Hi! All,
Well I had my pre-chemo blood test on Thursday and fronted up to te Chemo suite for my dose only to be told that my whitecells and platelet count was far to low so they cancelled the chemo for 2 weeks and gave me 2 lots of blood instead , not happy as this sounds like it will stop my chemo and therefore bring forth the inevitable but sooner.
However Deb and I are luxuriating in a lovelly house near the river actually it's where the river meets the ocean so there are lots to do (If I had the energy). I hadn't wanted to take the laptop but felt the need to stay in touch with my friends.
Love you all
TREV

Hey Trev,

"...it's where the river meets the ocean..." We're a lucky lot that we live close to those gorgeous places. What wonderful friends you have that loaned you the beach cottage.

Take long naps in the ocean air, take walks when you're able, watch some good comedy on TV/DVD/the internet.

In 1997 my daughter and I took a catamaran from Hong Kong to Macao, then on to the Chinese Mainland. On the TV screens they played Mr. Bean videos that were so incredibly stupid that they were brilliant. We laughed aloud as did our fellow Chinese travelers. Silly stuff is good healing! Old Groucho Marx vids are good too (Big Ray can vouch for that).

There was an American professor of computer science who passed away recently who gave a lecture to his students, "The Last Lecture," that became an internet favorite.

This might be uplifting - it certainly was to me.

Dr. Pausch on Oprah

Randy Pausch - Last Words

Randy Pausch Home Page:

Home Page

There's a great youtube video that I'd love to send but that doesn't relay to Oz for some odd reason. If I can figure out how to bypass whatever the restrictions are, I will.

I wish you well, buddy.

Mimi

Hi Trev so sorry to hear about the latest setback.it doesn't necessarily mean the worst but when we have the C we are extra sensitive and find it hard to keep positive sometimes.

Still take each day one at a time none of us know how long we have not even the healthiest person on this planet. Enjoy a peaceful break with Debs and keep talking to us we are all here for you and always will be. Will keep you both in my thoughts

Love Mum
xxxxxxxx

Hi Mimi,thank you for the links to Randy Pausch. Ive spent the last few hours reading his website. What an inspiring man.

Hi! All,
Well I went into the Hospital today expecting the worst and was pleased to be told that I can have more chemo but a lower dose and given over a longer period, my blood count was not much better than the previous week but the Professor thought I could still continue with the chemo, I will be back again in a fortnight and am having a scan on the 3rd of January.
My wiegth has gone down further to 79.4kgs and for a while there I had thought I was putting on weight as my stomach looks bloated but the Proffesor thinks that that is my Liver swelling
Deb and I had a lovely time away and came home refreshed and was able to spend an afternoon with Marley which as I have said before always cheers us up.
We weren't supposed to get chemo today and were quite surprised when the Prof organised it himself whilst we waited, and the crowded chaemo suite fitted us in on such short notice, the public system works really well here and it amazes me why people complain about going public?.
Thankyou everyone for your wishes and I hope everything is going well for everybody else.
"I'll be back"
TREV

Way to go Trev, see I told you, sometimes we are over sensitive and always expect the worst. We are all here today and today is all that counts.

Loads of love coming across the oceans to you and Debs

Mum
xxx

Hi Trev

Just caught up with your post and pleased to hear that things weren't quite as bad as you feared. Also great to hear you and Deb had a lovely break!

What are you doing over Christmas - can't really imagine Christmas in Australia. What ever you do I hope you all have a good one (and get to spend some more time with Marley).

Love to you and Deb

Gwyn

xxx

Hello All
I thought I'd do the secretary's job and give you an update since the 'boss' is dragging the chain a bit ........
Today he had two units of blood (we asked for 'energised') and such is the protocol that he had to be admitted to hospital where he spent the whole day! It kept him out of my hair and gave him yet another bed to sleep in, however it seems such a rigamarole!
I collected him at about 8pm and although he feels slightly more energetic, he said (before going to our bed!) he still feels 'crappy'. That seems to be the standard these days so here's hoping he can manage to get on top of it for Christmas day when we have the family here. Maybe his new blood will have kicked in by then.
Just in case neither of us get a chance to catch up before the big day, I would like to thank each and every one of you for the wonderful support and caring interactions you have shared with us, particularly over the last six months. It's been a trial that has been greatly lessened by our connection with the forum.
Have a great day on Thursday doing whatever it is that you want to, and are able to. I hope Santa is kind to you all and that those of you who need to, are able to put on a few pounds ~ the rest of us will do it without trying!!! Damn. If you are travelling during the holiday season, please do it carefully ~ we need you.
Catch you all later
Love
Deborah and Trevor
xo

Deb and Trev, I hope Trev feels less crappy for Christmas day and you both have a good day with your family. All the best and Happy Christmas. Hagg.

