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!