Well, Christmas is over for another year. We had a lovely time but Dean was pretty tired.
He had another blood test today and was high enough (just) to have another treatment today.
We are off to Sydney in a couple of hours for New Years Eve and to have a look around. I have made sure he has packed his anti nauseau tablets as he might feel a bit off tonight and tomorrow.
We will be back home on Sunday the 3rd of January.
So HAPPY NEW YEARS everyone. Stay safe!!

Deans levels have dropped even more. The oncologist wants him checked again next Tuesday. If the blood count is still dropping then, then he may have to be admitted to hospital and go on a drip (of what I dont know). If his count is low then that means his immune system is compromised and he is open to infection. At the moment he is 10 above the critical level. So fingers crossed that his levels come back up by next Tuesday.

Deans IV chemo didn't go ahead yesterday as his blood levels weren't quite high enough. He will have another blood test Monday and if it is hign enough then they will get him in later in the day.

Dean has had a couple of ordinary days this week, but isnt feeling too bad at the moment.
He had a blood test today and has more iv chemo scheduled tomorrow so will probably be a quiet weekend as he will be feeling pretty nauseous.

Deans nauseau has improved heaps this week. He was getting very itchy rashes on his legs for a couple of days this week (possible side effect from meds), but that seems to have abated now.
His Mri came back very positive. There has been a very slight reduction in the size of the tumour, which is fantastic.

This has probably been Deans worst week so far on chemo. He has not been able to go to work very much at all, and has been very quiet at home. He is constantly feeling sick and has actually been sick a few times. It is because of the chemo tabs he has to take each night. He has another week of taking them. :<

Well, a very busy week here!! Amy was having fun at Schoolies until she became ill with Pharyngitis. She wanted to be picked up Wednesday. So Dean went and got her and took her to the doctors. She is now on a course of antibiotics.

Billys school held a Semiformal dance on Wednesday night and he really enjoyed getting dressed up and had a wonderful night. He finished Yr 10 yesterday, and moves on to another school next year for Yr 11 and 12.

Dean had more Iv yesterday and is also on tablets everynight for 2 weeks. He is pretty crook this morning, and is taking it easy.

Well, Amy has been delivered to Schoolies. Dean was feeling well enough to come. We had lunch with her at Fish D'vine, which was yummy. Then we dropped her off to the Martinique Resort. The Resort Manager gave Amy his number and told her to call him at anytime if she feels unsafe. He said he would prefer to be called out to a hundred false alarms rather then not go at a time when they really did need help. As a parent I really appreciated the care he was prepared to take for the young ones staying at his Resort. Amy has signed up for a couple of snorkelling trips and a few organised parties (foam party and wear your school uniform party). So after a last hug we left to head home. Much to Amys relief I am sure. :> Dean felt really nauseous by the time we got home and had a very quiet night. He is quite chirpy today. He has to have another blood test this Thursday, then more treatment on Friday.

Amy graduated from Gr 12 today. We are driving her to Schoolies at Airlie Beach tomorrow. Well, I will be and it will depend on how Dean is feeling as to whether or not he comes. Dean had more IV Chemo today and he has to take some chemo tablets tonight, so he may not be well enough to cope with the drive but we will see. He has more IV chemo next week.

Dean celebrated his 41st birthday last Friday. We had a lovely dinner out at HogsBreath.
We saw the oncologist yesterday and she is happy with his neorological tests. Not a lot happens at the apts. She asks has he had any seizures etc and does some tests. She said the pain in his hand and arm would be his body(his veins) and the chemo drugs not agreeing with each other. Heat packs is the only therapy. He is better now, the pain usually lasts about 6-7 days and then is ok til next time. She gave us a referral for another MRI in December which he has to have before we see her next. He has more treatment in a week and a half.

Dean hasnt been feeling too bad, especially compared to last time!! The Iv injection site is really bothering him, his hand has been throbbing over the last couple of days. A couple of weeks now until more chemo and we see the Oncologist again next week.

Deans blood results came back really good. His platelets are more than high enough. He had IV again today and is now flaked out on the lounge with his ipod earplugs in. If things progress as usual then he will be feeling nauseus by the early hours of tomorrow, and will continue for a few days.

Not too much happening here. Dean has not had any treatment for a couple of weeks as he is not scheduled to have any more until next Friday the 23rd. He hasn't had to have anymore blood tests until next Thursday either. He is is still very tired and lethagic but isn't feeling too bad.

Dean is pretty tired but is feeling much better. :> He is having a busy week workwise.

OOOOH Deans a sick boy this weekend!!

