End of Week 2

Hi there, me again :-) .... here's more low down on our Davey boy.... 

We are two weeks down, now only five weeks of treatment to go!!! The weeks, thankfully seem to be flying by!!! Even Dave says so too, which is good that they are not dragging by for him!

Dave now seems to have the nausea under control at last, with the new regime of nausea medication. Hopefully now the new nausea meds are working the next round of chemo won't be so bad!! Keeping everything crossed!! We have one more week before the next round of chemo... they say this is supposed to be the week you feel your best before the next hit!!!

Meds now taking are:

• Nausicalm tabs 50mg (cyclizine) - 1 (am - on waking) & 1 (pm)
• Ondansetron Wafer (Zofran Zydis) 8mg x 1 (am - on waking)

We've been in and out each day for radiotherapy and met with the radio oncologist's registrar who was lovely and very helpful in suggesting various types of mouth sprays, gels etc to sooth the inside of Dave's mouth and gums.

As the radiotherapy treatment has started to take effect and the side affects of dry mouth, less saliva and ulcers are now kicking in, Dave has started using the following:

• Biotene dry mouth - mouthwash 
• Biotene moisturising mouth spray for dry mouth relief 
• Biotene oral balance dry mouth moisturising gel 

Also if his mouth gets really sore, and he can still swallow and eat, he can rinse with Mucosoothe 30 minutes prior to eating to numb the mouth so it doesn't hurt.

• mucosoothe - topical anaesthesia of the mouth and upper gastrointestinal track - oral gel 2% lignocaine

Plus making our own mouthwash:

• 1/2 tsp salt mixed with 200mls warm water; or

• 1 tsp sodium bicarbonate with 200mls warm water

Plus Bonjela mouth ulcer gel.

We also met with the Nutritionist again too who gave us more literature about best food options etc. Basically soft foods with lots of sauce.

Dave is also starting to use the Braun Oral-B Professional Care dental water jet Oxyjet unit that our friend Angus has kindly lent to us.  Angus found this extremely helpful when he went through this awful process three years ago!!! Thanks so much Angus for your support and advice, you have been invaluable xxx

Blurb from the product literature: The Oral-B Professional Care OxyJet uses the Oxyjet technology that enriches water with microfine bubbles or purified air for deep cleaning under the gum line, in order to help improve gum health.  Oxyjet also removes bacteria at the gum line and below, while gently removing the food particles from the hardest-to-reach areas.  The Oxyjet helps to protect the gums and is designed to enhance mouth freshness and clean health.  Oxyssurized air and water form microfine bubbles to attack plaque bacteria. The Spiral Water Streams with micro-bubbles gently massage the gums. It is possible to control the pressure of water from 1 (low pressure) to 5 (high pressure), according to your health.  OxyJet has a large 600ml water beaker. You can add a mouthwash product for better health.

The hospital where we visit each day has this beautiful enclosed garden to view through the glass... its full of dinosaurs and an active volcano... so cool to look at, each time I check it out I see something different.  Also each time I view it I think of how my gorgeous godsons, Samuel and Charlie would love it too!!

We've had a lovely relaxing weekend with no appointments again... its so nice not to have to get the car out and go anywhere!! Lazy mornings in PJs too :-) 

Saturday was a very emotional day for us both!!!! It was a year in the planning that on this day we would fly out to Rome, Italy to surprise our Uncle Murray and Jax for a four week tour around Southern Italy for Muzza's 60th Birthday!!! Jax broke the sad news to Muzza at Dubai airport that we were supposed to be enjoying their adventures with them!!  Muzza's response was... 

F**k! F**k! F**k! F**k! Please excuse my "Italian"!!!! Jax has just given me my surprise destination and the fact that you two lovely people were supposed to be in on it too!! What a bugger! Still Davey boy, better to get yourself right so we can have another major blowout sooner or later!! 

There will be lots more wonderful holidays and experiences together to be had as soon as Dave is fit and healthy again. 

On an EXCITING note.... we became GRANDPARENTS on Saturday night :-) Wahoooo!!!! Our first grandchild!!!! Our daughter Kimi gave birth to a gorgeous boy, 8lbs 9ozs at 4.50pm NZ time.  Kimi had an all natural birth at home... she is amazing!!! Name to be announced in the near future.  This is a photo I took off my phone when we FaceTimed last night... he is so gorgeous, but then I'm biased!!!  Dave and I are so so happy for Kimi and her amazing partner Jono.  Love you guys so much!! xxx 

Dave managed a couple of small walks over the weekend, which was good for him to get some exercise and some sun/warmth, vitamin D, on his body.  Dave also enjoyed a relaxing epsom salts bath for the first time in ages and a couple of foot massages with essential oils: Frankincense, Lavender, Peppermint, Onguard mixed together with fractionated coconut oil.  You can feel the love eh!!!!

I had a wonderful massage from our dearest darling friend Yvie... my back & neck were so tight and knotted, the worst they have ever been!!!! Thank you so much darling beautiful Yvie xxx  Love you heaps!!! 

'Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.

Without them humanity cannot survive.'... Dalai Lama

I'm so looking forward to this coming Thursday when my gorgeous, darling girlfriend Annie arrives... I expect there will be lots of tears on arrival!!!

Hope you all have a great week.

Chat again soon xxx