Just a little something for the pain ..... Hospital food getting you down? ..... Honey now I'm not one to complain ....... But this hangin’ around ...... Is wearing me out .....

My New View
I can even see MICROMINE !!

This is why I hate iPad for blogging !! I just wrote a complete blog entry and pressed save and it all disappeared !!! AAARRRGGGHHHH
I will try again.... At least I'm in a position where I have all the time in the world to write !! Still frustrating though... especially on the iPad !! Which is why I am now using a laptop with a proper keyboard :-)
I can't remember what I blogged before so will have to try again - it is now 3 hours since I lost the last blog so I think this one will be completely different. The only thing I did, was make some quick notes on what I'd blogged about, so the subjects will be the same, just different !!
These are my notes.... I'll try and talk you through them.....

• View to work
• Eyesight
• Needles
• Plastic food
• Tami flu
• Visitors
• Neutrophils 2.44
• C Reactive Protein 26 was 10 !!

Anyway... to get you up to speed.... Monday I had my bloods done with Tina (my primary Nurse Practitioner in Haematology Care Centre HCC) All was going really well and she was extremely pleased with everything. Neutrophils were now 2.44 and my C Reactive Protein (which shows if you have an infection or not was at 10 - it was at 84 last time I was admitted to hospital and <5 is normal) I mentioned I'd had a bit of a cold / sore throat but that is seemed to be subsiding and that I was feeling better. She did a few tests to see if I had a fungal infection or anything else that could be easily detected and we left happy. Dirk was free to go back to work for a few hours and I was happy to hit the couch and relax with the pups. After a couple of hours I started to feel a bit chilly so cranked up the heater. I must have had it pretty high as the pups slunk downstairs and lay in the cooler climate of the hallway !! Me however... I was still freezing. I grabbed a blanket, put the heater up to 27C and tried to get warm. By 4pm I was shivering and my temperature was 39C.... Dirk got home and we decided it was time to head to Emergency. We had to wait around 40 minutes to get through Triage.... no "Get Through Quick Pass" this time. It was in line with all the other sick people.... like the guy in front of us that had a stiff neck, or the girl that had a sore tummy. At least when I got to the front of the queue, they whisked me off to a secluded room so I didn't catch a sore neck or tummy !!!! 

New Hospital - PMH

I was seen by the same HCC oncall Dr as before and she remembered me. This was a bonus as I didn't have to go through everything all over again. I was taken to the Emergency ward and X-Rayed. Then they attempted to put a cannula in.... this didn't go too well. I had a student practicing on me. Normally this wouldn't bother me at all, but I wasn't feeling the best and after two blown veins I burst int tears and he decided to get his boss / Dr.  The 3rd attempt was fine. Then they wanted blood too - but not from the cannula.... that was for anti-biotics in. So the came to take blood. It now became apparent that my veins were beginning to collapse at the 1st sign of a needle. Apparently this is common with chemo. Not permanent. I also had to do a pee test. My temp spiked again at around 10:30pm so I was given seven blankets and two panadol and Tami Flu anti-biotics. We decided that Dirk should go home at around midnight as all we were doing was waiting for a room to free up. After he left I was taken to the Emergency Obs ward and at around 2am I was admitted. Not to the haematolgy specialist ward I was in before, but apparently the next best one. And at least I got my own room. Since then, no-one has been allowed in without a mask and gloves on. 

Tuesday (yesterday) was pretty much the same... started the day off with spike temperature and swapping between shivers / lots of blankets / panadol / sweats - Every 12 hours intravenous anti-biotics, more bloods - I've had 9 blood tests in 24 hours. But by 8pm last night, I started to feel better. 

Today I had my last lot of panadol at 7am and since then have not had to have any. I'm still not allowed to go home (booo) they have to wait for my blood cultures to come back which take minimum of 48 hours !! 

