Rowing our waka through rough seas- Grahame’s cancer challenge 2019

D 40 - Sunday . Dreaming of future still waters We had a very quiet low key day on Sunday. Pressure off and one treatment left on Monday. We took a drive down to Westhaven Marina  and sat in sun and watched some yachting and dreamed of more settled waters than we have experienced of late. Initially little wind to speak of so was good to sit in warm sun and “ catch some less sinister rays”!!! Sometimes one has to “pinch oneself “ to realise what a wonderful opportunity New Zealand gives us as an environment in which to work and play We had a walk down in the Auckland Domain to clear the head of cobwebs.  Still find times when brain just feels in a “fog”. Reading some supportive books and they talk about “ chemo - brain”. Wouldn’t wish the “fog” on anyone .! Guess no - one has noticed our visits  to the “magic mushrooms”  and as yet not in trouble with “the law”!! Beautiful day for gentle walk and clear  the “cobwebs” Nature i...

D - 39 - Rest day but also a farewell. Will miss this “chick” We have days off from treatment today and tomorrow and then face our final day of treatment.  Courtney travels home to Oamaru and Lewis and her two dogs. It has been so fantastic to have both children join me for periods of the therapy. Courtney’s maid of honour Emily joined us for the night after the three girls attended their movie. We all went briefly shopping this morning before going for late morning “Brunch” at a small cafe at    Pt. Chevalier. Really nice meal and atmosphere  https://ptchevbeachcafe.co.nz/ We then went for a walk around the local park  before heading for Auckland airport to drop Courtney Contemplative of future “Dreaming of big wide BLUE” Been a day of variable symptoms and likely sensory overload with my new “hearing aids”. Had to turn them off in shopping mall as Just ”too much”!!!! It can be frustra...

D - 38 - when the word “Finished” shouldn’t be threatening - But is !!!! Second last day of current treatment regime - handed a schedule of treatments by wonderful smiling lady at reception desk. Her comment - ” it is always nice to see this final piece of paper.” One line , one appointment and the word “Finished”. Surely an exciting and relief filled experience ! NO! I became overwhelmed again feeling vulnerable and anxious . “ All at sea again”. Amazing the human psyche . So good to have two supportive hands to hold onto this morning. Sitting waiting for my turn today outside the radiation room is the first time, the noises that one hears whilst someone else is under treatment , have felt threatening. Just like The claxon one hears in a submarine in distress in the movies.! Renene reassured me and framed it differently.  “ think of it as something “sculpting” a piece of  that cancer into something different , less dangerous. Certainly navigating “rough” ra...

D - 37 - “Hearing” all about “Steam Punk” Renene says it’s 3 days to go today . “I chase up she chases down” Courtney is visiting us from Oamaru, the “Steam Punk” capital of New Zealand so today “if the hat fits -wear it”.  https://www.steampunkoamaru.co.nz/ https://www.steampunk.org.nz/ Credit Otago Daily Times  Wonder what “Teddy” thinks of “steam punk” Mix and match The laughter at Machine 6 continues with all the hat wear and today probably sufficient distraction that for the very first time I had to be repositioned and have a second scan to ensure I matched the prepared plan. After radiation had a brief visit with radiation nurse for advice around managing my burns . Interesting to be informed both skin and oesophagitis and any other radiation side effects are likely to persist and potentially worsen in the following two weeks when in fact therapy has discontinued . Such are the vagaries of this treatment. Goo...

D - 36 - Celebrate , Remember, Fight back Sunflowers for Victoria Thompson today. A brave young lass gone too soon from a wonderful Chipinge, Zimbabwe family. Victoria , together with Jonathan and Shereen have been on both Renene  and my mind today. So I wear sunflowers today for Victoria.  Today has been one of my most challenging of whole journey to date and I have used the strength displayed by this wonderful family as a bolster for my day as an example. Woke early. Toss and turn of a night.   Pragmatism can sometimes get in way of positive thought process. Has though started my “headspace”cogitation processing  “ so what now”. 3 days of current challenge to go so getting to end of that core focus and goal. Feeling a bit vulnerable about the”what’s next”. Seemed almost easier when dealing with the perception of how treatment would negatively impact on my overall well-being. Now it’s future thinking again. Unknown road ahead! Scary thought! Renene has fo...

D 36 - Hearing rehab in order Renene says it is 5 days of current treatment left today. The pinnacle of the first rise is in sight but there are always additional rises aren’t there when climbing mountains!!! Credit Sue Harris photo. Brendan and Courtney’s ex teacher Today was a “sailor day” for hat wear at radiation appointment. Longest wait delay today but for good reason I am sure . Been such an efficient service so far so one wait in 6 weeks a great track record to be proud of as a team . Went on from radiation to meet good friend Lauren Demblon for coffee and welcome ride to our next appointment. Courtney and Brendan have our car so  ride was appreciated alternative to bus or Uber.  It was an opportunity to talk and rely on a good friend ! Renene at long last has twisted my “ear” into actually considering hearing aids. When result was done I can clearly understand why I need to turn the volume down on media when we have company. So much worse than even...