The wonder of Nature: From Land to Sea ... its Bubble Blowing time

As previously mentioned, we are great believers in the healing power of nature and the animal kingdom. So what do we do when the road to health has begun? We have played with the lions, watched the elephants and added a dog to the family ... so what is left that will be exciting?

Leave it up to Bubble Blowers, a scuba diving company in Cape Town. They arranged a scuba course and then the event that was absolutely perfect to round off the cancer year .... a 40 minute scuba dive with five (5) ragged tooth sharks.

Apart from the 'adrenalin rush' Kirstin found it to be an amazing experience ... a mixture of fear and power .... The fear factor is carefully and amazingly managed by the Master Diver that stays at her side throughout the dive. Brandon, Bernie and Anthony ... thanks for making it real!!

Helloooooo 2012 .....

Well its still a week and a bit to go but hey ... the 2011 cancer year is almost behind us. So how is Kirstin ..... well lets just say that 'The K is back'!!

She is back to her old self, been back on the rowing boats and into the gym ... and yes ... most importantly she has HAIR .... GLORIOUS HAIR ....

And of course ... lets not forget that she is now 18 ... SEMPER FI
So what does the water lady choose to do for her 18th birthday ..... mmmmmm

YIP .... if we can beat Chemo then lets face a new challenge .... lets just go scuba dive with the ragged tooth shark ... actually five of them !!!

2nd of August 2011 - CHEMO GRADUATION DAY

Its here ... it has arrived ... its ...

 

One of the milestones that we have been looking forward to has now come and gone ... yes today was the last day of Chemotherapy.

What would a graduation ceremony be without cake ... our local SPAR Supermarket outdid themselves with this one ... never before had they been requested to create such a cake but they rose to the challenge and created a masterpiece.

We were worried that the cake was way too big but between the staff and the fellow chemo patients, the cake just made it.

So what was the last day of chemo like ... well much the same just with a lot more smiles. It started as per usual with the blood count ...

and the 'good old' port needle insertion ...

and then the usual drip, drip, drip ....

An added special bonus today came from Kirstin's friend and confidant Bronwyn who decided to spend the chemo graduation with Kirstin as did her sister ...

So in short ... that was Chemo graduation day ... as for a celebration ... well that will have to hold off until her jittery white blood cells decide to behave themselves again ... yes she got Nuped again!! Nuped being Kirstin's version of nuke it, referring to the Neupogen injection.

AND last but not least ... here is the MAN of the SHOW ... Dr. B



Terry's Pens

The pen collection hand crafted by Terry for us during our journey ...

Kirstin's pen ... with the violet Hodgkin's ribbon crafted into the body ...

Moms pen ... crafted in the form of a satellite view of the world ... representing the kids as her world ...

Jordan's pen in red ... representing her love of her sister ...

The Oncologists pen ... representing the technological advancements in fighting cancer ...

And the Cardio Thoracic surgeons pen of appreciation ...

PAROLE DAY is in sight

Roll on Tuesday the 2nd of August 2011 ... SEMPER FI ... its parole day, yes its the last day of chemo ... in school terms ... Its Chemo Graduation Day.

JUNE - The jail sentance

Well ... why no posts for the month of June ... simply because June has not exactly been such an exciting month. Its been a month of imprisonment for Kirstin, thanks to her 'jittery' white blood cell count and as an added bonus the seriously weird weather that we have been having. One day cold, one day slightly warm and as for the rest ... Gauteng appears to have been under the impression that it is now a Province of Ice-land.

Apart from the effects of 'cabin fever' Kirstin is doing well and has reached the level of boredom that is even getting her to study and catch up on school work!! Maybe I should have had the illness at school!

Anyway she is now on the wonder drug - Nuepogen - amazing drug with a few nasty side effects but the side effects are a small price to pay for increased white blood cell levels. Her main side effects are head aches and bone and general body aches.

The good news is that we are headed for the second last regimen ..... Semper Fi

The Pen is mightier than the cancer

In celebration of Kirstin's remission, Terry a friend of ours who hand makes pens, designed her a cancer emblem pen which he hand crafted. Trust me these photos do not do this craftsmanship any justice ... but its the best I could do

The Violet ribbon has been crafted into the wooden grip ... how ... I got no idea!! but it looks awesome.

And ... mother was not left out of the loop here ... mom got her own exquisite pen. Now she cant wait for the next board meeting to really 'step out in style'.

Even the strong have their weak points

The chemo ... we manage that well ... the flu ... well that put a bit of  a strain on things ... but Eishh this one is a problem ...

The good side to her taking the Tamiflu is that it seems to have resolved the insomnia caused by the steroid Prednisone.
So the flu is taking its toll a bit but Kirstin is still fighting on. Its weird how sometimes a sad thing can be a motivating thing! Today at chemo was a 14 year girl with the same cancer and at least it showed Kirstin that she is not alone in this war game.

Chemo - Regimen 3 ... the half way mark

Kirstin is half way and in remission ... so lets make the best of it ...

