We are off to Bargara in QLD on Saturday. After having my 17th chemo treatment this week it could be precarious but I so love a challenge. Drugs and a vomit bag if I have to… but I’m going. So far the side effects have been pretty good but it’s always day 3 onwards that I struggle. Bring on the drugs.

I managed to find a doctor who said I could go in the pool as long as I kept my face out of it. He is my best friend and I didn’t have to pay him too much.

I’ll return to Melbourne in time for my next dose of chemo all lively and refreshed.

ALSO the MOTH has un characteristically agreed to booking flights for our Europe trip next year. There are some doctors under the belief I’m having another 6 months of chemo and some say 4 months. I’m going with 4. Then I should finish radiotherapy in March which will give me time to recover before we fly out in May. So it’s pretty risky given that I won’t get insured for travel with a pre-existing illness… but I’m going. Here is our vague itinerary which we will manage ourselves because we hate tours:

We are meeting up with lots of friends all over Europe…

1. Malta with Rosie (1 week)

2. Sicily (5 days)

3. Amalfi Coast Italy (5 days)

4. Rome (a couple of days… beautiful)

5. Cinque Terre with Tony and Lorraine (1 week)

6. Tuscany with 10 other friends (1 week)

Croatia self guided walking tour with Rosie (1.5 weeks)

Greek Islands (2 weeks)

We fly back  in late July.How does that sound? Sigh.

Sharing my story

It’s so exciting for me to be sharing my story with others. It gives my journey and struggles more purpose and a reason. Apparently it inspires others as well. This week I have had 2 people approach me who have been reading my blog for some time and have either been diagnosed for the first time or have had a reoccurrence of previous breast cancer. Both of them have expressed that they are coping better from reading my blog. While I don’t take the credit for that and my heart goes out to them, if this crappy year has helped even one person I’m very glad. Just remember that everybody is different and not too be hard on yourself if you’re not managing.

Last week I had the awesome experience of sharing my story with the entire Luther College school in Croydon where I have been Artist in Residence (without residing there) for the past few months.  It was lovely to be supported by my dear friend Lorraine who sat up the back and quietly cheered and laughed at my jokes. I told some funny stories and hoped to get a laugh but it was hard work with that age group. My favourite one was when my daughter glued false eye lashes to my wig. There was a murmur of laughter which was nice in a place where youth are uncertain whether to laugh or not.

I have had many students and teachers give feedback which was positive and I hope that they understood my message: ‘life throws you curlies but you have to learn to re-direct yourself and look for the gold’.

Medical hoo ha

Today I went to see the plastic surgeon, which wasn’t terribly pleasant given that I had chemo yesterday and wasn’t feeling the best. He added more saline to the tissue expander and told me that ‘somehow’ it has been dislodged. Oops. Could that have been my over enthusiastic return to Les Mills Body balance at gym last week? No matter. As long as it doesn’t drop down to my waist or something all will be well ha ha. Before you start picturing it in your mind it doesn’t actually look any different. OK?

My hair has just started falling out for the 3rd time now. The poor fuzz… just when it starts to assert itself it’s gone again. Sophie lopped it off so I wouldn’t have to take the shaver to the beach with me. Now I just need a hat.

Think of me at the beach for the next 2 weeks and I’ll think of you all here at work;)