Day 217: 25/25 Radiocity with Mum's pearl necklace

Finally, after two rounds of surgery, 6 chemo infusions and 25 radiotherapy sessions the treatment schedule is D O N E!  ...(aside, that is, from the next 10 years (!) of hormone therapy, which starts next Monday).



It was with a mixed sense of relief and anticipation I headed off with Robbie for the final radio session this morning. They were running behind schedule so we had to wait awhile for my turn, but I didn't mind, especially knowing this will be my last visit. All the staff were lovely, and very encouraging about me feeling much better soon, and sending me off with their good wishes. Rob took the last opportunity to come in to see the process at work and to snap a few photos.

After we'd finished at the clinic Robbie and I went into the city for a celebratory lunch. The restaurant we wanted to go to wasn't open today  - doh! - but we managed to find somewhere nice to eat before doing some shopping. I'm on the lookout for some end of treatment earrings but nothing I saw seemed quite right today. I may have to wait for my trip to Melbourne at the end of next month.

Rowena the radio oncologist had told me that I will 'spring into spring' and so it seemed today with the finishing touches being made to the stunning flower arrangements in David Jones, and the lovely warm weather.

 

I then came home to receive these gorgeous roses from Paulie and Geeta, which means our house also now smells like spring. How lucky am I!

I also received in the mail another wonderful pair of red earrings from my dear colleague Beth, which she picked up on her last trip home to South Africa. The beading is so delicate.

Again today like many days in the past months I felt incredibly overwhelmed by the loving care I've received from everyone in the golden web  - my wonderful family, generous and thoughtful friends and colleagues and incredible medical team, including the great technicians at St Vincent's Radiotherapy Clinic. More the anything, I was grateful for Robbie and the boys who have been my protectors and primary carers who have jollied me along and showered me with acts of love every day. I'll be forever grateful.

As has been common across these 217 days I was missing Mum so much today. There are so many conversations I've had with her in my head throughout this process, and so often I've heard one of her many phrases ringing in my ears. "All will be well" is echoing tonight. It's almost three years since she died, a long time not to have heard her voice. This makes images even more precious. This photo of her looking so happy at Balmoral in late July 2014 just before she became really ill is one of the most precious. As is the one, taken just a month later, of her holding her 13th grandchild - baby Jai. Jai turns three tomorrow. He is a beautiful boys who carries on Mum's spirit in a very special way. Happy birthday sweet boy.



Today I was wearing the gold bracelet Mum left me, the pearl earrings she's wearing in the photo with Jai and her pearl necklace which was a favourite of hers. She felt very close.

So after this very marathon I'm going to take a break and sign off for the time being. I'm planning on having a holiday for the next 6 weeks or so to recuperate and prepare for relaunch in October, fresh, bright and just like new. All will be well!

Day 216: 24/25 Radiocity with new moon

We were back in action as usual this morning at Radiocity. I was feeling very flat heading in there - itchy and flaring red skin, more poking and prodding. I'm thoroughly sick of it, but also feeling a bit trepidatious about leaving the treatment bubble tomorrow after such a long time under its cover. Rowena warned me that this feeling would come crashing in at the end - it's unavoidable in her view. I just need to ride with it and go easy after such a long time of structuring my life around almost daily appointments of one kind or another. The really hard work starts now to get things in perspective and not to live my life in fear of recurrence.

After treatment I dropped Robbie to meet a former colleague and took myself off to 'Bills' to catch up with darling Deb before she heads off to the US at the end of the week. We had a lovely late breakfast and a great time catching up on news and making plans for summer, which will be here before we know it. Generous as ever, she and Mel bought me a stunning plum coloured silk shirt to celebrate the end of my treatment. I love it and can't wait to wear it soon. It comes from a beautiful boutique in Bermagui that I'm looking forward to revisiting when we head back down their in summer.

Robbie made us a delicious dinner tonight, and we caught up on some back to back episodes of 'The Good Fight' which we think is a bit cheesy, but perfect viewing right now. I also had a skype call with a lovely young woman in the Hague who has read my book and wanted to interview me about my views on prosecuting sexual violence at the ICC. It's encouraging to see the book being read and used by those interested in the area.

