Week 8 - Eighth Week of Recovery - Post Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy Treatment

Hi There!

Another great week in recovery for Dave.  His strength, taste, appetite and eating is progressively getting better each day.

The last couple of days he has started to enjoy a few different food options.

For lunch one day Dave fancied an omelette with baked beans.  So I made a grated zucchini omelette with grated cheese.  Dave was able to taste it slightly and enjoy a small portion of it :-)

Saturday just gone we enjoyed lunch out again.  This time at our golf clubhouse, The Vintage.  At the moment each Saturday they are serving Yum Cha.  Dave was able to enjoy and taste a few of the tasty dishes on offer.  Which was fantastic.

So because Dave's eating a little more each day this means he is dropping off one or two of the Ensure TwoCals he has been having via his PEG.  So this is a great progress.

Dave's weight is staying stable too.

I have noticed a slight swelling in his neck some mornings, this is due to a build up of fluid in the lymphatic system caused by the lymph nodes being damaged during radiation treatment.  They call it Lymphedema.  Can be treated by gentle skin massage around the area.

Dave's sleeping patterns seem to be improving as well.  Too well at times as when he lays on his left side the snoring begins!  Though its not too bad.  I just give him a slight nudge and he rolls over and stops :-)  I've also stopped taking the sleeping pills I was taking too which I'm very happy about, as I hate taking pills!

So the next update on Jordan's visit... Monday morning we did a bit of reccy work together on the computer as Jordan is looking for a property to hire for an in-house workshop late next year here in the Hunter Valley.  The property needs to house ten guests in their own beds/rooms and preferably own bathrooms too, plus that five star feel to it.  We managed to find a few around the valley that we were able to check out and be excited about.  Work completed, then off to enjoy a massage at The Chateau Elan Day Spa.  Then later on Dave drove us around the Valley so we could do a drive by on the properties we found. Tuesday morning we were able to look inside a couple of properties which was great and gave Jordan a great perspective of what was on offer.

love this pic... located in a Peppers Creek Barrel Room

Thanks so much Jordan for everything!! All the yummy produce from the Farmers Market, homemade pizza's, Massage, company, support and pep talk, oh and your book I Love You, Send Money.  It was a wonderful few days.  As you said, "I love that we have a 'pocket of awesomeness' - it so feels like home when we are together - and that sense of belonging is pretty cool, I love that we can share that feeling together :-)"  I totally agree!!!  So looking forward to our next catch up.

The rest of our week was pretty quiet... a walk most days along with putting practice too.

I'm now finding it a lot easier to get out of bed in the mornings!! Plus I feel more comfortable in leaving Dave on his own now too.  So I have started joining my walking group again at 7.30am and Wednesday morning we walked just over 6kms through the woodland and vines to Audrey Wilkinson cellar door.  Such a picturesque walk.

Wednesday we attended the last of the years Head and Neck Support Group meetings.  It was nice to see everyone and hear about their progress and some set backs.  Dave's Oncologist spoke at this one too, so was interesting to hear him talk about how radiotherapy works, the short and long term side-effects and ways to manage them all.  Most of it we were aware of but there's always something new to learn and pick up.

This article from the Huffington Post on the rise of Mouth Cancer was posted on the Head & Neck Cancer Support Facebook page... its a very interesting article...  Before my Dave got diagnosed I never batted an eyelid about mouth cancers but now it seems every person I speak to knows someone who knows someone that is affected!!! Its a very scary feeling!!!! It actually scares the shit out of me!!! I know Dave was never a smoker and hardly drank, our diet was healthy, so I thought!! Unfortunately Dave was one of the unlucky ones that has the strain of HPV in his system that caused his throat cancer.

Smoking, drinking and unhealthy diets along with the HPV are major factors.  So those of you who I know who still smoke, please give up and for those of you who are heavy drinkers, please drink in moderation and start becoming healthy, eating healthy.  Think about the future of your families.

I did a photographic job on Thursday morning... photographing our friend, Brian's new drill rig that he has designed and built.  Can't say I've ever done that before... had huge fun going up in a cherry picker to take the pics!!

Our weekend was busy and very social which was nice.  So lovely to get together with our friends again. Just returning from a lovely afternoon with our dearest friends Brian and Shan, my sis, and other close friends.  So so good to have you home again sis xxx The seafood was amazing, even Dave enjoyed a prawn or two and a little bit of lamb, mushy peas and potato bake :-))   So so important to have great friends in life!!

From Love is All You Need...

Love one another and you will be happy.  It's as simple and as difficult as that.

by Michael Leunig

From You are my "Once in a Lifetime" I will always love you... by Marci

Where Has The Time Gone?

When I look back on our life together

and wonder where the time has gone,

I realise the road behind us is

full of the gifts that make us rich:

hard-earned wisdom...

an appreciation for family...

trials that made us stronger...

hope given to others...

prayers answered...

love given and received.

The joys we have shared

and the memories we have

made through our lives are

a gift beyond measure.

