It appears that yesterday's entry was not quite clear enough for some: I have been inundated with calls (well, two) asking what the hell I meant! So (heavy sigh.....................)
Yesterday I went to the oncologist to get the results of my mid-term chemo scans. After the usual social chit-chat, he told me that the scans showed no sign of the cancer, and that the infected lymph nodes had returned to normal. After we (Gaye and I) scraped ourselves off the ceiling, he went on to tell us that I should continue the chemo to ensure that every skerrick of nastiness is removed from the rather dilapidated temple that is my body.
I liken it to a game of footy. At half time you're ahead 50 nil, but the coach tells you not to let up, but to go out and put another 60 or 70 points on the opposition to ensure that they never trouble you again!
Chemo does not result in cures, but remissions. If I want to be absolutely certain the little sucker never returns, the surgeons will have to decide in about three months that I'm operable - something they've resisted in the past. If I continue without surgery, it is possible, but by no means certain, that the cancer will return at some unspecified time in the future. But because its a slow growing, relatively non-aggressive form of cancer, it should never become as dangerous as it was this time - we should be able to stop it before it does real damage with close monitoring. This time it got to stage 4 before we noticed it.
Clear enough?
Thursday 16 August 2007
Wednesday 15 August 2007
Mid-term Report Card
Dear Mrs D'Arcy
I am happy to be writing this mid-term report for young Anthony.
When Anthony (some here call him Tony) arrived here just four months ago now, he was faced with the challenge of a new environment, the need to make new friends, and to complete a new and difficult curriculum.
When he first started, he was filled with enthusiasm and good intentions, and presented as a high-spirited lad with honourable aspirations. He worked hard initially, and quickly settled into a routine of work, study and exercise. He also fitted in well, and made many friends who continue to support him well.
If I have one criticism of his approach at this stage, it would be that perhaps he took advice from many different sources when he first started, perhaps promised a bit too much to himself and those around him, based upon somewhat dubious and non-scientific sources? He needs to watch this as he continues on.
After his initial enthusiasm, I have to say that he slowed down somewhat in the middle stages. He will tell you that it had to do with a lingering cold, a dripping nose and a sore chest and shoulder, but in my opinion it is symptomatic of a possible longer term problem with his approach to life generally: he may not be a finisher. You will need to watch this in him, and reinforce in him the need to complete what he sets out to achieve!
I am pleased to tell you, however, that he has passed his mid-term examination with flying colours - sometimes sheer talent and ability can make up for a lack of application (this may seem unfair to some, but it is the way of the world). This morning, as I was marking his paper, I was amazed at the progress he has made. There is no sign of the peripheral difficulties he had when he came, and the central problem that he demonstrated has dissipated to such a degree that I am pleased to advise that it is on the run. When I discussed his progress with his football coach, he suggested that it was "a little like leading 50 nil at half time: you know you've got them beaten, but you want another 50 points in the second half to be sure!" I agree with this assessment. I am also confident that the opposition is in a sorry state after the first half whacking they received, and are unlikely to present much resistance in the foreseeable future!
During the next period, I expect Anthony to put in the same amount of work as he has in the last three months. He will need to spend another nine weeks at hard study, and while at times this may seem unnecessary, I am sure that if he sticks to it in good spirit he will continue to reap the results he wants. I know that his success in the first part of the term will buoy him mightily as he progresses.
He mentioned to me that he had made plans to move to another cricket team later in the year, but that his need to attend this school meant that he had to continue to play here. I would strongly advise that he re-activate those plans: there is no reason for him to stay and suffer in our cold when the sub-tropics beckon so hard. Can I suggest that January would be a good time for him to make the move? I can see him in maroon.
In the meantime, we wish him luck for the future, especially the next few months. I have no doubt that the rigours of this place will continue to test him, but the end is in sight, and a fine end it is too!!
Yours sincerely
O. N. Cologist
(Head of School)
I am happy to be writing this mid-term report for young Anthony.
When Anthony (some here call him Tony) arrived here just four months ago now, he was faced with the challenge of a new environment, the need to make new friends, and to complete a new and difficult curriculum.
When he first started, he was filled with enthusiasm and good intentions, and presented as a high-spirited lad with honourable aspirations. He worked hard initially, and quickly settled into a routine of work, study and exercise. He also fitted in well, and made many friends who continue to support him well.
If I have one criticism of his approach at this stage, it would be that perhaps he took advice from many different sources when he first started, perhaps promised a bit too much to himself and those around him, based upon somewhat dubious and non-scientific sources? He needs to watch this as he continues on.
After his initial enthusiasm, I have to say that he slowed down somewhat in the middle stages. He will tell you that it had to do with a lingering cold, a dripping nose and a sore chest and shoulder, but in my opinion it is symptomatic of a possible longer term problem with his approach to life generally: he may not be a finisher. You will need to watch this in him, and reinforce in him the need to complete what he sets out to achieve!