Get your favourite magazines, Seventeen and Heat, put your feet up and lets ride the remission wave ...

And when you done with the magazine, take time out to have a serious discussion with the 'hair thief'

Just in case you forgot the connotation of the 'hair thief' ... here is a pictorial description ala Kirstin of  what was responsible for her hair loss ...

And then when you really bored ... just engage in a discussion with a new friend who has also suffered hair loss ...

And when its all over and you get home and find that your head is a bit cold ... well just put on a 'live' beenie ...

I have heard the term - Chemo Brain - but today I think I witnessed it first hand !!

PET Scan - Prelim. Results

There are many good doctors but I believe that 'extra mile' personal interaction is what makes an excellent doctor. When its your child that's in need of medical attention then one wants excellent ++ doctors and that we have most definitely got. Dr Sarli, the specialist who removed the tumour, still takes time to chat to Kirstin and has a genuine interest in her progress and well being. The 'birds of a feather flock together' statement holds true here because Dr Sarli informed us that he had chosen Dr Brittain to manage Kirstin as he felt that Dr Brittain was the right doctor to deal with Kirstin on a personal level. I do actually think that he chose Dr Brittain to manage, not only Kirstin, but more the neurotic parents.

The PET Scan results normally take three days before they are sent to the oncologist so we were geared for a three day miserable and stressful wait. The scan was done on Monday and we saw Dr Brittain on Tuesday. We had hardly sat down in the chair when Dr Brittain smiled and said don't worry "I have phoned the radiologist myself". I do not believe that I have any gay tendencies but I could have jumped up and kissed him!! And then he turned to Kirstin and said that little word that has become so sought after by us .... Remission

Remission: Disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer. When this happens, the disease is said to be "in remission." Semper Fi - Hoorah ... we have reached winning step No. 1! 

Obviously our goal is to hear the most important word - cured - but for two months into treatment, the word remission is worth gold. So in layman's terms ... 'its not over till the fat lady sings' but for now the remission tune is doing wonders for the neurotically insane parents. For Kirstin ...well she is happy but like she says she will hold her excitement till she hears the phrase ... No more Chemo ...

So the chemo regimen plan is going ahead and we have entered Regimen 3 now ... yes we have reached the middle - Hoorah!!

PET Scan - Semper Fi ..... Hooraah

Semper Fidelis is the the Motto of the United States Marine Corps. Latin for always faithful. Faithful to God, Country, Family and the Corps. When a marine says Semper Fi, other marines will respond by saying hoorah. I personally have always believed that it is a truly great motto but never took interest in it in any other way. Well not until Jordan starting watching her favourite series; NCIS. The motto is often used in the programme and because of Jordan's love for the programme we have used it within the family whenever something good happens.

PET Scan No. 2 - Monday 2011-05-23

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance (called a tracer) to look for disease in the body. The medical explanation is inserted for those that still may think that a PET Scan is a veterinary science administered by the local animal shelter.

PET Scan 2 was done before Chemo regimen 3 to enable the oncologist to determine whether Kirstin is on the right chemotherapy track. It is a long process but well worth the wait.

Lets go on a walk through into the PET Scan world:

08:00 - The radioactive substance or tracer is injected via the vein. She is then in isolation and the parents are sent to go and keep ourselves busy. The tricky part of this 'tracer' is that she has to lie still and may not move, read or do anything of the sort because any movement affects the tracer spread through the body. And as Kirstin will tell you ....its a long wait!

09:30 - The PET Scan is performed and takes approximately 30 minutes.

10:00 - Kirstin is taken to an isolation room where she must remain for 1 hour because she is 'radioactive'.
11:00 - The medical staff check that all is alright and she is released from isolation.

Work without pleasure would just be plain boring as will medical treatment be without a good laugh every now and again. And yes, Kirstin will find ways to amuse herself in any circumstance!
A huge pregnancy warning signboard is just the opening gap for a 'dash' of amusement.

Sisterly love

When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us? ~Pam Brown

When we as a family decided that we would all shave our heads in support of Kirstin ... the only opposition we encountered was ... Kirstin! According to her we would look like an embarrassing version of some weird Adams family.
Kirstin's sister decided that if keeping her hair makes Kirstin happy then so be it however she, being a strong willed child, still decided that she would show support by cutting short of her beloved 'golden locks'. Once again one sees the strange side of life because we have always been used to Jordan with long hair and one does not realise how stunning she actually looks with short hair.

If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child. ~Linda Sunshine

 

The Proverbial 'little finger' and the meaning of Reputable

Reputable, according to the dictionary means; 'having a good reputation; honoured, trustworthy, or respectable'.

Its great for a child to feel comfortable with a doctor but one expects that to remain on somewhat of a medical level. But No ... not for Kirstin because there are far more important questions to ask a doctor than those relating to medicine. So when the doctor, after a check up, asks if she has any questions ... the answer is Yes ... can I eat Kentucky!! So in keeping with medical diplomacy the doctor informs her that she can eat take away, now and again, as long as it is from a reputable place.

