 back. Still I am grateful that I remain well enough to do most things.
 
We spent a weekend away at a friends cottage in Kangaroo Valley which was on their farm. It was just what we needed and the kids had a ball looking at cows and playing outside all day and only coming inside when it was time to eat. Thank you to our beautiful friends for inviting us down.
 
My sister Joan came to visit for three weeks from Canada. It was great to see her and to spend time together. Made me a bit homesick for family when she left.
 
 My husband Barry and our dear friend Vern rode in the 24 hour mountain bike relay in Canberra. The Campari Crazy's Team with Dean Gale and company  also rode and both teams raised money for Audrey's wish. Thank you to everyone as I know it was physically challenging.
 
The cooking classes at St Mary's were a lot of fun and the kids really seem to be enjoying it. I love  listening to them laugh. Great medicine for the soul.
 
I decided to host a Halloween party for the kids. We ended up with half the neighbourhood but the kids had lots of fun looking at all the  spooky decorations in the yard, bobbing for apples and trick or treating around the neighbourhood.
 
At this point I am on Oral Chemo one week on and one week off. My bloods remain low but I am relatively healthy so I cannot complain.