Off-topic - Apologies for recent absence

[3930dave]

Best Wishes for continued successful treatment.

Regards, Dave.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Thanks again guys.
Tomorrow is the half-way mark in Jennifer's treatment and she's coping rather well, although she is noticing her is beginning to fall out. I keep reminding her it will grow straight back again but she's nevertheless quite frightened. Aside from the occasional headache there aren't really any other notable side-effects yet - we all hope things stay that way. Her doctors are all very happy with her progress. It hasn't stopped her from skating though :laughing: she's just currently not allowed to take part in any events.

 

[coldsteelva]

I'm sorry your dealing with this. Even though the prognosis is positive, I can't imagine how disconcerting this is for you. We live to keep our kids safe and wish we could take away all their illness and pain. If her hair has started to thin or fall out, it may be best to go ahead and shave it. Bald is beautiful and she is no less of a woman without it. Have the whole family and her friends shave too, in solidarity. It would make her less self-conscious.

 

[pmsmechanic]

So I start off reading this thread and wondering whom I'm reading about. I keep going and then I get to the picture of her and those two medals and I realize that I've seen the picture before. This is that Jenifer. I'm glad I kept going. Prayers and all the best for her future! Thanks for sharing.

 

[GAFarmer2]

Still sending thoughts, prayers, and good vibes to you and your family. Thanks for the updates!

 

[PatrickS2222]

A quick update:
Jenny's last chemo- was last Wednesday; last radio was Thursday. :thumbsup: That was 33 visits, then she's Ok for 3 weeks, then a scan to check for recurrence of tumours, progress on post-operation brain repositioning and 3 more doses of chemo-therapy. This is repeated several times 3-4 weeks apart.
We spent last weekend (3 days) camping, fishing (Jenny caught the first two fish ), swimming, bushwalking (hiking) and BBQs on campfire. (I need a rest ).
She's regaining her amazing appetite , planning to resume competitive skating and returning to school almost full-time. She's certainly much happier as well - that could be attributed to knowing her hair will start growing back, although she didn't seem to lose much - not as much as the radiologist expected. Keep fingers crossed! :thumbsup:

 

[shaeff]

Great to hear, Patrick!

 

[Looking4new]

Fingers crossed. :thumbsup:

 

[davedj1]

Patrick, our hearts go out to you and your family, may god bless you all.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Thank you once again for all your caring and encouraging words of empathy. It really does help a lot to know so many caring people are hoping each day to see good news. It's been 4 months now and things might just be slowly beginning to improve, but the more I find out about this illness, the more often I read about people who have suddenly and without any foreseeable reason had a serious relapse. That's why it isn't easy to relax, but as time passes I feel we are seeing steady progress. Lets hope I am right. Cheers for now.

 

[Wagtail]

I'm still with you Mate.

She'll be right.

 

[3930dave]

A young lady is back to thinking about her hair.

Best News I've heard all week ! :thumbsup:

Regards, Dave.

 

[PatrickS2222]

A young lady is back to thinking about her hair.

Best News I've heard all week ! :thumbsup:

Regards, Dave.

Thank you all for your continued wishes of Jennifer's recovery. I am cautiously confident she is in a position to achieve a full recovery. Wagtail, I hope you're correct.
Yes Dave, she's anxious for her hair to begin growing back ... until then it's a case of wearing a wig when the occasion warrants.
She finished her treatment 2 weeks ago now. She's also back at school most days, skating training and feeling much more energetic.
Next Wednesday is an appointment for a scan to check on her brain recovery and its progress in returning to normal position and natural shape, also to ascertain whether there's any sign of tumor regrowth. Hopefully all will be as anticipated. She also begins the first of several short but higher-dose chemo-therapy courses. That could cause some more lethargy, but hopefully not so severe nor for as long a time.
We'll know more soon.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Hi All, happy to finally bring some more good news. Jenny is part-way through the series of short, higher-dose chemotherapy and seems to be doing quite well. Her doctor was thrilled with her last blood test results, commenting that level is expected from a patient after about six months of chemo .... not six weeks. He hinted that her prospects of survival would now be nearer to 80% instead of the original 50% estimate just prior to her operation ..... we still are keeping everything crossed.
While tiredness is still somewhat of a concern for her, she has been at school most days and training on some days too. Last weekend was a regional figure-skating competition in which she entered one event, resulting in third place among ten skaters - I thought that was quite a good effort. I ensured I was there to watch her new routine, I was thrilled to see her skating again, but amazed at the level of cheering and applause she received when she rolled out onto the floor. It seemed that everyone there from the competing skating clubs was happy to see her back on wheels.
Thanks once again for all your good vibes for Jenny - they're certainly special, and greatly appreciated. I'll pass on any news when appropriate.

 

[GAFarmer2]

Good to hear!

 

[dragoneggs]

Hi Patrick! Just came across this thread tonight sitting in a Singapore hotel room (long ways from home) after coincidently meeting and spending the evening chatting with a lovely elderly couple from Brisbane! Small world does airplanes and computers make! The Mrs. revealed she never could have children and wished so much she had that gift. But she has been nurturing abandoned Joey's for years. Carrying them in her backpack into the corporate workplace. Great stories!

Wishing the best for your family! Not sure there is anything worse than dealing with the fate of one's own children. My wife lost her teenage son and I hurt for her and am so proud of her strength and resolve to this day! Love life and every day it brings.

 

[shaeff]

That's great to hear, Patrick! I think about you all frequently and hope for nothing but the best!

 

[3930dave]

Excellent progress Patrick ! roposetoast:

Rgds, D.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Thanks Shaeff, Dave, GAFarmer - by no means out of the woods, but definite progress. :thumbsup:
Dragoneggs ... Haha, you're closer to my place than yours. Call in for a beer or at least a coffee! What an remarkable co-incidence your meeting other Brisbane people overseas. Was that before or after you read this thread?
I know I've said this before, but so many positive thoughts and supportive remarks from so many hard-working and busy people who take time from their own daily battles to read and in a lot of cases offer an encouraging line or two is very highly regarded - thank you one more time.

 

[dragoneggs]

Dragoneggs ... Haha, you're closer to my place than yours. Call in for a beer or at least a coffee! What an remarkable co-incidence your meeting other Brisbane people overseas. Was that before or after you read this thread?

Just before... got back to my room and opened your post. They have lived in many parts of the world but settled in Brisbane. My wife and I were there in early March vacationing in Noosa Beach for a week... beautiful area! Wishing your family the best!