Well as it rains outside I stand poised at the start of week 3 of cycle 3 which is as I have no doubt you know when I don’t get any chemo. (how is that for literal intro brilliance – watch this space for my book)
Yip this week is happy days while my body recovers which it really needs as last Monday my white blood cell count was pretty low, Sean said he would proceed with the chemo but that I stay at home out of harms way while the immune system is stuck in first gear. As I sit here I can feel that there has been a bit of an improvement which continually gets better but can still feel a bit low on the fighting side. I have had hints of a bit of a cold or flu but no fever which is what I really have to be cautious of. Was told by the Sean that I should just camp out at home and not over exert myself.
So with a heavy heart I have foregone my entry to the Hell & Back mountain bike race and will take it easy at home this coming weekend. Little sad but as it my next one is #10 and I don’t know if the boys will behave in my absence. They are a little ‘loose’ at the best of times ! Anyway I wish them all the best for the race into and out of gamkaskloof a.k.a. The Hell. You remember what Winston Said ? When going through Hell , just keep going ! To me gabbas doing it I am with you in spirit.
I have lost about 2 kg’s which doesn’t sound like much but I can feel that my upper body strength is much less and my belt is one notch tighter with my bum swimming in pants which were usually quite tight at the end of winter. So apart from this and feeling a little flat all is fine, but for my skin which looks like a teenager in the middle of a rough ac-attack. I hope this will pass. Thanks goodness I am not going out clubbing as I would probably be asked for my ID !
I am playing a bit of golf at present and shot for me a little 75 on sat in the trying windy conditions. Was stoked about that and will see if how we did in the club compo ! When I bumped into a friend at golf a week ago he asked if I wanted to play this week. I said sorry no can do, he asked the reason and I said I would be in bed in all likelihood. When he asked how I could be so certain, I confirmed that he had not heard of my challenge. I then told him of it and he laughed and told me it was a shit joke & didn’t believe me (it took some convincing) ! To him I say thanks because with my luck of not losing my hair I appear to be in good health and am so. I think quite a few folks are shocked when they see that there is not evidence of the cancer. To be honest I feel good and strong most of the time and want to portray this. I feel stronger & better now than I have for the last 5 months ! It is an acute disease now very treatable and conquerable. So the last thing you want is sympathy and sad outlook. Give us courage, well wishes, a slap on the back and maybe a good bottle of red wine ! Cos I aint drinking the plonk under the stairs when I do have a glass !
I have also just started using the glyco-nutrients which are all the rage at present for all sorts of ailments. Costs a fortune & tastes like shit. Amazing how anything and everything medically or alternatively used to evict the cancer either tastes like shit or makes you feel like shit. On sat eve I invited my friend and Olivers godfather Paul over, bought some sosaties and some chops, lit the fire and pulled the cork out of the best bottle of red I could get my hands on under the stairs ! Was a gastronomically rewarding experience from the top shelves I must confess ! Tomorrow I will just have my blood tested to see if the white blood cell count has recovered which I have no doubt it has and then next Monday is the big scan day and assessment of how the treatment has been. It will be a big day for which I have to admit I may be anxious but am expecting the best !
I have as yet not asked as to the severity and aggressiveness of what I have nor about my prognosis. I have decided that I don’t want to be drawn into statistics or be dictated to by them. I will rather do my things and get my mind around making a success of where I want to be in the new year ! I hope and trust that that will be clear of the cancer and in remission !!!!!!!!
In the meantime I try be as productive as possible in terms of assisting at home and trying to be productive in terms of BALAMANZI and whats happening there. It amazing that with e-mail, the internet and a cell phone you can be productive but Johan, Brynn, Francois and Grant are my eyes and hands at the office and out in the field. To them I say thanks. I will spend quite a bit of time at the office this week and can be more productive.
To all of you out there thanks for the thoughts and for your visit here. I am amazed at the messages, thoughts and positive energy streaming my way. Much appreciated !
Quite a post hey ! Well its Sunday night, hope you have or are having a good week and I promise an update early next week. Maybe even before then ! Cheers and thanks for the visit.
Dogless
Well done to the Vrystaat !
Yip this week is happy days while my body recovers which it really needs as last Monday my white blood cell count was pretty low, Sean said he would proceed with the chemo but that I stay at home out of harms way while the immune system is stuck in first gear. As I sit here I can feel that there has been a bit of an improvement which continually gets better but can still feel a bit low on the fighting side. I have had hints of a bit of a cold or flu but no fever which is what I really have to be cautious of. Was told by the Sean that I should just camp out at home and not over exert myself.
