It has been a big week. The surgery is done, the cancer beast is out. Now we hopefully can focus on healing before the radiotherapy starts.
The Australia Day long weekend was our time to try and relax, knowing we had done everything pre-surgery… We knew the medicos had not found any more lesions and the treatment path was clear. Should be much easier, we thought… but not so, not helped by the unbearable 35-39o heat we experienced day after day.
On Australia Day itself, we escaped to Binna Burra, in the Gold Coast hinterland. We took a beautiful walk through the rainforest. It was misty, a little drizzly, but we needed that time in nature. Here are some of our favourite images from this escapade.
We thought we’d go up again the next days but the heat was so intense, then the rain so heavy that we ended up hiding inside Anui. Not the best way of dealing with demons, but we managed.
Out with the beast
Tuesday was surgery day. It started awfully early: 6.00am admission, then the first of the unpleasantness began.
Chris had a Lymphoscintigraphy: a method of mapping the lymphatic system using injections of contrast agent. Radiotracers “gather” in the tumour and lymph nodes. The sentinel node – first drainage point of the tumour – is identified, later removed during surgery and studied under a microscope, to determine whether the cancer has spread.
Next was another procedure: the Hook Wire Localisation. This is where under local anaesthetic and imaging guidance, a fine wire is threaded through to the centre of the tumour. The hook keeps the wire in place, stops it from moving and some of the wire sticks out – a breast kebab! The procedure gave the surgeon a map of exactly where to find the 1.7cm lump to remove it accurately as well as a 1.5cm margin of hopefully healthy tissue all around.
And finally at 1.00pm it was time for the surgeon to do his handy work, take the sentinel node off and cut the cancer beast out! The operation went well, although the next night in hospital was rough. The anaesthetics and the month of extreme stress all got a bit too much for Chris who got very unwell.
We were back on Anui the next afternoon. With a good stash of painkillers, it is now time to focus on rest and healing. It is a relief the worst is behind us – well at least we hope it is. We will get the pathology results next week confirming whether the lymph node is clear and the margin of tissue around the tumour is free of cancer cells. If it is not, the surgeon reassesses what happens next, which won’t be good news, but we are hoping for the best.
For now, Nurse Wade is in charge while achy Chris takes it easy. And no, she is not in front of a computer straight after surgery… this post was prepared earlier! Looking forward to reading your comments.
Sv-Anui 
All the best for a speedy recovery.
Nothing is speedy with cancer treatment, but I get your meaning. Thanks Viki!
Good riddance to the beast!
Be gone and NEVER return!
So glad that surgery appears to have gone well
Yeah to that, Matty! One more week of anxious wait to find out if it’s all gone… trying very hard not to think of the worst… it’s harder at night if you get what I mean!
Oh yes, I sure do know!
🤞I’m sure they got it all Chris!
Great idea to go for a walk through a beautiful rainforest…always a calming and soothing experience. Glad that you are through the surgery, and hopefully are as comfortable as can be. No doubt Nurse Wade is doing his best and I hope that the pathology report is a positive one. Rest up and sending love and prayers to you both. xx
Thanks Jan. Poor Wadie is very bored but looks after me well. Doing everything: cooking, dispensing meds, making the boat as comfortable as possible… digging me out of dark holes. We are both on tender hooks until the pathology results are through.
Great news and fingers are crossed for good results🤞
Well first of all I must say those photos are utterly magnificent.
Binna Burra has been my walking meditation escape since I was in my 20’s when I first discovered it when I moved to NNSW. So thank you for sharing them. I think that area has magical healing energy, glad you went there before your surgery.
Now the healing, resting, gentleness and recovery.
Pleased that nurse Wade is on the job.
Huge hugs beautiful Chris ❤️
Thank you Wendy. Binna Burra is good for the soul. Hope to go back up there or up to O’Reillys in the Lamington NP as soon as I can cope with the drive and walking. And talking about meditation, I have been listening to Deva Premal & Miten over and over… hauntingly beautiful!
Oh Chris. What a horribly hard time! But Binna Burra is definitely good for the soul. I am sure Wade is doing a sterling job. Sending virtual hugs and lots of ❤️ from down south. T&A
Thanks Trish. Harrowing path… let’s hope it doesn’t get any harder as I am not sure I could cope!
This is wonderful news! Prayers for a speedy recovery and no more surgery, Chris! ❤️ You are a great husband, Wade. 👍🏻 Get well soon, Chris!
Partners for life, rather than husband and wife, but yes Wade is the best support I can hope for.
That’s wonderful, Chris. 😊
Feeling for you both. Rest up as best as you can and keep cool. We love our annual cruising in the Q waters but couldn’t do a summer up there. So glad you have aircon. Fingers crossed for Tuesday. We know Wade will be doing his best. Such beautiful photos Chris!
