I have had a period of good health and living to the full since I last wrote on the blog. We are all so grateful for the constant pace of normal life, which might outwardly appear prosaic, but is so comfortable and comforting after the fraught roller coaster and uncertainty of the last six months of last year. I definitely do not have the energy I was so blithely accustomed to and need to pace myself and I never imagined that a trip to Pick and Pay in good health would be something to celebrate!
I had some very interesting tests done in November. My blood was sent to the Research Genetic Cancer Centre in Greece, where they isolated my cancer cells, grew cultures and tested them for responsiveness to 30 substances. The wonderful thing is that the test results indicate treatment which is individualised and specific to my cells. (It is a bit like taking a throat swab and seeing which anti biotic to use.) Chemo is more generalised and all patients with a particular cancer seem to be given the same treatment.
The test results indicated high sensitivity to Vitamin C, Quercitin and I 3 Complex. I have been having all three in large quantities since early December. I have Vit C and Quercitin infusions by drip twice a week and take all 3 in capsule form too. The drip consists of 20g of Vit C, which is a huge dose. My veins are in poor shape after chemo, so finding a good one is always a challenge and I had one really nasty and painful one , when the Quercitin dose was too high. It all is a bit loose at times.
Dr Mafafo, the oncologist was satisfied with my general condition and delayed the next CT testing by a month, so it's all good news at the moment.
We had a perfect Christmas and a happy holiday, all of which are healing.
James turned 21 and the pic is of his present from Tim - a set of seriously dull but essential accounting manuals!
The year has started well for everyone. Ali is doing an art project on portraiture and has done a series of self portraits, each better than the previous one. James flew in yesterday evening after a fabulous 2 weeks skiing inVail and 4 days in New York. Nic's job continues to challenge and thrill her. She had a big meeting of people interested in Social Business at our house yesterday. Regular flashes of Tim's marvellous sense of humour indicate that he too, is much better.
I've been happily engaged with getting the literacy program at Salvazione School up and running. The Link promises to be a thrilling and healing project.
Suzi, Tim's sister arrives this morning and we all go to Cape Town for James' 21st part on Friday. So much excitement! Nicola has prescribed a Red Bull to give me the energy to enjoy it to the full. I also need to settle to some serious thinking as he has nominated me to speak. A challenge and one I'm delighted (and slightly suprised) to take up.
