Zane's Cancer Dairy
19 February 2015Hi all
Today I have attached below: Zane's own Cancer Diary that he is writing which gives you all a real personal insight into exactly what is going on with his daily routine & treatments.
I am excited to share the new givealittle donations for Zane this morning have reached $3,256 which is absolutely fantastic - thank you all....please keep sharing his page. x
Zane's Cancer Diary February 2015
Tongue & Tonsil Cancer
ChemoRadiation
January 2015
Wednesday 11th Feb
Normal Routine – Out of bed, change the PEG Dressings, Shower Shave Shampoo, Flush Peg
Smoothie with Banana Milk and Yoghurt no taste and very hard to swallow.
Radiation Treatment and visit with Registrar (Trainee Radiation Oncologist).
Still no mouth sores as yet. PEG in good shape.
Very Very sore Throat. Could be painful maybe.
Prescribed Morphine
Managed to get about half a tin of Spaghetti with cheese added plus a poached egg down for tea. Plus a Fortisip. Takes about 30 minutes to get down and is obviously quite cold towards the end.
Having being taking Gelclair which I reckon is really good.
Thursday 12th Feb
Fortisip for Breakfast, No kidding!!!
Did a bit of work work and Tony picked me up to go to Northlands Malls.
Tony took me to show me his homestead when he was 15 years old, the start of Northend Hotels LoL
Tony’s First Hotel
A little bit of shopping and purchased a decent slow cooker.
Lunch in the Mall mine consisting of a Mac’s Lime Milkshake; lovely, with Tony enjoying a hot Pork Sandwich and a Coke,
Groceries from Pak N Save which Tony kindly carried for me, back to unit to drop everything off and then Tony dropped me at Hospital for treatment.
Many Thanks Tony. I sincerely appreciate your ongoing support
Had an unexpected visitor in Nona, my dear friend Sonya’s sister who was heading to the opening of the World Cup and Fireworks display. A really good old conversation and discussed the ways of the world and I thoroughly enjoyed her company. Thanks Nona
Fortisip for tea and I cooked some Salmon, Mashed Spud and Pureed Carrot and Parsnip.
Salmon a bit overcooked which made it a bit hard to swallow.Even smothered with Hollandaise Sauce there is no taste and it takes an eternity to eat.
I have had 180 Fortisips delivered to my room and my dietician wants me to have at least 6-8 per day…..!@#$%ing walking Milkshake machine….You reckon!!!!
The Lovely Sonya and Piet
Friday 13th Feb
You wouldn’t believe it !!!!!! Yes right the first time. Another Fortisip for Brekky. Early Treatment and on the shuttle at 0830.
Quite a fright during treatment. You must remain perfectly still during treatment as otherwise you may get a zap in the wrong place and that would be no good for Jo Jo!!!!
With it getting harder to swallow and even a little struggle to get my mouth piece in, it is getting a little scary. You hear the machine moving around you and you know when it is going to “fire”. You try timing your swallows in between.
Right near the end I was having extreme trouble and started gagging just as they finished. They only just got the mask of in time and I was dry reaching. Very Very Scary believe me…..no exaggeration or dramatization intended.
Craig, my Manger and Murray Straight, work Colleague called around for a visit and Craig, God bless his soul brought me around a media player full of movies and set them up for me. A good chin wag and they took me up to Northend Super Centa and back.
Craig, many thanks, you know how much I appreciate your support. Muzz thanks for your time and ongoing support…..and don’t forget that good Catholic prayer!!!!!
Craig Denny – My Manager
Spent most of the afternoon doing some Work Work
Made some Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup for tea loaded with cream, chicken stock, and Paprika.
Not nice so another you know what. Yep right again!!!!!!!
Very tired as I wake up early and don’t get back to sleep.
Went down to the Communal room where there is Sky to watch my beloved Crusaders. The outcome was not good.
Billy Guyton Waimea Legend was on the bench but should have been playing.
Billy G had rung today to offer me a ticket but it is best that I stay home unfortunately.
Thanks Billy appreciated.
One dimensional play by Mitchell Drummond isn’t going to win games.
Back to room and reluctantly taking my first dose of Morph (5mls)
Have been worried about this but throat is getting out of control.
