Day 230: Weekend of relaxing

I said goodbye to my mum and nicked away for the weekend with my family, so I took the weekend off writing.

On Friday morning we all packed: Mum for her return home and us for our weekend in Wombatra, just over an hour south and about 45 minutes past the airport. It was Anzac Day, so Alex wanted to March with Cubs in the parade to the memorial ceremony at 11a. Nick accompanied him and we girls went to watch. It was my first time attending a service in the 15 or so opportunities I've had. We dashed when the rain started.

We got mum checked in and organised some transfer help for her at SFO. Then we all had lunch before saying goodbye. I was sad to watch her walk to Customs, even though we'll see her in a few months. It all seemed a bit easier with her here and it was so great to have her company and support.

By mid-afternoon we arrived at the little beach cottage we rented. It sat on the cliff above Wombarra reef (and the "mermaid pool" we discovered a few years ago while on holiday with Sandy and Mig). We spent our time over the next few days between playing at the reef and nearby beach and hanging around the house reading, talking or playing games. It was just the slowing down that we all needed.

With only 10 more days until the end of the parts of treatment that focus on killing fast-growing cells that are dividing, I am feeling ok. I have a worsening "burn" on my chest, with the skin by by left collarbone actually peeling. The night "wrap" seems to help with the overall area; it's clear that I'll need to put some heavy duty cream on the peeling area in addition to the aloe and sorbolene. I'm told that my skin will get worse the week following my final treatment, so I figure I'm in skin-preservation mode for another few weeks.

Day 227: It's not all about treatment

The Sydney Brick Show started today, and we had tickets.  That's right, Lego fans, it was all about what people can make with those cool bits of plastic.  Mum, Alex, Remie and I drove Errol to Sydney  Town Hall and we spent an hour looking at all sorts of amazing creations.  We even chatted with Ryan McNaught, the only Lego certified professional in the Southern Hemisphere (of only 13 in the world). The kids used the money they earned yesterday from cleaning my car to buy 2 new sets.

We left and winged it: we had a coffee in the beautiful and iconic QVB across the road, then we had our packed lunches as a picnic in Kirribilli park looking at the Opera House and finally we had ice blocks (it was nearly 30 degrees C) in a playground and hung out with Col at JackWattsCurrie, my ad agency from my Yahoo! days. We dashed to radiotherapy and were out in 20 minutes. Fantastic!

We had our last dinner with my mum tonight. I'm sad she's leaving as it's been so nice to have her here just having her company has been comforting to me and the kids. But I suppose that all good things come to an end (the corollary to "this, too, shall pass).

Day 226: A new look

I dragged myself out of bed at 7a because I remembered that Susan was coming to do yoga with the kids. I'd been up from 1-2.30a as a result of a hot flush, as seems to be the case a few nights per week at the moment.

After the kids' yoga, Alex and I went to have our eyes checked as he wanted new glasses with transition lenses and I wanted daily disposable contacts. His prescription got slightly worse (he's at +2.25R/+1.25L) and mine was the same. I had to try on the contacts and could definitely feel how dry my eyes are. While I'm happy to have the option of contacts, I'm happy to continue wearing glasses- as they are definitely more comfortable.

From there we zipped to hospital. Dr. Susan was at the radiation rooms, so I met with her upon arriving. She was pleased with the elasticity of my skin and not too bothered about the "minor" burn. She asked me how I was sleeping and, when I told her, consoled me by explaining that's the usual pattern and assuring me that it will settle down. In the meantime, she gave me a script for Tamazepam, a light sleeping pill that should help me get back to sleep in the middle of the night but wake up ok in the morning.

I then dropped Alex at home with Mum and Remie while I went to see Heather, my miracle-worker hairdresser. I walked in with hair like this:

Emma Watson's short hair inspired her, so she cut and coloured and made me look as glamourous as possible at this point in time:

I'm not sure I look much like Emma Watson, but I do feel that this was a great way to mark my 6 week anniversary of my final chemo session.

I got home, tidied up and prepped afternoon tea. Mum spent the day making a batch of French-Canadian meat pies at Remie's request. Sue, H and J came by for a catch up, which was great. I can't believe they'll be gone in 2 weeks :-(

When they headed out, we went to Manlt for dinner with Simon and Bel, Z and A and Simeon's parents. It was wonderful to catch up after way too long.

I jumped into bed a bit past 8p. Fingers crossed I can sleep more than 3 hours in a row.

Day 225: Back at it

No sooner had I walked into radiation oncology for my 1.30p appointment than my name was called; I hadn't even swiped my "check in" card. It was really quiet, which made sense after I overheard one of the radiotherapists mentioning at Apollo, the other machine, was down. I was out of the machine in 15 minutes, but was then told I needed to hang around for a mid-term scan. About half way through the course of treatment a scan is done to make sure nothing had changed regarding internal dimensions (e.g. Weight loss or gain) as radiotherapy is so very precise (I want them to know exactly where my heart and lungs are so the beams stay clear of them).  All was fine and I was headed home in 45 minutes.

