Had a wonderful Christmas day with 10 family members here at home - we all mucked in for a prawn and salad lunch followed by a more traditional Christmas dinner later in the day. In the evening we flamed the Christmas pudding. The warmer weather meant some of us did some good old Aussie activities like swimming in the dam and catching yabbies.
I got up early on Boxing Day and cooked ham, eggs and hollandaise sauce for everyone, then the women-folk took off to the Boxing Day sales in Bendigo while the men stopped home and watched the Boxing Day Test.
Also enjoyed a very pleasant New Year's eve, firstly with some friends who had hired a B&B just out of town for the night - the attraction being a large heated spa which overlooked the hills and surrounding countryside. We then went on to some other friends (also our neighbours), who had invited us to their place for a swim in their pool and a BBQ dinner. I surprised myself and everyone else by staying up until 1.30am.
The last 4 weeks, my health seems to have improved immensely. I have no muscle strength and struggle to negotiate any more than 2 or 3 stairs at a time without assistance and can only do the simplest and easiest of tasks now, but I'm eating and sleeping very well and have regained some colour in my skin. There is no pain or nausea at the moment although I can feel the tumors enlarging and hardening in my stomach. My left leg is quite numb at times due to the compression of the nerves from a secondary tumor in my sacrum. I manage walking quite well, but sometimes need the aid of a walking cane.
At the end of the day it's all about quality of life and although I sometimes feel quite sedated with the affects of the drugs, I continue to enjoy the luxury of a normal family day.
As I have been feeling much better, Andrew (my son) decided to go home on New Years day to reconnect with his life in Perth and take care of his home maintenance and gardening business. He did an extraordinary job in looking after our property while he was here.
My next goal is a Men's Group get together on the 17th January and the wedding of a friend's daughter on the 21st January.
My prayers and best wishes to you all. Hopefully you manage to find some peace in all your deliberations as you enter 2012.
Ray
4 comments:
Hello ..Ray you are a gem ...as are all the family gems....it is so good to read your blog and see how you are managing and living each day... dear friends.....Prayers ,Love and Blessings
Ronda & John
Dear Ray, I have been checking the blog almost daily and am thrilled to know that you are enjoying such quality of life! In fact with friends, spa's, swimming, delicious food and a wonderful family you really are living life to the full! How fantastic!! I am so happy that you have no nausea or pain and that each day can still bring promise and joy for you and the family. Much love to you all. From Ros (and Sue) xxx
Dear Ray and Marg - This may come up as a repeat message because I don't think I clicked the right button to add the previous note that I wrote. I found your blog on Monday and have read it all. Sorry it has been so long since I have been in touch. Sorry that you are on such a journey. I don't have much contact with my brother so I didn't know the details. Howard and I send our love and prayers to you both. I have sent a letter to the Barkers Creek address in white pages - hope it gets to you OK. No need to respond. We will continue to follow your journey via this blog and will continue to hold you in our thoughts, hearts and prayers. As usual you are an inspiration. Love to you both and love and prayers for all the family, Penelope (Penny Langmead)
You are an awesome man, Ray. I enjoyed our chat a couple of weeks ago and am glad to see that the pain and nausea are still well managed. Bruce and I send you, Marg and the girls our love and prayers. Sue
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