After a hellish few days in Darwin the week before, last week was Good News Week! The culmination and final reports of tests all came together.<\/p>\n
Backed up by the wonderful new technologies I was able to Skype with Surgeon David and Oncologist Meena.<\/p>\n
I am very happy that there was no one here to see me pulling up my shirt and exposing my bruised breast to the laptop! First turning one way and then the other, touching, feeling and posing ——- all so that David could have a good look at it, and I must say still very swollen and sore and not very sexy! <\/p>\n
It was with great relief that he told my that the tumour had been now completely removed and that there were no more traces of cancer.<\/strong> <\/p>\n A Skype meeting with Meena Okera the following day also revealed that CAT Scans were all cancer free and the blood tests revealed that I WOULD NOT have to take HERCEPTIN. I still haven’t sorted what drug does what and what cancer is what however, I do know, not having to go on Herceptin is fantastic as I have had to watch my Aunty Sue have to do the 650km trip every three weeks for the past year to receive the treatment. She will have her last treatment next week and is very happy. The use of HERCEPTIN also involves regular heart checks as the drug affects the heart. <\/p>\n CANCER – she is a mad woman – don’t know where or what she will do next! <\/p>\n In the meantime I have been feeling quite well and working about 4 hours a day at the Museum. So many exciting things to plan for. I have been to a funeral, attended a Fringe Festival Meeting, a Katherine Region of Writers (KROW) Meeting, lunch with my Mum and three brothers, Sam, Joe and Ben. Yesterday day went with my Mum for the Heritage Day afternoon tea and history tour of the town! Oh an, last but not least a few wines and takeaway Chinese with some of my friends! <\/p>\n I am organising a Literary Lunch for 22 June and met with the local Member Willem Westra van Holthe to discuss the lack of cancer support in Katherine! I know of 17 people currently receiving cancer treatment for a variety of cancers, prostate, breast, stomach, brain and mouth cancer and there is no support nurse in town. I spoke to the Cancer Council people in Darwin and they were shocked to know this – SO what the hell are they doing and where is our tax payers money going? Consequently the Cancer Council is coming to Katherine for a meeting this Friday – I will be interested to see who and where their message has reached and what they have to say! <\/p>\n I am one of the lucky ones that is white, educated, with good family and financial support and it has been one hell of an emotional and physical journey for me. What happens to those who do not have that support. Makes me feel sad and I intend to do something about it. <\/strong><\/p>\n In the meantime -this morning I am off for a TB\/Mantou test – because TB still exists in aboriginal communities that I have lived and worked in, in the Northern Territory. Chemotherapy can activate TB is there is dormant cells somewhere.
\nThe 17 people I am aware of does not include any Aboriginal people so can only assume that there are at least another 17 people out there who need some support and assistance.<\/p>\n
\nAppointment with my local GP, Dr PJ Spafford at 11 am.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"