31st December

Just back from appointment with Haemotologist this morning. Results of the PET scan look pretty good, although masked slightly by my blood sugar level at the time apparently. Fasting as a diabetic is always a bit tricky, and one tends to play it by erring on the side of caution. I'm surprised they didn't give specific instructions on required blood sugar limit. What they can see on the PET scan seems to be consistent with cancer cells that have been treated, rather than new activity. YAY!

The biopsy results (so far) look good with more yet to come through. Dr Berkahn seems cautiously optimistic that all is fine. Next appointment is 3 months away.

Today, we're off up to Algies Bay with Ross & Annette for a couple of days which will be nice.

A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: 'We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods.' The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, 'I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!'

Cheers
Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz

18 - 22nd December

Oops! I mean't to update again after the biopsy on the 18th but kept remembering to do so only at times when I didn't have ready access to a computer. DOH!

The biopsoy was 'CT guided' which mean't that while they went digging around my right tibia with their 100mm x 12 guage needles they could run me in and out of the CT scanner to check exact position of the needle tip. The Pathologist (same one who had done my biopsies earlier in the year and told me he was well up to speed on my case) was also present so he could request exactly what he wanted as the Dr went about the procedure. I had adequate pain relief to curb the 'discomfort' but I was still very much awake and aware and invloved during it all.

I brought the images from the PET scan back from Sydney on a CD which I gave to the ADHB. Couldn't resist having a look at them on the home PC first though! Surprisingly enough, there was a viewer utility on the disc so I could see these weird fairly transparent hologram-type images of MY body. Freaky! Without knowing how to read the images, I have no idea how to interpret them, but it was pretty strange all the same. My next appointment is on 31st of December. I guess I'll get their analysis and feedback at that stage.

Work is almost finished for the year (yay!) with the final day tomorrow. Christmas is almost on us, but this year we're not going away so it feels a lot less hectic and pressured.

Why do they make scented toilet paper?

Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?

Why do they report power outages on TV?

Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?

Cheers
Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz

Glowing in the Dark? - 17th December

Hi again,

This is being written in the Koru lounge at Sydney Airport. God Bless the ADHB, we have a Business Class ride back to Auckland in a couple of hours (seat 1A and 1B no less!). The check-in guy rightly pointed out that "any further forward, and you'd be having to fly the plane yourself!"

The PET scan went perfectly well as far as I can tell. I even have a souvenir CD of the images (I think it is actually for the Drs back in Auckland). It was pretty much like having a CT scan, other than the radiactive stuff injected an hour before the scan.

We stayed just along the road from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, so everything was very straightforward regarding getting to and from. Yesterday, once we were checked into the hotel, we caught a local bus into the CBD (only 3km) and had a bit of a wander around some shops - including the lovely old Queen Victoria Building shopping 'mall'. Then we jumped onto the monorail and went down to Darling Harbour. Had some dinner. Hoped onto the monorail again for another lap and took in the sights. Back to the hotel and a reasonable sleep in preparation for today. Nil per mouth for me in preperation for scan.

Had a classic Sydney taxi driver for the trip back to the airport. He was a classic bush politician, know-it-all, brash character who was good fun. The Koru lounge was a very pleasant surprise for us, and a very welcome one (says Jeanette!).

We arrive home tonight at 11:30 NZ time, and I have the CT-guided leg biopsy tomorrow at 1:00 in the afternoon (after another pre-treatment fast - always interesting in terms of managing my diabetes!).

Apparently once the results of the biopsy plus the PET scan are collated, the information picture will be very complete. It sounds as though there is still some question as to whether what was seen on the last MRI was indeed cancer cells, or residual damaged cells left over or maybe evidence of infection. It will be good to get the definitive answer so they know what treatment is appropriate.

Thanks again for your interest and support and prayers etc

Cheers
Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz

Saturday 13th December: PET scan and Biopsy

After a fairly deafening silence of a couple of weeks, it seems like things are moving forward again. Looks like we have to go to Sydney on Tuesday afternoon, back Wednesday night, for the PET scan. (Times and flight details still to be confirmed). Then on Thursday morning, I'll have a further biopsy (this time just the needle version) on the area around the right tibia. Hopefully this will give everyone a better idea of things and how best to respond.

The building cresendo of Christmas is certainly gaining momentum around town. I've been pretty busy work-wise and having time out during next week is going to take a chunk out of a busy week. Never mind, all for a good cause!

We're a bit up in the air as to how the holiday time will pan out this year. First year in absolutely ages that we won't be away on the water. I may well have daily short blasts of radiotherapy on the leg during that time. Just not sure as yet. Might be a 'stay-cation' as they now are calling it.

Why is the third hand on the watch called a second hand? --Steven Wright

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why is the word dictionary in the dictionary?

Why is your index finger the same size as your nostrils?

More news as it comes to hand...

Cheers
Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz

Tuesday 2nd December

Decided to update the photo again to save people getting confused and looking for the chrome domed bald guy any more! Back to pretty much where I started in the cranial upholstery department, although a little bit more grey than I remembered!

No more medically significant news to report at this stage. Still waiting for firm appointment times from hospital. Sounds like they may want to do a needle biopsy on the tissue around the top of the right tibia. PET scan sounds likely, and possibly can be done in Wellington.

We're all doing very well, despite the feeling of the gathering rush that accompanies this time of the year. Our granddaughter Hannah turns 3yrs old on the 8th of December. Wow!

For those who insist on more one-liners...

If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

If all the world is a stage, where are the audience sitting?

If an orange is orange, why isn't a lime called a green, and a lemon called a yellow?

Cheers
Bruce
bbremner@ihug.co.nz