Yep, treatment is back on. The levels were high enough for chemo to get back on track. Deans had IV this morning and is back at the office getting things finished before the nausea sets in. On doing a lot of personal research Dean has found many sites that say sugar feeds cancer. Over the last couple of months Dean has gone from a mega sweet tooth to scrutinising everything and not eating or drinking anything that even hints at containing sugar. Talk about turning into a sugar nazi!!!!! :)))
Hopefully the chemo doesn't knock him around too much. It has been so long since he had it that
we have gotten used to him feeling well.

Well, blood test day again today. I tell you what ,Thursdays come around very fast!! :)
We haven't heard anything yet, sometimes we do hear the results Thursday arv but usually we don't hear until Friday morning sometime. Finger crossed

No treatment again this week, as Deans Nitrophyls (not sure how to spell it) are too low. They are slowly rising though so hopefully will be fine for next week. Stunning weather in Mackay today.

Deans blood test results came back that his platelets are high enough but now his Leucolytes (don't know if I have spelt properly) are too low. They are used to fight infection. So treatment can't continue yet. Dean is a lot more relaxed about this now that he knows the tumour hasn't grown.

Well, the blood test show that Deans platelet count has risen slightly. Still not high enough to continue treatment but a positive sign. The MRI showed that there is no change in the tumour, it has not decreased or increased. The oncologist is happy that there has not been an increase, especially considering that he hasn't had treatment for a few weeks.

The oncologist ordered a MRI for Dean so she can get an idea about progress and whether the chemo is working. He had it taken this morning and has been very dizzy ever since. We see the Oncologist Thursday morning to find out the results.

GUESS WHAT????????? Same old same old. Platelets still dropping :<

Dean had his blood test this morning. We haven't heard the results yet so fingers crossed!!!

Deans had a couple of very busy days workwise, I think he has overdone it a bit as he has been dizzy and feeling crook all day. His brothers' daughter had a baby girl last night, so we popped up to the hospital tonight to welcome the little cutie into the world. All seems to be well with mum and bub.
Blood test tomorrow...........

Bugger bugger bugger!!!!! Deans platelet level has dropped even further :< So no treatment again this week......this is getting very frustrating.

Dean was quite chirpy this morning then after being out and about for a couple of hours he has come home very dizzy and has crashed on the lounge and is sound asleep. Stunning weather here today so if he is up to it later we will head over to the botanic gardens for a while.

BUMMER!!! :< Deans platelet result came back, and they have dropped even more!! So, treatment is still on hold. Very disappointing. Dean is getting very frustrated.

Dean has been feeling a bit dizzy over the last couple of days, so has tried to take things easy. He is also feeling pretty nauseus this arv. Hopefully his blood test results tomorrow will be positive and he can continue treatment.

Dean has had a pretty good week. :> He's got lots of stuff done that he wanted to do. He is over the majority of his tiredness (at the moment). He went for his blood test today and got a phone call that treatment is on hold again for now because his platelets are too low -by just a smidge :<
He is disappointed, but what can you do !!??!

Dean has been extremely tired the last few days, and has spent most of his time sleeping.

Deans been feeling pretty sick and dizzy most of the week, but he is feeling better today and is outside washing the car. Last night we had Amys school formal. So we took the opportunity to get some nice pics. Isn't she a stunner!!!(I am not biased very much at all) :> :>:>

She had a great night. I got to bed at 1:30 after taking her to the after party and she rang me at 7:oo this morning ready to be picked up. She is cactus on the lounge and I don't think there will be much movement from her for quite a while.

Dean has felt very dizzy all day today so he has spent a quiet day at home with a short stint at the office. He goes for his blood test tomorrow, so hopefully all will be good.

The deep ache in Deans arms and legs is back. He is also feeling pretty sick today. He has gone to the office for a couple of hours, so will probably be home before lunch and will sleep for a couple of hours.

Dean woke up with a very unsettled stomach, but he had a very social morning which took his mind off it. We have spent a couple of hours this arvo watching "Changeling", an Angelina Jolie movie, produced by Clint Eastwood. It is based on a true story. A fantastic movie.

It took Dean a few days to get over the iv chemo, but he is feeling much better now. He has passed his blood test, and is now starting his 2nd cycle. So it is 6 tablets tonight and then in a weeks time different tabs every day. I think he might be a bit off colour tomorrow, ( he wasn't well last time) but hopefully he won't be too bad.

Dean is a pretty sick boy this weekend. He has needed his anti nausea meds and they are just holding things. He is feeling weak, with a very unsettled stomach and overall feeling very ordinary. The dizzyness seems to have passed.

YAYYY!! Deans platelet count is back up and he is able to continue treatment. He went in for his iv chemo today. So far he is feeling pretty good, hopefully that will continue over the next couple of days. He wanted me to let everyone know that he really appreciates you all following the blog.!

