From Andi:
Hi there everyone,
Tim has now completed week one of radiotherapy. The side effects are
just starting to take hold and these are heartburn and indigestion
(being new ones), nausea, head aches and fatigue. Even though the
treatment is fast and painless, it is uncomfortable and the side
effects do take their toll.
Tim has been unable to shake the severe headaches that have been
caused from the lumbar puncture last week. He now spends all day
lying flat on his back, as this is the only way he feels relief. He
tries to sit up for a few minutes each day, but really now he is
confined to bed, other than when he is driven to treatment and even
then we recline the seat right back.
We received very, very good results from the CT Scan that Tim had on
Thursday. The mass of tumors he had on his chest and lymphatic system
have completely shrunk in size and were not detected! This has
exceeded our expectations, as we were hoping for a reduction in size
and numbers. This is just tremendous news and given us all a real
boost. It is fabulous to know that the treatment, as harsh and
painful as it is for Tim, is working. His doctors have said that even
though his body appears to be disease free at present, the treatment
protocol must continue as planned. The 'blastic' part of his lymphoma
(which means baby cells that divide and multiply at an incredible
rate) is so aggressive, that the tumors can very easily come back and
bite him on the bum. That is also why treatment remains unchanged. He
will continue on the protocol as planned .....all 3 years of it. It
is still very early days, he is only 1/8 through his treatment, but I
say it is bloody good news and worth a little celebration! Fingers
crossed that all future scans and bone marrow biopsies bring this good
news.
TIM WOULD ALSO LIKE EVERYONE TO KNOW (ESPECIALLY THOMO) THAT HE HAS
JUST FINISHED READING A 450 PAGE BOOK IN UNDER TWO WEEKS!
Well Done Timothy!
Take care everyone and thanks for taking the time to read my updates.
Love Andi
__________________________________________
Admin note:
Progress has been made on setting up an account for those of us who would like to help out financially and we hope to post the details for everyone in the next update on the blog, if not before.
Also, a reminder about fundraising lunch being organised by Tim's brother, Andrew. If you have any items to donate for the auction, or any contacts or information you think might be helpful, please email thehamiltonfamilyblog@gmail.com and we'll pass the word on.
Cheers!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Update 16/03/09
From Andi:
Hi All,
This week has been a big reality check, after coming off a chemo free
week. Tim has had a full week of chemotherapy daily and also another
lumbar puncture, so he is back to feeling very sick, head achey and
exhausted. He has been bed ridden all week end.
Doctors have stressed to us this week the seriousness of Tim's illness
and his susceptibility to infections. It is extremely dangerous for
Tim to come into contact with anyone who is unwell during this phase
of his treatment. So we ask to be avoided please, if you or your kids
have anything of the sort......even a sniffle.
Thank you to Mick Stones and Dunc Thomas for keeping Tim company
during treatment this week. The nurses can't believe how up beat and
positive Tim still is ( it actually seems to worry them a bit). I
think they thought his 'personality' was a bit of an act and that he
would've piped down by now...they are still getting to know Tim. They
don't know what we already do, that Tim is a one of a kind and a
person who loves life and the opportunity to have a chat, no matter
what challenges lie in the way. Tim's favorite pass time would have
to be having a really good D & M with someone....anyone. That is just
who he is.
Another huge thank you to Daz McInnes ( a kinder parent who is a
builder ) for finishing Tim's screen fence at the back of the
property. It has been a work in progress for quite some time and Daz
came over last Friday and completed the job in a couple of hours. It
is great to see it finally finished and it also gives us a little more
privacy. It was very generous of Daz to give up his time and also
supply the materials. A top job! Thank you.
Poor Timmy. He has really felt so unwell this week......chemotherapy
taking its toll. Bloody cancer.
Love Andi.
Extra update:
Tim began radio therapy today (16/3/09). Chemo will cease during this
phase, except for the lumbar punctures. Today he had radiotherapy
targeted to his chest. This was the first of 16 doses to this area and
he will also have 10 to his brain. This all happens daily over 4
weeks. Tim said the procedure is painless, just very claustrophobic.
_____________________________________________
From the Admin:
Tim's brother, Andrew Hamilton, is in the process of organising a fundraising lunch for which invites will be sent out soon to everyone we have contact details for. If you're not sure whether you've already sent your details, please email thehamiltonfamilyblog@gmail.com to send them through.
Part of the lunch will be an auction for various sporting and entertainment memorabilia. If you have any items to donate, or any contacts or information you think might be helpful, please email thehamiltonfamilyblog@gmail.com and we'll pass the word on to Andrew.
Cheers!
Hi All,
This week has been a big reality check, after coming off a chemo free
week. Tim has had a full week of chemotherapy daily and also another
lumbar puncture, so he is back to feeling very sick, head achey and
exhausted. He has been bed ridden all week end.
