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

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...

Day 35 - Court Jester or “ The Fool” Renene counts down and now day 6 of remaining current treatment regime . Last day of “ Chemo” today and most of day in chair . Early morning start with some oral meds to prepare and pre- empt the nausea  and then “fluids, fluids , fluids . “Cisplatin” the nasty today, Etoposide banished on Friday. The dexamethazone definitely helps and probably had me still buzzing at 16h00 as I could not stop myself commenting on “social media”.!!!! Kids stopped by to say cheers whilst in waiting room early morning before travelling off up North to our home in Kerikeri. Visits with doggies and grandparents and a little touristy stuff on the cards . Even some geo- cache activity perhaps ? Brendan hiding? This is a photo that reminds me of my Dad  ,Bill. I don’t often see the resemblance  . Brother Keith often is my reminder  Courtney - dedicated driver and my other “rock” Seems colour runs in the family and “ the walls” All ...

The Weekend - Day 34 and D 35 - delayed missive “We apologise for the interruption in transmission. Normal service will resume as soon as possible “. A common finding in the early days of television in rural Zimbabwe. So some catching up to do but no excuses . I was busy doing fun things with my beautiful two ”growing up rapidly” young adults  on the weekend . Weekend was actually quite “health wise “ ropey to say the least and sometimes it is difficult to determine if it is the illness and the treatments or the medicines you end up taking because that’s what you believe is helping the side effects . Oh ! The quandaries of life! “Oh wo is me , Oh Wo is me”. Sounds like the wonderful play we went to at the Auckland POP UP globe . Shakespeare no less! “Much Ado about Nothing “ but with a Pacific Island interpretation https://popupglobe.co.nz/ We laughed and laughed as a family . Well recommend a trip to see. Not really a traditional play and I wonder how Shakespeare w...

D 33 - the weekend awaits and the fatigue has more negative effects So second last day of chemo done and dusted and final day of chemo on Monday. As the days have progressed the energy levels have definitely dropped . The walks have become shorter or leave me more tired and fatigued. Some of the enthusiasm for the Chipinge Trust book has been difficult to maintain. Lots of festive season activities and a stream of very welcome visitors have provided a greatly welcome distraction from the daily grind. Great to have an early morning visit from Chan, (Renene’s cousin) and her  husband Charlie. Brightened up my morning which was feeling quite miserable until they popped in with their always bright smiling demeanours and happy vibes . Truely blessed with our Whanau  The humour we have been able to find in our various hats we have found or been kindly provided by our great friend Minette Kuhn, has helped keep the chin up and a positive approach to the journey. Today’s hat...

D - 32 - or according to Renene Day 8. Well that’s another day done and dusted and according to Renene we have only 8!days of this current regime left to run. We took a walk down to bottom of the Domain and found the ASB Tennis Arena but I think I am not quite up to a centre court appearance Found that a “bitter” tablet to swallow  But the we found a whole display of flame lillies , the national flower of Rhodesia and Zimbabwe  But we are safe here as kiwis in a hot house  Kiwi headgear led to lots of laughs in radiotherapy and chemo unit today and as you might imagine quite a few “ ribald” observations