Sunday, February 27, 2011
27 Feb
Much better today, the nausea is under control and the drips have been removed. Hopefully she can be discharged tomorrow morning and come home and back into the world.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
26 Feb pt 2
She is seemingly turning the corner - much better this afternoon than this morning and even ate most of her supper. Holding thumbs that the improvement continues.
Hopefully she can be discharged sooner rather than later.
Hopefully she can be discharged sooner rather than later.
Friday, February 25, 2011
26 Feb
We are 20% complete on the chemo and we have two weeks of respite before the next set of five treatments is due to start.
Kate has not taken well to the chemo at all and she is still in hospital this monring, v ill. We hope she can return home today but she will stay there until she feels vaguely better. The nausea is debilitating.
I am not sure whether she can stand another week like this one. Her body seems to react extremely poorly to chemicals. I am hoping it is a sign that it is working and any residual cancer, if it is there, will vanish.
Despite being so ill, she looks full of colour adn she still has all her hair. Apparently that is lost during the next two weeks. What a tough journey she is on.
Kate has not taken well to the chemo at all and she is still in hospital this monring, v ill. We hope she can return home today but she will stay there until she feels vaguely better. The nausea is debilitating.
I am not sure whether she can stand another week like this one. Her body seems to react extremely poorly to chemicals. I am hoping it is a sign that it is working and any residual cancer, if it is there, will vanish.
Despite being so ill, she looks full of colour adn she still has all her hair. Apparently that is lost during the next two weeks. What a tough journey she is on.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
23 Feb
12% there with the chemo, after we finished session 3 today!
Kate is feeling v sick but on the bright side, we are making progress with the treatment and the nausea has been brought under control.
She will remain in hospital for the rest of this week to complete the first treatment course.
Kate is feeling v sick but on the bright side, we are making progress with the treatment and the nausea has been brought under control.
She will remain in hospital for the rest of this week to complete the first treatment course.
Monday, February 21, 2011
22 Feb
Chemo has not been as easy as anticipated. The combination of the chemo drugs and painkillers resulted in uncontrollable nausea. A restless night and Kate was admitted to hospital this morning.
The nausea was much better by lunchtime today and hopefully can be controlled going forward. There is special anti nausea medication at the hopital. Having it kick in was like coming back to the living!
The first Chemo course is for five days and we plan to stay in hospital for this. So we will most likely spend the rest of the week there. Much more controlled than home. We may continue with the chemo today or otherwise tomorrow
The phantom limb pain remains - unfortunately we had an appointment with the pain clinic tomorrow but it now looks like this may not be possible, as Kate is not mobile at the moment.
One chemo treatment day down, 24 to go. So we are 4% there already. We continue to look for the light at the end of the tunnel!
The nausea was much better by lunchtime today and hopefully can be controlled going forward. There is special anti nausea medication at the hopital. Having it kick in was like coming back to the living!
The first Chemo course is for five days and we plan to stay in hospital for this. So we will most likely spend the rest of the week there. Much more controlled than home. We may continue with the chemo today or otherwise tomorrow
The phantom limb pain remains - unfortunately we had an appointment with the pain clinic tomorrow but it now looks like this may not be possible, as Kate is not mobile at the moment.
One chemo treatment day down, 24 to go. So we are 4% there already. We continue to look for the light at the end of the tunnel!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
20 Feb 2011
We are starting the chemo tomorrow. First session is four hours, after that three hours a day for another four days. After that, two weeks recovery.
Then start again, repeat five times.
The oncologist reckons it will not be too bad, Kate can continue to function almost normally. Certainly hope so! At least once it is started, there is an end point in sight.
The pain is still excruciating at times but at other times it seems to be getting better. Still on about six pain killers. It has been two and a half weeks now, too much pain for too long.
The mirror box seems to be working quite well. Amazing, it is quite low tech, just a box with a hole and a mirror stuck to the side but it is sufficient to trick the brain into thinking the phantom limb can be relaxed somewhat.
Brother Dave left today, it was fantastic to have him for a week. He cheered everyone up and helped a lot with the house and the boys. Loved the wide mouth frog joke ...
Then start again, repeat five times.
