Day 4 of 5 is over and we are looking forward to Katy coming home tomorrow. We all miss her so much during these long weeks she spends in hospital.
This time around she felt v nauseous and ill. Thankfully only one more chemo week to go after this week.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
28 April
Hanging in there, the pink stuff is finished for this week and we are almost over the hump day. Katy is feeling miserable but lookign forward to the royal wedding!
Had a lovely walk with David up to the DNA tower while Peter was playing with his cousins.
Had a lovely walk with David up to the DNA tower while Peter was playing with his cousins.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
27 April
Back into hospital today. The ward and the nursing staff are eerily familiar - not a normal situation. After today, 64% complete, almost two thirds of the way and only three goes of the pink stuff that makes one's hair fall out left.
We had a lovely long week-end with many sessions on the beach and I have taken this week off to look after the boys while they are on holiday. Plan to do fun things! Such as go to the barber, eat fish and build a tree house. Katy is looking forward to watching the royal wedding on Friday. Each their own.
Katy is feeling very tired and sluggish now and devoid of energy. I think it is the compound impact of the chemo. It will take her a long while to recover I fear.
The other day we had a shocking incident which in retrospect was quite funny. The boys were pushing the shopping trolley and managed to push Katy in to the cheese counter. Not having an arm available on that side, she could not stem her fall and she literally fell with her bum in the butter....
Stern words were exchanged and rewards lost.
We had a lovely long week-end with many sessions on the beach and I have taken this week off to look after the boys while they are on holiday. Plan to do fun things! Such as go to the barber, eat fish and build a tree house. Katy is looking forward to watching the royal wedding on Friday. Each their own.
Katy is feeling very tired and sluggish now and devoid of energy. I think it is the compound impact of the chemo. It will take her a long while to recover I fear.
The other day we had a shocking incident which in retrospect was quite funny. The boys were pushing the shopping trolley and managed to push Katy in to the cheese counter. Not having an arm available on that side, she could not stem her fall and she literally fell with her bum in the butter....
Stern words were exchanged and rewards lost.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
23 April 2011
Easter week-end at home, awaiting the next set of chemo which starts Wednesday next week due to the public holidays on Monday and Tuesday.
The boys are behaving much better, the stickers as rewards system seems to be working. We still have a bit of work to do to stop the fighting but it seems some discipline has returned, with not so much cheekiness any more.
Katy is keeping the house beautifully, despite being one armed. It is taking its toll as she is exhausted by the end of each day. Hopefully we are helping her enough but it seems tidying is never ending.
The other night we had 'shrurry' - shredded curry. The new thermo-mix seems to shred everything very finely, including lamb and chicken. An interesting culinary experience.
Martin has taken next week off to look after the boys while Katy is in hospital. We will have some fun with projects. Aside from going to the beach, we will build a tree house and also some Lego technic.
The boys are behaving much better, the stickers as rewards system seems to be working. We still have a bit of work to do to stop the fighting but it seems some discipline has returned, with not so much cheekiness any more.
Katy is keeping the house beautifully, despite being one armed. It is taking its toll as she is exhausted by the end of each day. Hopefully we are helping her enough but it seems tidying is never ending.
The other night we had 'shrurry' - shredded curry. The new thermo-mix seems to shred everything very finely, including lamb and chicken. An interesting culinary experience.
Martin has taken next week off to look after the boys while Katy is in hospital. We will have some fun with projects. Aside from going to the beach, we will build a tree house and also some Lego technic.
Friday, April 15, 2011
16 April
Kate and Paula have gone off to shop this morning. Feeling almost back to normal!
The boys are helping beautifully with their new chores list, in preparation for next week when we are on our own for the first time. They collect stickers for each chore done and can exchange stickers for time on the wii / treats on the week-end. Luckily there are only very few chores, such as getting dressed, brushing your teeth and putting on sunscreen.
Stickers are withheld if they behave poorly (:o<
The only way we will be able to manage under our new circumstances!
The boys are helping beautifully with their new chores list, in preparation for next week when we are on our own for the first time. They collect stickers for each chore done and can exchange stickers for time on the wii / treats on the week-end. Luckily there are only very few chores, such as getting dressed, brushing your teeth and putting on sunscreen.
Stickers are withheld if they behave poorly (:o<
The only way we will be able to manage under our new circumstances!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
12 April
Kate went to the amputation clinic today; it looks like they will make a real difference, with a choice of prosthetics and councelling and support on offer.
Hopefully a network of people who can make life easier under the new circumstances.
Back to full health, the chemo seems to have subsided for the time being.
Hopefully a network of people who can make life easier under the new circumstances.
Back to full health, the chemo seems to have subsided for the time being.
Monday, April 11, 2011
11 April
Almost back to normal today - Kate had a very restful day with Paula, drinking coffee at the Blue Duck.
The rest of the week should be very sociable, with lots of coffee and cake and not too much effort!
