Update 19/02/09

From Andi:

Hi Guys and Gals,

Tim has had an excellent bone marrow biopsy result. All clear. No more
lympoblastic cells in his bone marrow! This was fabulous news for us
to receive, his body is responding to the chemotherapy.

He is back on track with daily chemo - everyday last week and 4 days
this week. This week he has also had a lumbar puncture, which is
chemo injected into his spine. He has felt nauseous and tired and
very light headed. Blood tests yesterday revealed he now has anaemia
and so today he had his first blood transfusion. This all seems part
and parcel of chemotherapy in high risk patients such as Tim. He is
handling this so well. He meditates in waiting rooms and is very
upbeat in hospital. The nurses just love him and he is Mr. Popular in
day oncology. (as I bet you can all imagine)

This week Tim was a case study for final year medical students. He had
no problem telling them his story from symptoms to diagnoses to
treatment. He was very open with them as they were also interested in
him as person rather than just medical guinea pig. Nice to know our
future doctors are so compassionate. We have found all the doctors
and nurses at the Austin to be this way. This also extends to the
extra care the hospital offers in the form of counseling and support
networks. Both Tim and I have received counseling and this is on
going throughout his treatment.

Tim is juicing like a man possessed. Everyday he goes through a bag
of carrots, oranges, apples etc. We have an awesome, new juicer
(thanks barb & john) and it has become a family ritual. We are keeping
our local organic fruit shop in business, almost every 2nd day I am
getting more supplies. ( I bet the bottle shop boys are missing
Tim.....he was on first name basis with all of them there!!) Tim has
said he wonders if he will ever have a beer again....at this point he
doesn't think he will.......actually both of us had our last alcoholic
beve on New Years Eve. I'm thinking if we hear good news in about a
years time we will be cracking some champagne for sure!!

Well, that's all I can think of for now.

Love to you all,

Andi

P.S. - Thanks to the following blokes, who pick up a blower and a mower for
THL this week:

Trent Collins, Chris Collins & Wayne Armstrong. We really do
appreciate that you guys give up you annual leave, retirement and
spare time. Thank you, thank you, thank you.