Now for Round 2; What is the logical meaning of the word reputable? No ... not what the dictionary says ... what does 'a Kentucky addict' say ... well its easy! Reputable place means the Kentucky that is still newly opened and has never caused any stomach problems before ... case closed!

To cut a long story short, we succumbed to the parental downfall of the 'little finger' and got KFC. To add insult to parental injury Kirstin had no 'side effects' as a result of the KFC so now basically we are somewhat ....

Chemo Regimen 2 is History - On paper anyway ...

Regimen 2 is done and gone by not quite yet forgotten. So far the effects are much like those after regimen 1 only somewhat more intense this time around. The good old Prednisone insomnia effect has held true and the monthly 'sheep count' has begun again. The nausea, although not really more intense, is now longer lasting but the 'new medical breakthrough' of 'force it down with food' is still proving successful.

So here is the run down of how she feels after Round No. 2:
Fatigue plus some ...

The fatigue has brought a new buddy with this time in the form of 'low energy levels'. This is seriously frustrating Kirstin given her history of obsessive sportiness. Doing stuff now takes a 'dash of effort' but luckily her frustration and dislike for laziness keeps it at bay.

Hair loss revenge ...
If hair loss is not bad enough then chemo will give an added bonus in the form of a slight and so far small follicle rash but its easily managed using Elizabeth Anne's or Johnson's Shampoo.

Smash and Grab ...

For this side effect you will need the following equipment: Broom, mop, bucket, packet and an account at Console glass ... Yes unfortunately it is a side effect ... the 'slippery hands' syndrome. If its a glass and it contains liquid, then its bound to fall. No wonder they don't let chemo patients drink alcohol ... imagine that 'balance a glass act' .... Console would become the new Bill Gates.

But the good news is that her blood count is, and I quote, very good for the end of regimen 2. Kirstin is now on 'chemo break' until the 23rd when they are going to perform the second PET scan.

Mothers Day - 'Shake' the Food Police for Supper

Mothers Day, a chance to thank mom for being mom and a golden opportunity to eat out and indulge just a little bit. Well maybe make that 'a silver opportunity' because its moms choice to eat at Ocean Basket but if it was Kirstins choice .... think about .... KENTUCKY!! But hey it still beats Mr and Mrs Bland from the home stove.

The calamari and chips, not to mention the sorbet, were a welcome change even if it requires a dash of payback tomorrow

As Kirstin will argue, she is already nauseas and tired, hey ... 'in for a penny in for a pound' so bring on the highlight of the day ... Hot Chocolate

Chemo: Round 2 - Day 1 to 3 and the Burger Pill

Regimen 1 is 'in the bag' and we have almost conquered regimen 2. Today was Day 3 of Chemo Regimen 2 and so far so good. The side effects are much like those experienced during regimen 1 except that this time the fatigue and nausea are a lot worse. Again she is battling to sleep but is however, so far, getting in a few more hours than during regimen 1. The nausea, as opposed to just during the chemo infusion, is now continuous throughout the day but the nausea pills are still 'standing their ground'.

Kirstin's medical break through - The burger pill:
Four of the drips "feel as though they are coming up her throat" so Kirstin's scientific analysis of this is that if the fluid is coming up her throat then surely she must get something to counteract that by forcing it back down!! So today, I finally gave in to that logic and got her a chicken burger which she promptly ate and ..... well apparently this 'logic' worked and she felt less nauseas. I do however have my doubts as to whether the medical industry is going to buy into this finding but I do believe that Burger King will jump at this as a source of advertising.
So the moral of the story is simple: The tools for chemo will now be ... book, PSP and a Chicken Burger.

Peoples Generosity

'Happiness exists on earth, and it is won through prudent exercise of reason, knowledge of the harmony of the universe, and constant practice of generosity'
Jose Marti

One only truly realises peoples 'softer' or caring sides when one is caught up in some or other traumatic or problematic situation. Without these situations its actually easy to see the human race as nothing more than people living 'in their own worlds'. We as a family have been stunned at the generosity of friends, acquaintances and colleague's who have all somehow or somewhere shown their support to Kirstin.

The management and staff of her school, Willowridge High School, have and still are doing everything to help and guide her. Schools often profess that the scholars well being is important but 'Willows' has shown it to be true in all aspects.

People from all friendship circles continually send messages or contact us for updates, some have provided meals, others have provided moral support and comfort and some have showered Kirstin in gifts, everything from hats and scarves to books and movies and even a PSP which has proved to be a great entertainment tool for the long chemo hours. Then of course there are those that 'knock the wind out your sails', probably because one does not really expect a specific response from a specific person, like our pharmacist who specially ordered head scarves from Cape Town or a friend of ours who brought her the most awesome gold necklace and cancer pendant. The necklace has gone straight to the safe because Kirstin wants to debut it at her matric dance. For those that will not be attending the dance, here is your sneak preview: 

Like they say 'every dark cloud has a silver lining' and of the many things that we have learned on this journey so far is that people are still inherently caring and generous in many different ways.