Another View - Looking back towards home

But my nurse (Tina) came up from HCC to visit today, we had a good chat, and she made me feel better. Dirk has been in morning and night. And today I've been able to pick up my kindle and read - although the geekster's I got two months ago may need to be updated again very soon. My eyesight is deteriorating fast !! I'm hoping it's a temporary situation from the chemo, but I'm not sure. I'm still seeing blurry letters when I read and have to have my font on large !! WTF !!

So that's pretty much where I'm at to date. It's Wednesday evening now. Dirk has bought tea in (YAY!!) We're having Vodka Chicken Penne (thanks Jo) because the hospital food is unbearable. Soooo bad. Worse than school dinner!! - yes that bad - although if anyone is looking for a way to lose weigh fast - hospital is the answer !! 

Hopefully I'll be home tomorrow and maybe over the weekend will be able to have visitors too. I'm clear of being neutropenic now, I just have to be cautious. Which I will be. Anything to keep me out of hospital......

I'm working on a dream ......Though trouble can feel like it's here to stay .......I'm working on a dream ....Well our love will chase trouble away.....

I really don't know how I would get through all this without Dirk. And I'm not sure I can put into words how much I love him and appreciate how he has been there for me. I know if the tables were turned I'd do the same for him (I'm not sure I'd be as good as he is though) ..... but it's not the other way around. And at the end of the day he is putting up with everything.... and not complaining, and doing everything & anything for me. And his support has been relentless since January. For any carer out there... I cannot begin to think how hard it is for you. Thank you seems so little for what you do...... BIG love to you all. But ALL my love to MY carer. (he won't like this mushy stuff, but it has to be said) I love you Dirk......

I finished work on Friday..... I won't go into it too much... needless to say, I may have overdone the "farewell vino's". Maybe not the best idea, but done now. Apologies have to go out to my work friends that had to see me that way !! (hopefully by the time I get back to work it'll be forgotten !! ) awkward !! But I had fun... so that's what's important right? 

Yesterday was D-3 (the format my hospital use for transplant day calculations) Transplant day is D 0 then D+1, D+2 etc etc. until you are discharged. It was an easy start to the week with just the blood test. I managed to get sorted after that, with shopping, washing and last minute house stuff. Knowing that I probably won't have the energy or strength to do much. I wanted to get my sister's room ready and looking nice. I also needed to buy a heater for her room so she's not too cold. I'm really looking forward to seeing her, and I know it will also help Dirk. Just having the extra support here. He will be able to go out and even go back to work without having to worry about leaving me alone. So got that sorted, and then we went out for a last "drug free" dinner.

Today (Tuesday) was CVC (Central Venus Catheter) and Melphalan (Chemo) day. I was a little nervous about today. I guess knowing that someone was going to cut into my jugular and then pour in a drug that will make me feel like shite will do that to you !! So I put on my colourful jumper and even made up my face to help make me feel happy and not sick looking (it may sound vain, but it makes me feel happier to look healthy) and we drove into hospital. As always, the nurses were great. I was taken to theatre "recovery" for the CVC to be fitted. It's done under local anaesthetic - not the most pleasant experience - I felt most of it. The needles going in to such a soft area was probably the worst feeling. Then all I could feel was the pressure of the wires and needles. But it was bare-able. Afterwards an X-ray is done to ensure the CVC is situated correctly, then I was wheeled back down to the Haematology Care Centre (HCC) where everything is done for Haemo patients. I'm calling the CVC my new jewellery, as it dangles around my neck, and I'll be wearing it for the next couple of weeks until I'm discharged.

Dirk was waiting for me with a muffin, as I hadn't eaten anything yet. I managed to scoff a little of it before I was prepped for the infusion. To stop the mouth ulcers and probability of Mucositis they give you ice to suck before, during and afterwards. My nurses told me to continue for at least a couple of hours afterwards too. If there's one thing I've learned so far, it's to listen to the nurses and Dr. They go through this everyday, with a variety of patients and situations. They Know !! So I have listened to what they've told me so far and followed it to the hilt. 