Up during the night as usual, saltwater gargle and now spitting a lot, heavy mucous.
Took some more morph and seem to be OK but mouth still sore sore
Saturday 14th
Out of bed around 0830 showered and duties done, Fortisip and walked up to Merivale to Mackas.
Ordered Pancakes extra butter Maple syrup and a Mango Pineapple smoothie.
Taste was terrible Managed to get down about 1½ Pancakes and half the Smoothie.
Waste of Money!!!.
Bought a few Groceries and walked back to the Unit.
Good to go for a walk as my exercise is basically nil.
Washing completed and watched a little bit of Cricket.
Lunch – Caramel Milkshake with yoghurt
Looking forward to chill laxing.
Lovely little Nana Nap.
Phone call from my old mate Chalkie and also spoke to his Dad John a top man……..John not Chalkie…..just kidding mate.
Had some tea, half a tin of Pumpkin soup, and managed to get a whole packet of Two Minute
Noodles down…Who!!!!!!! Fortisip think I might be eating too much.
Wastched MC and then end of Chiefs game. Missed seeing J.Lo’ (James Lowe) Waimea Legend
score opening try
Skin starting to get a bit burnt, so put on special Cream.
Sunday 15th Feb
Sleep in after taking some more Morph. Very hard to swallow still and quite sore.
Brekky…u know wat
Had a visit from my old Ecolab Colleague and genuine good guy Wybe de Jong and his lovely wife Linda. Wybe hired me when I was employed me by Ecolab and has always been a true friend, taught me heaps and we both enjoyed the social life.Thoroughly enjoyed catching up with them both and chewing the fat.Thanks Wybe/Linda. Sincerely appreciate your support. Wybe you are a good bastard!!!!
Lunch consisting of Caramel milkshake and yoghurt and managed to soak a couple of tablespoons of Nutri Grain in some milk and get it down me.
!@@#$ the low flying duck I could eat a horse and its back legs. I could murder a Roast!!!!!!
Going to kick back and watch some of Craig’s Movies.
Watched “Walk Amongst the Tombstones” and Fight Club which I thought was a bit different.
Attempted two Scrambled Eggs with Parsley for Tea but only got about one egg down even after taking the Xylocaine to numb the mouth.Made an Iced Coffee which was not too bad. Bitter but at least I got it down which means a few more calories.
Throat very sore and will be talking to Dr. tomorrow.
Monday 16th.
Fortisip for Brekky by mouth. I have had to succumb unfortunately and have my first Fortisip down the PEG with the assistance of the syringe to push it through. Definitely no way theres a Rib –Eye going down here.
Have been taking Paracetomol and Morph Regularly but throat not responding.
Bit of Work Work this Morning with treatment and bloods this afternoon plus appointment with my Medical Oncologist (Chemo)
Headed off to Merivale Mall to meet up with Elise.
Elise is the wife of Jamie and mother of Jens the little lad that I met three years ago when getting my prostate Treatment.
Jens was Four years old at the time and was undergoing all sorts of treatment for adrenal Cancer including Stem Cell Replacement Radiation and Chemo.
Compared to what I am going through now, which is getting tougher, this guy and his family have been to Hell and back on more many an occasion.
Craig my manager who is a good friend of Daniel Carter arranged a visit for the little guy which at the time lifted his spirits no end.
Had a wonderful catch up along with Elise’s Mum Linda and her new son Lars.
Elise shouted the Iced Chocolate.
I found it quite emotional as I regard Jens as an absolute inspiration and if he can get through want he went through I am sure I can.
Hugs and Kisses when we departed and Elise presented me with a $50.00 Fresh Choice Grocery Voucher which again was overwhelming.
Elise you are an amazing person and I know what you have been through.
Thank you for the gift card. Truly appreciated with reluctance
Back to Daffodil to prepare for treatment including upping my dose of Morph to 7.5ml
Bloods first, Appointment with Kate my Medical Oncologist who prescribed a laxative to get them good old Bowels moving.
Treatment on Radiation Machine which I was dreading after!@$&in near choking on Friday.
Warned the staff who were all ready to go if it happened.
