Third Chemo Session

It is three weeks since my second chemo session, and hence I had my third session of chemotherapy yesterday (Thursday, 5 September).

The 3-week cycle started with our last Shabbat dinner with Romy, Leon, Dash and Lulu before their return to New York. Fortunately, I generally feel well for the two days following chemo, so we all enjoyed a lovely night and had an early celebration of Dash’s 7^th Birthday, which fell only a few days after they arrived in New York. 

At the start of the evening, Harry and I were invited to sit on the couch, and the kids played us an incredibly moving and uplifting version of what they called “Nanenian Rhapsody” – a take on Freddy Mercury’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. All the words were composed by Romy, and it was sung by Leon, Gary, Brad and the grandchildren. I think I can say (from a completely unbiased point of view, of course) that it was absolutely brilliant! Unfortunately, I am unable to download it here for some reason, but if anyone would like to see it, please let me know and I can WhatsApp it to you.

Watching Nanenian Rhapsody

Thankfully, I was still feeling quite good on Saturday, so Harry and I could spend time with Phil and Judy. Judy and I went for a short walk around the Spring Road Park in the gorgeous sunshine, as well as spending some very enjoyable time chatting on the couch.

Unfortunately I did not feel great for the next 4-5 days. This was the same pattern after my first chemo – so it is quite likely to be similar for the remaining ones. However, one can always hope…and I am doing everything I can to improve the situation. I am exercising as much as I can when I am up to it. I am also very fortunate to have been (randomly) selected for an exercise intervention trial for Ovarian cancer, and they set me a weekly program. Part of the program is walking regularly; and as I have mentioned previously, I am loving walking through the Royal Botanic Gardens…and do this most days that I am feeling up to it. The route changes daily, depending on how I am feeling. Being spring, I am constantly overwhelmed by the beauty of my surroundings.
I am also seeing a ‘wellness therapist’, which I am finding very helpful. In broad terms, she is teaching me strategies to generate endorphins and to expand and maintain the feelings they stimulate. She has given me some strategies for improving how I feel in the 4-5 days post chemo, and I am hopeful that they will prove very effective in the coming days.

Leon left at the start of the following week – and Romy, Dash and Lulu left together with Becky (who went to help on the flight and with the settling in process) at the end of the week. As you can imagine, it was very emotional saying goodbye. Thank goodness for FaceTime! Fortunately, they seem to be settling well into New York. They are living across the road from Madison Square Park, and the weather is beautiful so they are spending a lot of time there. At 10 months of age, Lulu has never crawled around on grass, and is loving it!

Dash is finding New York very exciting, and seems to be having a ball. He is loving having his uncle Josh and cousins Michael, Vic and Reuvi living there, and has made special friends with some of the Little Collins staff. He even went to see the Broadway production of "Moulin Rouge" with his Aunty Becky - a special birthday treat for both of them. Of course, Leon and Romy are very busy with work and setting up their new home, but it should soon be much easier for them residing in the one country and not having the constant commutes.

Dash & Lulu with
cousin Michael Goldstein

Dash, Rom, Lulu, Leon, Josh, Vic, Beck, & Reuvi

I was thrilled to be well enough last Friday to attend Edie’s kinder for a ‘grandparents' Shabbat’. Alan and Irene (Brad’s parents) came down from Sydney to help Brad look after the kids whilst Becky was in New York, so it was perfect that they were also able to go to this very special morning, together with Harry, me and Mum.

Edie, Abby &
cousin David Goldstein

We all had dinner together at our place on Friday night, and Abby and Edie slept over. Harry’s cousin David came from Sydney as he was speaking at a dinner on Friday night – so we were thrilled to be able to spend the day together with him on Saturday. We went with him and the girls to breakfast, and after spending some time at home relaxing and catching up, we went for a stunning walk in the gardens.

Sunday was Fathers’ Day, and we went to Edna and Gary’s for lunch, together with Mum, Brad, Arlo, Edie and Alan & Irene. Edna prepared a delicious lunch – and it was great to be together.

I have been feeling almost completely normal for the past 2 weeks – except for the fact that I tire more easily. So, I am back to my almost normal Pilates and walking routine – and have also included some additional strength exercises. I arrived at my Chemo session yesterday feeling very good. Two days earlier at my review appointment, I received the very exciting news that my cancer markers (CA125) had dropped from 863 to 268! All I could think of was ‘bring on the chemo!!’.

We had an early start on Thursday morning, and travelled in by tram - with a mask at the ready in case we heard any cough or sniffle! I started with the usual weigh in, and was pleased that I am still maintaining my weight. I then took up residence in my home for the day – a very comfortable adjustable lounge chair. My poor, darling, long suffering Harry sat in a very basic chair for the whole day. The only time he left was to refill my cup of ice which I sucked on constantly all day. He said he didn’t want to leave me, but next time I am going to insist that he take a break and walk around the block or at the very least go for a coffee! At the same time, I couldn’t be more grateful to have him there. He attended to my every need, helping me rearrange my blankets, taking me to the toilet (I am very wobbly on my feet when the ice cap has been running), getting me drinks or whatever I needed.


Edna, Gary, Abby and Josh had prepared 2 clever pages of loving messages which used various chocolate bars to fill in the words. Their message put a big smile on our faces every time we read it.

Unfortunately, we had a very late start to the chemotherapy yesterday, which made it a very long day. They had a lot of trouble with the ice cap machine to the correct temperature – and the engineers had to be called 4 times. The cap was fitted at the normal time and the machine was turned on - so my head was cold...but not cold enough!
Eventually they managed to find the problem, and I started my chemo at around 1 pm. Fortunately, I had a wonderful distraction at 11.30 when a volunteer massage therapist came to give me a foot massage. It was heavenly, snuggled up under my cosy electric throw and my heart warming ‘photo throw’ (the ice was running through the cap the entire time…it just wasn’t cold enough for the chemo) and having a magnificent foot massage…the best I have ever had!

The chemo passed without incident. At 5pm they moved us to the ‘late night ward’ where we stayed until just after 6.30, when I had finally finished and we could pack up and go home.

It was a long day; we were both tired but happy it had passed quite smoothly – and happy to have the chemo, which is obviously doing its work! I was originally scheduled to have surgery after the fourth cycle of chemo, but in view of my progress, and subject to a CT Scan next week, I may be having surgery at the start of October, and then 3 more rounds of chemo after that! I am so grateful that the chemo is working so well, and that it has been so manageable. “The best way out is always through”, and that process seems to be going very well. As always, thanks to all of you for your constant messages and outpouring of love and care. We cannot begin to thank you enough. You light up our days and make our journey so much easier.

Much love. Robyn