So with a heavy heart I have foregone my entry to the Hell & Back mountain bike race and will take it easy at home this coming weekend. Little sad but as it my next one is #10 and I don’t know if the boys will behave in my absence. They are a little ‘loose’ at the best of times ! Anyway I wish them all the best for the race into and out of gamkaskloof a.k.a. The Hell. You remember what Winston Said ? When going through Hell , just keep going ! To me gabbas doing it I am with you in spirit.
I have lost about 2 kg’s which doesn’t sound like much but I can feel that my upper body strength is much less and my belt is one notch tighter with my bum swimming in pants which were usually quite tight at the end of winter. So apart from this and feeling a little flat all is fine, but for my skin which looks like a teenager in the middle of a rough ac-attack. I hope this will pass. Thanks goodness I am not going out clubbing as I would probably be asked for my ID !
I am playing a bit of golf at present and shot for me a little 75 on sat in the trying windy conditions. Was stoked about that and will see if how we did in the club compo ! When I bumped into a friend at golf a week ago he asked if I wanted to play this week. I said sorry no can do, he asked the reason and I said I would be in bed in all likelihood. When he asked how I could be so certain, I confirmed that he had not heard of my challenge. I then told him of it and he laughed and told me it was a shit joke & didn’t believe me (it took some convincing) ! To him I say thanks because with my luck of not losing my hair I appear to be in good health and am so. I think quite a few folks are shocked when they see that there is not evidence of the cancer. To be honest I feel good and strong most of the time and want to portray this. I feel stronger & better now than I have for the last 5 months ! It is an acute disease now very treatable and conquerable. So the last thing you want is sympathy and sad outlook. Give us courage, well wishes, a slap on the back and maybe a good bottle of red wine ! Cos I aint drinking the plonk under the stairs when I do have a glass !
I have also just started using the glyco-nutrients which are all the rage at present for all sorts of ailments. Costs a fortune & tastes like shit. Amazing how anything and everything medically or alternatively used to evict the cancer either tastes like shit or makes you feel like shit. On sat eve I invited my friend and Olivers godfather Paul over, bought some sosaties and some chops, lit the fire and pulled the cork out of the best bottle of red I could get my hands on under the stairs ! Was a gastronomically rewarding experience from the top shelves I must confess ! Tomorrow I will just have my blood tested to see if the white blood cell count has recovered which I have no doubt it has and then next Monday is the big scan day and assessment of how the treatment has been. It will be a big day for which I have to admit I may be anxious but am expecting the best !
I have as yet not asked as to the severity and aggressiveness of what I have nor about my prognosis. I have decided that I don’t want to be drawn into statistics or be dictated to by them. I will rather do my things and get my mind around making a success of where I want to be in the new year ! I hope and trust that that will be clear of the cancer and in remission !!!!!!!!
In the meantime I try be as productive as possible in terms of assisting at home and trying to be productive in terms of BALAMANZI and whats happening there. It amazing that with e-mail, the internet and a cell phone you can be productive but Johan, Brynn, Francois and Grant are my eyes and hands at the office and out in the field. To them I say thanks. I will spend quite a bit of time at the office this week and can be more productive.
To all of you out there thanks for the thoughts and for your visit here. I am amazed at the messages, thoughts and positive energy streaming my way. Much appreciated !
Quite a post hey ! Well its Sunday night, hope you have or are having a good week and I promise an update early next week. Maybe even before then ! Cheers and thanks for the visit.
Dogless
Well done to the Vrystaat !
3 comments:
nice one old fruit. rooting for you and yet another victory....les boks, les cheetahs et al.
bon chance!
kirst & stef
x
Hey Doug
Good chattng to you on the weekend against the backdrop of other trying circumstances. I hope your news today is all good. Keep us informed.
Regarding that little 75 you spoke of, let's play some sticks when I am in CT again... Statistically that won't happen again in the next fortnight and I need to strick while the iron is hot. Keep fighting.
Anton and Adele
Hey Dougie,
If there's anyone I know who will overcome this one, it's you mate!! This year has been filled with too much bad news in our circle of friends, that I think you are the chosen one to turn it around for the better. Please continue to bring on the good news about your recovery process, because it's most definately one huge boost to me to read about your fighting abilties......reminds me in a way of little Matthew fighting earlier this year! And you are much older, wiser and uglier than our little fella was...............so give it horns! Please send our regards to Wilmien, Oliver and little Ella (who has by the way grown so much!)
Viva Sodwana and the crew!! Stay away from those "palings", hey.
Harris, Francy & Leonardo
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