Preparation almost complete...

Today was CT Scan day.  Yes, I did remember to fast today. This CT scan was to compare the first scan after diagnosis with post Radio and Chemo and to see what has changed. 

The scan also provides the best insight into what the surgeon will be facing once he goes in.  This morning I was thinking a simple scan, with the dye injected and away we go. Nup. It was half an hour drinking a litre of milky revolting stuff to make the dye work well. What a shocker. It is what it is and it os now done...as they say, one day at a time. I am really ready to get on with this op, as much as I am shitting myself about it all. 

This afternoon I was helping tidy up from last nights function but I felt so compelled to get up to the farm. The farm is like a magnet, I just get this overwhelming feeling to get up there, and given I am on sick leave, that is exactly what I have done tonight. I have left Sylv stressing about tomorrow night...sorry mate, I'll be there on the night. 

My frustration with being crook is definately breaking through. I feel pretty damn good right now and the whole thought of in one week's time being so very crook is something that seems weird. 

I have really stepped up my mental preparation. Given there is nothing I will be able to control in terms of the operation, and the way my body deals with that, the only thing I can control is my mind. So that is where my focus has been. To be mentally prepared, as well as physically fit as possible given the conditions I am working with. 

I had another hour with Janine (head Doctor) tonight, and then Teressa called...both have been so good to chat to, and I am feeling like I will deal with things ok!  I will have to overcome some life long phobia's next week. To get some perspective, I can't even go to the dentist without mild panic attacks, hot flushes and anxiety. Anything around the face I find really tough. After the operation I will have massive intrusion to my face...mmmm. From memory 7 tubes and drains, including feeding tubes through my nose, oxygen mask of course and I can't swallow anything for 5 days!!! Not even the water from ice. 

I did confess I can't guarantee I wouldn't pull the feeding tube out. Now that proved to be a very dumb thing to say. The Doc made some notes and said they may need to stitch it in!! I went into major backtracking with my comments and promised to be good, just the thought of that.

Real estate will be easy after I get through this lot. 

Weight is coming up nicely and fitness feels like I am improving after being smashed with the Radio and Chemo treatments. 

I have an appreciation now why the nurses and Doctors have that "look" when you are first told you have cancer...it is a tough road. The thing that sticks in my mind after all this time is the sheer numbers of people who are all around us that are sick, and how many people have got cancer or have had it. No one seems to talk about this when you are well, or perhaps we just zone out to it. 

Last night was amazing. Craig James, Chief Economist for CommSec came out to our home at Kensington House and we recorded a FiresideChat on Toop.TV and then he stayed for cocktails with some of our largest clients in Property Management. We have clients with 20 and 30 residential properties, and you wouldn't know it even if you fell over them in the street....amazing people. Craig was at his best, he is an awesome speaker, and thanks to both Craig and the Commonwealth Bank for organizing our private function  presentation.

Tomorrow night is our Toop Awards, so don't expect a Blog, it will be busy and late. No accident we are doing it tomorrow night, having treatment for cancer and running a business takes some co-ordinations and all credit to Sylvia for an amazing job, and with Suz and Gen.

One really great thing about being busy at this time, there is less opportunity to feel sorry for myself and time just flys. Isn't it awesome to love what you do, and it is fair to say, I do really enjoy real estate and all our people. We have over a third of our team with 10 years plus service, these people really are like family.

Well that's about it for tonight. Remember, no blog tomorrow, and I will get some more jokes up hopefully for this weekend on Sunday night.

Anthony