This is life after cancer. Sitting together in the sun and feeling joyful just because. Going out for breakfast and catching a glimpse of normal on the horizon. Crying at night after an ordinary day because the exhaustion and the worry and the relief are still there in every moment. Hearing of someone else’s tough times and feeling it in your gut because you know, now, what it’s like. For Scott, there’s no more surgery, no more treatment, no more cancer. The tumour was lodged at the base of Continue Reading
Cancer Free
I guess the first thing to say is that Scott is now cancer free. It's a bit of an anti-climax, the way that moment creeps up on you, but it's still nice to say. "My husband doesn't have cancer anymore". He had PET scans after chemo and radiation and they found no sign of cancer. The doctors still recommended surgery to remove his rectum, just in case there were any tiny cells that could trigger a recurrence. It was a tough decision, but we're so glad he made it. After Scott's surgery, they Continue Reading
Post Operative
It's been 2 weeks since Scott went into Peter Mac for surgery to remove his rectum. He was calm and in good spirits. We expected a 4 - 5 hour operation and a 4 - 5 day stay in hospital. Things haven't really worked out that way. The surgery took more than 8 hours, and although it went well, there were complications and he'll probably be in hospital at least 3 or 4 more days. When I found out he was still in theatre 7 hours after going in, my brain collapsed. For the next few hours my Continue Reading
Food as a Most Unusual Medicine
It must be time for an update. Aside from the obvious cloud hanging over us as we wait for the next stage, things are by no means bad. Right now, I’m writing from a very comfy armchair, by a very cosy fire, with my wonderful husband in a very comfortable cottage in Daylesford. Bliss! We’ve eaten our way through the weekend and spent 36 luxurious hours alone. The peace is soaking right into my bones. Finally I have the energy to put some words down. Until now I just haven’t had the emotional Continue Reading
What’s So Good About Cancer?
A few weeks ago we had a conversation about feelings over dinner. For each feeling, Scott, Alexa and I took turns describing something that makes us feel that way. My family makes me happy, Skydiving makes Scott excited, seeing Daddy sick makes us all sad and being at home makes Alexa calm. When we got to Jealous I couldn't think of anything, and I realised how much has changed for me. As I explained to Alexa, jealous is when you want something that someone else has got. I don't remember Continue Reading