DHC Hope: May 2016

22 May 2016

Health Deterioration

Sadly, about two hours after writing my upbeat last DHC Hope blog on Wednesday I slid into feeling very lethargic, diarrhoea symptoms developed. I continued to slowly worsen.

On Thursday my daughter-in-law advised me to go to the GP (doctor). Barbara drove me there on Friday afternoon as I could not walk. At Dr Naomi's suggestion, our neighbour drove Barbara and I to Emergency at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) where I stayed until 8pm.

After interviews and tests the issue seemed to be dehydration and I was given a drip for three hours. Saturday felt much better but today feel down again.

Very surprising such an adverse change in such a short period. I do not know what has caused it. I hope I will know the cause during the coming week and that it can be dealt with.

Meanwhile, good news - The BezCan Project is now an official project of Global Development Group and is now tax deductible for Australian and American donors. I am hoping to be able to issue a newsletter by the end of this week with all the information and some up to date photos.

18 May 2016

Some Improvement

Monday morning 16 May, Barbara and I met with my oncologist, Dr Kate Mahon and Linda, the nurse who is temporarily looking after my drug trial.

Dr Kate explained that today’s blood test shows that both my kidney and liver functions have improved a little. The kidney function, while being OK, had not improved for some time. This improvement indicates the decision not to have a new stent inserted is working.

We discussed the side effects I am experiencing from the trial drug. I still have a rash on my forehead and scalp but it has reduced. Meanwhile, my adverse reaction to sunlight has worsened. Sunday we had a family picnic at nearby Bicentennial Park. Although I was sitting under a tree, sheltered from the sun, my face reddened and the back of my hands became splotchy. It was not itchy. The redness did not fade away until a few hours after I returned home. All my life I have loved being in the sun. Since the beginning of this year, while still on chemotherapy, I have felt debilitated from being in direct sunlight for any length of time. I greatly miss being able to lie in the sun!

My voice was affected by all the coughing during a virus infection a month or two ago. I find it difficult to speak too much. Sometimes it is worse than other times. I think there is some improvement. I hope my voice returns to normal soon.

My next six weekly CT scan will be done before my next appointment with Dr Kate in three weeks time. We will be able to see how the experimental drug is affecting the cancer in the liver. If it is working well, then the CT scan should show the cancers have not grown over the six weeks between CT scans.

Meanwhile, I continue to enjoy a pretty active life: over recent weeks, The BezCan Project has taken about 3 hours a day Mondays to Friday with continuing contact with Bezallel and Canaan Schools and working towards tax deductibility through an Australian NGO – nearly completed now; family gatherings; some travel and various social engagements. You are welcome to arrange get togethers. I am booking my eighth visit to Uganda from 19 July to 5 August. This is exciting. One special event will be the official opening of the new primary campus at Canaan Junior School. The school will operate from this campus from 6 June, the beginning of term 2.

Some photos from recent activities:

Grand daughter L built this train track at our home, yesterday (Tuesday).
Barbara looks after L each Tuesday.

Selfie with the family enjoying a picnic lunch at Bicentennial Park

Our youngest grandchild loves cucumber as these three photos show!

Last Saturday our small group ESFNG met at Morrie's new home at Ettalong

Panoramic view toward Sydney northern beaches from Ettalong Beach

Walking along the Ettalong foreshore

First weekend of May we drove to Eden to visit my brother Michael
and celebrate my 66th birthday and Mothers' Day

Michael hosted us a Mothers' Day and birthday lunch in Merimbula

01 May 2016

Being With Friends

Thank you to so many of you for meeting with me in response to my ‘Cancer Growing’ blog entry at the beginning of March. You have provided about 25 enjoyable occasions.

Yesterday, our friends Barb and Jeff arranged for a lunch time gathering of over 30 friends from when our family started attending Petersham Baptist Church thirty years ago in October 1986. We all had a wonderful time together, mingling and sharing memories. Many people we had not seen for years, however, it was as though we had just seen each other yesterday as the conversations flowed. People came from as far away as Perth, Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst.

Thank you all for coming. Barb and Jeff thanks for hosting; Barb thanks for all the arrangements; Barb, Judith and Anna thanks for looking after us all throughout our three hours together. Thank you all for bringing food to share.

We were all very glad that John and Joy came. John was minister for thirteen years at Petersham Baptist Church, finishing in 1989. John led a short time of thanks at the end of our gathering adapted from Ruth Burgess in The Book of a Thousand Prayers compiled by Angela Ashwin.

Leader: All our laughter, all our sadness,

People: Safe in the hands of the Creator of all.

Leader: All our anger, all our gladness,

People: Safe in the hands of the Source of Love.

Leader: All our stories, all our memories,

People: Safe in the hands of the Spirit of Life.

Leader: Those we remember, those we love

People: Safe in God’s hands

Leader: We ask for the love of God

People: And the messages of angels.

Leader: The laughter of Jesus

People: And the stories of the saints.