Till next week....

Week 7 - Seventh Week of Recovery - Post Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy Treatment

Hay there how are you all?

Sorry this update is a couple of days late... Dave and I have had a busy couple of days!!

Firstly, before I update you I just want to send out our heartfelt love and support to all our New Zealand friends and family after the recent major earthquake of 7.8 magnitude last Sunday which was situated in the South Island, near to Kaikoura and felt in Wellington and up to Auckland in the North Island.  I have experienced earthquakes myself, but nothing this severe!!! I hope the continuing shakes stop and you can soon get back to some normality, though this will be some time for some of you!! Please know we are here for you if you need us.

Dave is still on the right road to recovery and is improving day by day.  Though still getting his nutrition via the PEG, Dave's taste is slowly returning and he is exploring small mouthfuls of different food options, including:

• Cauliflower puree soup
• Mushroom & chicken puree soup
• Mash Potato & gravy
• Pots of jelly
• Pots of fruit with juice
• Homemade baked fruits - nectarine, peaches in a orange juice sauce with grated strawberries, balsamic vinegar and vanilla pod (a Jamie Oliver recipe).
• beetroot gazpacho soup, lobster tail, zucchini with feta and pine nuts!!! (more on this below)

Our week was again very quiet and relaxing!

The only things we got up to during the week were little walks each day up to the putting green. Firstly, a sit down when we got to the clubhouse and coffee for me and rest for Dave.  Then onto the putting green for Dave to improve his putting and to patiently teach me all about it!! 

Some days going out twice a day for a walk, which has been lovely.  Each time walking a little further than the last!

Though some days this week the temperature has been 36 degrees so a little too hot to go out putting for Dave as the heat just exhausts him.

Saturday I even managed to push myself out of bed to join my walking club at 7.30am!!! It was great to get into it again.  Dave also managed to get out and about at 10.00am on Saturday too, driving his mate, Brian W's golf buggy again for him for nine holes with Tracy, Steve and Brian B.  Its awesome to get socialising again :-)

Sunday was an exciting day as our darling friend Jordan arrived from New Zealand :-) We drove to Morisset train station to collect Jordan, then home to drop off bags, freshen up and open up our personal delivery of 'I Love You, Send Money', which Jordan has recently written and published... can't wait to start reading it!!!

Then onto Vinden Estate for a bite to eat.  When I booked I ensured there was something for Dave to sample/taste/enjoy too, which was a bowl of Beetroot Gazpacho Soup.  Initially it was a little too spicy for him so we asked if they could cool it down a bit, which they did by adding some coconut milk, which worked well.  Dave also enjoyed sampling what Jordan and I had selected: Grilled Zucchini with feta, currants and pine nuts, Lobster Tails with Prawns and to finish off their famous Lemon Meringue Pie.  All totally delicious!

Will update you on the rest of our few days with Jordan in our blog update next week!!!

From Love is All You Need...

Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly.

by Rose Franken

From You Are my "Once in a Lifetime" I will always love you... by Marci

You Are My "Once in a Lifetime"

Once in a lifetime someone comes into our life that we really

connect with heart to hear... soul to soul.

A friendship develops and love follows.

With all of my being I know that you are my "once in a lifetime",

and each time I think of you,

I realise how lucky I am to have found you.

Take care and loads of love to you all xxxx 

Week 6 - Sixth Week of Recovery - Post Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy Treatment

Gday! Hello! Hi! Bonjour! Hallo! Apa Kabar!

Another week of recovery, relaxation and achievements for our Dave :-)

Even though Dave's feeling a bit better each day he's still not eating much at all via the mouth just yet.  Small amounts of pureed soups seem to be ok at the moment, which is good.  He did try some packet macaroni & cheese but really struggled with that as it hurt his throat, so gave up.  Sipping on water throughout the day to keep his mouth moist and hydrated.  

Dave had an occupational therapist from his work attend our home to talk to us both during the week. This was really beneficial in terms of opening up and expressing our thoughts and coming up with goals.

One of the goals that came out of this meeting was that Dave and I both need to achieve something each day/week that we both really love to do.  Dave loves playing golf.  I like swimming and love walking.

Dave has made a start a couple of times this week by getting back onto the putting green.  As Dave still gets fatigued really quickly, he's just starting off with 15 minute stints.  At the same time Dave is also teaching me how to put too :-) You never know I could get out on that course one day!!! 

My challenge is to first get to a physio to fix up my shoulder with dry needling, which I did on Friday. So far so good I think its helping.  This will help me to get back in to the pool again.  My other challenge is to set the alarm clock so I can get to my 7.30am walking group!!  Getting my mind around the latter!!  Also to get back in to the rhythm of going back to pilates! 

The shock of the week was Trump!!! I don't have a political bone in my body but I was totally fascinated and enthralled in the USA election day!!!!  Now to wait and see what unfolds ahead of us all around the world!