Hello Amanda, yes here we were wanting to be in Tassie this summer! The heat and humidity are horrible but Wade has installed another tarp over the bedrooms and front so poor Anui is completely covered, but cooler. As for the walks in the hinterland, we’ll be aiming to get back up there ASAP!
You guys are constantly in our thoughts sending you virtual hugs ( not too tight ).
Nature walks are definitely soothing.
Thanks Mick & Lyn. Thinking of you too. When is the next trip to Medina?
Oh my – how medical science has progressed in a couple of decades! I had a mastectomy after palpation plus an x-ray . . . that was all!!! How much more insight and security these days! Am so glad you are on the other side of the hump . . . the healing will be a lot faster than you know think!!! It will be alright, I am certain . . . in the meantime Nurse Wade will just have to provide a gentle hug and big kiss tds as an extra!!! bestest and more bestest . . .
Hiya Eha, yes the surgeons don’t use the scalpel until they know exactly what they are dealing with and where to cut! Gotta be better that way particularly when they opt for breast saving surgery which I am grateful for. Hugs to you too.
I am so awaiting to tell you what I ‘did’ after! Too early! The Bowral Private felt it had to call out one of Sydney’s top oncologists to make me ‘see sense’! He came, stayed for half a day, laughed, said Oz medical rules made him shut up but told the locals just let me ;do my own thing’. Well, I’m still here !!!!
Can’t wait to find out what you, the rebel, did!
A walk in the bush can be and is therapy. Take in the sights, the smells and sounds of the forrest. Breath slowly and reflect that however stressed and uncomfortable you may feel be glad you are in Australia.
You have dodged a bullet.
You are not alone on your journey. You have the support of many friends who share your love of both nature and sailing.
We will one day share an anchorage……just not at PSI with a Gale Warning issued for Bass Strait.
Hi James and Carol – Prime Seal Is in a gale… mmm… pass 🤭. Thanks for saying hello.
Good to hear.
😊
Keep up the good work Chris & Wade and note that anyone going through a similar experience could not help but gain comfort and confidence from your approach.
Hi Tom, thanks for your observation. We are documenting our journey for ourselves as we would in a journal. It is a way of managing stress and of letting friends and others know what’s involved in a cancer battle – something not often talked about in detail. It has been our approach all the way through our blog. Only this time, things aren’t happening to the reef or the boat, but to us.
Good to hear the update Chris, well done and best wishes for recovery.
Might want to head back to Vic – we haven’t really started summer yet.
Although sadly have managed quite a few drownings along our stretch of coast.
Can’t wait to see the photo of Nurse Wade in his little outfit!
There is no escaping from SE QLD for a while, Craig, even though we dream of cool weather! Here we were, equipped for the cold with a heater on board… we might have to investigate potable air con to supplement our old unit!
As for Wade’s nurse outfit… might have to work on this for a laugh!
Great news Chris! Today’s surgery seems so sophisticated, your graphic description was almost too vivid! Good to hear about nurse Wade (Formerly Captain Wade) performing his caring duties …. is he wearing a little nursey outfit? We might need pictures in the next blog 🙂
Hope you’re up and about soon, those rainforest walks in Lamington, Binnaburra and other bits of the hinterland are amazing. We lived in the Gold Coast for a short while and spent a lot of time hiking in those bits of bush.
Be well, our thoughts and prayers are always with you both!
Oh god you two, might have to get to work on that nursey outfit… something to laugh about instead of freaking out about worst case scenarios!
Chris, you probably aren’t quite up to sewing skirts just now, maybe there’s a mate who could go along to a charity shop for a wee nursey outfit? Pics of nursey Wade would definitely go viral! Worse case scenario? You mean, like Wade not fitting into his costume? ( Sorry Wade, only joking!)
Yap… on the job, searching on the net for « party outfits/nurse near me »… you just wait!
Thanks for the update. Sending positive vibes for a negative node report! We have lovely guest room and air conditioning in Toowoomba if you need an escape and we are walking distance to Queen’s Park and the city centre. Hopefully the worst of the weather is behind us and you have a reprieve. That Australia Day weekend was the pits! Hugs Karina and Steve
Hi guys, thanks for the kind offer! We are hoping I am well enough soon to get back up to the Lamington NP for a leg stretch and rainforest wander… via an appliance store to get a portable aircon!
What a welcome relief, Chris. So pleased to hear that all went well. Stay strong, and when you’re feeling up to it, keep on blogging. Cheers, Mary.
Thank you Mary, so nice to hear from you. Strong isn’t the way I would describe myself at the moment, but once we get the results of the pathology, hopefully I can focus on healing and be more positive.
A very accurate description of slaying the beast. Brilliant photos Chris. Be well!
Thank you. Another voice of experience by the sounds of it!