BRYCE needs some time and space to reflect

It's been a very busy last 14 + months for Bryce. He first learnt that he had a elevated PSA in June last year. Then he learned that it was probably cancer. Then he learned that he had an underlying conduction disorder in his heart and that he would maybe one day rely on an external cardiac pacemaker. Then he learned more about prostate cancer by reading several books. Then he underwent the radical surgery. His words to me pre-op were "This may be the best that I'll ever be in life". He had a great post-op recovery (though full recovery takes time...). He toyed with the idea of an early "commencement" (not retirement). A time to have a quality life in a more relaxed manner. Reading. Gardening. Meditating. Housework. ... to begin with. But it seems now that he is entering Chapter 2 of his brave new world... "The next step forward". Bryce realised that he needed to be doing more with his life now. He needed an outlet. ?voluntary work, ?golf, ?a new found hobby/interest. We realised that even at home, you can get so caught up in "busy work" that you're still not finding that quintessential essence of life. So Bryce is going to have a holiday for a week or so. Travelling. Stopping awhile. Pausing. Reflecting. And looking forward. He's looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to it. A journey. An adventure. And I'm looking forward to his return... with his stories, his reflections, and his enthusiasm for life.

ROS IS HOME AND RECOVERING

Ros feeling a good deal better so was discharged home from hospital last Sunday. A new chapter in Ros' recovery, as she is taking on a new chemotherapy regime. Perhaps a few new sensations, perhaps a few different feelings. But the aim is just to knock off the cancer and bring Ros' body back to good health. It's a balancing act. Getting the best result in health and having the fewest number of side effects. Ros' team is there ... working for eradication of ill health and restoration of health and harmony.

SPRINGTIME

Springtime means longer days and shorter nights. When you wake in the morning, it's light. When you knock off from work, it's still light. It energises you. You feel like sitting outside and soaking up some sunshine. Ah... that's when the wind doesn't blow, but stays at bay... resting. A new season. A turning page. Turning a corner. A fresh start. A new adventure....

New CHEMO/ Ros returns to hospital

Ros had her regular and ongoing tests, as well as her followup with Dr James (her oncologist). He felt that a new chemo regime was warranted, with different agents. This was only if Ros agreed to try this. She agreed, and the new chemotherapy happened on Wednesday... the first day of Spring 2010. The day after chemo is usually a quiet day for Ros. She normally has a headache, and lays low on that day. This Thursday, Ros was particularly nauseated, and vomiting also. She was in no mood to talk on Thursday afternoon. She felt "pretty sick". So much so that Dave took her to Ringwood Private hospital on Thursday night and she was admitted for rehydration. IV fluids and anti emetics helped to restore Ros' health to a far more tolerable level. She was feeling a good deal better throughout Friday and began to eat a small amount. Still in hospital on Saturday. Her IV was removed. She was HUNGRY and eating again. Still in hospital, awaiting Dr's review. On the phone, she sounded a lot chirpier. We will be seeing Ros again in 3 or so weeks' time.

BRYCE and his winter vegetable garden

Bryce had been reading and learning about organic gardening for 12 or so months. Actually, we have had a vege garden for several years, but now Bryce was trying to ensure that what we ate was organic. It's hard to go completely organic, - some things you just can't get organically grown. Grace got Bryce a subscription to ORGANIC GARDENING mag, which comes out bi monthly. Bryce read and read. Last Christmas, Bryce (and I ) got 3 organic gardening books - all different. So Bryce read a lot and took his time to get the preparation as right as he could. We now have 3 organic garden beds on the go and 2 herb garden beds happening. This year's winter crop took a long time to establish, so until August, we were mainly buying all our Organics from Warra, in Dural. (Warra is a Steiner school for special needs people and they have a large organic garden and a retail shop. We used to shop here years ago when the girls were young, but your habits change over the years). Bryce grew his vegetables and herbs from seed, so hence they took a lot longer to establish. Now, as I look out the windows, the gardens are a sea of green. Get up close and personal and there are current crops of snow peas, silver beet, spinach and kale. Other crops are still growing but not ready to harvest. Herbs are mainly corriander, 2 x parsley types, dill and ?something green. I must admit, winter has been so cold that I have rarely got out in the garden. But now spring is here I will. Got to say, it's nice to walk outside and find fresh greens at the ready to eat.

Escape the winter blues

Ros and Dave had planned a winter escape to Mission Beach, QLD before Ros found out she had cancer. Because Ros needed to have surgery fairly quickly, followed by chemotherapy, there was no way that they were able to get to their holiday escape in 2009. So they did their homework and found a way to give them something to look forward to. Light at the end of the tunnel. So they postphoned their holiday til the same time in 2010. The owners of the Mission Beach property were happy to swap dates, and so the Mission Beach Escape was booked for July 2010. As Dave had already booked his holidays from work, he was able to use that time on the home front... helping with Ros's recovery from surgery. Other things were happening simultaneously. Dave's boss also needed surgery for cancer, and so did Dave's Brother-in-law (in NZ). So cancer was flavour of the month. It was at this time that Bryce was diagnosed with prostate cancer - but he postphoned surgery til later in the year. (we found out that Geoff Cooper, a friend, also was diagnosed with prostate cancer at this time). A holiday in FNQ. That sounded wonderful. We asked to tag along on this adventure in 2010, as it would give us some tanginble thing to look forward to too. More about Mission Beach in a later installment.

Bryce digs his garden

Bryce was undecided about whether or not to return to work following his recovery. Bryce worked in Auburn at CFCU, and had left work on sick leave for his operation. But time to think about life choices as he was recovering from the operation. Bryce found so much that filled in his day while he was at home. Exercising, meditating, reading, and household chores - shopping, cooking and the like. Bryce is a great cook. Far more interested in recipes, presentation, and healthy meals than I am. Don't get me wrong, I'm interested - but I'm not "passionate" like Bryce is. Meals is a ritual you do at certain times of the day. When you're in the right frame of mind, of course it's stimulating, and rewarding. But sometimes it is just a chore! So, we both decided that for Bryce's next journey - he'd resign from work and stay at home. Making that decision was liberating for both of us. We knew where we stood. Bryce had his hobbies: mainly to do with gardening : growing organic vegetables and herbs, but also reading and creating delicious meals. In many ways - it was I who was the lucky one. I had myself a resident gourmet chef. I'd come home from work and I'd smell this gorgeous aroma coming through the house to greet me. We do eat well. And lunches are always tasty too. Usually I do the breakfast prep and give Bryce Brekky in bed. That's my food contribution:)