The improvement is dramatic, Elaine is virtually pain free. She is still a bit vague, disorientated and memory is lousy, no doubt due to the long list of medication that she is taking 3 times a day. This is a small price to pay for the benefits that we are getting. The other side to this is that we are just starting the second round of radiotherapy and this will no doubt have its own effect. Secondly this disease has its own timetable so we are by no means out of the woods yet, but we are making good progress.

Yesterday we attend the christening of our new great granddaughter at St Maty's Cathedral, and what a magnificent building it is! Grandeur from a time well past and only possible from the Roman  church, remembering of course that it was built on land that was not quite as valuable then as it is now! More important was to see Elaine mixing and joining in, both at the church and at the knees up afterwards, not quite like normal, but getting closer every day. Following a short 'nanna' nap after that we entertained our three littleys (Lyla, Poppy and Jax) and once again it was great to see Nannee joining in.

Then to top it all off she assisted physically with the cooking.

The end of a good week, may we have lots more of them.

Today was treatment day 2 of 5 and as usual all went well. The side effect of Elaine's deluge of medication is memory lapses and today vagueness much like she was a bit drunk. We will have to do something about that, but it might become a balancing act between pain and disorientation. Elaine is also sleeping lots and that is probably a combination of drugs and treatment. So all in all a trip to the doctor is called for early next week to discuss all this.

Tonight we are visiting Karen, as visitors, just to gradually wean her off our freeloading presence.

Another day without pain!

Today we started the second round of treatment. This time hitting 2 spots in the upper chest area. Being the first of this series it took a bit longer than usual but Elaine handled it well. Following the treatment we had another session with the nurse just to check that all is OK, just another example of this good organisation. We are getting good at the drive to Joondalup, in fact I just tell the car that today is the day and it does it all by itself............you do believe me don't you?

Prior to leaving home we had a call from the Silver Chain lady just to confirm yesterdays arrangements, again impressive attention to detail in looking after their clients.

After Genesis we needed fuel for the car and the servo was near Hungry Jacks so we treated ourselves to a deluxe lunch!

Life is on the improve and I hope that it stays that way.

Another day without pain.....................yyyyiiiippppppppeeeeee!

That is to say the main tumour is now behaving itself and the others are not causing any major drama. It would appear therefore that the radiotherapy is doing its job. We also have to be aware that the medication is having an important beneficial effect, so after a long chat with Silver Chain there will be no change to Elaine's medication. However this is very pleasing progress and we both trust that it will continue.

Tomorrow we start the next round of radiotherapy, lets hope that it will all be successful and that we will beat or start managing this thing.

Yesterday we made yet another trip to Genesis, this time for the planning session for Elaine's next round of treatment. The treatment will start on Thursday.  She was good but by the time we left was feeling tired. Other than that a good day with me getting the shopping done so that we are now stacked up at home. We are settling in and it is good to be home.

Well today was one of our better days. Today Elaine's pain was once again down, not gone but definitely reducing, and this is the third day in a row......hip hip hooray for Elaine. We had an afternoon appointment with Dr Troon, our medical oncologist, and after hearing Elaine's story was quite pleased with our progress. He also confirmed with us that Genesis is proceeding with treatment to the other lumps then said that we don't need him for the time being. Again hooray and he doesn't need to see Elaine for 3 months with scans and bloods about a week beforehand. We still have an appointment at Genesis to prepare for the second round of treatment which will start on Thursday.

Progress is being made and although neither of us slept any better last night it is great to be back in our own house. We will however miss Karen!

Today is a 'h' letter day, we have moved back to our home. As comfortable as we were/are in the van it is good to be home. Our tenants left the home spotless, the only thing that they didn't do as poison the weeds that pop up between the pavers, do I did that today. So we have done the basic unpacking the rest and all the other bits and pieces will follow over the next few weeks.

So back to the central attraction Elaine, she has had another relatively good day. A little bit of nausea but the pain is down and next week we start the second round of treatment.

There we go I took the lay day concept too far and let the blog go for a couple of days.

