Round 3

We had an early start on Friday morning. We woke to the most beautiful sunrise and picturesque sea that reflected the silver pink sky. Steve felt really good and we were hoping his blood test results would reflect that. At 4pm we got the news that Steve's blood level's were 'grea't - meaning he is up to commencing his next round of chemo on Monday - on schedule.
It's amazing how happy and excited such news can make you...
For next week while he is in hospital he looks forward to texts and emails (connects him with the outside world!) so feel free to send them. If anyone did want to visit him, it's best to contact him or me before hand, because he's not always up to it.
Thanks for your messages
the green smoothie recipe Sandy, the 'cheep' joke Flacko, the funny and inspiring emails Gaynor, Maggie for your words free, Pat - love those Steve look a likes! Melissa, keep up the 'My Kutchen Rules' comments and Toni - Steve still laughs about your Harold and Freddie comment!
Hope to bring a good news update after next week,

Freedom

Hi all,

Happy to let you know that Steve has recovered well and after 5 days in hospital,  he's now out and very happy! It's amazing how you appreciate the simple things when they are taken away from you for a while. Being under artificial lights for that time - the thing he loved was the beautiful blue sky today, the gently breeze and the temperature!
Any way, he has a good few days now to really rebuild and hopefully he'll be ready for round 3 of chemo next week.
I'll keep you posted,

Ups and downs

Thanks everyone for your great emails, face book and blog comments. It’s amazing how uplifting they are to Steve’s spirit. Although he may not respond to them all – he hears, reads or views them.

After returning home after part B treatment in hospital, he started out quite well. He took delight in viewing the fantastic photos the salon staff had done to prepare for the Schwarzkopf competition. (You should see them soon as posters in the shop)

He’s so proud of each member of the staff – they are not only doing so well in the salon but their photographic shots are fantastic.

We headed for the beach as we usually do on the Wednesday after his pic line was redressed (the lines they use for his chemo) and blood tests were done.

We had a couple of beautiful days at the beach. His appetite was so good – it must have been the fresh air! He loves home cooked meals...

Although his appetite was good, unfortunately his cough (that he has had for a long while) resurfaced.

It ended up that the best way to deal with the cough and slight temperature was to get him back in hospital for antibiotics.

We’ve learned that the best thing to do during this process is to watch for any signs or symptoms that don't seem right and then act on them immediately. Not to wait – just get on to it, no matter what time of the day or night.

So at nearly midnight we landed back in hospital on Friday evening. They said it was good we did because he needed a bit of extra support.

While we know the treatment during the next 6 months is about getting him better - we also know it will cause his body to become very depleted - so we just have to make sure to take extra care during these times.

Steve’s attitude is fantastic – just focussing on what has to be done. Not that he doesn’t get annoyed when these ‘hiccups’ arrive - but he knows this is all part of it.

We are both learning how to go with what happens; the waves of ups and downs.

So... hopefully he will be out of hospital by Tuesday if his blood counts have improved.

I look forward to bringing a positive update soon,

Keep the messages coming – he receives them all and travels well on them for many moments in the day!

Back home after part B

Well I can’t say Steve was looking forward to going back to hospital,

After just feeling a glimpse of normality during the second week after part A – it was time to tackle part B of his vigorous chemo routine.

The day before it was to start, he had a second try with the support therapy - Mabthera (a highly recommended treatment that he unfortunately reacted to last time)   

This time however it was a success – a great start to the week,

The doctor said the part B should all go quite smooth with no major problems anticipated.

All started well – in fact like the first round, he was talkative and enjoying company (to help pass the time)

Steve was looking forward to Alfredo and Harold visiting on the Wednesday afternoon

But come Wednesday at about 3.30pm, just when we thought it was safe – Steve unfortunately had a bout of the sicks

We discovered that unfortunately the morning nurse had forgotten to give him his anti – nausea medication so he was not feeling the best...

Alfredo and Harold - expecting a nice afternoon out – got more than they bargained for!

However it didn’t take long to sort out the situation and by that evening he was feeling much better – so it was great that Alfredo could enjoy a visit after all...

The rest of the week went well and we’re now home.

He’s got the right anti nausea tabs for home use - so that part is sorted this time...

It’s mainly now the fatigue that starts out quite crippling then slowly improves as each day passes.

Steve is approaching this tough process with amazing spirit.

Many of your messages have indicated his good nature, determination, positive attitude and fun and loving approach

And you probably won’t be surprised to know that all of these have existed throughout each day.

He’s got a job to do and he’s going to do it well (are these words to a song??)

Just on songs, he’s been listening to plenty and he’s also taken up ‘words with friends’.

When SLB1956 is back on line we know his fatigue is on the improve!

Thank you all once again – keep the messages coming – he loves to hear them

PS I think the comments section works now!