Other than that,an aborted eye exam for Alex and me which turned into grocery shipping, and a trip to the local park for my mum and the kids, we hung around the house. There was washing to do and I was too tied to do much after being awake with Remie for about an hour and a half in the night. The kids did perform a little circus for mum and me which was very entertaining.

I did talk to one of the Breastcare nurses who told me to:
- keep my nails covered for 3 months,
- expect that my eyelashes will take quite awhile to grow back,
- spray a mix of salt and water on my "burned" areas to take away the sting, and
- look to the 3 month post-chemo mark as a time when most side effects will diminish (eyes and eyelashes take the longest)

I am definitely hanging in day-by-day at the moment. I am too tired to do most of what I'd like to, which is frustrating. I am looking forward to feeling better in 2-3weeks, but I am also cognisant that life is short so I am trying to appreciate every day.

Day 224: Easter weekend in Canberra

Canberra is the capital of Australia. It's like DC but it's not. There are lots of wonderful museums and the city is layed out in a very orderly fashion. It doesn't, however, have the same energy as DC. It's a bit of a ghost town, aside from the tourist attractions.  The city centre was buzzing the dat before Easter, but the rest of the city seemed very quiet. Given all that, it's been a perfect spot for our 3- generation little break.

We've seen Questacon, the kids' science museum, the War Memorial, the Inca exhibit at the National Gallery and the Canberra Glassworks plus have been on a few bike rides around Lake Burley Griffin. The kids enjoyed an Easter egg hunt at our hotel and the attention of all 3 of their grandparents.

I had a few rest periods (one for about 2 hours on Friday afternoon when I was exhausted) and quiet nights in our apartment once the kids had gone to sleep and the grandparents plus Nick hung out next door in their apartment. I was happy for the quiet time as I get so tired by the end of the day.

It was great to have a change of scenery. It was a bit of work coordinating everyone's preferences. I realised I definitely don't have a level of energy I am used to. It made me question a US adventure and made me think planning and the option to opt out will be key.

Day 220 (Thurs, 17 April): Treating the side effects of radiotherapy

Radiotherapy has 2 main side effects: "sunburn" on the radiated area and general tiredness. I am lucky enough to be experiencing both as of Tuesday. The tiredness apparently takes 6 weeks after final treatment to lessen; the "sunburn" will be at it's worse the week after final treatment then start to improve.

After treatment today, the radiologist noticed that my skin was starting to peel, so she brought me to a new nurse. He nurse suggested wearing soft bras, but I was on my way to Canberra for the weekend so I only had what was with me. She insisted that I keep the area moist and free from rubbing, so she showed me her trick: she smeared the affected with Solugel, then put a large piece of plastic wrap over it to keep the gel from getting on my clothing.  She then cut a large piece of stretchy "boob tube" elastic into a sort of singlet and slipped it on over the plastic. I felt like a piece of meat being cured, but it did make the "burn" feel much better. She gave me tubes of Solugel ("for ulcerative wounds") and another "singlet".

Mum, Nick, Alex, Remie and I had already been to the dentist for the kids' appointment on the way to the hospital. After my treatment we picked up Errol (the chemo car), who'd been at the garage, dropped it off at Nick's work, then headed down to Canberra. We made it in just over 3 hours (all 5 of us in my Honda CRV) and arrived to Nick's parents waiting. We headed out to a great dinner at Me and Mrs. Jones (thanks, Pruzer, for the recommendation). After getting the kids to bed and having a quick visit with the folks, I collapsed into bed.

Day 219: Radiotherapy leaves its mark

Aside from the random traffic on the way to hospital, my radiotherapy went quickly.  I asked the radiologist about some itchiness on my chest; she confirmed that it is the result of the radiotherapy. Her advice was to keep the whole area from becoming dry and to avoid the sun (my whole chest on the left side from my collarbone to the midline and down is getting zapped). Apparently this area will be permanently more susceptible to sunburn. Finally, I'm not supposed to use any sun cream on the area while I'm having treatment.

The radiologist said that I needed to see Dr. Susan today as I hadn't yet seen her yet during treatment. She offered to call as Dr. Susan was at her office across the road. She came back to tell me that Dr. Susan had 2 patients she needed to see so I would see Bronwyn, the radiation nurse, while I waited. Bronwyn gave me some Solugel to keep the affected area from getting dry and, after confirming that Dr. Susan was going to be busy for awhile, sent me on my way.

As Wednesday is accounts day, I was asked to pay my $2,200 invoice on my way out. I'm looking it as 2,200 points closer to a free Qantas ticket.

While Mum organised dinner and the kids entertained themselves, I packed. We're heading down to Canberra tomorrow for the Easter long weekend.  Nick's parents are coming up to meet us. We're bringing bikes and planning to get to Questacon, the awesome science museum. I'm just looking forward to being somewhere other than home.