Christmas Newsletter 2011

The world of the Hey-C's was transformed late March with the news of my brother David's inoperable liver cancer.  Now finished the initial chemotherapy, the prognosis is much improved with significant reductions in the lesions and good results for liver function and blood condition.  Some niggling side effects, but all-in-all a remarkably positive outcome so far.  I flew to Sydney for David's 61st there and back in the one day.

This summed up how ‘reality bites’ the Heycos in 2011
(Quoted from his general email to family and friends on 20 November 2011).

Welcome to our 2011 Christmas letter, our summing up of the year.  During 2011 we have kept you informed of David’s situation with his bowel and liver cancer.  The main way David is and will continue to be in contact is through his blog and photos.  This Christmas letter will bring those of you not on the internet up to date as it is abut six months since we mailed you a letter.

My 61st birthday, 8 May 2011, Club 55

The family’s wonderful gift to us for Mothers’ Day and David’s birthday was a family photo.  We all went to Bicentennial Park, Glebe Point on Saturday 27 August. This photo, reproduced on canvas, is now hanging proudly in the front hall.

The Hey-Cunninghams under a Morton Bay Fig at Glebe Point

Josh and Kate returned home from 4.5 years in Edinburgh, Scotland, late June. They were intending to return towards the end of 2011 but came earlier due to my situation. They and Alison are living with us for the time being. We find it a wonderful support. Pete returned for a few weeks from Brisbane the day after he was told of my situation.  One week in November all of us were living here at Club 55.

In June we celebrated our daughter's 30th birthday with a degustation dinner at Restaurant Atelier, Glebe.  Friday 16 December we attended her doctorate (PhD) graduation ceremony for her thesis titled ‘The pelvic lymphatic system in endometriosis’. We are all very proud of her.  Our youngest began began his doctorate in March, research-ing the AIDS virus.

Our daughter's PhD graduation, 16 December 2011

For a week in July, some of our family went to Port Willunga, south of Adelaide, South Australia. We stayed in the holiday home of an in-law, a gift on the occasion of our second son's engagement.  He is  currently travelling with his fiancé in the US (including visiting Fredonia relatives), Germany and are having Christmas in London with her immediate family and her English relatives.  Their marriage is in March 2012.

The rest of the family are staying in Coffs Harbour for the week before Christmas.  Barbara and I feel unbelievably blessed by our family.

Additionally, we have been wonderfully supported by you, our wider family and friends. I will always remember the dozens of emails, phone calls and visits received after we advised you of my cancer in March.  Your words of encouragement and prayers continue to enrich my life.  Thank you for the hospitality offered, holidays shared and continued communication.

I have completed my twelve main chemotherapy treatments.  Overall I tolerated the chemotherapy well.  My main lingering reaction has been numbness in my fingers and toes.  This, Dr Lisa Horvath, says will take two to twelve months to reduce or clear.  There are signs it is lessening.

Now on maintenance chemotherapy (Avastin and Xeloda tablets over a three week cycle) there was little reaction at first.  However, the reaction increased over three rounds to a degree where I stopped taking the tablets.  My tiredness and lethargy increased.  The skin on my palms and feet deteriorated.  I saw Dr Lisa last Monday and we agreed I would continue the Avastin, stop the tablets and return to the Fluorouracil bottle.  This means I have returned to a two-week cycle.

Overall I have coped well in my changed circumstances.  Times spent with family and friends, returning to working three months a year, rebuilding the raised garden bed against the neighbour’s fence and enjoying short holidays have been wonderfully helpful.  At the moment, the news of the extent and frequency of the maintenance chemo has thrown me.  I have had to think more about coping and reminding myself how comparatively well off I am compared with many cancer sufferers and most people in the world.  It is good we can think about our situation and choose how to respond.  Several of you have helped me think through my current situation – thank you.

What has Barbara been doing?  Besides some extra support for me, Barbara has continued playing her piano and attending piano lessons, volunteered regularly at the opportunity shop, enjoyed her quilting and ESFNG groups, supported our family life, and travelled with me on mini holidays.

We thank you for your love and support through 2011 and we wish you good health and all the best for 2012.

Love, David & Barbara