Hi! All,
Had a rand Xmas and managed to put on some weight and also managed to eat what was dished up to me with "Chillie,Garlic Prawns" my favourite, we had a NO present Xmas which was terrific as everybody seems to have what they want and more. However that didn't stop the Grandchild getting spoilt rotten which was nice to see, deb and I did get a portrate of Marley in and antique frame which is georgeous. We are heading of for 4 days on the coast to get some sunshine into my creeking bones and a bit of relaxation so will be in touch on our return, I have to have my blood checked for the next lot of Chemo on Wednesday and then Chemo on Friday and am not looking forward to the ordeal again.
All the best to my friends for the New Year.
Love Trev

hi trev and debs
great to hear you had a nice christmas and ate too!grandchildren are here to be spoilt aren't they and we had our 4 over for christmas day dinner.have a great few days away the rest will do you both good.happy new year to you.love shirl xxx

Hi Trev

Good to hear you had a grand Christmas.

We have decided to do the same as you next year and not give presents - it will take a lot of the stress away and the important thing is relaxing and spending time with the family.

Hope you have a great few days away and that it sets you up for the ordeal to come.

Best wishes to you and Deb for 2009.

Love

Gwyn

Hi Everyone
We are just back from our short stay by the water. It was just lovely. The company was great, the weather was ideal, the food was scrumptious and, and, and..........
Trevor had some excitement when he tried to save the big umbrella in the outdoor setting table as a gusty wind picked up. He was trying to wind the brolly down when the wind caught it again, tilted it and the glass tabletop exploded into a gazillion pieces, just like a car windscreen! Then there was the snake that slithered from 'our' place across the neighbours verandah. I think I had the best laugh I've had in the last 4 years watching an old Billy Connolly tape. Hell he's funny! It was a nice time away from the real world.
The time went very quickly (it was only 48 hours, after all) however that husband of mine is causing me concern. He is so bushed and doesn't have the energy to remain upright long enough to take the pressure off his poor, bony bum. He seems to be feeling more nauseous, more often and has increased pain. Only 29 hours til we get a new year ~ here's hoping it's an improvement on this one!
We arrived home to the news that our son's fiance (Marley's mum) has been put into hospital with some complications with her pregnancy so maybe we won't have to wait another 6 weeks for the next edition. There's never a dull moment around this place!
It sounds as though everyone has had a good Christmas and that's great to hear. Ours was just lovely and if I can ever find out how to post them, I'll put up a couple of Chrissy pics for you to have a squizzy at.
Enjoy the pre 2009 celebrations and I hope you all have your dreams come true in the New Year.
Love from Down Under
Deborah

Hi Deborah

The image of battling with the brolly and the resulting disaster brought a smile to this miserable boat race. It probably isn't that funny in real life, but if we paid to see it in a film, we'd be roaring. Anyhoo. I hope the spread of the glass was contained and no personal damage was incurred.

I hope your "early" New Year celebrations are as enjoyable as the real ones here at the home of time itself, well Greenwich anyway!

I was hoping to visit my best mates (yes, I do have some) in Devon for a Russell Harty and spend some time with my God-children. Unfortunately, I have gone down with a bug and feel even worse than ever. My nose is running, I have a cough, sore throat and my body really aches. Oh well, could be worse, and there's always next year. Trouble is, I shall be 51 on Friday and I feel like I'm running out of New Years to celebrate!

Ray

Hi to everyone ,So glad most of you managed through xmas intact and had a great time loved your story Debs and Trev about the brolly could just picture it ...,Sorry you are feeling poorly Ray that is rotten especially as catching up with your friends for new year would have been good .51 !!! hey that is worth a trade we are heading for the biggy this year(60) so would definately trade for 51 u r still in the running !!!.

We managed xmas day for 3 hours then Paul was done in, pain meds too strong then 2 days later he took a haemorrage from nose and we had a terrible emergency ride in an ambulance that only had 1 paramedic so drove like a madddy then stopped to see if Paul was ok then back in driving seat and off like stirling Moss if it hadn't been so serious it would have been comical,one of the setbacks of country living .

He has been in hospital for a couple of days and now home and on different medication again so trial and error .They said a blood vessel had burst in nasal area due to it being tender from RT .Still waiting on scan date and they are going to send someone else in to see him about regulating head and face pain so still not quite got things on an even keel yet ,here's hoping 2009 turns the corner and gives a few months of peace and respite for everyone which would be lovely .

Well guys it is new years eve here and sadly we are not celebrating up in town with the family ,Paul all tucked up and comfy and I am here prattling away with a rather large Bailleys !!

Wish you all a better year for 2009 .

Love Bell xx