We see that it has been over a week since the last post (hmmm, 'last post' is an unintentional but slightly amusing military pun). The longer interval signals a couple of things to the discerning reader - (1) there is nothing dramatic to report with regard to Sue's progress, and (2) Geoff has been a bit busier (more pre-occupied?) with some work responsibilities and therefore not so much in the 'creative space'. He was also away in Sydney for two and a half days - which Sue coped with quite well - Geoff a little less so.

"So what has been happening?", We hear you ask.

We are curently in the 'rest week' before Round 3 of chemotherapy starts next Tuesday. Sue has remained largely pain free, usually only needing pain-relief medication before bed to facilitate a reasonable night's sleep. There was less ongoing pain in her arm in the days following the infusion - thank God. She has tired more quickly each day this time, though she developed a bit of a head cold too, so that didn't help.

Twinkle Toes

We are thankful that there have still been no dramatic and debilitating side effects so far.  She still has the aversion to touching and swallowing very cold things and needs to wear white cotton gloves when retrieving things from the fridge and (especially) the freezer.  There has been a new arrival on the 'side-effects' scene though - tender feet!!  Over recent days, Sue has developed 'tingly and sensitive' feet. She describes it as like the soles of her feet are sunburnt. She has found walking in bare feet almost impossible at times. It is better when she wears socks or soft shoes. It has not been unusual to see her doing a little 'twinkle toes' shuffle down the passage in a pair of fetching little sports socks.

When you bring the aversion to cold and the tender feet together with retreiving something form the freezer, you get a somewhat bizarre scene of someone who looks a little like the love-child of Michael Jackson and Samantha Stozer. In case your imagination does not extend that far (or maybe goes TOO FAR), we have provided a picture of Twinkle Toes at work!!

Over all though, we continue to be absolutely blessed as we travel the journey. We constantly marvel at the way God expresses his love and care for us - through people's words and actions; through new and strengthened relationships; through skilled medical care; through myriad 'coincidences' and 'chance happenings'; through countless opportunities to see, serve and minister to others, and to gratefully receive the same. It is a big call given the end point of this journey, but it would be fair to say that it is a rare privilege that we have been given to live and grow and laugh and cry and "wow" our way through the time that we have before us. We give thanks to God for he is good and his love endures forever.