Nothing much happened on Friday except that Elaine had a reasonably good day........hooray.

Saturday I got to have a day off, but first had to meet our tenants and collect the keys to our house. Then I picked up Poppy and Lyla and went with them to see Scooby Doo at the Convention Centre, thanks to Gwen. Thank you Gwen the girls enjoyed it and so did GHC. Just to top off a god Elaine also had a good day, pain down a bit and Toni took her out to lunch, Ta Toni. Then we had dinner with Karen, our last as her freeloaders.

Once again early morning just before getting Elaine up for her morning pills, which seems to be a good time for me to think. It is a bit cruel but she does go back to sleep afterwards and Silver Chain told me that ideally the medication should be every 8 hours, so we do try. I go back to bed afterwards too.

Yesterday was a good day, pain was there but at a better level so that Elaine was able to have a fairly pleasant day. We were all prepared to visit the oncologist, but I phoned to see if he was on time and was told that he wasn't in at all! It appears that I had the wrong day, seeing that I put it in my phone as it was given to me I don't know how that happened. But it did, you can't rely on these old blokes for anything can you? Our appointment is for Monday so we have a couple of free days, I guess that we can go clubbing.

Today we had a review appointment with Dr R Chee which reality was a short discussion after a long wait because he was well behind schedule. We where able to report a small reduction in pain and he advised that this could continue for weeks. In fact, so he said, it could be lots of weeks with the main reduction possibly occurring suddenly. Not really very enlightening but I guess we just have to keep hoping for some success. The other thing was that he decided to proceed with attacking the other two lumps. The shoulder one appears to be growing and causing a lot if discomfort and pain, so this is a welcome move. First they have to have a planning session before the treatment can start and whilst we expect it all to happen quickly we don't have dates yet.

We did however decide that, on the way home we would have a meal of lamb shanks at the local Charcoal Chicken........lovely.

Go on, just pretend that this is yesterday and that I am doing the blog on time.

We were quite busy yesterday, firstly I had a bit of work to do which allowed Elaine to sleep till midday after her 7am pills! Then we attended the funeral of a dear friend, almost family. Come evening Elaine helped cook dinner for the first time in ages. After dinner we went to minyan, all in all a very active day for Elaine which she handled very well. The pain is still there and by the time that we got back to th van it was quite intense, but she did get through it with the help of her pills and break through medication. Well done Elaine.

I guess this would indicate some gain from the treatment. We will see what Silver Chain and the doctor have to say later on today.

Another day in the life of Elaine and Graham in the van and we still feel comfortable, but it will be very nice to get our home back. Elaine appears to be enduring less pain now, there is still a fair bit there. Hopefully the pain will continue to reduce.

Other than that there is not much else to report. Our friends drop in and phone and it really is lovely the helpful interest that is being shown and all the offers of help that we are getting.

I actually started to write a blog yesterday, but I got interrupted and the old memory being what it is I didn't get back to it.

So what has happened since last Thursday, not a lot. Elaine's pain level goes up and down, the highs are bad but not as bad as they were before the treatment started. The lows are good but nowhere near good enough, so there is still a way to go. I am kept fairly busy with being around to dole out medication, cooking such as it is (I am not the best cook in the world, or even the street, but neither of us has starved or come down with food poisoning!), shopping and the bits and pieces that are needed.

Comment has been made about us living in the van and it should be noted that we are very comfortable, also remembering that we can use showers etc in Karen's house. We do have our own shower but going inside means that we can have longer showers and don't have to worry about filling up our grey water tank. We also have a toilet which we use at night and every so often I have to go to the nearest caravan park to empty it's tank. All in all we are quite self contained, particularly since we are plugged into 249v power and can top up water tanks as required. Another point is that during the first 3 weeks Elaine was in hospital and during her first week in the van our tenant expected to move within the week. That move has stretched a little but we now expect to be in our home late next week. Another point to remember is that we are used to and enjoy living this way, at least I think we do!

