Fifth Follow up : Hemochromatosis!

Wow!!! Where has this year gone!!! You take one blink and its behind you!!!

Dave had latest four month check up in November, and once again, all was great!!... the following check ups will be every six months for the next three years.  Keep up the great work hun!!!

With all the regular blood tests that Dave has to have for ongoing monitoring, he has now discovered he has a condition called Hemochromatosis.

Haemochromatosis is an inherited condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron. In some cases of haemochromatosis the extra iron can lead to organ damage. 

Treatment for this is easy... you just go and give blood every three months.  After extensive screening by the Red Cross Blood Service Dave was allowed to give his first blood donation this month since he was first diagnosed with cancer in 2004.  

We got a note in the mail the other day with this headline article.... to date Dave has been advised that he has saved three lives!! Way to go Dave!!! Dave is thrilled that he is able to pay it forward to help others!! So very proud of you hun!! 

Even if you don't have a blood condition its a great thing to be able to donate.  And to think how many lives you will be saving along the way too!!! Make this a New Year's Resolution people!!! 

For years, I so wished I could donate my blood, but unfortunately because I lived in the United Kingdom for six months or more from 1980–1996 the Blood Service currently can't take my blood donations.  This is related to the fatal variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD, the human form of the bovine condition sometimes known as 'mad cow disease').  Fortunately I haven't turned into a mad cow at this stage in my life!!!! Though some would differ with this statement!!! haha!!

So for the last days in 2019 Dave and I wish you all a very Merry Happy Christmas and a healthy, safe New Year.... 

I'd also like to say that this time of year can be very sad for some of you too.  Always reach out to those around you for support and friendship.  We recently lost a lovely friend to brain cancer and a dear friend lost her Pa too last week.  It can also be a joyous time too... so before you rip open your presents and tuck into your feast take a moment to remember all those around you, even if you don't know them.  Smile and say hello to those that walk by... it may be the only person that day that speaks to them.  Check on your neighbours too!!! 

We will be back in 2019 with more updates... so everyone please be safe, healthy and happy till then!

Fourth Follow up : 2 years post treatment

World Head & Neck Cancer Day 2018 was on 27 July 2018 and very timely for an update on how Dave is progressing.

My hubby is a survivor of throat cancer… he had his 4th follow up the other day since his last treatment, just under 2 years ago now!!  The great news still keeps on coming… he is doing extremely well… all the swelling around his larynx has gone and now looks pink and healthy.  Wahoo!!!!

I managed to take some pics of his larynx/throat during his session with the specialist. Quite fascinating to see the insides of your husband!!! 

Keep up the great work love!! 

Dave still suffers with a dry mouth which is a side effect of all the radiation treatment.  To counter this he always carries a bottle of water with him and uses special dry mouth toothpaste and mouth rinse morning and night and a spray when he needs it through the night.

If you have one of these symptoms for three weeks or more then please seek medical advice… its crucial you get a diagnosis early!!! 

I'd just like to shout out a HUGE thank you to all the Specialists, Drs, Nurses, Support Crew, Researchers around the world for what you do!!! Amazing!!

My hubby wanted to give something back, so in March this year he joined the support crew for the Tour de Cure.  His role was navigator in the 'challenge' peloton team lead car.  There were five peloton's in total.  This tour raised over $1.1 million and Dave personally raised approximately $1,300.   Great effort everyone!! 

Dave's support car and peloton team cycling through Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley

During the tour each evening they have a team dinner and invite a guest to speak... on Dave's tour he was invited to talk about his experience. As we lived close by I was also invited along to listen to Dave speak.  I wasn't sure how Dave would be through his talk but he did amazing!!! It was great to hear his perspective too! For his effort he was presented with the pink 'inspiration' jersey... looking very handsome babe! 

Last month Dave also volunteered at the end of year Tour de Cure Snow Ball, as did I too.   It was a very long night but very rewarding and life changing!!!  The evening raised a total of $1.2 million!!!! Wow!!

All the money from the tours and the ball goes directly into ground-breaking cancer research, care and support projects.  Thank you to everyone who donated, participated and volunteered.

If you are interested about the Tour de Cure and what they do please click on the links in this blog above.

Dave's next four month follow will be in November this year then they will be pushing it out to every six months there on after for the next three years.  

For those of you out there that are struggling through a head and neck cancer, or for that matter any type of cancer, or any illness please keep positive... I know at times this is very difficult to do but please believe you will get through what you are going through as the power of thought is absolutely amazing!!!!

Always reach out to someone for support, never go through it alone.  Never go through anything alone... there is always someone that will help you.  

Till our next up date... stop and smell the roses and listen to the birds singing. xxx