The day was relatively painless and we returned home around 2pm. Mav had decided to eat his bed !! lol... we had left both dogs inside as it was raining badly and we didn't want to get home to wet dogs !! We knew they'd be a surprise at home, we just weren't sure what it was going to be.

I continued to eat ice until just before 4pm. Then I called dad to let him know about my day before I fell asleep until 7:30pm. We had some tea and watched some TV and now I'm in bed... they also put me back on the dexamethasone (hence being awake still at 12:45am !!) but I'm also paranoid about how I feel... silly I know, but I'm also watching the Olympics so it's not all bad !!

Tomorrow is a "rest day" and I intend to rest before the implant on Thursday. Drink lots of water and stay away from germs !! Fingers crossed all will be un-eventful.....

Once again, thanks for all the messages, posts and emails. I know I may not have responded to all of you, but thank you all the same. I've had some great emails from people I haven't spoken to for a while, it's great to hear from them. Also from people I don't even know. I'm sorry if I haven't responded yet... I still intend to. But I hope this blog helps in some way to anyone that may not have the support I have, or is just interested in the whole process....

Anyway, as usual this is a late night entry, which means, when I read it again in the morning I find spelling mistakes and incorrect grammar (which I hate) and sometimes cringe at what I've written. But I guess that what happens when you share your personal shit with the world !!

Night, Night, God Bless xxxx 

The title is dedicated to Dirk - "Working on a Dream" by Bruce Springsteen.

We've golden soil and wealth for toil....... Our home is girt by sea..........

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie........ Oi, Oi, Oi !!!!
And so... after 8220 days..... 1174 weeks...... or 22 years, 6 months and 3 days I have become an Australian Citizen.....
It was all a bit of a rush, but then the whole week has been like that. Since Sunday I have not had the chance to scratch myself. At work this week we have had a regional managers conference. Manager's from all of our international offices have been in town. (Brazil, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, Indonesia, UK, USA, Mongolia, South Africa & the Australian management group) I really struggled Monday & Tuesday - had the shakes and the after effects of all my drugs plus the Zometa infusion on Friday running through my system. In fact when I look back at the early part of the week now, it's all a bit hazy !!
I also picked up my new car on Monday too. Fantastic !! And the more I drive it, the more I like it. I was quite sad to say goodbye to my 3 series - it was such a beautiful car to drive. But having said that I am now suitably impressed with my new one...... the dogs also got their first run in the car on Tuesday - well seeing as the main reason for changing over the vehicle was for their benefit we thought we'd better test run the boot !! - all was (of course) perfect. They jumped in and were contained beautifully. Maverick stood proudly looking out the windows and Charlie lay down under Maverick's feet and "tried to" relax.
As the week wore on the effects of the drugs gradually began to calm down with just the daily effects of the nightly Thalidomide to content with..... a few jitters, mild shakes and a feeling of being whacked out whilst on the equivalent of 10 red bull's. I managed to make it into work pretty much on time every day (by 9am) and stayed the full day each day too.
Thursday morning I got up at 6:30am and took Dirk's car to be detailed, north of the river. Then picked it up at 5pm, rushed home.... as much as you can in peak hour traffic. Quick change before rushing back out to Melville Civic Centre for my citizenship ceremony. When we arrived, the Mayor greeted Dirk immediately - recognising him as one of his former students.... he was Dirk's maths teacher from school !! Nice chap with a big grin and quick wit. I liked him. We spent the next hour watching as four groups of about 15 people each group voiced their pledges to Australia and became Aussies. I was in group two. I'd decided to do the pledge with "God" in it. (You had a choice to either leave Him out or have Him in..... I decided to leave Him in.... no reason really, I just did. And with the way things are at the moment, I think a girl needs all the help she can get, so if God is going to help me, the least I can do is acknowledge Him !!)
We were asked if we wanted to stay for a cup of tea.... however we had a work dinner. I had cheekily asked if Dirk could join too as I really wanted to share a dinner with all the guys from work, but also wanted to celebrate with Dirk after the ceremony. My MD was very happy for Dirk to come along, so we dashed out straight after a quick pic next to the flag with the Mayor. Arrived at The Old Swan Brewery in time for a celebratory glass of NZ SSB - much more appropriate than a cup of tea in my mind !! and once everyone had arrived we sat down. We had a great night. At each course, we all moved round the table four spots so everyone had to talk to new people. I really enjoyed myself. Food was excellent too. Although far too much !! We got home at midnight.... I popped my Thalidomide and crashed out.
Friday we finished off the week with a few discussions and final meetings. Then headed to UWA for a Micromine Soiree. I was tiring BIG time by this point. The week was beginning to take it's toll. I managed to enjoy a glass of vino before deciding enough was enough..... so I bid my farewell's to the international visitors and made a quick exit. It was Friday.... which means only one thing in our house..... Pizza night !! But it was an ordered one this week. We just couldn't face cooking. It arrived in the obligitory 30 minutes. and 30 minutes later I was asleep..... lights out.... stick a fork in me.... I was done !!
Today we managed to get a few jobs done. It was a gorgeous day, sunshine, warm with just a light breeze. We fixed the fence, stained the outdoor table & chairs and Dirk mowed the lawns. Now we're watching the footy. I'm happy because the team I tipped are winning, unfortunately I tipped against Dirk's team, so he's not happy !! I guess you can't win them all.
It's Aussie Mother's Day tomorrow. Dirk's off to his parent's beach house to help with an annual clean up. I'm off for Dim Sum breakfast with a girlfriend .... I think I won on that one !! haha. Not sure what else we'll do. I started Cycle 6 today so I may have to play it by ear..... Blood tests again on Monday in time for a visit to Dr Ben on Wednesday. I'm interested to see what he says about my results. Hopefully he'll be as happy as I am.