I am pleased to tell you, however, that he has passed his mid-term examination with flying colours - sometimes sheer talent and ability can make up for a lack of application (this may seem unfair to some, but it is the way of the world). This morning, as I was marking his paper, I was amazed at the progress he has made. There is no sign of the peripheral difficulties he had when he came, and the central problem that he demonstrated has dissipated to such a degree that I am pleased to advise that it is on the run. When I discussed his progress with his football coach, he suggested that it was "a little like leading 50 nil at half time: you know you've got them beaten, but you want another 50 points in the second half to be sure!" I agree with this assessment. I am also confident that the opposition is in a sorry state after the first half whacking they received, and are unlikely to present much resistance in the foreseeable future!
During the next period, I expect Anthony to put in the same amount of work as he has in the last three months. He will need to spend another nine weeks at hard study, and while at times this may seem unnecessary, I am sure that if he sticks to it in good spirit he will continue to reap the results he wants. I know that his success in the first part of the term will buoy him mightily as he progresses.
He mentioned to me that he had made plans to move to another cricket team later in the year, but that his need to attend this school meant that he had to continue to play here. I would strongly advise that he re-activate those plans: there is no reason for him to stay and suffer in our cold when the sub-tropics beckon so hard. Can I suggest that January would be a good time for him to make the move? I can see him in maroon.
In the meantime, we wish him luck for the future, especially the next few months. I have no doubt that the rigours of this place will continue to test him, but the end is in sight, and a fine end it is too!!
Yours sincerely
O. N. Cologist
(Head of School)
Thursday 9 August 2007
Its Gorn - C3D15
Well, its happened - hair's gone. It happened like this.
On the weekend, Gaye and I went down to Kangaroo Valley (just inland and south of Wollongong, for the geographically challenged). We hadn't really been out of Canberra since the dreaded Black Friday, so we were up for it! We stayed at a top-notch B&B for three nights from Friday, and mosied up to Sydney on Monday, for a Tuesday meaning. We had a sublime weekend. Except for Saturday AM!
I have always said that when people started to notice the state of my hair, it was coming off. On Saturday morning we went into Berry looking for some Voltaren or similar for a painful shoulder. The chemist asked me whether I was on any drugs, and when I told her "a bucketload!", she looked at me then asked: "How far into the process are you? Chemo I mean." How could she tell, I asked - "your hair, of course - its typical of chemo patients. I bought the Voltaren, went around the corner to a little hair dressing salon, and 3 minutes and $15 later walked out a changed man.
But here's the thing - I have a really good head for it! And I want to know why brother Tim didn't tell me about the freedom that total baldness endows. I really enjoy it, as long as I don't catch an unexpected glimpse of myself in a mirror, or shop window reflection. I have bought, as promised, a snappy black fedora to accessorise the black overcoat. In the vernacular of the day, I look sick!!
But enough about me, and on to other things. On Monday next week I have the mid-process scan, as mentioned in the last post. Things haven't gone quite as expected in the last couple of weeks, with me having some odd chest and shoulder pain which has been affecting my sleep, and therefore my generally cheery good mood. Hence the Voltaren last weekend. I also have a little soreness in my neck/throat which is worrying me just a wee bit. In any case, if it gets any worse, its either mumps or Flu, rather than anything to do with the C.
More next week - you'll be among the first to know.
Oh, and I will post a photo in the next day or so, with and without hat!!
On the weekend, Gaye and I went down to Kangaroo Valley (just inland and south of Wollongong, for the geographically challenged). We hadn't really been out of Canberra since the dreaded Black Friday, so we were up for it! We stayed at a top-notch B&B for three nights from Friday, and mosied up to Sydney on Monday, for a Tuesday meaning. We had a sublime weekend. Except for Saturday AM!
I have always said that when people started to notice the state of my hair, it was coming off. On Saturday morning we went into Berry looking for some Voltaren or similar for a painful shoulder. The chemist asked me whether I was on any drugs, and when I told her "a bucketload!", she looked at me then asked: "How far into the process are you? Chemo I mean." How could she tell, I asked - "your hair, of course - its typical of chemo patients. I bought the Voltaren, went around the corner to a little hair dressing salon, and 3 minutes and $15 later walked out a changed man.
But here's the thing - I have a really good head for it! And I want to know why brother Tim didn't tell me about the freedom that total baldness endows. I really enjoy it, as long as I don't catch an unexpected glimpse of myself in a mirror, or shop window reflection. I have bought, as promised, a snappy black fedora to accessorise the black overcoat. In the vernacular of the day, I look sick!!
But enough about me, and on to other things. On Monday next week I have the mid-process scan, as mentioned in the last post. Things haven't gone quite as expected in the last couple of weeks, with me having some odd chest and shoulder pain which has been affecting my sleep, and therefore my generally cheery good mood. Hence the Voltaren last weekend. I also have a little soreness in my neck/throat which is worrying me just a wee bit. In any case, if it gets any worse, its either mumps or Flu, rather than anything to do with the C.
More next week - you'll be among the first to know.
Oh, and I will post a photo in the next day or so, with and without hat!!
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