The oncologist reckons it will not be too bad, Kate can continue to function almost normally. Certainly hope so! At least once it is started, there is an end point in sight.
The pain is still excruciating at times but at other times it seems to be getting better. Still on about six pain killers. It has been two and a half weeks now, too much pain for too long.
The mirror box seems to be working quite well. Amazing, it is quite low tech, just a box with a hole and a mirror stuck to the side but it is sufficient to trick the brain into thinking the phantom limb can be relaxed somewhat.
Brother Dave left today, it was fantastic to have him for a week. He cheered everyone up and helped a lot with the house and the boys. Loved the wide mouth frog joke ...
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
16 Feb 2011
Great news from the surgeon today - the pathology performed on Kate's arm indicated the arm did not show any secondary sarcoma. This is a strong indication that the sarcoma was caught early and had not yet spread.
The surgeon remains convinced that the amputation was necessary as the sarcoma is likely to have come back. Having got rid of it, we are hopeful the loss of the arm will prove worthwhile.
The pain is still intolerable and so the surgeon has prescribed some different pain killers - all up, Kate has a prescription for seven different pills now! It will be a challenge to eat them all but hopefully the pain will come under control as a result. She is looking decidedly zonked.
Chemo could start as soon as next week if the pain is under control by then - we are in no hurry though and the most important thing is for Kate to have some relief from the pain first.
Time for a little celebration of the sarcoma free pathology - great to have some good news.
The surgeon remains convinced that the amputation was necessary as the sarcoma is likely to have come back. Having got rid of it, we are hopeful the loss of the arm will prove worthwhile.
The pain is still intolerable and so the surgeon has prescribed some different pain killers - all up, Kate has a prescription for seven different pills now! It will be a challenge to eat them all but hopefully the pain will come under control as a result. She is looking decidedly zonked.
Chemo could start as soon as next week if the pain is under control by then - we are in no hurry though and the most important thing is for Kate to have some relief from the pain first.
Time for a little celebration of the sarcoma free pathology - great to have some good news.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
15 Feb
Another busy day, with a make-up workshop in the morning and book club in the evening!
The pain seems to have increased over the week-end and early this week. It takes time for the operation to heal, it has not yet been two weeks. It would be nice to have a more effective pain killer though!
Follow up appointment with the surgeon tomorrow - perhaps he can make a suggestion for dealing with the pain more effectively.
It is wonderful to have brother Dave here for the week. He cheers everyone up and the boys love playing with him. Yesterday he took them to a cricket workshop where they met Adam Gilchrist and other Aussie cricket stars. What a great uncle thing to do!
The pain seems to have increased over the week-end and early this week. It takes time for the operation to heal, it has not yet been two weeks. It would be nice to have a more effective pain killer though!
Follow up appointment with the surgeon tomorrow - perhaps he can make a suggestion for dealing with the pain more effectively.
It is wonderful to have brother Dave here for the week. He cheers everyone up and the boys love playing with him. Yesterday he took them to a cricket workshop where they met Adam Gilchrist and other Aussie cricket stars. What a great uncle thing to do!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
13 Feb
For the first time, the phantom limb sensation seems to abate at times. At other times, it still feels as though the pinkie is put into a vice like grip - ouch. Hopefully it will become easier. it has only been ten days since the operation.
Kate's Dad left today but brother Dave is here for the week to keep us company. Fantastic to have him.
Kate received a wonderful gift of letters and music from the Carcenacs today, very much appreciated.
Martin plans to return to work tomorrow as we continue to 'normalise' our life.
Kate's Dad left today but brother Dave is here for the week to keep us company. Fantastic to have him.
Kate received a wonderful gift of letters and music from the Carcenacs today, very much appreciated.
Martin plans to return to work tomorrow as we continue to 'normalise' our life.
Friday, February 11, 2011
12 Feb
We had a lovely morning at the Blue Duck with Kate's dad, mom and brother Dave who is here for the week from Hong Kong. Kate's first excursion after the operation and she did very well.
The pain is still acute so Kate has increased the frequency of painkillers. Better to keep it under control as much as we can. We are looking forward to the mirror box therapy which is scheduled for next week, to combat the phantom limb sensation.