Late news .... just in..... I've just found out that my mum is coming out of hospital today !! Yay, yippee... I am so pleased she's headed home. And in time for Mother's Day too !! I'll have to make a call to dad and make sure that he spoils her on our behalf :-) Now the road to recovery starts again for mum. This time it will be successful !!! Happy Mother's Day for tomorrow mum. Love you loads xxxxx
One last thing before I sign off.... I'm having a "Biggest Morning Tea" for cancer fundraising at work on 25th May. It's at work so hopefully a few work colleagues will come and share a cup-cake or two. But if anyone wants to donate you can do it here...

I feel fine and I feel good...... I'm feeling like I never should .......Whenever I get this way I just don't know what to say ..........Why can't we be ourselves like we were yesterday...........

It's been a bit of a crappy week so far.... but not because of me. Unfortunately mum has had another setback. No matter how much you stay positive and convinced all is going to be ok, it's bloody tough waiting for the phone calls and updates. Never really knowing if all the news is coming through or if it's the edited version !! One thing I've learned is that bad news across the phone is one of the hardest things to deal with...... Mum has now lost one of her kidney's and has had to go on  a bypass for a while to get the other kidney back into shape and working again. Not a great situation but something that has to be done to get her better. But my god.... if there is someone out there that is strong, it's my mum !! She is amazing, her journey has been going for a lot longer than mine, but she has never once let it get the better of her. It must be where I get my strength from !! Mum, everything I've learned about being strong and staying positive, I've learned from you and dad..... We will get through all this together and celebrate as a family at a large event in the near future !! I love you both more than anything xxxxxxx (now stop leaking and read on.... it's all about me here !!)


