X-ray looks normal

Back from a check-up at RPA. Just an x-ray this time, rather than a ct scan. A ct scan would provide a detailed look at whether the tumor had grown, shrunk or stayed the same but has a high cost in terms of large radiation exposure. A simple x-ray, with much lower radiation levels, can be used intermittently to check whether obvious significant growth has occurred.

The oncologist took a quick look at the image and pronounced that it “looks like a normal x-ray”. The cancer was not detectable in an x-ray prior to my diagnosis in December, but the fact that it still remains undetectable is certainly good news. At the very least it indicates that the disease has not spread or grown in the lung to the extent that it would be detectable and we can hope that the situation is even a little better than that. More will be revealed in the next check-up in October when another ct scan will be performed.

I had my blood checked by my GP a couple of weeks ago and all indicators, including liver, kidneys, inflammation markers and nutrient levels looked good, except that hemoglobin was a bit low. Consequently I have added an iron supplement to my supplement intake.

Also of note is that my blood pressure has been quite low and we have decided to move to a lower dose of my blood pressure medication (irbesartan), moving from 300mg daily to 150mg daily. This to be evaluated over the next month.

Weight today was 68 kg and a bit. Maybe a couple of kilos down from where it has been recently at around 70kg .

APEC fence

In these times of climate change, Spring brings strange new migratory species to our land.

Pictured here is a recently erected fence here at Darling Harbour. I got quite a shock when I stepped out yesterday to find this ugly structure enclosing the Convention Centre. I had heard on the news about the much longer fence that has been erected elsewhere in the city and other inconveniences that are to be imposed upon the citizenry for APEC Australia 2007, but the activities in Darling Harbour had not been mentioned.

Judging by the height of the fence, the species to be contained within are very, very important indeed.

This too shall pass. I only hope that it does not leave a legacy such as that left by the Olympic Games in 2000. I had previously had the company of a magpie that had made a nest in the tree directly outside my fourth floor flat and had enjoyed its song each morning. Unfortunately, during the games there were enormous buses, provided for the press, idling constantly in the street outside late into the night. After the games were over and the buses departed, the magpie was no longer there. Soon after, a pedestrian crossing that had been provided in my street for the journalists was removed one evening at about 9 p.m.

It must be spring

Today I ventured out in my summer sandals and t-shirt as socks and shoes just felt too hot. This being the first time being so attired since the beginning of winter. I also took a light jacket but this proved to be entirely unnecessary. It was so warm, I only wish I had worn shorts instead of trousers.

By these self defined criteria I hereby mark the first day of spring for the coming season.

Recent flicks

I have been home now for some weeks from The Gawler Foundation and more-or-less following a routine focused on meditation and eating fresh organic produce at home as much as possible. In this state of intense domestic focus I have found it convenient and pleasantly diverting to go to the cinema much more frequently than I have otherwise in recent times.

I like to get out for a film in the mid or late afternoon so that I can get back home to prepare my evening meal not much later than usual.

And so, in these post-Gawler weeks I have been out to see these films:

• Lucky Miles
• Amazing Grace
• Romulus, My Father
  
• Shut Up and Sing
• La Vie en Rose
• This is England

Of these, I most enjoyed Lucky Miles, La Vie en Rose, Amazing Grace, and Shut Up and Sing. The other two are perhaps excellent examples of cinemagraphic art but a little more difficult to sit through in their own respective ways. Romulus is a fine study of people and places but is rather bleak and otherwise distressing at times, This is England is a look at a sick and violent, racist sub-culture and is of necessity unpleasant to watch in many ways. Not to say that the other films did not also portray some of the darker aspects of society but they nevertheless remained more enjoyable and pleasantly engaging and uplifting for me.

The Gawler Foundation

It is now a good three weeks since I returned my retreat on the Life and Living 10 day residential program for people affected by cancer at the The Gawler Foundation. I have been keen to record some of my experience in this blog but much diverted by, among several matters, the day-to-day business of enacting its precepts. (photo right: main entrance to the centre’s building complex)

The whole thing started somewhat precariously. On the day of departure, Monday the 9th July, I slept in and would certainly have missed my flight had it not been for the unprompted intervention of a friend. Although I had the alarm on my mobile phone set, I apparently slept through it completely and soundly. I had intended to allow a generous amount of time to get ready and make my way to the airport on the train. I was woken by the phone with sufficient time for me to spend 30 minutes to throw things together and be ready to be chauffeured to the airport. A very shaky start to my adventure but all was well.