The rest of the week should be very sociable, with lots of coffee and cake and not too much effort!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
10 April
We are having a very quiet week-end, with the boys doing school projects today and Kate resting on the couch. She was feeling very sore yesterday, just recovering now and things seem to be getting a little better.
Peter loved the rugby although the Force was 'pooned' (Peter vocabulary) by the Waratahs!
Peter loved the rugby although the Force was 'pooned' (Peter vocabulary) by the Waratahs!
Friday, April 8, 2011
8 April
Kate is home tonight - David and I fetched her from the hospital after she finished her third course of chemo. We are all watching a movie together - as good as it gets! She is much better than last time around, not nearly as ill. Hopefully this will make the next treatment week easier to anticipate.
We will take it very easy on the week-end, except for Peter who has a tennis tournament and soccer on Saturday. Hopefully the dip will not be severe and we can move on and have a normal existence for the next two weeks!
We will take it very easy on the week-end, except for Peter who has a tennis tournament and soccer on Saturday. Hopefully the dip will not be severe and we can move on and have a normal existence for the next two weeks!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
7 April
Only one more day left in this chemo cycle. Hopefully tomorrow the chemo can happen early and then Katy can be discharged and come home late afternoon. She was feeling very down today, the last two days are usually the worst.
Once she is home, we wait another 24-48 hours for the chemo drugs to leave the system and return back to a more normal state of being.
Once she is home, we wait another 24-48 hours for the chemo drugs to leave the system and return back to a more normal state of being.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
6 April
We are tipping the see-saw, we are over the hump, it is all the way down hill form here as we are now 52% complete!
Kate was quite chirpy today but the chemo is again starting to impact and the next few days will be a struggle. She is reading her kindle very slowly, trying to keep going at least a little bit while the chemo takes its course.
Peter and David visited her in hospital today, they so miss their mum. It was the highlight of their day, although David entered with trepidation initially and was keen to stay for only a few minutes.
Going to the Rugby on Saturday with Pete in the corporate box - that should be a real treat! Will need to arrange some 'Force' jerseys and hats.
Kate was quite chirpy today but the chemo is again starting to impact and the next few days will be a struggle. She is reading her kindle very slowly, trying to keep going at least a little bit while the chemo takes its course.
Peter and David visited her in hospital today, they so miss their mum. It was the highlight of their day, although David entered with trepidation initially and was keen to stay for only a few minutes.
Going to the Rugby on Saturday with Pete in the corporate box - that should be a real treat! Will need to arrange some 'Force' jerseys and hats.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
5 April
48% done and the pink stuff is finished for this week.
We are not loving being back in hospital but the time is going fast.
No adverse reaction so far, other than the usual nausea and feeling grotty.
We are not loving being back in hospital but the time is going fast.
No adverse reaction so far, other than the usual nausea and feeling grotty.
Monday, April 4, 2011
4 April
44% done with the chemo today - looking forward to tipping the scale! The horrible pink drugs are always administered on days 1 and 2; these are responsible for losing one's hair. So it is a relief once Wednesday arrives and there are no more pink drugs.
Kate is putting on a brave face in anticipation of feeling ill for the rest of the week. Today she was quite upbeat and we talked about the wonderful week-end we had at the beach with the boys and our friends.
The hair is progressively thinning, with eyebrows not being unscathed and looking less and less visible as the chemo continues. It is a nasty process.
Kate is looking forward to having a prosthesis fitted soon. Especially in winter it will help the appearance and hopefully it will also help with the phantom pain which is still present.
Kate is putting on a brave face in anticipation of feeling ill for the rest of the week. Today she was quite upbeat and we talked about the wonderful week-end we had at the beach with the boys and our friends.
The hair is progressively thinning, with eyebrows not being unscathed and looking less and less visible as the chemo continues. It is a nasty process.
Kate is looking forward to having a prosthesis fitted soon. Especially in winter it will help the appearance and hopefully it will also help with the phantom pain which is still present.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
3 April 2011
Sunday night, Kate's mum Margaret has left now after almost three months in Perth. She has been an amazing pillar of strength to us all. We miss her already.
Tomorrow Kate goes into hospital for chemo session 3 out of five. Definitely starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel here! Although the thought of having to go back onto anti nausea, anti constipation and other anti medicines is daunting...
Paula Tolksdorff has arrived from Joburg to stay with us for two weeks, keep Kate company, take the boys to school etc. while Kate is in hospital. We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends. Thank you also to the school moms for re-initiating provision of dinners while Kate is in hospital and in recovery once she is discharged.
Tomorrow Kate goes into hospital for chemo session 3 out of five. Definitely starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel here! Although the thought of having to go back onto anti nausea, anti constipation and other anti medicines is daunting...
Paula Tolksdorff has arrived from Joburg to stay with us for two weeks, keep Kate company, take the boys to school etc. while Kate is in hospital. We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends. Thank you also to the school moms for re-initiating provision of dinners while Kate is in hospital and in recovery once she is discharged.
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