Update: June 2025

 

2025 06 11

Hi everyone –

I hope you’re all doing well, and managing whatever life is throwing at you!

Or is that a projection? Maybe life isn’t throwing lots of things at you, right now – as it is at me.

This oral chemo (it’s been a week, now) is not a walk in the park! Neither literally nor figuratively. Garth was hoping that it would help me regain some energy, but thus far the opposite has happened (which may actually be because the chemo is doing its work). I’ve been spending most of my time in bed, sometimes feeling rather down.

I spoke to the chemo room sister, and she has arranged a prescription of Prednisone (steroids) to give me more energy.

There are also some wonderful glimmers:

·       The chemo seems to be working on the pleural effusion! 🎉🎉🎉 I’m not breathless at all.

 

·       I have managed to get myself up for a handful of special experiences: running a circle dancing Thursday morning session with lots of help (including from Julia), joining in where I could; we went to our friend Toni’s wonderful play, Cottonwool Kid, where she had a much deserved standing ovation; we had a family farewell tea for Julia and Julian here on Saturday (not that I wanted to say farewell to them, but it was a lovely “gesellige” afternoon on our enclosed patio with the rain pelting down outside).

 

·       My sister Rosemary has given rainbow crystals to many people in our extended family, and has asked them to think of me every time their crystal makes rainbows. (Photo of my crystal, brought by Jonno on his return from Sydney.)

At the same time, we’ve had some weird things happen, especially two:

·       On Sunday (Julia and Julian’s departure day), we woke up to a sodden floor in the passage. Gail and I were trying to work out what had caused it, and finally realised that evening that the geyser had burst! It was replaced yesterday. Whew!

  

·       Our main set of house keys (including remotes) vanished during the process of final packing and loading the car to go to the airport on Sunday. We have searched high and low, with some help from Rosemary in trying to visualise where they are ... gone!! And no, they have not pitched up in Julia and Julian’s luggage in London. 😢 It seems that we’re going to have all the locks and remote codes replaced, as there’s a chance that someone could have taken them in all our ins and outs on the day. I still think they’re in the house, but where??!!

We are insured for both of these expensive events. 😅 

Today’s glimmer: it’s a beautiful day today, and I’ve hung out a nice big load of washing (a favourite occupation). Now reclining on the patio, which is open to the elements on this warm, sunny day.

Please let me know how you are doing? It’s always good to know what’s happening in your lives.

Lots of love 🌹❤️

 

  

Four siblings and Marjorie! And an inset of the fifth sibling:

2025 06 26

Hi everyone – greetings from cold, wet and wintry Cape Town!

As I reach the end of my week off from oral chemo, I can really feel the difference! Those two weeks taking chemo were really gruelling and made me very wobbly, but I’m still sure it was like that because the chemo was doing its work. I continue to breathe easily! In this week off, I’ve stopped feeling wobbly, taught and done some circle dancing, seen a few people, wandered around Mineral World in Simon’s Town, and driven for the first time in four months!

I’ve also brought my book to the point where I could give it to a handful of beta readers and request someone to do a cover design.

Photo: a busy bee, like I’ve been this past week.

Yesterday I had the blood test to check that I’m ready for chemo Cycle 2 (of 6), as well as a lung X-ray for Garth to assess the pleural effusion. I have just seen him, and he has confirmed that the effusion is very small now – yay! – and given me the go-ahead to start Cycle 2 tomorrow. Holding thumbs for a less bumpy ride.

Right now, I’m in the chemo room at the hospital, having a 15-minute drip of bone-strengthening medication, which is standard before Cycle 2 of this chemo.

I’m sending good vibes and blessings to people close to me, especially one (you know who you are!), who are dealing with their own health issues right now.

And lots of love to everyone reading this. 🌹❤️