My week? ..... drug induced, more pricks (of the needle variety - well mostly!!) and work filled..... Nothing much different really. I had a feeling I was beginning to understand the drug cycle of my chemo a bit more..... but then I'm not so sure. I think I know the signs.... but the goalposts keep changing. Some days I'm tired, others not so much. Somedays I feel fine for a few hours then fall in a heap by the end of the day. Then lie awake until 2am.... I think I've worked out that the Dexa makes me online shop !! (secretly I LOVE that !!) This week it's been a new doona/quilt for winter, new sheets and a new bag !! faaaabulous....Mornings are still the hardest. I find it almost impossible to start my day before 8am. I wake up groggy and puffy eyed (very attractive I might add - for those of you who know my morning state of affairs ... hair styles.... manner etc you will appreciate how extra grogginess and puffy eyes can only enhance that delightful morning Vixen style) 


I think I'm staying on top of my work. Hopefully people aren't bitching behind my back that I'm not doing a good job.I'm pretty sure they bitch behind my back a lot, but not because of any drugs I'm taking !!.... I'd rather know than not. At least to be aware of where I'm slipping. I'm making an inordinate number of lists and notes these days to try and keep on top of what I have to do. I don't really stop working at any time. If I have a break in the day, I'm still working into the night....I actually seem to get more done working from home at the moment. Solid hours sitting in my pj's at the computer is not as bad as I thought it would be. I'm not just saying all this either... I really love my job. It's challenging, different every day and I like the variety of my work. I love the industry and technology and love the company I work for. Not many people can say that... so I think I'm pretty lucky.The chemo really makes you forget things though. Even from one meeting to the next I can forget what the topics of conversation were about...... but maybe that's my age and nothing to do with the drugs at all !!! As I said.... lots of notes and highlighter pen.


I did another stupid thing today ... another sugar overload !! OMG it was just ridiculous..... what was I thinking. The Cyclo & Deza together really messes with your tastebuds...... and I mean BIG time messes. Nothing you eat tastes like anything. So I was trying to find something to zap my buds into a frenzy and satisfy me. Instead of feeling like I was eating a plate of tissues. So after a piece of homemade pizza I thought I'd try the sticky date pudding left over from last Sunday. Now last week I wasn't on the Dexa (just the Cyclo) so I managed to get some flavour into my mouth before it disappeared. This week...... not so much !!! But I managed to overdose enough to blow out my little stomach pouch and get a sugar rush without tasting a thing !! blluurrgghhhhhh what a waster of a sugar high !!! It was shitty.... feeling sick but without any of the sugary satisfaction. Like I said... a complete waste of sugar !!!

And the other thing we did today was look for a new car. It is getting to the point now that we can't take the dogs anywhere as we don't have a car that fits all of us in. I'd seen a car online yesterday (Friday) and enquired about it. I mentioned that we'd go and have a look at it this morning, but when we got there it was sold !! He'd sold it yesterday but failed to mention that on the phone.... bloody car salesman !! I was so angry. Don't mess with a girl on drugs !! He tried to show us other cars but I wasn't interested. On our way out we stopped at the Audi dealership and Dirk saw a nice A3 Hatch which could work. So maybe we'll change our search and see about test driving one of these.....

Miss T & Mr Q

Cake & Candles

And then it was off to our god-daughter's (Miss T) 6th birthday bash at the park. She is just beautiful and we love her. Unfortunately the party side was cancelled due to a sick filled week for Miss T's mum with Mr Q, so it was just god-parents today, but we had a great catch up and a bit of a play. A few girly giggles and chats. (with mum and god-mum to Mr Q)The boys talked non-stop sport (cricket, bowling - lawn bowls (wtf?) and footy) and we talked everything else.(shopping, sex, men, and stuff) The kids ran around and played, the sun shone, it was relaxing and fun.....


On the way home we stopped at the shops to grab a birthday pressy for an upcoming family member's birthday ;-) Got home to watch a very bad, boring and scrappy Fremantle vs Brisbane game of footy on the telly and promptly fell asleep for a couple of hours. Watched a bit more of our current TV show (Fringe) and that brings me to now.... 1:50am Sunday morning. Time for more sleep now I think. Tomorrow is washing and a few bits and bobs to do in preparation for next weekend's engagement party. I can feel a couple of trips to Bunnings on the cards for tomorrow..... but what's a weekend without a trip to Bunnings??

