2015 ends Still Tumour-free

After three more "Watch and sweats (waits)" in 2015, my MRI scans are still coming up clear! That's 6.4 years Tumour-free now, Phew.

OLIGO SCORE CARD
Event	Date		Tumour-free years
First diagnosed after craniotomy #1	1/11/93		39
First recurrance and Craniotomy #2	1/11/06		13
MRI showing signs of progression	1-Jan-09		2.2
Second Recurrance and Craniotomy #3	29-May-09		2.2
Completed Radiation Therapy	28-Aug-09		0.2
Started Chemotherapy with Temozolomide	12-Apr-10		0.8
Completed 12 mth chemotherapy	1-Apr-11		1.8
Watch and Sweat(wait) #1	22-Aug-12		3.2
Watch and Sweat(wait) #2	24-Oct-12		3.3
Watch and Sweat(wait) #3	29-Jan-13		3.7
Watch and Sweat(wait) #4	27-May-13		3.9
Watch and Sweat(wait) #5	3-Sep-13		4.3
Watch and Sweat(wait) #6	3-Dec-13		4.5
Watch and Sweat(wait) #7	4-Mar-14		4.8
Watch and Sweat(wait) #8	3-Jun-14		5.0
Watch and Sweat(wait) #9	2-Sep-14		5.3
Watch and Sweat(wait) #10	9-Dec-14		5.5
Watch and Sweat(wait) #11	20-Apr-15		5.8
Watch and Sweat(wait) #12	20-Jul-15		6.1
Watch and Sweat(wait) #13	29-Oct-15		6.4

A return to running

Running the 5Km Twilight Bay Run at Wynnum

I must have been lucky in the genetic lottery because I have always enjoyed running and find that I don't normally get injuries if I'm sensible with my training. The only problem now is that I am getting older (turned sixty in August this year) and my body needs three days to recover after a training run so I am down to only two runs per week. Still, that's enough for a slow build up in fitness sufficient to participate in the Fun Runs around Brisbane. My main Goal was the 10Km Bridge-to-Brisbane which was held early in September. That Run is so uplifting because you are surrounded by thousands of fit people, there are live bands playing music along the course and the excitement of the crowd lifts your spirits. When you run into that finish area at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds it is almost like an out-of-body experience because your mind is soaring so high you are hardly aware of the complaints coming from your muscles. Participating in a Major Fun Run is something I hope everybody gets to experience at least once in their life.

Running in the 10Km Bridge to Brisbane Run - September 2014

Approaching the finish line in the 5Km St Lucia Twilight Run, 

a part of my preparation for Bridge to Brisbane Run

Crossing the Green Bridge in the 5Km St Lucia Twilight Run

Running in the 5Km St Lucia Twilight Run, revelling in beautiful surroundings and feeling the body motoring along. It doesn't get much better than this!

Another Watch and Sweat (Wait) comes up clear

It was back into the old MRI machine today followed up with a visit to Dr David Walker at Briz Brain & Spine. Thankfully, all is clear once again with no sign of tumour re-growth. Let's hope it stays that way!

OLIGO SCORE CARD
Event	Date		Tumour-free years
First diagnosed after craniotomy #1	1/11/1993		39
First recurrance and Craniotomy #2	1/11/2006		13
MRI showing signs of progression	1-Jan-09		2.2
Second Recurrance and Craniotomy #3	29-May-09		2.2
Completed Radiation Therapy	28-Aug-09		0.2
Started Chemotherapy with Temozolomide	12-Apr-10		0.8
Completed 12 mth chemotherapy	1-Apr-11		1.8
Watch and Sweat(wait) #1	22-Aug-12		3.2
Watch and Sweat(wait) #2	24-Oct-12		3.3
Watch and Sweat(wait) #3	29-Jan-13		3.7
Watch and Sweat(wait) #4	27-May-13		3.9
Watch and Sweat(wait) #5	3-Sep-13		4.3
Watch and Sweat(wait) #6	3-Dec-13		4.5
Watch and Sweat(wait) #7	4-Mar-14		4.8
Watch and Sweat(wait) #8	3-Jun-14		5.0
Watch and Sweat(wait) #9	2-Sep-14		5.3

Watch and Sweat (wait) comes up clear - 5 years tumour-free now!

Early June I had another Quarterly MRIscan & checkup. Fortunately, all is well which means that I have been tumour-free for five years now.

OLIGO SCORE CARD
Event	Date		Tumour-free years
First diagnosed after craniotomy #1	1/11/1993		39
First recurrance and Craniotomy #2	1/11/2006		13
MRI showing signs of progression	1-Jan-09		2.2
Second Recurrance and Craniotomy #3	29-May-09		2.2
Completed Radiation Therapy	28-Aug-09		0.2
Started Chemotherapy with Temozolomide	12-Apr-10		0.8
Completed 12 mth chemotherapy	1-Apr-11		1.8
Watch and Sweat(wait) #1	22-Aug-12		3.2
Watch and Sweat(wait) #2	24-Oct-12		3.3
Watch and Sweat(wait) #3	29-Jan-13		3.7
Watch and Sweat(wait) #4	27-May-13		3.9
Watch and Sweat(wait) #5	3-Sep-13		4.3
Watch and Sweat(wait) #6	3-Dec-13		4.5
Watch and Sweat(wait) #7	4-Mar-14		4.8
Watch and Sweat(wait) #8	3-Jun-14		5.0

New chemotherapy information resource on Healthline.com

US-based company Healthline.com has developed a fabulous new resource  to get a good understanding of what you can expect when under going chemotherapy. Use this link http://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/effects-on-body to get there. I will add this to the list of useful links on the left hand column of this blog.
 

'Benign Does not Mean 'Harmless' - Exploding the Myth Behind 'Benign' Brain Tumours by Emma Fixton

'Benign Does not Mean 'Harmless' - Exploding the Myth Behind 'Benign' Brain Tumours by Emma Fixton

This excellent paper is currently featured on the "It's Just Benign" web site at:
http://www.itsjustbenign.org

Return to Running - The Intraining (5Km) Twilight Run

NOTE: Click on photos to enlarge

The final grunt to the finishing line

Working hard on the (Uphill) crossing of the Green Bridge.

Despite an interest in cycling since recovering  from the craniotomy operation resulting from the first recurrence of the tumour in 2006, I have had a passion for running most of my life and I've decided recently that it is time to make a return to this most intense form of exercise. As I turn sixty later this year, the first stop was to a podiatrist to organise a new pair of orthodic inserts for an old bloke like me and then I was off to the local running shop for a new pair of shoes. At the Intraining running shop I heard about the Twilight Series of fun runs and decided that six weeks would be enough time for a slow buildup to the shortest distance of 5 Km. So I entered the event which was run on 23 March.