Doctors have stressed to us this week the seriousness of Tim's illness
and his susceptibility to infections. It is extremely dangerous for
Tim to come into contact with anyone who is unwell during this phase
of his treatment. So we ask to be avoided please, if you or your kids
have anything of the sort......even a sniffle.
Thank you to Mick Stones and Dunc Thomas for keeping Tim company
during treatment this week. The nurses can't believe how up beat and
positive Tim still is ( it actually seems to worry them a bit). I
think they thought his 'personality' was a bit of an act and that he
would've piped down by now...they are still getting to know Tim. They
don't know what we already do, that Tim is a one of a kind and a
person who loves life and the opportunity to have a chat, no matter
what challenges lie in the way. Tim's favorite pass time would have
to be having a really good D & M with someone....anyone. That is just
who he is.
Another huge thank you to Daz McInnes ( a kinder parent who is a
builder ) for finishing Tim's screen fence at the back of the
property. It has been a work in progress for quite some time and Daz
came over last Friday and completed the job in a couple of hours. It
is great to see it finally finished and it also gives us a little more
privacy. It was very generous of Daz to give up his time and also
supply the materials. A top job! Thank you.
Poor Timmy. He has really felt so unwell this week......chemotherapy
taking its toll. Bloody cancer.
Love Andi.
Extra update:
Tim began radio therapy today (16/3/09). Chemo will cease during this
phase, except for the lumbar punctures. Today he had radiotherapy
targeted to his chest. This was the first of 16 doses to this area and
he will also have 10 to his brain. This all happens daily over 4
weeks. Tim said the procedure is painless, just very claustrophobic.
_____________________________________________
From the Admin:
Tim's brother, Andrew Hamilton, is in the process of organising a fundraising lunch for which invites will be sent out soon to everyone we have contact details for. If you're not sure whether you've already sent your details, please email thehamiltonfamilyblog@gmail.com to send them through.
Part of the lunch will be an auction for various sporting and entertainment memorabilia. If you have any items to donate, or any contacts or information you think might be helpful, please email thehamiltonfamilyblog@gmail.com and we'll pass the word on to Andrew.
Cheers!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Update 10/03/09
Hi everyone,
Tim wasn't able to have any chemotherapy last week, as his blood
counts were too low. Instead he had 4 transfusions, two on Monday and
two on Friday. His body is now ready for another slaughtering;
resuming chemo on Tuesday, another bone marrow biopsy on Wednesday and
a lumbar puncture at some stage.
It has been a lovely week, not having to rush to hospital everyday.
Tim has felt relatively good ( just headaches, mild nausea and
fatigue). I took him to the movies last Tuesday to see Grand Torino.
It was a great flick and fabulous to get Tim out, yet still be low key
and rested.
The highlight of our week was being VIP'S at Rove live on Sunday
night! (Anyone see us in the audience?) This was organised through
Rod, who had been in touch with Ben Lee over the last few weeks and we
were there as his guests! Tim rested all week end to have the energy
for this night and it was so fortuitous that he hadn't had chemo all
week, as he was feeling the best he had been for some time.
We were chauffeured to the ABC studio in Elsternwick (thanks to Rod
and Rach and Jannah and Mark) and seriously treated as VIP'S. We had
green room access where we met all the stars and shown incredible
hospitality. The champagne and sushi platters flowed before and after
the show and we just had the best night!!!! Tim had a fantastic chat
with Ben Lee, who is the most sincere and humble guy you could meet.
An absolute legend and Tim instantly connected with him. We had a
good chat to Rove, who gave me a massive hug on leaving and some
special words of encouragement.
It was such a special night and one we will never forget.
Hope you enjoy the snaps!
Love Andi
xoxoxoxoxo
Tim wasn't able to have any chemotherapy last week, as his blood
counts were too low. Instead he had 4 transfusions, two on Monday and
two on Friday. His body is now ready for another slaughtering;
resuming chemo on Tuesday, another bone marrow biopsy on Wednesday and
a lumbar puncture at some stage.
It has been a lovely week, not having to rush to hospital everyday.
Tim has felt relatively good ( just headaches, mild nausea and
fatigue). I took him to the movies last Tuesday to see Grand Torino.
It was a great flick and fabulous to get Tim out, yet still be low key
and rested.
The highlight of our week was being VIP'S at Rove live on Sunday
night! (Anyone see us in the audience?) This was organised through
Rod, who had been in touch with Ben Lee over the last few weeks and we
were there as his guests! Tim rested all week end to have the energy
for this night and it was so fortuitous that he hadn't had chemo all
week, as he was feeling the best he had been for some time.
We were chauffeured to the ABC studio in Elsternwick (thanks to Rod
and Rach and Jannah and Mark) and seriously treated as VIP'S. We had
green room access where we met all the stars and shown incredible
hospitality. The champagne and sushi platters flowed before and after
the show and we just had the best night!!!! Tim had a fantastic chat
with Ben Lee, who is the most sincere and humble guy you could meet.