Deans appointment with his Oncologist went well. She did neuro tests and questioned him about how he was feeling. Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to increase his platelets, his body has to do that by itself. Once his levels get up, then his medication will be altered to try to keep them at a good level. He goes in for a blood test tomorrow so fingers crossed. :>
GO QLD!!!

We've had a lovely weekend. We had fish and chips in the park at the harbour for lunch today and Billy wore Dean out by throwing a football around with him. Dean came home and had a sleep for a couple of hours, and is now doing up a computer. We have his 6 week appointment with the oncologist tomorrow so hopefully she can give us some tips to increasing his platelets so treatment can continue. Dean is feeling frustrated that treatment isn't progressing as fast as we would like.

The kidlets are on the improve. Amy is still taking things very steady but she has colour back in her cheeks and is much more perky.
Deans blood results came back. His platelets are still too low so he still can't continue treatment. He is feeling pretty frustrated!

As soon as the kids and I left the airport, we headed straight to the doctors. It was plain to see that Amy was sick. After being examined, the doc diagnosed Amy with a Kidney and Sinus infection. Billy has an ear infection. They are both on antibiotics. When we got home Amy headed straight for the shower, took her abs' and has crashed on the lounge. She has stomach pains, aching kidneys, is shivery and generally feels crappy. It will be good to see her feeling better in a couple of days.

YAY!!! Our babies come home today. Although it sounds as though both of them are coming home sick, as are a lot of other students on their trip.
Dean is feeling pretty good today. He has been at the office most of the morning and has not long come home for a sleep. The aching and weak feeling in his joints and limbs seems to be reducing. He hasn't been on any meds for a couple of weeks so that probably has something to do with it. Hopefully all will be good for him to continue treatment on Friday.

Bummer!!!! Deans platelets are too low so he couldn't have his iv today. Its a disappointment plus it adds extra time onto his treatment.
Amy rang today and they have joined other students in Rotorua for the Music Festival and have formed a band of 130 students. They are performing tonight at the Evening Public Concert. It would be awesome to hear them play. Hopefully the school will video it.

Amy and Billy and the 40 other students they travelled to NZ with, gathered bright and early at the Mackay airport at 5 am Monday. From a couple of reports home they are having a terrific time and Amy already needs more $ added to her card.(no surprise there). So far they have performed at a few Schools, had a Maori Cultural experience,visited a Maori village, enjoyed a Hangi, visited the Agrodome, had adjudicated performances and lots of rehearsals. Tomorrow they have an evening Public Concert.

They are certainly being kept very busy. (((So when does Amy get time to shop!!??)))

Dean and I arrived back from Blackall this evening. We spent a lovely couple of days on my sister and brother-in-laws property.It was unseasonably warm and it was great to catch up on the improvements they have made on their property, and also to meet their friends.

Dean has been feeling not too bad. His main complaint at the moment is very sore leg and hip joints usually starting late morning. He has been heading off for a lie down for a couple of hours about lunch time. He has a blood test in the morning and then heads off for his next IV chemo treatment as long as blood results come back ok.

Yay! Billy and Amy are all packed. Dean is not on any medication at the moment. He starts taking them again next Friday. Apart from sore joints he is feeling pretty good. Dean and I are heading out to Lorne, my sister Kerrys property at Blackall on Monday after the kids fly off on their trip. He is feeling well so we thought we may as well make the most of it. We can only be there for a couple of days before we head back for the next blood test but it is better than nothing. When Dean was in the Townsville General Hospital, the lady in the bed beside him had a brain biopsy the day after Dean did. Since then the pair of them talk frequently. Her news is almost identical to Deans and she is only a couple of years younger. She lives in Proserpine. She met with the Oncologist that Dean is under a couple of days ago and she starts chemo through Mackay Base next week. They will be comparing notes I am sure. The only support group for Brain Tumours is in Brisbane so they will be able to support each other.
All is quiet here as the Bill is on tv. Dean has been addicted for many many years.

Dean feels a bit off today. He went out and did errands that he wanted to get done and probably pushed himself a bit too far. Amys toe is not giving her much grief, certainly hasn't curbed her social life!! Amys and Billys school stage band had their last rehearsal this afternoon and there is a final meeting in the morning for all the students going to NZ. Amy is pretty much all packed, Billy will be leaving it to the last minute I am sure.

Well yesterday my cousin who lives in the US surprised us with a visit. He stayed for dinner. Today his parents, who live in Emerald, arrived and are staying with us for a couple of days while they catch up with him. It is great to catch up with them all. All the socialness has made Dean a bit dizzy so he is having a quiet night while the visitors have gone out for Dinner. I left work at lunchtime and took Amy to the doctors as she had to have part of her big toenail removed. She was nervous as anything but was brave. The deed is done now and the healing can start. SHe is relieved to finally have it over and done with. I came from work late this arvo to find her propped up in my bed, foot on a tower of pillows.