Today I was wearing a new necklace - a gold moon - that came as a bonus gift in a touch of online shopping I did last week!

I'm trying to ignore the madness emanating from the PRK - eyes closed and fingers in my ears LA LA LA!

Day 215: 23/25 Radiocity with Pauline's neckalce

Today things got a bit messed up at Radiocity. The machine went down early in the morning so I was rescheduled for the afternoon. I still headed out for an early morning walk with Robbie and Molly then ran an secret father's day errand for James before coming home to do some work until the radiographer called me in at 12.30pm. It was a freezing day by Sydney standards so I was quite cold when I turned up at the clinic for treatment. The place is cold anyway, to keep the machine cool, so it was an especially uncomfortable procedure today. I was relieved at least that I was another session down, with only 2 more to go. Phew!

I got home and fell straight into bed, feeling exhausted after another session and my busy weekend. My short nap ended up becoming a rather long sleep, but then I woke to have nice chats with Rose in Melbourne and Nat here in Sydney about the closing chapter of her thesis. Later this afternoon I visited lovely neighbour Helen, who is also a JP and was willing to sign a stat dec for me so I can avoid the red light ticket Rob incurred, thereby saving precious points on my license! I'd not seen Helen for months so it was nice to catch up on all her news.

Today I was wearing a cheer-me-on necklace - the one featured earlier given to me as birthday gift by Pauline at one of our magical Lasalle christmases. It always makes me feel happy to wear this one.

Day 213-14: Radiocity with charm necklace

Saturday was a lovely day. A long lay in was much appreciated after such a busy week, then a walk in the sunshine with the family. In the afternoon we headed across to the SCG to watch an epic game of AFL: Sydney v Carlton.  It was a perfect late winter Sydney afternoon. There was excitement half way through when Carlton quickly caught Sydney, but then the Swans fought back to trounce the Blues. Buddy Franklin was incredible in the last half scoring ten goals - individually equaling Carlton's final score. The crowd was on its feet. It was one of those moments when sport really made sense to me. I enjoyed it so much, and also got so much joy from looking at how much happiness it brought to all my boys!





Sunday started early for Robbie and the boys with the regular swimming lesson, then a walk for us and Miss Molly. This afternoon Robbie and I were invited to Andy's birthday lunch at a great restaurant called FOLONOMO - for love not money - owned by some seriously good chefs who run a not for profit restaurant and donate all the profits to various charities. We had a wonderful time chatting with Andy's wide array of friends and celebrating our unique and wonderful friend.

A quiet night tonight with a sykpe with Fiona in Edinburgh topped off a lovely weekend. I'm exhausted but feeling happy I've been able to get out and about so much better, despite the aches and stiffness...the last week of a very long marathon starts now...

I've been wearing a chain Robbie and the boys bought me for my 40th birthday and a charm which has two adults and children holding hands which the boys bought my for my last birthday. They usually buy me a new charm every year - I don't wear them often but treasure them as I know they take so much time deliberating over their choices.

Day 211-12: 21-22 Radiocity Kerrie's glass beads and Victoria Spring 2

It's been a busy, happy but tiring couple of days, and we were left without internet yesterday, so here again is a summary of a few days in one.

Thursday radiotherapy session went smoothly. I saw Dr Rowena who checked my skin reaction, which shes very happy with. My chest is very red and itchy - just as she wanted to ensure any cancer microcells are destroyed.  theres no broken skin yet, which were both happy with and hope it holds up for the next couple of weeks when things will get worse before they get better.

Afterwards Rob and I headed for Newtown to buy some wool as I've been really enjoying the crocheting Maddie taught me. I had discovered a wool shop up there that carries a beautiful range of wool blends. I'm now crocheting Angus a scarf and will work on one for myself next. This shop also gives lessons, so I might follow up on that and move on to something more interesting next! We headed from there to see Blake my hairdresser who have me another trim to keep the 'wooliness' under control. Feeling hungry - especially Rob who had been on a 3 day fast (!!!!) -  we then drove a little further up the road to Enmore and had a fabulous lunch at Madam Chow's. We are surrounded by fabulous Chinese restaurants now, and it's a perfect cuisine while my tastebuds are still a little off.

