December 2012

Last two months we had a rather stable situation. The chemo therapy was postponed and this gave some rest in our minds. Jet is preparing our Christmas holidays in Oostende. Our whole family will be there together not only with Christmas, but also to celebrate Jet's birthday.

Time out

The result of the last CT scan gave no reason to start with chemo therapy at the moment.
Of course we were very happy when we heard the news, but on the other hand we were dizzy stepping out of the roler coaster.
Next blood controll will be half of December.
For now a time-out !

A nice autumn day

Again it was such a day to visit the oncologist and listen to the result of the last blood analysis. It was not a good message. The tumor markers gave a worse view on the situation. Within two weeks another CT scan is necessary.

If there is no discrepancy with the last scan, we can go on with the medication. But the chemo tunnel comes closer.

Yesterday our grandchild Veerle was baptised, it was a sunny autumn day like today.
The sunny autumn of life.

Grateful

Jet and our youngest grandchild Veerle.

We are happy and grateful with reactions and supportive messages from so many friends in foreign countries by Email, SMS etc.
Your lovely messages mean a lot!

Today

The rest of life starts today.



15.00
Back from Hotpital.
The time in a waiting room is extra poignant if you expect a bad message.
But we get some distraction during the 45 minutes.
We have the hottest days of summer now. Most of the older ladies passing by or sitting next to us wear white pants with obvious the wrong size for white pants.
The locum tenens of the own oncologist is a friendly lady. We liked her even more because she told us to have a good message.
The new medicine is doing the work. No changes in the last CT scan were found and the conclusion is continuation of the treatment.

We went for a nice dinner on the terrace of our favorite restaurant &zo to celebrate the good message.

Touch the sky

Two weeks in the mountains of Berner Oberland / CH.
Relaxing and taking distance from reality.
Feeling to live on the top of the world and close to heaven.

Today with both feet on the bottom again.
Another CT scan must give information about the situation of
the new metastases in the liver.
But we must wait another week to hear the result.
Hopefully we have some summer this week in Holland.

Again a critical phase

The result of the last blood test was more negative again.
The new medication gave not any signal of a positive effect.
It could be that this change of medication need more time to give any positive result. But the oncologist planned already in August a new CT scan of the lver.
After 3 1/2 years of a stable situation, it could be that we reached another scenario.
We must try not to think about this during our holidays.

Celebrate every day !

Summer holidays

Yesterday it was the last day before summer holidays to take care of the grandchildren. Lisa is here the whole day and Roel takes Milan from his school at 15.00 hrs., so he can also be with us till their parents are coming.
It was a good moment to make this photo.

The last two weeks

Balancing

Waiting for the message during a new consultaion with the oncologist is balancing between hope and fear. And we had to wait till 13.30 hrs yesterday.
But we know from earlier consultations that the news will be given right away after entering the room of this docter.

It was not a good message but not as worse as we expected in our most negative moments.
New metastases were found in the liver. Two small tumors.
It means that new hormonal medication is necessary to stop the growth of these tumors.

The good thing is that all the other vital organs are not affected and there are no new metastases in the bones.

With the new pills the rest of the life begins today.

How positive is the bad news?

We've got the bad news already some weeks ago when the oncologist
decided to make a CT scan.
Since that moment and direct after the examination we live between
hope and fear.
This afternoon the bad news will get a name.
We know that the stable phase came to an end, but how positive can
the bad news be?

Waiting

After the CT scan last Monday, we must wait for the result.
There is an idication of new metastases but it is not clear
where.
Next Tuesday another consultation with the oncologist.

It's raining this week.
We wait for some sunshine.

Cheerful during our
family dinner
on Saturday.

But the text
tells enough
about the
feelings for
today's
CT scan !

Short holiday in Oostende

Sunshine, wind and
the smell of the sea.

Elements for life.

In spite of the cold weather we try to be active outside and inside restaurants

We need the wind
and the sea
to make
our minds free.

We have a break
in Oostende.

The bonescan gave a prove of stability, but the tumor marker in the blood is worse than before.
In the first week of June a CT scan to find out where the restless part is situated.
Living between hope and fear.

This morning breakfast
in the sunshine.
Tomorrow visit to the
oncologist and result
of the last bonescan.

Will the sun shine tomorrow?

Proud with a new pillow
from Rivièra Maison.

Symbolic protection
against the bone scan
of today?

Unquiet waiting for
the result till May 14.

An exciting time

This is a hectic period in our life. Our new born grandchild is in hospital now for observation because one blood vessel is not functioning. Mother Patricia and Veerle have to stay there at least one week.

Jet will have another bonescan next Thursday. This takes place earlier than planned.
The last blood examination was not so positive as before.
We cross our fingers that the result of the bonescan does not show deterioration in the metastasis. On May 14. we have the consult with the oncologist.

In the meantime the support of the grandchildren are a good derivation.

Our Granddaughter

Veerle was born at April 2th 2012.
She is a lovely girl and I am very happy with our new member of the family.

Veerle

Our granddaughter Veerle was born April 2. 2012.
We are happy and proud to have such a beautiful wonder as a new member of the family.

Derivation

Is there anything better than cooking for your children and to read the booklet your grandchild likes most?

It's time again

Should there be anybody who can feel the stress one hour before the visit to the oncologist?
Every three months the doubt.

Will we get the message about a stable situation again?


In the meantime back from hospital.

The cancer markers in the blood are a little higher than last period.
This can be a signal of restless cells in the bones. Therefore the bonescan will be carried out one month earlier.
But this all is not a signal that the total situation is worse.
We go on with optimism.

Winter sport nearby

So close to our house it is complete winter sport.

George

This weekend we
commemorate
my dear Daddy.

Daffodils in January

Two weeks ago we were surprised to welcome the first snowdrops in our garden.
But yesterday we saw the first daffodils!
It is half of January and it should be winter.

Enjoying wind at the seaside

Last week we stayed some days in Oostende again.
We wanted to have some fresh air at the beginning of the year.
And we had fresh air !
The wind was so strong that we hardly could walk at the sea side.
At the 'boulevard' was as much sand as at the beach. But we had
sunny weather, a great hotel room and we enjoyed the specialties
of Belgium!
What more could one want?

A healthy 2012

Isn't it absolutely normal to wish
each other a Happy and Healthy
New Year?
We did on New Year's Eve at 00.00 AM.
Happiness is our daily experience,
but concerning the health the
oncologist gives a positive
declaration every three months
untill now, but no guarantee for
the future.


Wishing each other a healthy new year gave a lot of emotion,
because that wish came deep from our hearts.
A healthy 2012 !