Challenges in Chemo week 13
This week, started with a glorious sunset.
Steve suggested a weekday step challenge on fitbit; something Sarah declared was good for me and has taken it up with a relish, insisting we walk daily well over the 10k steps target.
Luckily this week was much better than last for indigestion, pain and sleep.
We headed off at Jacks Point. home to various skydive companies, championship golf course where you can only join if you buy a house in the restort (will set you back anything upwards of c. NZ$900k) and a wonderful rocky peninsula jutting out into Lake Waikatipu
The snow has almost disappeared again as we have had a few warmish days – even reaching 15C
before descending back into icy frosty mornings in the garden and even around the Lake.
The cobwebs on the ferns make for interesting patterns in the early morning dew.
One thing about spending lots of time walking slowly is that you get to look slow time and you notice little things that you would not normally bother with.
Our flora challenge this week was to find out what this plant was – Sarah’s current hair colour blending in nicely.
We think it is a form of a Clematis in its seeding white fluffy stuff stage; it may be either Clematis Vitalba (also know as old mans beard) a weed in Otago, or Clematis Orientalis (also known as Chinese Clematis) Our money is on the latter due to the history of the region. Anyone any better ideas?
We were walking between Alexandra to Butchers Point along the Clutha Mata Ta river with old schist huts built into the rock by Chinese miners in the 1860s and the remains of a small mining settlement at Butchers Point.
The advertising blurb offered us a “chance to explore these well-preserved mining relics within this imposing and inspiring landscape”
We agree on the landscape, but the relics are probably in need of a bit of restoration work.
Jo in the 3 room Mary Ann’s cottage
Sarah checking out the potential .. open fire place in the background; open air roof...
Chemo and steroids often give me lots of energy on Thursdays before crashing heavily on Fridays and Saturdays. To look at me from afar you would not think I was sick (apart from the hot flushes and very tired eyes!)
Some good news (I have some confirmed dates) and bad news (delay by a month when I just want to get it over with) on the myeloma treatment plan.
Due to some timing with Dunedin and Christchurch hospital and how my body has been responding to treatment, I am required to have the full 16 weeks of chemo initially planned. Instead of starting Stage 2 on 3 July, I have been bumped to 31 July.
My hospital tourism activities are now planned as follows
28 June – Invercargill
7, 13 July – Dunstan, Clyde. End of Stage 1.- some time off to recover.
31 July – Dunedin – Start of Stage 2: High Dose Chemo. Followed by self injection of stem cell boosting drugs at home. Despite hating injections, I am not letting nurse Sarah (with those shakey hands and tendency to faint at the first sight of blood) near me with large needles
3 August- 10 August Christchurch- Stem Cell harvest.
One month at home to recover, and keep having regular tests of various organs and lose my hair before back to Christchurch for the Stem Cell transplant and a longer time in hospital. Dates are a bit vague from here.
Had some great chats with the other inmates on my weekly sessions in the small but friendly oncology unit in Dunstan hospital. There are 3 ladies, all have had a mastectomy who are encouraging and brave. They try to think that it is just a year out of their lives and this too will pass. They know what is to come for me with bald head and we have a bit of a laugh and giggle about stupid things whilst passing the time of day.
Cooked up some interesting things this week:
Chicken soup starting from scratch with a whole chicken (Sarah said it was wonderful; I could only taste the white pepper in it)
Some Wonder soup in tea bag form (photos above) arrived from Taiwan/HK sent by our good friend Nancy King. Its got so many root vegetables in it but I can't taste anything apart from a sweet hot warming taste. Great thermos; keeps it very hot after steeping for 45minutes.
Lemon curd cakes – 0 points for presentation and fluffiness: the curd is awesome but too much brown sugar makes it brown instead of yellow and the cakes did not rise much (butter too cold - next time microwave it first!)
Kale and other greens sauted in ginger and garlic. Care of 2015 Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jan/03/kale-recipes-crisps-stew-salad-10-best
The combo with soy and honey works a treat and cuts through all that metallic in my mouth.
We did have to stop at the Courthouse in Alex to sample a cinnamon bun.
Taste wise, these beat the date scones in Clyde.
Back at home, Sarah’s Bandsaw arrived (all 85kg of it) and just gets in the garage with the car. Perhaps wood chips will enhance the yellow paint? Or will we have invest in another tool (toy) a powerful extractor fan and also cover the car?
The post box is also now vertical in need a base paint and lighting.
And whoo hoooo !
the main gate is in place, tied together with string awaiting a side gate and some automation.
