I have always had scans every 6 weeks, for the last 4 years. There is something reassuring about such frequent scans - at least I know it's not sneaking up on me. The downside is the frequent scaniety. Because of knee and feet pain, this 6 weeks also included a bone scan. So last week I got the result of the bone scan and normal CT scan. CT scan continued to show stable, so I continued with my 10th dose of alimita. The bone scan indicated stress fractures in both feet, and either stress fractures or arthritis in both knees. So my days of power walking 35ks a week are currently on hold but I'm not complaining (well, I actually am a bit), but it's not cancer! Just returned from 5 days in Townsville (where unfortunately I could barely walk). In September husband and I are going to Adelaide for 3 days to check out the wineries. October is a busy month. Have 7 nights in Bali with my sister, then 4 days on the Gold Coast with my daughter and her eldest. Plus the Heathcote Food and Wine Festival. Plus my 30th wedding anniversary (totally unbelievable!) and my birthday. Living with fear, but trying not to live in fear. Gail ... View more

Have just come back from 8 days travelling to and staying at Port Stephens. A really wonderful place. We fished, ate, drank, saw whales, and walked. A lovely place. Back to Melbourne for 6 week scan and 8th round of Alimta. Still stable. So have now booked a river cruise in France for July next year. Fingers crossed..... Gail ... View more

One of my long bucket lists items was a river cruise in Europe. We have previously done river cruises in Russia, Cambodia/Vietnam, and Burma. We are not keen on big cruise liners, but river cruises, with < 150 people are great. We arrived in Nuremberg, via Minich, on 1 June ready to join our cruise the next day. When I contacted the company to find out where boat was docked I was told it wasn't sailing - the floods in Europe had grounded(lol) all river cruises, as they couldn't get u der bridges, and there docking places were islands. So the dream river cruise turned into a coach trip! Definitely not what we planned. But in fairness the company we were travelling with did a great job of substituting accommodation and excursions. 7 days later we arrived in Budapest, where we had arranged for 4 family members from Ireland to meet us. Had a ball. Then on to Prague for 3 nights - my favourite place ever, and home to Australia via Dubai for 2 nights. Arrived home Tuesday morning at 5.30, and 2 days later I am at Peter Mac having chemo. Current chemo, alimta, is the easiest to take of the 5 lines of treatment so far. No side effects, and schedule is flexible enough to accommodate holidays. I have 4 more booked this year, all within Australia, and am researching another river cruise for next June. Advised dr this morning that he needs to keep me going at least that long! Gail ... View more