If anyone is reading this, you will have noticed the absence of updates recently. This is because Cate is down for a few days, and I am not seeing Nan daily for the time being. Nan went shopping on her own on Tuesday, and with Cate on Wednesday, and has some new clothes, boots and wallet to show for it. It seems that the chemo has been quite tolerable. So, luckily, has at least one small meal from Meals in a Moment. Nan was having a rest in bed, as she does most days, when I rang earlier today. Will post more tomorrow evening.

Nan is starting on oral chemotherapy this evening: two tablets night and morning for two weeks, then a break for a week, then a blood test and back to the oncologist on Monday June 17. She is planning to go shopping today, and looking forward to Cate's arrival this evening. Please keep emailing her as she really appreciates the  moral support.

It's Monday morning and Nan and I are waiting to see the oncologist again. Last week's tissue samples were inconclusive and today, the hospital is hopefully going to be able to say whether or not the origin of the liver cancer is in the bowel or not, which will have implications for treatment. If anyone has any questions about her progress, I recommend that you contact me rather than Nan. She is not, as they say, a reliable historian.

Nan saw the oncologist at St. Vincent's yesterday and has to go back on Monday morning because the hospital is still doing tests of the liver tissue to find out where the primary cancer is from. It is clear that she has an adenocarcinoma, and the doctors believe it is from the colon. They need to be sure in order to determine Nan's treatment options.

This blog is revitalized because I couldn't work out how to open a new one, and it is my new alternative way of keeping my mother's and my friends aware of what is happening with her cancer journey. Nan was diagnosed with liver cancer two (or was it three?) Fridays ago: since then she has been on a whirlwind of scans and scopes and biopsies and appointments. She was initially and understandably very distressed but is now making the most of all the support she has received from people who love her.
Initially, we reactivated her facebook account, but facebook is not easy because (like many of us) Nan is inclined to open and accept things she didn't mean to. As a result, she doesn't like facebook and does not want me to continue the regular postings of what is happening.
Some people prefer to be rung, or texted, or emailed and to save my own sanity, I am going to ask people to check this blog for updates: it is also important that it is MY version of what is going on. Emailing is definitely Nan's preferred means of communicating: her hearing aids and her erratic sleep patterns make phone calls difficult at times, even when she is thrilled to hear from you. She can explain things to you directly, and if you wish to contact me, or use this blog, please feel free to contact me.
At this very minute, Nan is playing Solitaire on her beloved ipad (which she refers to as her other hand). We are waiting to see the oncologist having been told this morning by the surgical team that hers is an adenocarcinoma.
The doctors are recommending chemotherapy, and Nan is willing, so far, to give this a try. I will post another entry on this blog as soon as the opportunity presents.
We look forward to Cate arriving next week for a week and a half, and to my god-mother's daughter's visit from Brisbane during the middle weekend in June.
Visits are especially appreciated, if SHORT for preference, during the working week, when I am usually unavailable.
Thanks to everyone who has so kindly offered their love and practical help so far.