The first post!

As many of you will be aware, I have spent most of the last 2 weeks having tests and scans in an endeavour to find the source of my cancer. I had presented to my GP (my darling husband Harry) with a bloated tummy – which turned out to be full of fluid (ascites), a sign that I had cancer somewhere in my body. My very capable and caring physician, Robert Lefkovits, managed the workup, until we finally discovered that it is an ovarian tumour that has spread to the lining of my abdomen (the peritoneum). It is classified as stage 3 ovarian cancer. Fortunately there has been no spread to any other organs.

Our cousin David Goldstein from Sydney, who many of you know is an experienced oncologist, advised that the best team we could have working with us is Oncologist Dr. Linda Mileshkin and Surgeon Prof. Orla McNally. I was very fortunate to have met with them without delay. They are all I could hope for….empathic, but matter of fact. I never feel like I am rushed with them – and I am confident that they are fully on top of my condition and I have absolute faith in whatever it is they decide for me.

After consultation and discussion between themselves, it has been decided to start me on 4 sessions of chemotherapy (each over a 3 week cycle), then surgery, and finally a further 2-3 cycles of chemotherapy. The chemo does potentially have side effects such as nausea, tiredness, mouth ulcers,  peripheral neuropathy (numbness in feet and hands) etc – but this varies from patient to patient. Generally speaking, they find that the fitter you are the less side effects you are likely to experience, so I am hopeful that my Pilates and walking (which I hope to continue over the treatment period) will stand me in good stead. The other side effect is hair loss. I have decided to take up the option of trying a treatment they offer of an ice cap – which you wear through the chemo and for 1 & 1/2 hours after treatment (so basically for the whole day). Apparently this helps with reducing or stopping hair loss in 50% of cases, so I figure it’s worth a try. I will also be sucking on ice throughout my chemo in an endeavour to prevent mouth ulcers.

If I suffer the side effects, apparently I am likely to start feeling fluey towards the end of the first week, feel lousy in the 2nd week and start to improve in the 3rd week….only to start again on week 4.

Our amazing children, Gary and Edna, Leon and Romy and Beck and Brad have been our absolute rocks over the past weeks. No parent could ask for more loving, caring, thoughtful, helpful children! They have been there for us every step of the way (it has even been handy having Leon in New York! It means that I have someone to talk to if I need to in the middle of the night).


Our beautiful grandchildren (Abby, Joshy, Arlo, Edie, Dash and Lulu) know that I am unwell and that I probably won’t have as much energy as usual and might feel unwell over the coming months. They are asking various questions as they come to mind, and we are answering them in the most age appropriate manner possible. They have taken the news well….and after digesting it in manageable portions often then ask other questions as they come to mind. One grandson was very concerned about what would happen after surgery if I wanted to have more children!

 













My nearly 93 year old inspirational Mum, Helen, has like all of us been shocked by the news; but her ability to maintain a positive attitude (in no small part thanks to the love and encouragement of my darling sister Netti) has been of great comfort. 


My first chemotherapy session is scheduled for Monday, 22nd July. Harry will be coming with me and spending the day with me…and our gorgeous daughter Becky, who fortunately has the day off on Monday, is also coming in for part of the day. All my treatment will be at Peter Mac, apart from the surgery, which will be at the Womens’ Hospital. I cannot believe what a magnificent building Peter Mac is…if you have to go through cancer treatment you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful environment to do it in. Our experience there so far has been exceptional in terms efficiency and professionalism of staff…(long may it continue!).

I want to thank all of you who have contacted us over the past 2 weeks or so. I cannot explain how much all your words of love and support have meant to us…they have buoyed us and given us a strength we didn’t know we had. It is so humbling to realise that so many people care about you.

As you can imagine, we will be totally preoccupied with getting through this coming tough period in the easiest manner possible, and will probably struggle to respond to messages and phone calls, while focussing on getting through each stage. So to keep everyone informed of my progress from time to time we have set up this blog. If you want to send a message, feel free to do so on the blog – or you may just prefer to keep up with reading what’s going on. Please don’t feel any compulsion to do so…it could well be like watching grass grow. But there are some who are keen to know what’s happening every step of the way, and this is a way for us to let all of you know what’s going on at the same time. 

Likewise, if you’re more comfortable sending an SMS, feel free to do so. But please understand that we will be reading everything and appreciating every single word of encouragement (or humour). However, over the coming weeks we are unlikely to respond. Finally, there is absolutely no need to feel you have to message at all….we know from all the messages and calls we have received to date how much you all care.

As I’ve already mentioned, chemo starts at 9.45 on Monday morning. I have to take high doses of cortisone starting the night before and then again on the morning of treatment – as well as various other medications to help prevent side effects. Then it’s off to Peter Mac for a whole new life experience! Updates to follow…..

All my love, Robyn xx