As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction........

and so to remember everything I'd just written over the past two days..... I was clicking "save" but it obviously wasn't saving !!! grrrrr.... I lost the lot !!

I started with the birthday - Thursday - I went to work and managed to get through morning tea of sausage rolls, tim tams and cake.... then went out for a nice quiet lunch with my friend, caught up on a little more work then made it home where I crashed out on the couch and slept. Dirk was at cricket but came home early with a pizza for tea. He chose a beautiful pancetta & blue cheese one, which ordinarily I would have found yummy, but at the time all I could think of was salt & heartburn !! So what did he do? He went straight back to the pizza shop and bought me a different one.... even knowing I'd only have one slice !! bless him :-) ...... a little while later, birthday was over and I went to bed.... It hadn't been the best day, but not much you can do about that. 

Friday was slightly better (feeling wise) I trundled off to work again. Mornings these days are a real struggle. I am so totally wiped out in the mornings. It takes me a good hour to fully wake up. My eyes are puffy and my body feels sluggish as well as my back aching and tight. But I managed it in by about 9:30am and got straight into the day. I was determined not to feel crap. I had dinner to look forward to in the evening. I figure that sometimes you can fool your body into believing that you feel great.... if you keep telling yourself enough you start to believe it !!

Balthazar

Balthazar was fabulous.... great company, great food and great evening. I have to rave about the food as it was absolutely exquisite.... Dirk had fillet steak that cut like soft butter, Bec & Ben had the Duck and I had Pork with black pudding and scallops.... just divine !! Ben & I shared a beautiful bottle of Gaja - Sito Moresco Langhe which was just a fab as the food.... mmmmm.... 

If anyone is looking for somewhere special to go to I would highly recommend Balthazar - we loved it. 

The Pork

The Duck

The Steak

Saturday was Day8 of Cycle 3 which means drug day <groan>.... 10 X Cycloblastin. (as well as the daily normal + daily vitamins) I did what I usually do on a drug day... hit the shops !! It's easier than sitting at home waiting for the effects to kick in. If I'm mindlessly wandering around I don't tend to feel quite as much intensity as they take hold. And I can forget about everything and just meander around without having to talk or think about anything. I managed to find some bargains for Dirk from FCUK & Country Road which were very well received, and found a couple of bargains for myself. But.... I have one problem that I'd like to share with you all...... WHY do girls wear racer back tops and normal bra's?? Hello.... has anyone told them?  The bra straps look ridiculous !! If you are wearing a racer back, then get a bra that has the same straps or wear a strapless bra.... I saw so many girls with this look - and it looks crap !! Now I realise that I am not the worlds biggest fashionista .... BUT even I know that you need to glance at your rear view before you leave the house. I cannot believe how many girls don't know this rookie rule. There are exceptions to the rule  - like in the gym - BUT not in a shopping centre when clearly you have not been near a gym in decades..... I had a second issue yesterday too, but cannot remember what it was now.... I've been wracking my brain, but it escapes me..... I'll let you know when I remember!! 

The rest of my Saturday was once again spent sleeping before Dirk & I hit the kitchen and whipped up a little Goulash and Nockerl (Hungarian dumplings) in the Thermomix.... delicious !! I also baked a apricot and apple crumble and custard for dessert as Dirk had been harping on about one (well had asked once... heh heh).

And so to Sunday..... 11am I woke up this morning !! Sleep really is my best friend at the moment. The nightly Thalidomide really wipes me out. It takes about an hour to take hold (after taking it) and approx 15-20 hours before I feel like I'm awake. Which doesn't leave too many hours in between.... 

We went to watch South Perth at the cricket today - three teams were in the semi's and now there are two in the finals next week. Hopefully at least one of them will win a flag.... they have to !!

