Another of life's challenges

Well I finally made it to Melbourne (see photos though there are none with me in ) but not without a major hiccup. I was due to fly out on Tuesday 10th to have my PET scan the following morning and then have a couple of days R&R before returning home on the Saturday.

However on the Saturday evening prior to leaving, my hubby Neville suffered a heart attack and was admitted into hospital.  After he was stabilised and the doctor came to discuss his case, I told him my circumstances and he said that as Nev was in good hands and it was crucial for me to have this scan, to proceed with my plans.

It was very hard leaving him behind in hospital - the timing could not have been worse, however, I was able to talk to him whenever I liked by telephone and that helped.  He was told he would be sent for a angiogram and then they would probably perform an angioplasty and insert stents, then he would be as good as new.  However it hasn't turned out that way, the angiogram showed that the blockage was worse than they thought so he is still in hospital (over 3 weeks now!!!) awaiting transfer to Auckland Hospital for either a triple or quadruple heart bypass operation and he could have to wait there another 2-4 weeks before this can be done. They won't let him home as it is too risky.

In the meantime I have received the results of my PET scan and they have confirmed that the tumour that was evident in earlier CT scans is definitely the cancer back again.  The good news is that the cancer is confined to this area and has not spread elsewhere - the bad news is that it is located very deep in the pelvic region and is right next to the bowels so any operation could necessitate removing some of the bowels to get to it.  So now I too am waiting (again!!!) for the oncologists and surgeons to decide what they are going to do.

Perhaps we will end up having operations at the same time.  I jokingly suggested that we be given a penthouse suite but that was met with a blank stare!

I would be lying if I said that I'm coping with it all - mostly I manage but I do have some bad down times when I wonder what's going to happen to us both and how were are going to handle his operation and recovery, my operation, recovery and months of chemotherapy.  At present I just can't see a comforting light at the end of the tunnel but I have to believe that there is one there.

Our family and friends have been wonderful and we have also received so much kindness from strangers.  Thanks everyone.