Dean is having an off day to day, feeling pretty crook. He went for a walk and then came home and crashed on the lounge for a couple of hours.
Yesterday he worked out how to record a cassette tape onto a computer and then record onto a disc.(don't ask me how-in the too hard basket for me).
His hand and arm are still aching from the iv chemo he had a week ago.

Dean had his blood test this morning and then saw the chemo nurses. His results came back very good. Everything is within range and he can continue his chemo tablets. He is experiencing a fair bit of pain behind his left ear and down into the back of his neck. We are pretty sure it is from the nerves repairing themselves from his biopsy. Panadol seems to be taking the edge off.
We met Jenny (Deans mum) for lunch at Porters and then headed home. Dean has taken up residence on the lounge again, for a rest.

I have had a killer sore throat for the last couple of days, now it is evolved into a cold :< so am trying to keep my distance from Dean. Dean realised why he was advised by the chemo nurse not to eat chocolate. He ate an icecream coated with chocolate today and ended up with a huge headache. He has his blood test in the morning and then sees the chemo nurse before lunch. I am pretty sure that if his test comes back ok, then he continues taking the 3 chemo tablets a day that he has been taking over the last week. Its a public holiday here today for Mackay Show Peoples Day. None of us went to the show as we didn't want to risk getting sick or bringing home germs.

Dean hasn't been feeling too bad. He thought he was going to be sick in the early hours of this morning, but was able to go back to sleep and woke up feeling ok. From all accounts he spent a very social day on the phone :>

Whoops, spoke too soon. Dean was up most of the night being sick! He isn't feeling too bad now though. While the kids and I were at a meeting this morning, Dean took the pooches for a walk, and he has kept lunch down. He has spent the last couple of days fixing a couple of computers for people, which is great cos it is keeping him out of trouble :>

Deans not feeling as bad as we expected. He said he feels like he has motion sickness and doesn't have much strength. As the day has gone on he has continued to improve.

Dean had his first lot of iv chemo this morning. He also starts taking 3 tablets a day for the next 14 days. He is feeling a bit dizzy and woozy this evening so is having a shower and then going to bed early. The chemo nurse warned him to expect to feel sick tonight and tomorrow, so hopefully he can sleep heaps tomorrow and get through the worst of it.

Dean had his blood test bright and early this morning. He then went to the office for a few hours. I came home from work at 3:30 and found him flaked out on the lounge, so maybe he over did things today. Thats the thing though, he may as well work when he can and rest when he has to.
IV chemo and more tablets tomorrow.

Dean didn't have a bad day. Still very sore arms and legs and pretty weak.
We have to wash his clothes separately to ours. We didn't realise, until the info session last Friday, that Chemo makes the patient cytotoxic to close family members or carers. If he cuts his finger etc, he has to deal with it himself, and if I am handling dirty linen etc, I have to wear gloves. Basically we have to avoid contact with any of his bodily secretions!! Dean has to take his temp every day and if it hits 38 degrees he has to go straight to hospital for a blood test to see if he needs iv antibiotics.
Every thursday Dean has to get a blood test and then see the chemo nurses every Friday, to check that his white blood count and platelets etc are ok for him to continue treatment at the planned rate. If they are too low then treatment will be held off til everything is good again.

Well, Dean wasn't able to make it to the concert. We had visitors in the morning yesterday and when they left, he was asleep before he hit the pillow.
He is very achy,particularly arms and legs, and feels like he has run out of petrol again today. still not experiencing much nausea so far. Still able to eat well. We went for a trip to WoW this morning and that has done him in. He is currently stopping the lounge chair from hitting the ceiling.

Good morning. Dean woke up this morning feeling really weak and washed out, but with no nausea, which is a bonus. He wants to take the dogs for a walk around the block, but I want him to save any energy he has so that he can come and watch Amy and Billy perform with their school band at lunch time. Amy and Billy are off to Rotorua in 3 weeks with their band for a World Music Festival. They are performing today as part of St Pats College 80th birthday celebrations.
Deans' brother Jarrod and his family are staying the night so that will be great to catch up with them.

Morning after!

As expected Dean is feeling very queasy this morning. So I drew the curtains, tiptoed out and closed the bedroom door, so that hopefully he can manage a bit of a sleep in. Lea

1st lot of tablets

Steak and vegies before his first tablets

Dean was told a week and a half ago that his brain tumour that he had treated 13 years ago was back. Today is the first day of Chemotherapy for him. We had an appointment at the hospital this morning and had an information session. He was given the first lot of Chemo tablets to take tonight, so hopefully he won't suffer from nausea too much.