I would like to say thanks to our GP and friend Geoff Gild who has been very helpful and considerate.

This will be another day of unlimited praise for Silver Chain, but first a report on the patient and her consort.

The pain is still here in force, maybe a slight reduction but still controlling Elaine. Yesterday we had a minor change in medication and a change in timing after a chat with the a Silver Chain nurse, as yet I don't know whether we have made any gains.

Today I had a play date with my granddaughter Lyla  and Nannee, after waking at 7.30am for pills, was still asleep when I left to pick her up. She was still asleep when we got back around midday!  Stephanie, the Silver Chain nurse, visited again shortly after our return to check up on yesterday's action with Dr Chan. At the same time she checked madams vitals and the Silver Chain van delivered a walking frame. This service is rather extraordinary and must take an awful lot of pressure off the patient, the patient's family and of course the hospital system. Fantastic!

Just one other comment, not only am I worn out running around with Lyla (a bit of an exaggeration as  it is more walking around and keeping an eye on her without interfering with her playing) but I really enjoy the time spent with her. She isn't perfect but it is still lovely.

Well I have just had few days off, mainly due to the fact that nothing was happening. But we are back in business now.

For a few days in the middle of last week the pain level was down, not down down just down a little, enough to give Elaine a bit of respite. Then on Friday it came back, I don't think quite as bad as before the treatment, but certainly it was making its presence felt. We were warned that the treatment would initially inflame the tumour before it starts to shrink, so I guess this is the inflammation part. Hopefully it will go down in size soon and Elaine will get some real relief.

Last week Genesis referred us to Silver Chain, which I thought was just a home nursing service. It is that, but that is a very limited description of what seems to be a very large organisation. After a couple of phone calls our (or she will be) nurse came to visit, here in the van, to fill out the paperwork and get us into the system. They are aware that we will be going back to our house soon and the service will continue there. The paperwork was extensive to provide them with a full history and details of doctors and treatments. They will monitor all that, keep in touch with both us and our medical team and can provide 24/7 assistance if needed to avoid having to go to hospital. All very impressive, particularly when you add in that they can provide various bits of equipment to help us out at home. Then in the afternoon a doctor visited to add to the file and at the same time suggested a medication change (to which Dr Chan agreed) and will be part of the Silver Chain team. All very very impressive and nice!

Today we visited Dr Chan the pain specialist at his clinic ar Charlies, where he likes to see us, rather than his rooms, although that may change down the track. He basically just confirmed, with some minor changes, the medication list and arranged to see us again in 4 weeks.

It did not take long did it! Mr slack did not do yesterday's blog, naughty boy.

Anyway, morning after, here it is. Yesterday was treatment number 5 and the last of what I will call stage one. As usual all was sweetness, light and smooth sailing down in the Genisis basement. The basement is officially B1 and is situated below the parking under the building. After her treatment we had a question and answer session with the nurse who basically confirmed what we already knew. Results will be judged on the pain reduction that is achieved, the only other thing is the lump in Elaine's shoulder, but that will wait until the assessment of this stage. Side effects have, so far, been minimal limited to Elaine feeling some fatigue.

We are really lucky to have a friend like Karen who not only allows us to,stay on her driveway but claims to enjoy our presence.......thanks Karen. As far as our house is concerned, our house sitters have applied for at least two places and they expect to be gone next week....we shall see what happens. It will be nice to get back to home but we are quite comfortable in the van and it even has a couple of advantages, but home is home.

There will be no more treatment for at least 2 weeks, but in the meantime we have doctors appointments starting next Wednesday. So until then have fun.

Today is an easy day just treatment number 4 quick, efficient and friendly as usual. Elaine must be getting used to it, and is probably a little tired, because she fell asleep in the machine and they had to wake her to go home. We also confirmed that, partly due to the strong dose that she is getting, that it will continue fighting the badies for a couple of weeks after the treatment stops.  So hopefully it will devastate the tumour and make it run away, not likely but shrinking it dramatically will be helpful.

