Alison had another scan yesterday and the results were good again.
The main tumour in her liver is now 21mm, down from the 29mm last time and less than half the 50mm it was at late last year.
Other small tumours in the liver are now no longer visible, the tumour in her hip bone has not grown and there are no new growths visible.
We are all very happy as you could imagine! It was a big relief as Ali had been having some pain coming from the region near her liver so we were a bit concerned.
Onto the day to day life issues, Annelise had her interview with Girls Grammar today. We met with the head of Years 3-6 as part of the entry process.
Annelise was asked what she likes at school; 'art, drawing and playing with clay' was about all she could think of. She was then asked what makes her happy at school; 'not getting into trouble' was her response. I was starting to think we were getting into dangerous territory.
Next question was about what she doesn't like about school; 'stuff like maths and reading, I don't like reading books'. Ooops, not the best way to impress.
The winner though was yet to come. Annelise was asked whether there were any special areas that she was working on at school to do better; 'trying not to get into so many fights'.
At least the school will know that she was not coached to do and say the right things and that she is honest (mostly) and has spirit. We'll just have to wait and see what happens next.
Thanks to all for your good thoughts and wishes and I'll blog again in the next two weeks or so.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Back again after a long break
Howdy all
Apologies for the long break between posts but life has been busy racing by and then before I knew it, over a month had past.
Not much has really changed over the past six weeks or so. Annelise is now seven (24/3) and growing quickly. Harrison is settling into school after a slightly bumpy start.
Alison looks great and feels well. I've been busy with work and not around as much as I should be but things are settling down now.
Thanks to all those people who keep pestering for me to continue with the posts. It's all too easy to put it off and say I'll get to it in a day or so but as you can tell, sometimes that stretches to several days (or weeks...or months...).
Anyway, the short version is that we are all well now and things are progressing very smoothly (that is if you excuse the trip I had to Sydney with a brutal hangover and two and a half hours sleep the weekend before last...still paying my debts for that one).
I will be more regular with my posting from here on in, I promise. ;)
Stay tuned and best wishes to you all.
Apologies for the long break between posts but life has been busy racing by and then before I knew it, over a month had past.
Not much has really changed over the past six weeks or so. Annelise is now seven (24/3) and growing quickly. Harrison is settling into school after a slightly bumpy start.
Alison looks great and feels well. I've been busy with work and not around as much as I should be but things are settling down now.
Thanks to all those people who keep pestering for me to continue with the posts. It's all too easy to put it off and say I'll get to it in a day or so but as you can tell, sometimes that stretches to several days (or weeks...or months...).
Anyway, the short version is that we are all well now and things are progressing very smoothly (that is if you excuse the trip I had to Sydney with a brutal hangover and two and a half hours sleep the weekend before last...still paying my debts for that one).
I will be more regular with my posting from here on in, I promise. ;)
Stay tuned and best wishes to you all.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Some good news at last
Alison had another scan today. Happily, the results were good for a change!
Not only have the tumours stopped growing, they have been shrinking and the largest one is now 58% of the size it was with the last scan.
I'm sure you can imagine it was a very nervous day for both of us but it's great to say it turned out well.
Even getting a flat tyre on the way to pick up Harrison from school didn't put a dent in Alison's day (but then she did have someone who raced out of the office to get him, returned to her car, lent her a car to drive home in with the kids and then kindly changed the tyre on the other car!).
Then again, it didn't really bother me either.
Next week we see the doctor again and will get more news on what this actually means for treatments and in the longer term but for now, we're just happy to take the good news and smile.
Not only have the tumours stopped growing, they have been shrinking and the largest one is now 58% of the size it was with the last scan.
I'm sure you can imagine it was a very nervous day for both of us but it's great to say it turned out well.
Even getting a flat tyre on the way to pick up Harrison from school didn't put a dent in Alison's day (but then she did have someone who raced out of the office to get him, returned to her car, lent her a car to drive home in with the kids and then kindly changed the tyre on the other car!).
Then again, it didn't really bother me either.
Next week we see the doctor again and will get more news on what this actually means for treatments and in the longer term but for now, we're just happy to take the good news and smile.
Friday, January 30, 2009
School time!!
OK, nearly school time. Alison is more excited than the kids or I but then, I can understand.
For interest, here's a couple of pics of Harrison in his new uniform. There's not quite a gap between his shorts and sock...
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Quick update
Hi - just a short one today.
Hormone treatment is continuing and Ali gets her next 'top up' on Tuesday.
