We all got up very early this morning and I managed to get Tot out for a long walk and by the time I got back we were ready to leave 8.00AM!!
The traffic to Hamilton was heavy and the weather over the top of the Kaimai was horrible but better once we got down to the other side. We did notice that we were running out of time and were not going to arrive on time for our 9.30 appt. I phoned the hospital and they said that was OK.
We made it to the hospital by 9.30 but had to park and then find our way to the clinic. The hospital is huge with lots of renovations going on but we found a very nice nurse who put us on the right track and just as we got to the clinic a man came out and asked us what we were looking for and could he help. He just happened to be the Consultant Oncologist and he said I am waiting for you so come on up and he showed us the way.
Jon had to register at reception and while doing so, Herman, put extra chairs in his office and told me it was fine and, in fact good, that the girls were there so we all went in together.
He was very good and explained everything to us and some of it I have already forgotten but I think we have the main bits OK. He did say Jon was to have chemotherapy which we didn't know about so he rang Tauranga Hospital to get an appointment sorted. It will not be a strong dose and he will not lose his hair but it will be attached to him for seven days. We can't remember if he said it was just for seven days or more.
He explained to us how bowel cancer starts and told Jon not to worry that it is not his lifestyle or anything we have done to make it start that it is his DNA and probably came down the line. He said he should tell his siblings, our daughters and grandchildren that they should insist on having a colonoscopy at the age of 45 to check there are no polyps as they would be small and could be removed easily. They apparently take ten years to grow and he says Jon has had his for about 18 months and in cancer terms that is not long so although he has had symptoms we have been lucky catching it early.
He examined Jon and then he showed us the MRI pictures and where it is and what he is going to do. He also believes that a permanent bag can be avoided. He thinks the treatment will start around the 29 May for five and a half weeks and agrees with the surgeon that surgery should take place at the end of August.
He told Jon he can really discount this coming year as he is going to feel bad and in fact he says he will not feel 100% for about three years. Jon must keep up his fitness and training at the gym as that is very good and eat as much and as well as he can though there will be times when he won't feel like food. He told us about side effects and what to expect during and after treatment.
He talked about the effect on us as a couple and told us the divorce rates for people going through cancer treatment and they are very high. He said we need to be patient with each other as it is going to be hard. He was lovely with Jane and Heather and I was very glad they were there with us
He suggests Jon stay over in Hamilton, Monday to Friday at the Cancer Lodge. He says he will be able to drive himself over and back on the Friday and he will have his own parking space and once treatment is done he will be able to come and go as he wishes. We are not sure what we will do about that but it would help if the weather over 'The Hill' is as bad as today.
We need to go back on Tuesday and they will measure up and 'tatoo' Jon as to where the radiotherapy will be. It will come into his back and into both sides and be the same each day.
We felt he had covered everything and we asked all we needed to. Our heads were completely full and it is very scary to know what is going to happen and I am not looking forward to it one bit and nor is Jon but if the end result is good then that is the way it has to be. I wish I could have recorded the conversation as I am sure we will have forgotten something.
We found our way back to the car park and it just so happened to have a very nice cafe there and it was nearly 11.00!! We had a lovely coffee and a chat and a giggle as the girls thought it was very funny to hear an adult, even though he is a doctor, talking about 'poo' and saying 'fart'!!! When he said it I did not dare look at the girls!!
We then made our way, eventually, as the sat nav would not work, out of Hamilton and onto the Raglan Road. Heather and I have been wanting to visit Raglan and as it is only about 40min from Hamilton thought we would go there for lunch. Raglan is famous for surfing and they hold big championships there. Jon had a call on his mobile on the way to say we have an appointment at Tauranga on Monday about the chemo.
It was a pretty drive over and the town is very small but very sweet and I am sure it must be buzzing with young people in the summer. We found a lovely place to eat and I had the best seafood chowder I have ever had and everyone enjoyed what they had.
We had a look around and bought the obligatory fridge magnet and then set off to see Bridal Veil Falls just 13 km out of the town. We walked down the path for ten minutes and got to the top of the falls which drop 55mtrs to a pool below and so pretty. We then went down to the mid viewing platform and I thought this was the best spot to see them. We carried on to the bottom down all 262 steps and it was so beautiful, shame it wasn't sunny.
We dragged ourselves back to the top after all the photos were taken and got back to the car just as it started to rain. The journey home took a long time as we hit rush hour in Hamilton and Cambridge and the weather over The Kaimai was horrible, wet, windy and foggy. and Jon was tired as he does tire these days.
Fortunately, Totty had not had a wee when we got home and she had been on her own for such a long time, ten hours poor thing. She spent a long time in the garden when I let her out though.
We had a cup of tea and a sit down and watched the news.
I made the dinner and we were all so tired. Everyone has already gone to bed so I had better let Tot out and go myself. The weather is not good outside it is very windy and we have showers which are due to last till after lunch tomorrow.
WEATHER
Some sun but overcast and rain in the afternoon 18 degrees
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