The Walk Beside now requires a walking frame.

Posted on September 22nd, 2007 by Cam.
Categories: Let's talk.

I am home today. I was able to get weekend leave from the hospital until tomorrow night. We have had some great news since last night. The Orthopaedic Surgeon saw me this morning and said that the fracture was on the top of the neck of femur and wasn’t really jeopardising the strength of the hip at this stage, so they are going to hold off on surgery. This was the best news and started the day off on a real positive.

The events of last night are still sinking in, and we are still in a bit of confusion as to what my situation is. Here is what has happened in the last day or so.

• Yesterday morning, went from the orthopaedic ward to my usual 8:40 radiotherapy appointment. Had a chat with the Oncologist who is overseeing my therapy. She upgraded my diagnosis to Multiple Myeloma. The decision was made to continue radiotherapy still as we are half-way through.
• Went straight to X-ray and had a full skeletal assessment done.
• Back to the ward for 5 mins, then down to CT for a scan on my hip.
• Just rested in the afternoon. At about 5pm we got a visit from a Haematologist who gave us ‘the chat’ outlining the new diagnosis and prognosis involving high-dose chemo, stem-cell infusions, etc. They’ve decided to redo alot of test next week to reassess the stage of the cancer.
• We fell apart a bit.
• We have got the best friends and family ever surrounding us. It wasn’t long after remembering this (not that we have ever forgotten) that we were able to take the photo in the last post of Libs and I smiling. I don’t want to give people the wrong impression by having people think that everything is rosy and we smile in the face of adversity consistently. Last night was tough, and that’s the second time we have had to hear ‘that chat’.
• Quite a surreal experience for us though, 6-8 of us crammed into a bed cubicle, curtains around, eating smuggled in Pad-Thai, laughing with friends about 20 mins after hearing news about a tough road ahead.
• Once everyone left, said goodnight to a teary Elizabeth. I was exhausted. I kept the curtains closed, downed some sedatives and painkillers, put ear-plugs in, turned the lights off, put a shirt over my eyes and went to sleep in awe of the people around me and thankful to the God who sorts this stuff out perfectly.
• This morning, Orthopaedic Surgeon number 1did the rounds and told me surgery may not be necessary! Nice.
• Orthopaedic Surgeon number 2 (the head honcho) came and told us that we could go home, he wasn’t as concerned about the hip strength. This kind of made us uneasy. How could an assessment be so different to what we have been told in the last 12 hours? We are still confused, but at least we were able to come home as long as I only partially weight-bear on my left leg. I had my crash-course on how to use a walking-frame and crutches, and now we are home watching football (that is the strangest thing).
• Just got a call from the hospital saying no partial weight-bearing, now it is totally non-weight-bearing.
• You can probably understand why we are a little confused about things at the moment.
• In brief, I probably don’t need surgery to fix the hip. I’m allowed weekend leave, as there are no more tests that needs to be done over the weekend. I will go back to hospital on Sunday night for bone scans, blood test and CT results, bone marrow biopsies next week to help clarify what the next step will be.
• Good to be home for a bit.

10 comments.

lachlan@dunjey.name

Comment on September 23rd, 2007.

if you’re confused what about the poor doctors? :-) (Sorry!) But seriously, its OK to have slightly different opinions about whether you should be weight-bearing and what should be done re surgery and this will continue to be relative according to your pain and the result of further tests. In the meantime don’t skip (just watch Elizabeth). Luke.

Steve McAlpine

Comment on September 23rd, 2007.

Hi guys. Just reading again after a week or two not, so thoughts and prayers with you.

Jill McAlpine

Comment on September 23rd, 2007.

Hi Cam,
Just got in and Steve left your latest blog on for me to read. I am writing this through tears. I am so amazed at the incredible man our God is transforming you into. Through this very difficult situation, you still manage to show Him up to be gracious, good and faithful. We have so much emotion for you and Elizabeth at this time, have always loved you guys, and feel very torn being away. Just know that we are continuing to pray for you and are looking forward to the day we can be with you again. Jill xx

the Hoppies

Comment on September 25th, 2007.

Dear Cam and dear Liz, what an ordeal… what roller coaster you are on!… Oh, so much whish we could help! Our thoughts and love are with you. Prayers going up ….
So thankful you have each other. May strength and good humour keep coming and may you be carried through.
Big hugs and much love, the Hoppies :o )

Sarah Barr

Comment on September 26th, 2007.

This is your brother-in-law’s sister-in-law here.
Cam, I have been reading this blog since day one of “the walk beside” and have been meaning to write to you since then but have been waiting til I could come up with something deep and meaningful or at the very least witty. I was unable to come up with either so I thought I’d just make contact so you know we are thinking of you and Libs.
You obviously have great strength and according to Rach you are as funny as ever. It would be the greatest tragedy of all if you stopped being hilarious.
You write so well and honestly about how you are dealing with the challenges of your illness. I check your blog every day to see if you have any new wisdom to share with us commoners.
Please know that we are with you in supportive and loving thought even if we are all the over the other side of this sunburnt country, and we will do anything to help you if we can. That may just involve us being there for your big sis (which is lucky because we’ve grown quite fond of miss Rachel).
You really do seem to be coping well considering the cards you have been dealt (not that you’re really given another option hey).
With all our love, open arms and minds,
Sarah and Matt

Wilson Family

Comment on September 26th, 2007.

Hey Cam, this is a bit of a curve ball for you and your family. We look forward to God showing us the good side of the tapestry pretty soon Cam as the knotty bits on the back totally suck sometimes. The boys have a commando course planned as soon as you’re up for it so please mention this to all the ‘O’ specialists that there is a rather busy schedule awaiting you. We love you lots Cam and continue to generate many prayers for you, your family and the people caring for you in hospital…..from the Wilson mob.x

Diane Fildes

Comment on September 26th, 2007.

Dear Cam & Elizabeth, Your dear Aunty Alison has been keeping me posted, and I am praying for God to bless you with the peace, comfort & strength only He can give. Now I have read your blog I am overwhelmed and humbled by your courage and faith in this incredible journey that you are on!
Thank you for this opportunity to walk/ hobble/ whatever beside you, Cuz. Love & prayers, Di.

KatieK

Comment on September 27th, 2007.

oh cam! what a topsy turvy kinda day … i hate hospital! i found out that truth when i was in for a couple of days a few months ago. however … i have chosen to work in hospitals because i love helping people … go figure!! just hooked into your posts again after my change of jobs – sorry i was off the radar. hoping to pop up and visit you today. lol xxx katiek

deborah

Comment on September 28th, 2007.

Praying for you.
Just some maybe practical advice regarding doctors in hospital…. ask them if they are the consultant, if they are not the advise may change when the consultant comes on the scene because your are talking to the underling.

JulieP

Comment on September 28th, 2007.

I will be praying for you Cam and your family.
Julie

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