Kate has made contact with another person who has had an amputation; four-limbed councellors and psychologists are helpful to talk to; however, someone who has gone through a similar experience may be able to share valuable insights / coping tips.
It feels like life continues to return to normal. It is lovely to have all the family here. Wish it were under less trying circumstances.
The pain is still acute so Kate has increased the frequency of painkillers. Better to keep it under control as much as we can. We are looking forward to the mirror box therapy which is scheduled for next week, to combat the phantom limb sensation.
Kate has made contact with another person who has had an amputation; four-limbed councellors and psychologists are helpful to talk to; however, someone who has gone through a similar experience may be able to share valuable insights / coping tips.
It feels like life continues to return to normal. It is lovely to have all the family here. Wish it were under less trying circumstances.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
10 Feb
We went to physio today to mobilise the shoulder.
It has been a week now since the operation and Kate has done fantastically well to be home so soon. However, it will take a long time to heal completely.
Today was a more difficult day than yesterday, following all yesterday's excitement (Independent Living Centre, appointment with the OT, doctor appointment). The pain is still acute and the 'phantom limb' remains very disconcerting.
Tomorrow will be a very slow, restful day.
It has been a week now since the operation and Kate has done fantastically well to be home so soon. However, it will take a long time to heal completely.
Today was a more difficult day than yesterday, following all yesterday's excitement (Independent Living Centre, appointment with the OT, doctor appointment). The pain is still acute and the 'phantom limb' remains very disconcerting.
Tomorrow will be a very slow, restful day.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
9 Feb 2011
Kate is feeling much better today after having slept for a full night at home.
She went to her niece's birthday party yesterday for a short while which was very brave and all the family were glad to see her.
Peter has taken mum's new look in his stride fully. As long as mum wears a sleeve so you can't see the bandage she is even allowed to fetch him from school! What a grown up boy he is becoming.
David is yet to adjust to the new look; he prefers to look at the missing arm from afar. He thinks that it is a little sad that the tumour was not benign (his words).
Thankfully the Independent Living Center assisted with the car modifications, so renewing the drivers license seems in hand. Very important to restore independence. Modifying the car and obtaining a new license shoudl hopefull not take much more than a few weeks.
Resting this afternoon as the morning was busy with friends visiting and there is still pain to be managed. But we are improving every day now.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
8 Feb - she is home today
Kate is home today!
She had a difficult night at the hospital last night and so decided to come home instead and get some rest! The four hourly pulse check turned out to be too strenuous, as one could never have a full night's sleep.
This morning, the doctor re-dressed the arm and gave her the go ahead to check out. He is very pleased with her progress. Kate is healing beautifully and the doctor did a fantastic job under the circumstances.
She is full of beans and was ready to come home. The boys are very glad to have her back and they have been very accepting of their new look mum. Having the operation over is a major step forward.
Now we can concentrate on adjusting our lives, such as re-equipping the kitchen (a thermo-mix is recommended) and modifying the car. A turning knob on the steering wheel is recommended - someone suggested a champagne cork and a nail could do the trick, do-it-yourself style; on second thoughts, we may need to take it to the workshop to have it modified professionally.
She had a difficult night at the hospital last night and so decided to come home instead and get some rest! The four hourly pulse check turned out to be too strenuous, as one could never have a full night's sleep.
This morning, the doctor re-dressed the arm and gave her the go ahead to check out. He is very pleased with her progress. Kate is healing beautifully and the doctor did a fantastic job under the circumstances.
She is full of beans and was ready to come home. The boys are very glad to have her back and they have been very accepting of their new look mum. Having the operation over is a major step forward.
Now we can concentrate on adjusting our lives, such as re-equipping the kitchen (a thermo-mix is recommended) and modifying the car. A turning knob on the steering wheel is recommended - someone suggested a champagne cork and a nail could do the trick, do-it-yourself style; on second thoughts, we may need to take it to the workshop to have it modified professionally.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Update 7 Feb
Much better today, as the drips and tubes have come off now and Kate can move freely. It feels much more comfortable. She has perked up visibly and by the end of today showed much more energy to phone and see friends and family. Perhaps tomorrow we will take the boys up to see her.
