Preparation is Key
Nearly four weeks have now passed by since we first touched down in Perth, and each week has felt like a month. Individual days, on the other hand, pass by in a blur — clusters of tightly-packed activities and tasks, followed by long stretches of down time. It is increasingly difficult to summarise the reality we’ve been inhabiting, but I shall do my best.
After the initial jetlag had passed, we began to catch up with friends and family. Coffee catch-ups, long walks and game nights peppered our day-to-day experience, and we have been blown away by the love and support that has welcomed us back into our lives in Perth. I think the most beautiful reunion of all was going to see Sabre and his foster family — we got him his favourite squeaky cow toy, and laughed as he gambolled about before settling down to work on pulling all the stuffing out of the poor plushie. He seemed so comfortable and happy, and seeing his simple contentment warmed our hearts. Long days have been spent at the beach, soaking up the sun and sand that were sorely missed in the cold of Germany. We went to see a comedy show at the Perth Fringe Festival, and have rediscovered the bush trails near our home. In short, we have been making the most of our days and nights as we wait for what is to come.
The cancer question has been lurking in the background, sitting behind and underneath the fabric of our daily lives and — though we are loath to give it any power — we have determined to meet the reality of our situation as squarely and forthrightly as possible. To this end, Alessandra has embarked on a research project admirable in both scope and depth, looking into the best available treatment approaches and investigating lifestyle recommendations that may aid us on the path ahead. I had an appointment with my GP to talk through things, and received referrals to an ophthalmologist specialising in uveal melanoma for additional consultation; and to a fertility clinic, to guard against the possibility of post-treatment fertility issues. We met with the oncology team at my hospital, too, and they arranged the necessary tests to confirm whether we are dealing with a metastasis or not.
For the tests, I attended a radiology clinic for a liver MRI, and spent a day in the hospital day clinic for a liver biopsy. That was a strange experience — I was prepped for surgery right there in the day ward, laying on a bed with a thin curtain separating me from the other beds, a half dozen doctors all crammed in around me as they applied the local anaesthetic. A thin, hollow needle was inserted into the liver while I looked on, my hospital gown mercifully sparing the view as they punched out several samples. The discomfort was like a bad stitch, making it hard to breathe and radiating a deep ache that went up a path of nerves up from the liver and into the tip of my right shoulder. It was over in fifteen minutes, and I lay in intense discomfort for some time afterwards, Alessandra by my side. When the discomfort continued, I was wheeled down to have an urgent scan to check for potential bleeding, but it came back negative, and the discomfort melted away shortly after. They needed to monitor me for six hours following the biopsy, so the rest of the day was spent right there on the hospital bed, reading my book through the warm, honeyed haze of strong painkillers.
I was NOT in the mood for a picture
It would still be one week until the results were in, and we decided to use the time well, planning a getaway down south to the pristine beaches of Dunsborough and the lush forests of Margaret River. I will cover our week away in a separate post soon — as well as the results of the tests and what comes next. For now, let’s figure out what we’ve taken away from our first month back in Oz.
It’s never clearer just how much people love you than when things get difficult.
When you’re in a dark place, it’s important to let in as much light as possible. See people you love. Do things you enjoy. Don’t let a bad thing get worse by withdrawing from The Good.
If something scary confronts you, face it and gather information proactively — don’t look away and pretend it’s not there. Research, discuss, prepare. You may find things that frighten you in the process, but it beats being afraid and ignorant and unprepared.
A generalisation of #2: No matter your situation, make the most of the time you have. It’s all precious.
