Update 29/06/09

Hi All,

Tim is home. Not feeling too great at the moment, although he did muster up a smile for me for you (see below). Thought you might also like to see his PICC line, where all the chemo is administered. The docs and nurses are very pleased with the condition it is in, considering it has been in since January 8.

I took Josh to his first Bombers game at the G on Friday night. It was a fabulous game and Josh was in awe and completely focused on the game right till the final siren. Needless to say he fell asleep in the car on the way home!

** Update from Andi:

Tim has just been admitted back in hospital. Just now. Nausea too bad and he is dehydrated.

Update 26/06/09

Tim dictated this to me this morning....Andi xoxo

Hi everyone

I have been back in 6A since Monday. Just had my second round of 24 hour chemotherapy and unfortunately I have had a very serious allergic reaction to one of the drugs. After 15 mins or so into the infusion of Asparaginase,I came out with a massive rash, couldn't breath, vomiting, diahrea and a temp of 40+. My face is all puffy and my eyes are swollen. It scared the hell out of me, as I have not felt this sick so far. Luckily I do not have to have this drug again. I am slowly on the mend and I can't wait to come home. I am one step closer to beginning the re induction phase of the protocol, which will mean being an outpatient for the rest of my treatment ( approx. 100 more weeks ).

Thank you everyone for your support,

Love Tim.

Update 17/06/09

Hi all,

After a week in hospital and then a week home, Tim went back to 6A on
Monday for the repeat of the last chemo belt...... Unfortunately,
today he was sent home as his blood counts are too low to have the
chemo and it would be far too dangerous for him. A bit of a set back
and a major bummer as he had his own room this time. Tim will have
blood tests on Friday to see how his neutrophils and platelets are
going and if they are on the way up he will hopefully have the chemo
next week. (Funny to actually hope for chemo!!) Just got to roll
with it all.......

Tim's forehead is much better from the radiation burns. Just at a
peeling stage now, the redness has really settled. His headaches have
subsided for the moment, he is just extremely fatigued.

This week we had Christmas in June, thanks to our caring friends and
colleagues at Burke Hall. A fortnight or so worth of dinners plus
wine, teas and tea pot, soaps, vouchers, magazines, chocolates,
biscuit's, a cook book for chemo, a beautiful scarf for Tim, hand
cream and toys, books and puzzles for the children arrived on our
doorstep last Friday night. It was a the best surprise and Josh
refers to it as 'the day that was like Christmas'!!! Indeed it
was....we feel so loved and supported and are so very grateful to our
friends at Burke Hall who put so much thought into the incredible
hamper. It put a huge smile on all of our faces..........

Until next time.....

Lots of love

Andi

Update 4/06/09

From Andi:

Hello everyone,

Tim was readmitted to ward 6A on Monday for another big dose of
chemotherapy. He had Methotrexate continuously for 24 hours followed
by Asparaginase the following day. The cranial radiation after
effects have come to the forefront with Tim having a terrible red,
burning rash on his forehead and shocking headaches. All this
compounded with the cocktail of chemo has left Tim feeling extremely
uncomfortable with pain in his legs, head and just the all over
'feeling like crap and I look like crap'. Poor Tim, he is very self
conscious of his forehead and his ability to gain 6 kilos in as many
days. He is still in hospital, unsure of when he will come home.
Thank God he has his ipod and dvd player to help pass the time and
block out the unfortunate wails and accidents of the neighboring
patients. It really is the most depressing place and it takes one
incredible mind and spirit to withstand the 25 or so nights notched up
so far. The hardest part is knowing that Tim has to go through it all
again in 10 days. AAAgghh.

A gigantic thank you to Andrew Hamilton for all his efforts in
organising the fundraising luncheon that was held in May. It was
tremendous to be able to bring Tim and say hello to everyone. It
looked and felt like it was a friendly and relaxed Sunday afternoon,
Tim and I certainly 'felt the love' when we walked in. It was a very
successful day and Tim, myself and the boys are so very grateful to
you all for helping us out at this unfortunate time in our lives.

Will be in touch with more news soon,

Loads of love

Andi

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From the Admin:

Howdy! Finally got all the various issues with the Donate button sorted - if you are like me and couldn't make the lunch Andi mentioned but wanted to help out financially, you can use it to donate to an account for Tim and his family. It uses paypal, and may take a couple of days to leave your account once the donation has been made - if you have any questions of issues just email the blog.