Thanks Sangeeta, that was really helpful.
I have kept both our boys teachers informed every step of the way and as ours is a relatively small school, most of the other staff are aware of our situation too.
The school is a 'safe' place for me and the boys. I have spent a lot of time there over the last 3 years with my involvement with the P & C Assoc. so am well-known amongst the staff (for good reasons!) and most of the students know who I am as well as I often speak at assemblies. I have seen our school chaplain a few times earlier on in the journey, but not so much of late. We have discussed her speaking with the boys individually just to let them know they have someone they can talk to, but it hasn't happened yet.
When I first started telling other mums of hubby's diagnosis and got the usual 'If there's anything I can do to help' speech, I made a 'register' with columns for name/phone number/mobile/days not available and asked them to complete it. I had (or could have got) most of their numbers but thought by having them complete it, 1, it meant they did the work and not me! and 2, showed them I was taking their offer seriously. I haven't had to call on any of them for help too many times so far, hubby has a 'port' fitted so the first day of treatment was always a 6-7 hr day which would mean I may need someone to take and collect the boys from school, We've had the odd oncologist appt that has been outside of school hours but fortunately most of them have been middle of the day sort of timing which hasn't interfered with the boys schedules.
We spent 6 days on the Gold Coast prior to hubby starting treatment as we weren't sure how his mobility/energy would be once it got started. We're from WA so it's not a short trip for us! We really did enjoy it (well I mostly did, I guess I was acutely aware of why we were doing the trip and that took a little of the shine off it at times for me).
We have been fortunate that hubby has coped with the chemo fairly well all things considered. His first 3 cycles he had a very tender mouth and his tongue would swell up, I mean really swell up, which would make talking/eating etc very difficult. Luckily we have a friend who is a dentist who was able to suggest another product to the one our oncologist had suggested and it was much more effective in providing relief. Tinnitus is the biggest issue in terms of side effects now, he has completed his 6 chemo cycles, obviously his energy levels are low but he LOOKS normal. He always has looked normal, to look at him you would not know there is anything wrong. I sometimes think it is causing great confusion to our boys that Daddy looks just the same and yet he isn't the same.
It is so hard to fathom as an adult, so it can't be easy for our children. I am grateful that he is so 'well' and grateful that our boys don't have to see him disappearing before their eyes,......but I have to wonder, What will the future hold?
Strength and courage to you all.
