A quick update....

Wow, iron transfusions are great, everyone should have one!  And it was just in time for a visit from my friend Gnomes from Brissy.  We stayed up til a raging 1am!  Poor Gnomes, she had to suffer through a never ending dance recital but it was great to spend some time with her.  Oh the joys of being an honorary auntie.

Im now on to my fourth chemo cycle and the drugs seem to accumulate with each treatment.  Im coping with it all well, touch wood. Thankfully the iron transfusion has given me loads more energy, but the nausea and neuropathy are worsening and I wake with a blood nose every morning, from the Avastin I think.  Erbitux was approved on the PBS this week, yaaay!  So Im hoping to add that to my bag of tricks.

Ive never been a girly girl who is into hair and makeup.  But now that my hair is thinning Ive developed a sudden affection for it.  I think Im getting a bit obsessive about my hair falling out, its just such a wierd sensation.  It dawned on me the other day that Im half way through the treatments before I get re-scanned.    My mind is starting to shift from managing the chemo to what the actual result will be, and Im getting nervous.   In bed I listen to a self hypnosis CD for cancer patients that targets the sub-conscious with positive messages.  It stops me from having other thoughts.  It works so well that Ive never stayed awake long enough to hear the end!   Im determined to beat this, but what if its unbeatable?  I refuse to think its an option, but I still have my dark moments..I can't help but worry about every pang, twinge and pain - is it the cancer?  I will beat it.  For Izzy and Tom.  For my family.  Because Andrew buys ugly furniture and cant do a ponytail to save himself. 

Don't forget to check out www.facebook.com.au/ellabelllaprint for the online auction that starts on Fri 24 June.  The support from work at home mums has been amazing.  It really restores the faith and I thank each and every person who has contributed.  Massive thanks to Nicole for organising it, in between juggling three small children and the best kids market in Adelaide!  http://www.lollipopmarkets.com.au/.  How does she do it!

Before I sign off, here's an Izzy quote.. 'Don't forget, be happy!'

Introducing Doris....

Hiiya, well I thought it was too good to last - my second session of chemo was two days ago and Im really feeling it.  Nausea and fatigue are not much fun.  So Im officially back on the bottle until later this arvo when I go back in to get 'unhooked' from the chemo pump.  Its a bit disappointing because I was so good last week, but to be expected I guess.  Thank goodness for Mum and Andrew (hubby), both have been working extremely hard during a difficult time. Sometimes I think its easier for me than for them.  Im still losing hair but havent had to bring out my wig yet... we have christened her 'Doris' because she's a bit more Doris Day than Farrah Fawcett as was the original suggestion.  Plus the real Doris is still kicking on and Ms Fawcett's tap got turned off a bit early so thought I'd stick with the more positive name.  I just hope all this chemo is doing its thing and 'lumpatron' is majorly shrinking. 

My chemo is Folfox with Avastin which takes about 5.5 hours to run through the drip.  My blood results came back and liver function and white cell counts are all within normal ranges, but my red blood cells are 'in my boots' and Im very anaemic according to the Dr.  Apparently colon cancer is notorious for slowly bleeding and leaching out all haemoglobin, so my red cell count would have been very low for quite some time.  I thought I was just tired because Im a working mum!  A blood transfusion would fix it temporarily, but an iron transfusion lasts for a month so Im having that done on Monday.  Yet another full day on the drip, but  hopefully it will be the pick-me-up that I need.  I felt so good last week that Im sure this will have me swinging from the chandeliers in no time. 

My good friend Nicole (organiser of the famous Lollipop Markets http://www.lollipopmarkets.com.au/) has organised an facebook auction to help raise funds for my sir sphere treatment.  I didnt get into the trial because of the ovarian cancer but I can still have the treatment if I pay for it.  Here is the address for the auction:  http://www.facebook.com.au/ellabellaprint.  It starts on June 24th so check it out!  It is very overwhelming to have so much support, especially from strangers.  So now I have two awesome Nicole's helping me out!  The other Nicole is arranging a quiz night - she runs http://www.paintnaturally.com.au/ so pop in to see her on Unley Road if you need decorating advice - her range of Florence Broadhurst is amazing and Im sure I don't need to sell you on the benefits of chemical free paint.

Anyway, nothing much else to report this fortnight - hope to be feeling much better and full of energy next week after my transfusion!

ps Andrew has invented 'vertical planking' - its hilarious, but he wont let me take a photo of it!