After all this running about I headed home for an afternoon rest before going to the National Women in Construction Awards night to hear Natalie's give the keynote address. Last year Nat scooped the pool winning two industry scholarships and this year she was invited back to speak about her research. She was, of course, fabulous - she spoke frankly to the room of 1000 people from the industry about the difficulty of women in the industry but also encouraged companies to develop and implement good policies in the area. She looked absolutely gorgeous too! Her fabulous earrings were replicas of the Opera House. This photo is her with the owner of the business who supports the scholarship.

The awards were held at The Star Casino - I'd not been there for many years and found it as garish and depressing as ever. Outside the ballroom where everyone was 'dressed to the nines' as Mum would say, there seemed to be so many lost souls wandering about. Gambling on this level is a wicked, pernicious and corrosive thing.

Friday I was up early for an early treatment which all went well. ONLY 3 TO GO!! I made it back home in time to join Robbie in taking Angus to a specialist appointment. Afterwards, I took Angus for a milkshake before dropping him back to school. He's such a sweet boy with such a clever, quick wit. I love having one-on-one time with him. This afternoon I caught up on some phonecalls with lovely Lisa in Adelaide and Lindy and Ree. We had a quite and early night on Friday night. I started a new book - Euphoria - a fictional account of Margaret Mead's life - I'm hooked already.

Thursday I was wearing these pretty beads Kerrie and Mark gave me as a birthday gift last year. Yesterday I wore a necklace Dad gave me many years ago. Never understanding the point or value of jewellry, it was completely taken by surprise on Christmas about 15 years ago when we presented me with this delicate necklace.

Day 210: 20/25 Radiocity with Victoria Spring necklace

This morning followed the regular pattern: walk, Radiocity, home. It all went smoothly enough, although there was a bit of fussing in the middle of my scan when they realised I wasn't positioned quite perfectly enough so they stopped the procedure, came and moved me about - me trying to lie passively while they push me about to get me in alignment. I'm very red and very itchy - it's getting worse by the day, but at least there's now only 5 more treatments to go - yipee!

At lunchtime I drove across to campus to meet with Steph, Andy and Di and others to discuss transition plans for the new Institute. There's so much to be done, but so exciting at the same time. Steph took this lovely photo of Andy showing off her new birthday earrings.

On my drive home I had a lovely chat with dear Deb, and then arrived home to Robbie preparing dinner. I'm a lucky person!


Today I was wearing the Victoria Spring necklace Robbie bought me when we first got together and I wrote about on Day 116.

Day 209: 19/25 Radiocity with Vancouver circles

Today was another early start. I shifted my appointment to an early morning session so I could meet up with Andy for a walk and brunch to celebrate her birthday. Radiocity was right on time so I managed to make it across to Centennial Park right on time to meet the birthday girl. We made our way around the park in glorious sunshine and back to the cafe where we enjoyed a delicious brunch. It was lovely to spend time with Andy on her special day.





I came home for a couple of hours and tinkered with some work. Today I received the exciting news that my book on the International Criminal Court will be awarded the Carole Pateman prize for the best book in Gender and Politics at this years Australian Political Science Association. Carole is an leading political philosopher based at UCLA, formerly at Sydney, so it's a great honour. I was planning to go Melbourne to attend the conference in September, so this will make it a memorable trip.

After this good news I skipped down (almost) to see Aiofe to have my nails done. Finally I'm starting to lose lots of nails so she did what she could to keep them in shape and make them presentable.

I'm tired and itchy tonight. My skin is getting much worse, but only 6 more to go now.

Today I'm wearing a long necklace that I bought in 2004 during a brief visit to Vancouver. We were there for me to attend a conference and for us to check out the city before moving there for 6 months in 2005. It's been in the bottom draw for awhile, so it was good to give it an outing today.