Went for my 6-weekly CT scan last Monday. The tumors have stabilished. I feel as if it is the second of 3 phases, first phase being significant reduction of the tumors, then a stabilising period followed by the tumors regrowing. Asking the questions "how long before the third phase?" is like asking how long is a piece of string?

Continuing with the clinical trial although the specialists have reduced the drug amount by 25%. The side-affects were quite aggressive on my face and toes and toe nails. Since this reduction, the effects have moderated. I say to people that my face isn't the best when they ask how I am which leaves the door open for remarks like "tell me something I don't know"!

Saying all that though, I am in very good health, sleeping and eating well and getting lots of exercise. Went for a walk in the King Lake National Park a few weeks ago with the 3 friends I did the Oxfam 100km trail walk with to celebrate the 3year anniversary of doing that walk.

Going to Taree (3 hours north of Sydney) with Marg's family for Easter before heading back to Victoria. Then heading off to the UK on 28th April (in between treatments). Will be gone for the month of May visiting my father in Lancashire who had a serious stroke last year. Looking forward to spending some time with him. Have also managed to get a ticket to a Manchester United vs Blackburn football (soccer for the Aussies) game.

I have been enjoying my reading, catching up with friends and quiet spaces.
All the best to all of you who send out your prayers and positive "vibes" to me.

Blessings Ray

Yes! We breath a little easier again. Results from the scan Ray had last Monday were again good - with a reduction in the tumors of about 30% this time. Next scan in 6 weeks time.

While in this positive frame of mind allow me to regale you with a lovely Aussie tale:

A couple of weeks ago, Marli woke to the amazing sight of an emu staring at her through her bedroom window. Of course by the time she called us into her room, it had disappeared. Throughout the morning we all sighted the emu on separate occasions, and every time we called one another, it had disappeared. Later that morning, a friend from Melbourne, who was coming up to have lunch with Ray told him she'd just had the most amazing experience of an emu running across her path as she drove up the road. Over the next two weeks, we heard stories from various neighbours (and of course I'm talking 2kms each direction of our driveway) having sighted this emu. We're hoping he's still happily running around out there.

Hope you're all well and happy.

Blessings
Marg, Ray, Tahnee & Marli

Ray's results from the CT scan on Monday were very good - the tumors have halved in size. The doctor thought this was excellent given Ray has only had 2 treatments and a month off (he missed a treatment while we were away over the Christmas/New Year break).

Of course, the drug is not a cure and at some stage (like the chemo) it will stop working. Statistically this is about 6 months - after which time the tumors could stabilise for a while before not responding any longer. So here's hoping and praying that Ray outdoes the statistics!

Hope you are all well and enjoying the start of the new year.

Having a wonderful Christmas/New Year in Sydney. NSW for me is synonymous with warm balmy weather, lazy days filled with good food and family games. Marg and I travelled up to The Entrance on New Year's day with Grandma and the 4 kids to visit my sister Pat, her husband Steve and my mother, Sheila enjoying a BBQ and a swim at the beach.
Marg's family and ours travelled to Leura in the Blue Mts on the 3rd Jan. for 5 days to stay in a large rented holiday house sitting on the escarpment overlooking the magnificent Jameson Valley only a couple of clicks from the "Three Sisters" at Echo Pt. The temperature here, at 1000 metres was in the mid teens with lots of misty rain interspersed with sunny periods. Uncle Ian and I nicknamed the "Blind Dudes" took on all comers in a family badminton knockout finishing unbeaten winning the coveted prize of $20. The young ones deeply disturbed that the oldies prevailed against all the odds. I have regained my walking "mojo" for the first time in 18 months. During that time I was unmotivated given a long period of feeling nauseous, dry reaching when undertaking even minimal exercise. I'm surprising myself with daily, often strenuous bush walks through glorious country teeming with wild life; red wattle birds, eastern whip birds, honey eaters and dozens of differents parrots. The wildflowers have to be seen to be believed.
Marg and I had two wonderful experiences on the same walk early one morning; 2 pairs of lyrebirds walked right past within a metre of us. In all my years of walking I could count on 1 hand the number of times I have seen a lyrebird, let alone have them come close enough to touch. The Blue Mts. are a sight to behold, having profound spiritual importance for the local aboriginal clan, you can understand why when you see the rugged terrain, different coloured sandstones and read something of the geographical history of the place. Walking around these mountains leaves me feeling quite small in the whole scheme of things.

We all arrived back in Epping at Pam and Ian's after watching the final nail in the "Ashes" coffin. I have mixed emotions after many years (especially the 70's & 80's) of watching the Pom's consistently humiliated. Maybe it's good in the long run for Aussie cricket, balancing the books so to speak!
Enjoying a family dinner out at a local Chinese restaurant tonight, a visit to the pictures to see "The King's Speech" before picking up my Auntie at the airport tomorrow morning. Auntie Margaret has travelled from England via California to spend a week in Sydney with different family members. Driving up to Canberra on the 8th for 3 days and then home to Castlemaine on the 11th.
I'm feeling really good physically at the moment. My scalp has stopped itching and the rash on my face and torso has all but cleared up. Apart from very dry (facial) skin, my body is handling the trial drug (certuximab) well.

Blessings to you all and sincerely hoping you are finding some satisfaction in your life experiences?
Take good care of yourself
Regards
Ray

Ray has had two rounds of his clinical trial treatment and will have another CT scan on 17th Jan to see whether it is having any effect. The main side effect of the drug is a very bad acne like rash that has broken out over Ray's face, scalp and upper body. While uncomfortable and irritating, it's a 'walk in the park' compared to the side effects of the chemo drugs.

It's been fantastic, relaxing over the Christmas break, firstly in Castlemaine with family and friends for Christmas, a day at the MCG (for Ray), then Sydney for a family reunion with Marg's mum's extended family. After the New Year, we are looking forward to a relaxing week in the Blue Mountains before coming home via Canberra.

We hope everyone had a joyful and peaceful Christmas and is looking forward to welcoming in the New Year.

Have just received the news that I have been placed on the fortnightly clinical trial and will start treatment tomorrow down at Western General.
Ray

We have finally found out that "Yes" - Ray does have the Wild Gene (are any of us surprised?) that is required for him to go on the clinical trial at the Western General.
Ray has an appointment next Monday (29th Nov) to sign paperwork and have some base-line tests done.
The drug is delivered by injection - either once a week or fortnightly and hopefully we'll find that out next Monday as well.
How are we feeling? Relieved - it's been a bit like waiting to find out whether you passed or failed your exam.

Love to you all
Marg, Ray, Tahnee, Marli.