Pain management has moved from local anaesthetic to normal pain killers (well maybe not normal - industrial strength probably a better description; however, administered by swallowing rather than drip, far preferable). Nice to remain in a zonked state for a little while still.
The trip to the Independent Living Centre planned for today has been postponed to Wednesday - too much action today, with numerous doctors / physios / OTs in attendance this morning and the afternoon spent resting.
The phantom limb sensation remains; according to the pain management experts, the progress of it seems normal, with the pain 'moving' closer to the shoulder over time. The hand feels like it is curled up and cramped and when Kate tries to extend it in her mind, she has a 'needles and pins' sensation.
The OT had an interesting suggestion involving a mirror box, by which the brain is tricked into believing the missing hand can extended by an optical illusion mirroring the right hand to the left side; Kate would put the right hand into a curled up position and then slowly extend it, while the mirror box would reflect the image of this to the left side and the brain would see the left hand being extended. We wait and see - perhaps we will try this next week if the phantom limb sensation persists.
The surgeon remains very pleased with progress. Possible release date is still the latter half of the week.
Kate continues to show huge courage and this gives us confidence she will resume a full life sooner rather than later. She is starting to anticipate the next stage - chemo - with some apprehension - thankfully still some weeks to go until we start chemo.
Pain management has moved from local anaesthetic to normal pain killers (well maybe not normal - industrial strength probably a better description; however, administered by swallowing rather than drip, far preferable). Nice to remain in a zonked state for a little while still.
The trip to the Independent Living Centre planned for today has been postponed to Wednesday - too much action today, with numerous doctors / physios / OTs in attendance this morning and the afternoon spent resting.
The phantom limb sensation remains; according to the pain management experts, the progress of it seems normal, with the pain 'moving' closer to the shoulder over time. The hand feels like it is curled up and cramped and when Kate tries to extend it in her mind, she has a 'needles and pins' sensation.
The OT had an interesting suggestion involving a mirror box, by which the brain is tricked into believing the missing hand can extended by an optical illusion mirroring the right hand to the left side; Kate would put the right hand into a curled up position and then slowly extend it, while the mirror box would reflect the image of this to the left side and the brain would see the left hand being extended. We wait and see - perhaps we will try this next week if the phantom limb sensation persists.
The surgeon remains very pleased with progress. Possible release date is still the latter half of the week.
Kate continues to show huge courage and this gives us confidence she will resume a full life sooner rather than later. She is starting to anticipate the next stage - chemo - with some apprehension - thankfully still some weeks to go until we start chemo.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Update 6 Feb 2011
Kate's recovery is going well although the 'phantom limb' sensation is still strong and disconcerting. She is 'feeling' pain, pins and needles and cramp in the hand and arm that are no longer there. This will most likely take time to disappear, as the brain is hard wired to expect nerve impulses from the fingers, hand and arm.
The doctor visited this afternoon and was satisfied with progress. He thought Kate is doing extremely well under the circumstances. She is resting well now after initially struggling to sleep.
There are a number of hurdles to clear before leaving the hospital, such as being weaned off the local anaesthetic and starting physiotherpay (planned for Monday). The doctor has indicated that it will take as long as it takes, there is no hurry. The earliest possible discharge date will be the latter half of this week.
Kate's dad arrived this morning from Joburg and she was happy to spend the morning chatting. Her cousin also arrived back from his travels today and spent time with her. Having the family and friends close gives huge comfort to Kate.
We are so grateful for all the support and messages from our friends and family.
The doctor visited this afternoon and was satisfied with progress. He thought Kate is doing extremely well under the circumstances. She is resting well now after initially struggling to sleep.
There are a number of hurdles to clear before leaving the hospital, such as being weaned off the local anaesthetic and starting physiotherpay (planned for Monday). The doctor has indicated that it will take as long as it takes, there is no hurry. The earliest possible discharge date will be the latter half of this week.
Kate's dad arrived this morning from Joburg and she was happy to spend the morning chatting. Her cousin also arrived back from his travels today and spent time with her. Having the family and friends close gives huge comfort to Kate.
We are so grateful for all the support and messages from our friends and family.
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