We also had a lovely surprise visit from Russell a friend of ours up the road too.  Great to see ya Russell.  Were both looking forward to enjoying that glass of red with you when Dave's fully recovered!! xxx 

Late Friday afternoon we had our Community Association meeting to get through then enjoyed seeing our dear friend Janice and her friend David (J&D), whom stayed for the weekend.  That night Janice and I got stuck into making soups for my Dave to try and enjoy.  We made a cauliflower soup, and a chicken & mushroom soup.  Both extremely tasty.  Janice also made a chicken & mushroom risotto too for the three of us to enjoy and to go into the freezer later on for me to eat.  Thank you so much Janice for your cooking skills and your loving support to us both xxx 

Saturday we went to see Janice's block of land that she has bought at the new Huntley Town being developed up the road from us.  It was lovely to see the excitement on her face.  Then we introduced J&D to the Dark Horse Cellar Door in Lovedale to see the wonderful Olivia.  I love the feel of this cellar door with all the furnishings and gifts.  Olivia has a love of horses and anything equestrian and it shows throughout the cellar door and the labels on her wines.  By the way the wines are amazing too!!! I came away with a couple of Doni and Doll Semillon's.  This was my first time at tasting wines for over six months, Davey sniffed the bouquets while I enjoyed getting my taste buds going!

We then popped home so Dave could have his Ensure feed via PEGGY and a little rest.  While we were resting J&D went to visit Iron Gate winery.  On their return, as Dave was well rested we then introduced J&D to Worthingtons Cellar Door in Palmers Lane, five mins up the road, where Julie and Michael, our friends from our walking group, made us so welcome.  Here we tasted all their wines too!! I must say they are all very scrumptious!!  One of my favourites was their Dessert Shiraz, which I just had to purchase to accompany the Christmas pudding I'm going to make for Christmas Day.  Which reminds me I must dig out the recipe and make a list of what I need, as if I remember rightly you need to let it soak for a few weeks!!! And there is only six weeks to Christmas!!!  I love the feeling of this cellar door too as its so relaxing, rustic and after tastings you can enjoy a coffee which is roasted and blended on site by an in-house barista.  I believe you can also do coffee tastings too!!!

Me and My Davey

Janice & David

Unfortunately J&D had to leave late Saturday due to urgent work commitments.  So we put our feet up and enjoyed a relaxing evening.  Dave even enjoyed a bowl of the cauliflower soup we made :-)

Sunday I got stuck into the garden, electric trimming the hedges, mowing the lawn, painting the fence and spraying the veggies to stop the white fly and caterpillars!  Jobs well done!!

From our book You Are My "Once in a Lifetime" I will Always Love you by Marci

To love and be loved... that is life's greatest gift.

To share that joy with you is a blessing.

and from Love is All You Need...

Where there is great love there are always miracles

by Willa Cather

I hope you have all had a productive week, and achieved doing the things you love.

For those of you that we know whom are dealing with family illnesses, bereavements and recovering from operations we send our wholehearted love, hugs and prayers to you all xoxo

Till next week....

Week 5 - Fifth Week of Recovery - Post Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy Treatment

Hi Everyone

Again we have had another lovely very quiet, relaxing week together.

Dave's had a few little wins this week... :-)))

First win, is that Dave is now back in our comfy king size bed and is sleeping well!! Too well to the extent he is keeping me awake some nights with his snoring!!! He never used to snore but now does, at the moment. I'm hoping this is a temporary issue with the snoring!!!  He's able to sleep in bed now due to being able to administer his feeds via a syringe into PEGGY during the daytime now.

Second win for Dave is enjoying small portions of homemade mashed potato and gravy!! Which he has been able to swallow and taste slightly :-)

Third win was getting to drive the car again on Saturday as Dave felt quite awake to do so!!! It was nice being the passenger again, at least going to the shops :-)

And last but not least Dave has now weaned himself off all medications from the effects of the radiotherapy & chemotherapy.  Occasionally only have to take an anti nausea drug to assist when required.

We enjoyed lovely visits from a few friends too during the week, Yvie, Paul and the gorgeous Rain and on another day Bill and Sue.

Then this little fella came to visit one evening.  I love how transparent his skin is on his legs and his bright green top.

Dave is still finding it difficult to do anything too strenuous. He tried cleaning up the garage a bit one day, while I was out mulching the garden.  However it got the better of him and he had to give it away till a later date. Very frustrating for him as you can imagine!

We're still going for leisurely walks everyday and managing to go further each time, so the signs are positive that Dave's energy levels are getting better by the day.

One from our book... You are My "Once in a lifetime" I will Always Love you by Marci

I'm So Grateful for us!!

The most important thing I always want to say is "I Love You."

I am so thankful that we have each other and for the relationship that is "us".

Your love and support are gifts in my life every day, and your

friendship is something I rely on.

I love you!

and one from my little pocket book... "Love is all you need... "

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the universe,

deserve your love and affection

by Buddha

This has been a very long journey but we can start to see the light at the end of a very long tunnel, albeit still a distance away.  Love to you all xxx