I have bloods and Dr Ben this week. Last appointment until May as he's going away for April. Hopefully we'll see more good results. I have more Zometa to look forward to this month (Not!) and an appointment with a Dr from Royal Perth Hospital about the stem cell replacement. I can't wait until all this is over. I'm sure my mum feels the same..... her chemo looks like being bought forward as there's been some changes for her. I just hope it all goes ok.... I'm here mum for any questions or just to offload or chat :-)

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place.......Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace......Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste

So I've realised that amongst all of my self centred obsession, I've been neglecting my duties as a friend lately. I've failed to catch up with people and call them to see how they are doing.... my bad. So how are you all :-) ? - <joke> my intention is to be a better friend and get back to normal. Expect a phone call very soon. If you don't get one and you want one, let me know !! For those of us that use Facebook, it's so easy to stay on top of what's happening with everyone. All you do is click on their name and stalk their updates to gain insight into all the news. Check out pictures of parties, birthdays, children, drunkenness (my favourite) etc. and you feel like you were almost there with them. Brilliant !!

Day31..... The Blood Tests

I had another check up and got my blood test results with Dr Ben yesterday. I was prepared with my little pink book full of questions for the month and we went in. The girl on reception is a young Irish girl.... just lovely I'm sure, but we can't understand a bloody word she says !! I think she said something along the lines of "we don't have an appointment for you today" but after some sign language and nodding, we sat down and waited and eventually Dr Ben called us in. Straight to blood test results... brilliant !! Just to explain a little - non-secreatory Multiple Myeloma cannot be detected via the blood and urine so traditionally was hard to detect as it lay within the bone marrow and didn't show in normal type of blood tests. They now have a new test that is run called "serum free light chain" which picks up the protein levels in the blood to detect how things are going.
The normal range that I was being measured on is Kappa: 3.3–19.4 mg/L - my 1st result in Jan was 402mg/l after 10 days of chemo my second result came back at 354mg/L and then yesterday I was down to 175mg/L !! This is great news dropping so quickly. Even quiet Dr Ben appeared slightly happy ! He even smirked (I think - unless he had wind) He also went on to say that I may start the autologous stem cell replacement within a couple of months !(gulp) So I am booked to see another specialist at Royal Perth hospital for mid March to start that process. The other thing that I have to start is an intravenous drug called Zometa this is a sort of calcium booster that helps prevent bone weakness and also assists in slowing down the cancer growth. It can only be given intravenously so off to the hospital next Wednesday morning for this one. I asked him about my shakes and he said they should start to get better as my body becomes more accustomed to the Thalidomide !! Lovely.....

Day 32

Last night Dirk and I had the pleasure of joining our soon-to-be-wed friends for dinner. We went to a fabulous little place on the beach in Fremantle called The Pickled Fig - fabulous food, good bottle of bubbles but the company was the best part of the whole night. I can't say how much I love this couple. Such a pleasure to spend time with. You know when you meet some people and they just lift everything. Always happy, fun to be around and just gorgeous. I am so looking forward to Sunday to see their big day together. I just know its going to be fab. AND Kasey even bought me a gift. from one girl who has just done it all, to another that is about to start..... she bought me a wedding planner !! It is the BEST and I love it.... see what I mean about gorgeous? !!

Day33 - The Pickled Fig, Fremantle

And so today... back to another full on day. I'm a little behind on some work and it just keeps piling up. Now I also have to think about taking time off in a couple of months (for a few months) I'd been planning for around Aug / Sept time. But I guess once I see the stem cell guy from Royal Perth in late March, I'll know a bit more. And also we have a few more cycles of chemo and a fair few more tests before I know anything.
The end of the day was one of Micromine's (in)famous Soiree's - a fabulous event at work and one that I always relish. Open bar, nibbles and an uplifting presentation from our MD. It's always fun and I love the speeches. I might add that they aren't always PC, but they are always honest :-) Today was no exception. Love it. Love that place too.....

So my new day resolution is to be a better friend again. Starting tomorrow :-) Keeping in touch and returning calls. Making sure I take the time to see how they are all going. There'll be plenty of time for me. But I can't neglect them - they are all too special..... VERY special and I love them all..... very much.

Day34 - The Byrneleigh - Micromine Soiree