Getting close to the end, now..............

Once again, weeks have passed since last time I posted but not a lot has happened, although chemo moves inexorably on. I am now just one pump change and eight days from formally ending chemo. Today, then, is C6D13.

The last couple of weeks have not been particularly kind, as each major hit has impacted me a little more severely, and for a longer time. As an example, in the early days I used to be back to "normal" by about Tuesday after the big hit, but the last two have hung on longer, until this time its been just the last day or so that I've felt in the slightest bit "normal", and even then things are pretty relative! I've also noticed additional side effects as the process has matured, such as chest and arm pain, some shortness of breath after the tiniest exertion, some minor ear-ringing, a little facial numbness and an ongoing low grade headache. And of course the mucousitis which I wrote about last time. But compared to others I see in my weekly visits to the hospital, I'd rather be me (at least in the short-term!!).

Over the next couple of weeks, the plan is to restage the tumour/cancer. Next week sometime I'll organise a CT scan, then I'll have a biopsy on the cancer site by the gastro-intestinal guy (Thommo, remember?) and go down to Sydney for another PET scan. This last will have to wait a couple of weeks, as apparently the chemo interferes with the readings and throws up false positives - wouldn't want any of those, now, would we?!

One odd thing that I've noticed lately is that cancer and other serious illnesses are everywhere amongst my near contemporaries. One friend and close colleague has developed a nasty bowel condition over the past couple of months (diverticulitis?); another had a nasty and potentially fatal twisted intestine, while a third announced yesterday that he has aggressive prostate cancer and his future is uncertain. What is happening to the world?

And to add to the stress levels, the house is on the market prior to our shift later this year to Queensland. For those who are interested, we're no the web at allhomes.com.au at 32 Hawkesbury Crescent in Farrer ACT. Lots of photos which do the house absolute justice! The problem is that we're on exhibition twice a week for three weeks, and I am under extreme pressure to keep the house tidy. Not easy for a little grot like me! Luckily my real area of responsibility is the garden out the back, and given that we've deliberately designed it to be easy care, then its ............. easy.

I'll post next after the restaging process, with news about the future.