An absolute legend and Tim instantly connected with him. We had a
good chat to Rove, who gave me a massive hug on leaving and some
special words of encouragement.
It was such a special night and one we will never forget.
Hope you enjoy the snaps!
Love Andi
xoxoxoxoxo
Monday, March 2, 2009
Update 02/03/09
Hi there everyone,
It has been an action packed week! Last Friday Tim was going to have
a hospital free day....unfortunately he woke at 5am with shocking bone
pain in his legs from the knee down. Straight to ED for a good dose
of morphine. Fourteen hours, two blood transfusions and many, many
hilarious, scatty, crazy conversations later (drug induced!), he came
home. So much for the hospital free day!
Tim had chemo every day this week plus another two blood transfusions
on Thursday. He also had another CT scan on his brain, just to
investgate the cause of some shocking headaches. Doctors were worried
that he may have had a bleed, but luckily it came back all clear. (
He does actually have a brain- just no problem with it!!!) Currently,
his red and white blood cells and platelets are very low and he is
borderline neutropenic. This means he is very susceptible to
temperatures and infection, so we have to keep a close eye on him this
week end. Any signs of the later, then he is back in to ED.
This week Tim has had lots of company during chemo. This has had a
big and very positive impact on Tim's spirits. Thanks to Macca, Luber,
Andrew H, Smiddy, Rohan and John H for making the hours of chemo much
more bearable. Thanks also to Mark Davies and our neighbour Tom, who
lent a hand tidying up Tim's precious garden at home. It was driving
him mad to watch it become over grown and out of control. You have
certainly restored some peace!
The 'wall of courage' is growing again! This week Tim has received
personal messages, signed dvd's and cd's and t-shirts from Daryl
Somers, Daryl Braithwaite, Roy & HG, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Marcia
Hines, Roger Federer!!!!!, Jimmy Barnes, Metallica, a very special
message from Rolf Harris and Ben Lee!! and the absolute highlight: a
bombers footy jumper signed by Adam Ramanaskus, Dustin Fletcher, Jason
Winderlich, Mark McVeigh and Scott Lucas. Boy, does Tim feel special.
It is incredible to think how willing these celebrities are to go out
of their way to put a smile on Tim's face and indeed it does just
that!
Well, that is week 7 done..............only 131 weeks of treatment to
go!!!!!! (That doesn't sound so good, but for us it is going fast)
Tim said the other morning that this break from work is like the long
service leave he never got!!!! Yes, nothing quite like a well deserved
break at Club Austin!!!!! (and he wasn't on morphine when he said
that!)
Take care everyone.
Much love,
Andi
xooxooxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxo
It has been an action packed week! Last Friday Tim was going to have
a hospital free day....unfortunately he woke at 5am with shocking bone
pain in his legs from the knee down. Straight to ED for a good dose
of morphine. Fourteen hours, two blood transfusions and many, many
hilarious, scatty, crazy conversations later (drug induced!), he came
home. So much for the hospital free day!
Tim had chemo every day this week plus another two blood transfusions
on Thursday. He also had another CT scan on his brain, just to
investgate the cause of some shocking headaches. Doctors were worried
that he may have had a bleed, but luckily it came back all clear. (
He does actually have a brain- just no problem with it!!!) Currently,
his red and white blood cells and platelets are very low and he is
borderline neutropenic. This means he is very susceptible to
temperatures and infection, so we have to keep a close eye on him this
week end. Any signs of the later, then he is back in to ED.
This week Tim has had lots of company during chemo. This has had a
big and very positive impact on Tim's spirits. Thanks to Macca, Luber,
Andrew H, Smiddy, Rohan and John H for making the hours of chemo much
more bearable. Thanks also to Mark Davies and our neighbour Tom, who
lent a hand tidying up Tim's precious garden at home. It was driving
him mad to watch it become over grown and out of control. You have
certainly restored some peace!
The 'wall of courage' is growing again! This week Tim has received
personal messages, signed dvd's and cd's and t-shirts from Daryl
Somers, Daryl Braithwaite, Roy & HG, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Marcia
Hines, Roger Federer!!!!!, Jimmy Barnes, Metallica, a very special
message from Rolf Harris and Ben Lee!! and the absolute highlight: a
bombers footy jumper signed by Adam Ramanaskus, Dustin Fletcher, Jason
Winderlich, Mark McVeigh and Scott Lucas. Boy, does Tim feel special.
It is incredible to think how willing these celebrities are to go out
of their way to put a smile on Tim's face and indeed it does just
that!
Well, that is week 7 done..............only 131 weeks of treatment to
go!!!!!! (That doesn't sound so good, but for us it is going fast)
Tim said the other morning that this break from work is like the long
service leave he never got!!!! Yes, nothing quite like a well deserved
break at Club Austin!!!!! (and he wasn't on morphine when he said
that!)
Take care everyone.
Much love,
Andi
xooxooxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxo
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