It's funny how things go, this morning we left just a few minutes later than planned (due to the need to wash bed sheets, one lot with embedded chocolate!) and for the first time we got red lights all the way. Really we only got one green light and most of the others were having to brake because the lights were changing to red. Up to now with plenty of time to spare we have had nearly all green lights. That's it for now, I'm off for a walk.

OK we are back at the van after treatment number 3 and a review by Dr Chee. The treatment was quick, friendly and on time as usual but the doctor was a few minutes late, no drama. The review was basically to confirm that all was proceeding as planned, it is. So far no side effects and we think that the pain level has receded a little. Two treatments to go then a doctoral review in 2 weeks time, it appears that the radio thingies go on killing the nasties after the treatment stops. So we will see what happens.

Slight change to the above, whilst Elaine feels reasonable and it would appear that the pain is down a little, she does feel a little nauseous at the moment.

Meanwhile life goes on, the generator is running at the moment. It played up a little while we were away and we decided, at the suggestion of the mechanic, that we needed to run it a bit and get rid of old fuel etc. we also had to attend to one or two other things not connected with Elaine's treatment. At least we are getting back into routine, as I already said yesterday, but reinforced with today's activities.

Before I start, this blog is not intended to replace personal contact by phone or message, it is mainly for me to let off a bit of steam. We really appreciate the calls, messages and support.  I am however trying to put as much information in as I can so that you know what is happening.

Right now I am sitting in the van while madam is sleeping as this mornings activities have tired her out. I will however wake her shortly to take pills, which I hate to do because she is not in pain while she is sleeping. Elaine went to sleep as soon as we got back so I had lunch and went for a walk.

The experience at Genisis was once again positive, more or less on time and friendly.

Treatment started today so we are making progress, hopefully in the correct direction. Up to now it has been X-rays and tests and meetings with doctors so it is really nice to see some positive action.

We are attending Genisis in Joondalup and now that we know how to get there it is just a stress free 40 minute drive. That is another thing with treatment starting we will be establishing a routine. Genisis is a very slick operation, and I mean that in a complimentary way, starting from basement parking by following the blue (Genisis patients) line and validating the ticket as we leave to go home. Then clocking in via a barcode on the reception counter and being greeted, on time today, by a friendly nurse who took Elaine into the treatment area and left me to use the free wifi. After treatment we were again taken into an office with another friendly nurse who checked that we knew what to expect and were comfortable with it. We were also given the list of the weeks appointments including a review with our doctor after treatment on Wednesday.

The open ended support from our kids and family is fantastic and the supportive phone calls from friends is very encouraging. We are receiving visitors although the very high pain level is knocking Elaine about. So with all this positivity happening we know that it will all work out and we will get through it 'with a little help from our friends' ( to quote someone but I can't remember who).

This is the first post on Elaine's journey through the complexities of cancer treatment.

This all started about 8 weeks ago after Elaine had treatment for back pain and the pain persisted. Our  advisors thought that it was just a matter of taking time to be effective so we took off on our, now usual, winter trip. But the pain didn't go away it just got worse, but we kept travelling going down to Esperance then up to Meekatharra via Kalgoorlie.  We then decided that the pain was too much and visited the local hospital where the doctor confirmed my thoughts and advised us to return home and get proper treatment.  So we drove 800 kms home, or rather to Karen's place where we are now parked in our motorhome. Elaine went to hospital and after X-rays and tests the diagnosis was made.

We spoke to our house sitters and they are now looking for new accomodation which will enable us to move back into our house and free up Karen's drive.

Last week we met with our oncologist, Dr S Troon who referred us to Genisis Cancer Care in Joondalup. We then met with our pain specialist Dr W Chan who is attempting to get Elaine pain free or at least much reduced. Genesis were very prompt and we saw them on Thursday, had Elaine measured on Friday and start treatment on Monday. The initial treatment with be 5 hits of intense radiotherapy to, hopefully, reduce the size of the very large tumour in her pelvic area.

Just for the record there is an upside to this in that I am learning to cook!