Monday was emotionally draining and yesterday was hectic as a bomb of knowledge was released into the universe. I am most grateful for all the texts, emails, telephone calls, visits, gifts and post comments. Please remember to keep them going thru the ‘quiet dark’ weeks ahead.
Back to the medical aid approval process. After phoning Oncology yesterday and getting practically nowhere, I phoned Dr V’s (gynie) assistant, C. We are on first name terms and I don’t even need to mention my surname. C has undertaken to chase Oncology morning, afternoon and night. Thank-you C. This morning an Oncology social worker phoned me and she is also chasing the process. She phoned me again this afternoon – all documents have been submitted to the medical aid…. I will chase medical aid tomorrow. All this means chemo will maybe only start next Tuesday.
Chemo treatment facts:
I need 3 to 4 sessions 21 days apart
My hair will fallout about 3 weeks after first session due to my chemo cocktail (Ian is looking forward to the natural Brazilian)
Full abdominal surgery when CA 125 under control. Each organ and abdominal wall will be ‘eyeballed’ and omentum (a lattice layer of fat in the abdominal wall - Alida’s simple understanding) will be removed as my type of cancer loves this fatty layer
2 to 3 more sessions of Chemo depending on CA 125 and full histology of omentum
17 comments:
Have come over from Tertia's to offer warm thoughts and good wishes to you at this most difficult time.
Alison gave me your blog address.
Both Trevor and myself are keeping you, Ian and the boys in our thoughts. We will support you in any way we can and will always be touching bases with you.
stay strong.
Alida rest Juliana & my thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Chin up and keep your cheerfull outlook. We hope that your treatment goes well.
Ewald
Hi Alida,
After a cup of coffee, first thing in the morning is to go to your blog to see how you are doing, before I get to biz mails sucking me back into biz life. Also a jungle as you know. I see you getting on top of the process now! Keep on writing.
Dear Alida
I visit your blog every morning now. Often still in my PJ's. You missed out on my arm full of flowers yesterday...hope your team visiting made up for it! You taking us with on your journey means you need to add an additional role to your profile: that of coach/ mentor/ guide... Maybe this is preparing you for your next phase... away from Enterprise Architecture towards Spiritual Architecture?! Funny how everything always falls in place? Always a bigger plan with purpose. Always something new to learn... I remember when I did my clinical psychology internship at National Hospital in Bloemfontein one of my patients had cancer of the nose and mounth. And when I greeted her at the beginning of her session she always responded to my question how she was, saying:"Dit pyn nog, dankie". For her there was purpose even in pain, because it meant that she was still alive!
Thinking of you!
I have the good HR team on standby at Safmarine and they have undertaken to assist - I will call you with some good news form them.
For ease of ref here are HR contact details Safmarine HR Contacts :
Geoff Jacobs on (021) 408-6784.
or
Riekie Heymans
Assistant Manager Remuneration & Benefits Human Resources
Safmarine (Pty) Ltd
Tel: +27 21 4086489
Fax: +27 21 4086266
Email: rheymans@za.safmarine.com
Hi Alida
Wat 'n fantastiese idee die blog van jou. Ek kan nie wag om nog van jou te hoor nie,gelukkig is ek maar 'n nuuskierige mens en ek sal verseker elke dag hoor hoe dit gaan! To the boys and Ian, you have a very special mom and wife and our thoughts are with you - excams are on hand and we know you will always do your best! Alida you grootste eksamen is ophande en ons weet jy sal dit ook met vlieende vandels slaag. Die hele Smit familie dink aan julle en hou sterk duimvas.
Marjon
You are in my thoughts, we are rooting for you.
Hi Alida, thinking of you and your family and hope you get the medical aid issues sorted out so you can start getting well. I have absolute faith that you can beat this thing.
Hello
I read your blog everyday and am hoping to make a turn this weekend if it is ok. will phone you first though :-)
love you very much !
Bron
Alida - Richard's sister, Eileen, here.
There are a million things to say and at the same time just a silent communion to be kept.
I’ve read every word of the blog.
I echo the plea of friends and family – don’t stop, keep it going. It’s cathartic for you and the exponential power is more influential than you may realise at this moment.
Don’t abandon the magic and ceremony – you know the power of the mind – take it where you want it to go, not the other way round!
"If you will call your troubles experiences, and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be.” (Heywood)
I love the idea of a latent force – none of us really ever bother to find it within but there is something vigorous about you and it strikes me that while your faith (in many and various aspects and things), is taking a beating, you will not be beaten!
I am sending you angels and victory but most of all tranquillity to deal with one moment at a time.
My mother did not have ovarian cancer, but she had breast cancer, a mastectomy and went through chemo and radiation and she survived and has been in remission for 10 years now.
When we are faced with times like these, its all about faith. I have faith that you will beat this disease and tell your story of strength.
I admire your courage and your being open about everything you are going through.
God bless you and I will be checking on you everyday via this blog.
Take Care
Hey Aunty Alida, it's Amy. Thank you for making me feel welcome at your home yesterday, you have a beautiful house(my mom thinks so too)and your dogs are so adorable!
I read your other entries today and find the one about teenagers PJ's quite funny:D I know for sure that you won't enjoy losing your hair, but seeing that you're such a strong woman, i hope it won't affect you too badly.
When you are going through the 'darker' weeks, ask the boys to lay out a nice blanket for you outside - Im sure the warm sun will give you back some of that extra energy you've lost :)even if it doesn't, you always have your family and friends who are going to pull you through!
Good luck with the chemo on monday (or tuesday)!
Hope to see you soon,
love Amy:D
Hi Alida,
I'm here via Tertia's blog. I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
I wanted to let you know about an online support forum that you might find helpful, and might get information that you wouldn't otherwise get from your doctors. Here's the link: http://www.medhelp.org/forums/OvarianCancer/start.html
You'll notice there's a doctor forum and a support forum. The doctor forum is there to answer medical questions (though it can take a week or more to get your questions answered, as the doctor there volunteers her time and is very busy). The support forum is the one I've found most useful. I had a "scare" several months back and the support and collective knowledge of these women is incredible. It might be a great place to go to ask questions, compare notes on chemo, etc. If you just go over there and introduce yourself, you'll be welcomed with warm, loving cyber-arms!
I wish you the best, sister. You are in my thoughts.
Susy
Alida,
I wish you well in this battle, I'm just coming over from Tertia's to say hello and give a little support?
There is a blogger I read who is a young woman who has gone through ovarian cancer, and she has a number of links on her sidebar that you might find helpful as well as reading her story, of course. Feel free to email her, she really is a lovely person and might be helpful.
http://bombinmybelly.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Take care, I'll be reading and thinking of you.
Oh Alida..what to say? My heart is sore for this news of yours. You are in my thoughts every day, have been and will continue to be.
A 'natural brazilian' WAH HA HA HA HA. Am I the only one that thought that was funny? I didn't know you were so funny Alida : )
Listen everyone..there is to be no "War against" or "Battle against" anything .. go watch The Secret. No energy against..just a desire FOR it's opposite..a desire for healing and a desire for total well-being for Alida ok? It's real important.
Alida, a friend of mine who spent years in chemo (leukemia) said he used to have a glass of flat coke afterwards..that it made him feel better. Worth a try? Also an MP3 with your fave music on or some uplifting messages or something would be nice I think ( get your boys to make you one. )
Call me when you start going..I'll come sit with you one day when you're there ok?
Much love and courage Alida - you are a Goddess, a Warrior woman and you will see this through with Grace. I know you will.
Karen
Oh and the chemo will be ready for you when the time is right not so?
: ) Karen
Post a Comment