Our 2 bed apartment has its first guest this weekend followed by some good steady bookings for the rest of the year. We are looking forward to it.
For those who have not seen it yet; details are here:
https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/18815343
Fingers crossed we do not replicate Basil Fawlty and Sybil behaviour too soon into our AirBnb hosting experience.
Love from 38 Edinburgh Drive
xxx
Luckily this week was much better than last for indigestion, pain and sleep.
The snow has almost disappeared again as we have had a few warmish days – even reaching 15C
before descending back into icy frosty mornings in the garden and even around the Lake.
The cobwebs on the ferns make for interesting patterns in the early morning dew.
One thing about spending lots of time walking slowly is that you get to look slow time and you notice little things that you would not normally bother with.
Our flora challenge this week was to find out what this plant was – Sarah’s current hair colour blending in nicely.
We think it is a form of a Clematis in its seeding white fluffy stuff stage; it may be either Clematis Vitalba (also know as old mans beard) a weed in Otago, or Clematis Orientalis (also known as Chinese Clematis) Our money is on the latter due to the history of the region. Anyone any better ideas?
The advertising blurb offered us a “chance to explore these well-preserved mining relics within this imposing and inspiring landscape”
We agree on the landscape, but the relics are probably in need of a bit of restoration work.
Jo in the 3 room Mary Ann’s cottage
Sarah checking out the potential .. open fire place in the background; open air roof...
Chemo and steroids often give me lots of energy on Thursdays before crashing heavily on Fridays and Saturdays. To look at me from afar you would not think I was sick (apart from the hot flushes and very tired eyes!)
Due to some timing with Dunedin and Christchurch hospital and how my body has been responding to treatment, I am required to have the full 16 weeks of chemo initially planned. Instead of starting Stage 2 on 3 July, I have been bumped to 31 July.
My hospital tourism activities are now planned as follows
28 June – Invercargill
7, 13 July – Dunstan, Clyde. End of Stage 1.- some time off to recover.
31 July – Dunedin – Start of Stage 2: High Dose Chemo. Followed by self injection of stem cell boosting drugs at home. Despite hating injections, I am not letting nurse Sarah (with those shakey hands and tendency to faint at the first sight of blood) near me with large needles
3 August- 10 August Christchurch- Stem Cell harvest.
One month at home to recover, and keep having regular tests of various organs and lose my hair before back to Christchurch for the Stem Cell transplant and a longer time in hospital. Dates are a bit vague from here.
Had some great chats with the other inmates on my weekly sessions in the small but friendly oncology unit in Dunstan hospital. There are 3 ladies, all have had a mastectomy who are encouraging and brave. They try to think that it is just a year out of their lives and this too will pass. They know what is to come for me with bald head and we have a bit of a laugh and giggle about stupid things whilst passing the time of day.
Cooked up some interesting things this week:
Chicken soup starting from scratch with a whole chicken (Sarah said it was wonderful; I could only taste the white pepper in it)
Some Wonder soup in tea bag form (photos above) arrived from Taiwan/HK sent by our good friend Nancy King. Its got so many root vegetables in it but I can't taste anything apart from a sweet hot warming taste. Great thermos; keeps it very hot after steeping for 45minutes.
Lemon curd cakes – 0 points for presentation and fluffiness: the curd is awesome but too much brown sugar makes it brown instead of yellow and the cakes did not rise much (butter too cold - next time microwave it first!)
Kale and other greens sauted in ginger and garlic. Care of 2015 Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jan/03/kale-recipes-crisps-stew-salad-10-best
The combo with soy and honey works a treat and cuts through all that metallic in my mouth.
We did have to stop at the Courthouse in Alex to sample a cinnamon bun.
Taste wise, these beat the date scones in Clyde.
Back at home, Sarah’s Bandsaw arrived (all 85kg of it) and just gets in the garage with the car. Perhaps wood chips will enhance the yellow paint? Or will we have invest in another tool (toy) a powerful extractor fan and also cover the car?
The post box is also now vertical in need a base paint and lighting.
And whoo hoooo !
the main gate is in place, tied together with string awaiting a side gate and some automation.
Our 2 bed apartment has its first guest this weekend followed by some good steady bookings for the rest of the year. We are looking forward to it.
For those who have not seen it yet; details are here:
https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/18815343
Fingers crossed we do not replicate Basil Fawlty and Sybil behaviour too soon into our AirBnb hosting experience.
Love from 38 Edinburgh Drive
xxx
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