Ray's first chemo session on Monday went well. A long day - we arrived at 9.30am and didn't leave until 5.30pm. A pic line had to be inserted into a vein in Ray's upper arm and then x-rayed to make sure it was in the right place before the chemo could start. The pic line will stay in place for the whole 6 weeks of the 3 chemo treatments. Anti-nausea and anti-diahrea drugs were then dripped into this line before the actual chemo drugs (2 of them) could be administered. As this was the first treatment, they were dripped in slowly to make sure Ray didn't have any bad reactions. The next chemo session in 2 weeks time will only take two hours.
So far Ray has only experienced slight nausea, but we realise it's early days yet.
A video message from Ray below - sorry it's not pointed the right way, will get that right next time.
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7 comments:
Hi Ray, Marg & girls
Lovely to hear your message Ray, and your update Marg. Hope the treatment continues well for you Ray. Our thoughts are with you as always.
Love from
Jane, Marnie, Ryan & Alexia
Hi Ray & Marg
Thoughts & prayers are with you Ray.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
regards
Janine & Daryl (Geelong)
Hi Uncle ray.
Its tough to be able to see you on here and not reach out for a cuddle.
Hope everything is going well...and you are not feeling too sick. Love you heaps...
Ren xx
glad to see you worked out the video thing marg.
Hi Ray, Marg & girls,
Glad things are progressing as well as they can. We are thinking of you all. It was great catching up for that short time when you were over here, Ray. Hope we can catch up again soon. We know its not easy and its hard to keep going sometimes but you are all an inspiration and you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
God bless.
Love Steve, Linda, Isaac and Jacob.
Dear Ray.
Hello :) I recently heard about what you and your family have been going through this year, and Mum just contacted me to let me know about your blog. And here you are, lovely Ray :) Thank you for sharing your journey with us. What a ride it's been for you all so far.
I'm thinking of you lots, Ray, and I think you are incredibly brave and heroic.
I'm a nurse in Geelong, and I work on the major bowel/abdo surgical ward, caring for patients after their surgery. I'm so pleased to read that you have bounced back well after your operation, and on to the next stage. I hope you're managing ok with the chemo, and the side affects aren't too severe for you.
Mum has also had a rocky year. A couple of years ago she had a bowel tumour removed, and she recovered really well after a couple of operations. Early this year, the surgeon discovered that the bowel tumour was back, and she has a met in her liver. So she's had intense radiotherapy and chemo, and heads to Melbourne next week to have the bowel tumour removed. She'll then have the liver tumour removed 6 weeks later. So we are crossing our fingers, toes, legs, and eyes that it all runs smoothly :)
"Every day, in the world around us, real-life angels are doing the things they do and bringing smiles to the world around them. Real-life angels build bridges instead of walls....They don't have hidden agendas. They tend to be the only ones who understand what you're going through. If they sense that you're hurting, they do whatever they can to help you. Real-life angels understand difficulties and always give the benefit of the doubt. They don't hold others up to standards they can't live by themselves. They are what "inner beauty" is all about. They don't hold things against you. The only thing they hold....is you....They take your hand in theirs when you could use some reassurance. They walk beside you when you could use some guidance and direction in your life. And they support you in your attempts to do what is right. Real-life angels multiply your smiles and add to your integrity. If you come across an angel you are one of the luckiest people of all. If someone in your life is like an angel to you, it's important to thank them...for the blessing".
This little passage makes me think of you. For me, you have been one of my real-life angels. When I was 13, 14, 15 years old, you were there, and helped me. There are no words to describe how much you helped me. And I'll never forget your generosity and kindness. How lucky we all are to be, or have been, in the presence of a real-life angel like you, Ray :) I just wanted to tell you how special you are to me.
Im looking forward to reading your next installment, and keeping my fingers, toes, legs, and eyes crossed for you too ;)
Lots of love to you and your gorgeous family, and I'll be in touch again soon.
Love Amy Porra.
amyporra@hotmail.com
Hi Ray,
Have only recently heard -with some astonishment -that you've been going through all this. As a double survivor of thyroid cancer, I've some idea of the journey, though in my case it was radiation rather than chemo which did the `mopping up'. Heather and I both send love and best wishes to you. The blog is a great idea, thankyou.
Since we first had that wonderful 90 minute non-stop talk on the train to Melbourne a year or so ago, I've often been on the edge of ringing you and suggesting that we start up the book group we discussed, but MASG and other busy activities have got in the way. If in these different times, you think you've got the energy and desire for a get-together over books (my latest Vikram Seth's brilliant `Unequal Music') or just a lunch with you and family, please get back to me.
In the meantime, we wish you all strength and much love.
best wishes
Neil Barrett
neil@box311.biz 54 72 3094
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