Mid February she will be getting another CT scan to see whether the tumours have progressed at all. Depending on the results there are two pathways we are considering.
If all looks good and the tumours have not grown, it is most likely that we will continue with the hormone treatment. If not, then it will be off to Sydney to pursue the SIR-spheres.
Hope you're all enjoying the nice warm weather! For all those outside Australia, it has been HOT! 40 degrees + for nearly a week in Melbourne & Adelaide (46 yesterday) and in the high 30s for Canberra. I'm not too sure what Ali is complaining about as I've trapped in an air-conditioned office for most of the week. Something about it being too hot, kids running around like lunatics and that it's too hot. Did I mention she said it was hot?
Hopefully it will cool down by the weekend.
School is back next week. Can't say that the kids are too excited but then I don't really like it when my holidays come to an end either.
Hormone treatment is continuing and Ali gets her next 'top up' on Tuesday.
Mid February she will be getting another CT scan to see whether the tumours have progressed at all. Depending on the results there are two pathways we are considering.
If all looks good and the tumours have not grown, it is most likely that we will continue with the hormone treatment. If not, then it will be off to Sydney to pursue the SIR-spheres.
Hope you're all enjoying the nice warm weather! For all those outside Australia, it has been HOT! 40 degrees + for nearly a week in Melbourne & Adelaide (46 yesterday) and in the high 30s for Canberra. I'm not too sure what Ali is complaining about as I've trapped in an air-conditioned office for most of the week. Something about it being too hot, kids running around like lunatics and that it's too hot. Did I mention she said it was hot?
Hopefully it will cool down by the weekend.
School is back next week. Can't say that the kids are too excited but then I don't really like it when my holidays come to an end either.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALISON!!!
It's Alison's birthday today, she is turning.....I can't say as it wouldn't be polite (but 1973 was a great year).
There will be dancing...
and balloons...
...and fireworks.
Hope you join with me in wishing her a happy birthday and that you have a great day as well.
FYI - for those of you who don't know, Alison has declared that her birthdays officially run for a full week so if you are talking to her, you can wish her a "Happy Birthweek" from now until next Saturday.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Happy New Year and best wishes for 2009
Hi all again.
Already January is rolling on way too fast. I hope that everyone had a great New Year's Eve and that you are poised for a wonderful 2009.
Since the last post, not too much has been happening. We enjoyed our time in Sydney and Annelise & I made the most of the good weather and beach with swims in the mornings and late afternoons.
New Year's Eve was a quiet one for us. We had a friend visit but only just made it to see the fireworks at midnight (asleep by 12:16am). I was even down at Bunnings around 9:30am the next morning, shows what an old codger I am becoming when I'm even awake that time on New Year's Day, let alone at Bunnings.
Since then the kids have had a few nights down at Mollymook visiting my parents and we took advantage of the situation and had a dinner out at a nice Italian restaurant.
Kids are now home and just doing holiday things like visiting friends etc., while we put up with some warm weather, 36 degrees or so for yesterday, today and forecast for tomorrow. Must say, it's not so bad being stuck in an office working when the temperature is so warm.
For me, work is back on but it feels like I only just left. It's tough getting up and motivated in the morning but then, you have to do what you have to do.
Ali is doing well, and as mentioned in the previous blog, we are moving ahead with the SIR-sphere treatment with further tests due later this month.
Stay well and I'm planning to post some recent pictures soon.
Already January is rolling on way too fast. I hope that everyone had a great New Year's Eve and that you are poised for a wonderful 2009.
Since the last post, not too much has been happening. We enjoyed our time in Sydney and Annelise & I made the most of the good weather and beach with swims in the mornings and late afternoons.
New Year's Eve was a quiet one for us. We had a friend visit but only just made it to see the fireworks at midnight (asleep by 12:16am). I was even down at Bunnings around 9:30am the next morning, shows what an old codger I am becoming when I'm even awake that time on New Year's Day, let alone at Bunnings.
Since then the kids have had a few nights down at Mollymook visiting my parents and we took advantage of the situation and had a dinner out at a nice Italian restaurant.
Kids are now home and just doing holiday things like visiting friends etc., while we put up with some warm weather, 36 degrees or so for yesterday, today and forecast for tomorrow. Must say, it's not so bad being stuck in an office working when the temperature is so warm.
For me, work is back on but it feels like I only just left. It's tough getting up and motivated in the morning but then, you have to do what you have to do.
Ali is doing well, and as mentioned in the previous blog, we are moving ahead with the SIR-sphere treatment with further tests due later this month.
Stay well and I'm planning to post some recent pictures soon.
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