With the traumatic diagnosis and surgery stages behind us, we move to a slow healing phase. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
A week waiting for pathology results
Nurse Wade is doing his best to look after his ‘im-patient’. He has the catering, pharmacy and counselling divisions under control. And no, we haven’t got the nursey outfit pictures as requested by a couple of friends. No energy to wander around the costume shops or make something up!
As mentioned in the last post, the operation went well. Our surgeon David Messer did a good job of keeping the boob looking decent and pointing in the right direction. And no, you won’t get a photo of that either! Apart from the 8cm scar and reduced size of the breast given he took at least a golf ball size chunk and the sentinel node out, Chris does not look too lopsided. And if you spot the difference through her clothes, you are looking too closely!
The pain post op has been managed with a steady dose of Panadol supplemented by opioids and anti-nausea tablets when it builds up a bit too much. The breakthrough pain comes as much from the back as from the breast and armpit! Chris’s arthritic spine does not take too kindly to lying down a lot. The unrelenting heat and humidity make things worse, as do the dark thoughts until you are told whether the cancer has spread or not. The waiting is the absolute killer and has a huge impact on your wellbeing.
Fighting cancer is a battle of grit, resilience, endurance against grief, pain, insecurity, fear. A lot of the time during the past 5 weeks, the balance has been tilted to the later. Acceptance of one’s frailty, a belief that it will all work out are needed to manage your way through the trauma. Wade tends to be far better at this than Chris who thinks “gotta be prepared for the worst, then anything less grim is manageable”. But in the process she spirals into dark places where nothing is manageable. You can be aware of your thought process, but controlling it is another thing!
Good news at last
The highlight of the week and turning point was Tuesday when we saw the surgeon to get the pathology results, check the wound and talk about what happens next. As soon as we walked in, he joyfully announced: “It’s all clear, no cancer cells detected in the lymph node nor in the margins around the tumour, no more surgery’’. So the beast was officially a Stage 2 Grade 2 invasive cancer but has been caught early.
We can’t begin to describe the relief we feel, as the alternative would have put us on a hideous chemo path. Instead, we are in wound healing mode for several weeks, then the radiotherapy treatment starts sometime in March. We will find out more about this next week.
As you can imagine, Chris’s frame of mind since getting the news is better. However the physical discomfort and lack of sleep remain challenging. It is still early days as medicos and friends keep reminding us!
The battle ahead is far from over yet but is more physical than mental. So onto the next stage of slaying the beast!
Healing Plan
In the weeks ahead things will slowly improve before the next onslaught. One potion helps: nature. It is an antidote to anxiety and boredom. So we hope to spend time in the hinterland and on the beach.
We are still hoping to move Anui to Southport if a marina berth becomes available, but until then, the Boat Works is our base.
Please keep your comments and messages coming. They help a lot. Again we acknowledge the attentive and thoughtful support of Gaye J, Rachel C, Lindy S, Sue M, Bill G, Ann J and cousin Debbie.
Sv-Anui 
So glad that you have ‘positive’ news. Our thoughts are with you! xxx T&A
Thanks Trish, better news but still a big hill to climb.
Good news you two!!!
We are happy for you and relieved.
Not out of the woods yet, but we are relieved too.
Lots of good news ! Hang in there Chris, and keep up the support, Wade; nursey gear or not!
We’re with you much in our thoughts.
Greatandbest!(Sendingdifficultieshere!)
After a difficult week dealing with the boffins at Telstra India am hoping to have a somewhat functioning computer again!!! As I tried to say above . . . Quietly looking from the side I feel quite comfortable about your situation . . . methinks it is only a matter of time and a case of putting something very unwanted behind you! All my love . . .
Thank you Eha, glad you have sorted your computer issues. They are always highly frustrating!
Slowly mending with the emphasis on slow but we get on with it.
Glad to hear your thinking is less gloomy!
Thanks for commenting, Murray.
Fantastic news. A big step on the road to recovery
Very much so, Graham!
A few less breakers ahead sailor!
Good news so far now on to the next waypoint!
Stay strong Chris
Good analogy Simon!
Glad all is moving forward in a positive direction Chris
Yes it is a bit easier now that we know what’s ahead and it is not the dreaded chemo! Thanks Lindy… and the response came through okay… yay!
Stay positive Chris, you have strength and courage that will get you through 🙏 Caroline
Thanks Caroline, feeling more hopeful now that we know the cancer has not spread.
Dear ‘im-patient’ (ha, ha) that is great news! Here’s to a speedy recovery from your wounds. Your opening paragraphs were hilarious, I’m sure your ability to laugh in the face of adversity will be helpful! While we are disappointed that we’ll not be seeing Nurse Wade in uniform, we are delighted to see that he has been promoted and his list of duties extended! Phew, Wade, you must be exhausted mate, in charge of catering, counselling and chemicals! (Perhaps you’ll find the alliteration a bit tiresome too?)
Otherwise, love the pics, especially that strangler vine ….. amazing plants aren’t they!
Needless to say best wishes and our continued thoughts and prayers are with you both!
Elgar & Claire
Hi you two, Wade has been doing everything and neither of us is having a lot of fun… it’s boring and slow going while I am mending. Hopefully things will be on the improve from now on before the medicos whack us again! Glad you liked the strangler fig. That one is a spectacular tree we saw at O’Reillys yesterday.
Nice that you’re well enough to get up to O’Reilly’s. BTW, that was Claire’s introduction to Aussie rainforests back in 2004, Tis a beautiful place!
Always good up there and first attempt at something appealing. Driver Wade on duty there and back, two slow short walks with lunch at the cafe in between… knackered after that and slept in the car on the way back! Going back up tomorrow.
Great news Chris! Hopefully you can get a berth at Southport soon. Beach and forest time are good options for rejuvenating and healing. We have headed to Melbourne again to escape the humidity, and it looks like it will be the norm for us. Sending positive thoughts!
Hi Jan, yes it is a relief. Dodged the bullet on this one!
Doesn’t the humidity sap your energy… we dream of cooler, dryer weather. Six months north and six months south could be the way to go… much to think about for the future.
This is wonderful news! Keep thinking positive as you can, Chris. This will pass in time, get well! 🙏🏻❤️❤️☺️☺️
Thanks John, trying to.
Glad there is light in the tunnel. I enjoyed the shots of your wild and am pleased Wadie got to do some surfing. Look forward to hearing about the next stage of your recovery
No surfing yet for Wadie, but we are at least walking up in the hinterland in between medical appointments. Good to see you are again able to comment as well as hearing your voice regularly 😊.
Ah, no surfing yet for Wadie but we are at least able to walk in the hinterland from time to time in between medical appointments.
Good that you are now able to comment again as well as our regular chats. 😊