“I’ll pick you up at 9am – be ready!”

Sue has arranged a day out for some R & R after a pretty ordinary couple of weeks.

I know not where, but she knows that for me to be ready at 9.15am, she has to tell me 9.00am.

We head for Glenelg and end up at Endota having a massage. A delightful surprise, and just what I needed. Coffee afterwards, then the mystery tour continues to the Marina Pier, where Ros and Deb are waiting for lunch. Another surprise. A lovely day.

Now to gird my loins for meeting with the Radiotherapy Specialist on Sunday. That’ll bring me back down to earth I’m sure.

#can’tbeatanicemassage #thanksSue

Where are we?

A review of where we are at the moment, particularly of the PET scan.

Lots of confusing stats about stats, odds and possibilities. Distressing.

At least it confirmed that no cancer was detectable anywhere else.

The 9cm size is a worry. At the upper end for surgery, so it’s full steam ahead with the chemo and radio, in order to shrink the thing.

#howdiditgetTHATbig

Welcome to Flinders Hospital.

Getting a bit used to all this, tho this one is rather daunting. Includes a camera view of what’s going on down there.

After it’s all over, the Prof tells me the tumour is 9cm long.

Thanks to Virginia for the Ride there, and Sue for picking me up.

#Howbig? #notforyoutube

PET = Positron Emission Tomography  

Another day, another test. My first of many visits to the Tennyson Centre on South Road.

Injections of stuff in my body. Lots of lying still.

#Lookingforwardtotheresult

 A welcome break

Sam and Tom paid for a ticket for me to Whyalla – thanks Boys,  and I head off for a welcome break from all the tests.

Had a great time with Sam, Cass and Penny, Barb and Col and Jas and Piper and Harry.

#Can’tbeatFamily

Off to Western Hospital to meet Dr Tim Price.

Sue, (who manages the oncology unit at Western Hospital) accompanies me.

Tim is very nice, very understanding, very thorough.

Recommends a course of chemotherapy with the aim (in conjunction with radiotherapy) of shrinking the tumour.

Something a bit different apparently – administered intravenously once a week for five weeks. Negates the need for a pic line through which the chemotherapy is often administered and which stays in for the duration of the treatment. Sounds more convenient.

All the possible issues and side effects are discussed, including some “thinning” of the hair. In the scheme of things it’s not such a big deal, but in reality, it’s a huge.

The appointments are made.

#IIikemyheairjustthewayitis

Do I have a heart?

But first a lung test. All good. Never smoked, been working on my fitness. All good.

Then a heart test – contrary to popular belief, I do have one. And it seems to be functioning OK. That’s good.

#maybeIamagoodcandidate for surgery

Who’s running the zoo?

Sue, Tom and I head to Wakefield Hospital to meet Dr Bessell.

More background information and note taking. Some scary statistics. And ordering of a multitude of tests.

“You’re going to wonder who’s running the zoo” he says. “But it will all come together.” Apparently.

He does give me a leaflet on the surgical procedure. Wish he hadn’t.

We go away to make lots of appointments.

#hedoeshavenicecleanfingernails #that’simportantisntit?

Did I pass the tests?

Sam, Tom and I head to Western Hospital to get the results of Friday’s endoscopy and Saturday’s tests, from Dr Nordeen. We meet Sue there.

Apologies to my neighbour Shirley for not stopping – we were on a mission – as she thought.

Yes, as was suspected it’s malignant.

If it’s possible to be relieved after being told you have cancer, then I was. Kind of. For a little while. It doesn’t seem to have spread anywhere else, the tumour is contained and it appears I am an excellent candidate for surgery. Who’d have thought.

As it turns out, I was getting waaaaaay ahead of myself.

Dr Nordeen had made an appointment to see a surgeon on the following Friday.

Sam, Cassie and Penny head back to Whyalla.

#GoodNewsBadNews #it’sgoingtobealongweek

Can you do this on a Saturday? Yes.

Across the road with Tom and Holly for a blood test. Back across the road for a CAT scan. Isn’t it lucky I live close!

More white mixture to drink before the scan. Don’t think it’s barium, or perhaps it’s just a different vintage.

I’m told one of the effects of the liquid that’s injected prior to the scan, is that women feel like they’ve wet themselves. Doesn’t happen for me tho.

Sam, Cass and Penny arrive from Whyalla in the afternoon. Great to have everyone here, but a bit emotional. Penny is a great distraction.

#lovemyGranddaughter