It went without a hitch and I didn’t swallow once for some reason. I was wrapped, with high Fives all round with the treatment team.
For Tea – Yep you guessed it Fortisip. I cooked a whole Flounder with Lemon and Dill Seasoning. Usually all my fish is filleted and flounder reminds me of whitebait. Managed to eat it all…..small flounder.
Tried to have a cup of Thai Chicken Soup but too much spice unfortunately.
Tuesday 17th Feb -Chemo & Radiation day
Up early shaved shampooed no shaving any more as it takes the skin off.
(Cream now being applied to neck and throat area as starting to get a bit “Sunburnt”)
250 mls of Water down the Peg plus 1 200ml Fortisip. One Fortisip by mouth. Anti- Nausea Pills swallowed, 7mls Morph and 20ml Liquid Paracetomol. Try that for Brekky……Yum!!!!!!
0820 Shuttle to Hospital and checked in @ 0845 form 0910 Chemo. At 0925 have seen no one so receptionist contact Nurse………..Yep forgotten about again.
Found the veins and finally got out of there @ 1230 so late for Radiation @ which was booked for 1130.Radiation again went well. I think I have worked my breathing out and my swallowing.
Got dropped off at Daffodil Lodge at Riccarton Rd and walked up to Riccarton Mall.
Iced Chocolate for Lunch followed by a haircut.
Hair has fallen out in clumps at the back but not as bald as me old mate Chalkie…….yet.
Had some Gel put in just for kicks!!!!! Man did it improve my looks. Made me look about 45.
Mutton dressed up as Lamb!!!!!!
Few Groceries at Pak n Save and walked back to Daffodil Lodge to catch shuttle back to Daffodil House.
Bought some Gurnard for tea at a fish supply. Cheaper than Pak n Save and looks a lot nicer
I am sure most of you know by now that Craig’s lovely wife Tracy has set up a Give a Little page on the Web
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/supportzanebeloe
I have been deeply humbled by this and for those of you know me not something that I would subscribe to. I have never asked for money and it is not in my makeup to do so.
However on discussing not only with Craig and Trace and other close friends I have accepted what she has done and have reluctantly given it my blessing.
As per Tracy’s introduction on the page it will go a long way to helping with the financial pressures including lost wages of family members and the lovely Jo Jo who is self-employed.
Tara, No.1 Daughter arrives at the end of the week and Jo Jo arrives the following week as it is envisaged I will need help and support by then. Side effect are supposed to get worse for two to three weeks after treatment finishes.
However I will be the judge of whether I need it help and support.
“When the going gets Tough, The Tough get Going”
I am also looking seriously into Acupuncture for Pain relief and fixing my taste buds, salivary glands etc. Treatments are approx... $70 a visit * 20 plus and you have to give these things a crack.
All funds will be accounted for and any leftover will be used to host the biggest BBQ in Richmond not that the famous yearly event is not already the biggest.
What has blown me away already is the number of donations have received, the amount, and the people they are from. A lot of them do not receive my blog and not only has this again been humbling but a touch emotional. Persons I know and have not seen for years.
Many Many Thanks to all who have donated and left messages, Sincerely appreciated.
One guy an old mate of my Son Zac, namely Jay Wagner made a large donatin with the note
• jay wagner
“Bout time i payed you back for sleeping in your bed while you were away and me and zac drank all ya booze!!”
I coached Jay at rugby when he was a kid, hugely talented. He is now a Champion Kickboxer I’ve been led to believe, so not much chance of giving him a twat.
This is not cry for help and far from it. No one and I repeat no one is under any obligation.
Tracy and Craig thank you once again XOX
LIVE
LIKE HEAVEN IS ON EARTH
LOVE
LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN HURT
LAUGH
LIKE NO ONE IS LISTENING
SING
LIKE NO ONE CAN HEAR
DANCE
AS IF NO ON ELSE WATCHING
PLAY
LIKE THERE ARE NO WINNERS
GIVE
LIKE YOU HAVE PLENTY
SMILE
TILL YOUR FACE HURTS
CHERISH
YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS EVERYDAY
Love to you all.
Remember – Be Kind to One Another
Play Hard
Live Love Laugh
Y.O.L.O
Zane L. Beloe