It only gets better

by geoffhamo

It seems strange that I only get to write a post once a year, but that is a sign things are going well!

I have recently had my “Fast flow port” removed from my chest as it has been 3 years since it was installed and almost a year since I have accessed ECP treatment.

Finally my port has been removed.

And I am now being slowly weaned off many of the drugs – down to just 12 tablets a day!

There is a saying that “you only measure what you don’t have enough of”. For most Australian farmers that is rain, for many that is often money and for me that was my blood test results and health indicators.

I am pleased to report that I have stopped recording daily health observations and drug usage. I have stopped recording daily exercise, observations and movements. I only have a blood test every 3 months.

For me this is a strong indication that my health has improved significantly. I am back to 90% of what I used to be and my wife, Jan reminds me that as we get older 90% is the old 100% so that means full health!

My GVHD sclerodermatous skin condition has improved considerably. My Hematologist, Amit Khot was delighted with the improvement as he believed the progression could be halted but was rarely reversed. I am grateful that I have proven him wrong.

Mountain biking at Derby, Tasmania was a recent highlight.

I recently spent time mountain biking with my son Lachy and nephew Ned Sheridan.

Sadly we lost our good friend James Watson who I met when we were both undergoing treatment for Leukaemia in RMH back in 2017. In an unbelievably rare event James contracted a new blood cancer this year called MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome) which is a pre-cursor to AML. This cancer was contracted through his bone marrow donor which was not detected at the time of assessment. The donor most likely has not presented with this cancer which has raised a moral dilemma for the team at Peter MacCallum in how they communicate this back to the donor.

James leaves behind Victoria and three lovely girls, Georgia, Chloe and Millie. We attended his funeral in Melbourne which was huge with more than 800 people.

We miss him greatly and cherish our friendship forged during a tough time.

Playing Cards during one of our many blood transfusion sessions that we shared.

8 thoughts on “It only gets better”

  3. Great to hear from you Geoff! Even better to hear you are doing well. Look forward to catching up with you and Jan in the future. Kind Regards Robin

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  7. Hi Geoff,

    What a fabulous email to receive from you. So good to know you are back at 90% which as Jan says is the old 100%! Regardless of those numbers, I’m sure you have defied many of the doctor’s %% that you were given along the way. With your new appreciation of fitness, I have no doubt you are now a lot fitter than many of your old drinky mates at Trinity!

    I hope farming is going well in Tassie. We are loving having our son-in-law Sam Reid – who I’m pretty sure was in Cuthy with Lachy – now managing our main place at Mortlake. He is running things very well, and Caroline has been busy growing the first grandchild!!!, Very exciting times for us.

    We would love to see you both when you are next in the Barwon Heads area. We’re handy to the BH airport for a pick up!! I just wanted to touch base to say how happy I am for you and Jan, and Claire, Lachy and Dougall, that you have worked miracles with that amazing medical team, and are so fit and well.

    It has taken a bout of Covid, for me to reply to all the emails in my Inbox, so I do apologise for being slow and slack.

    Lots of love, Gub

    Amanda McFarlane 92 Randles Road, Connewarre Vic 3227P +61 438 641 218

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    1. Hi Gubby

      Tks so much for your email – great to hear back. It is good to be alive!

      We have been thinking of making a trip to Barwon Heads, maybe in January. We will keep you posted. We would love to catch up with you guys.

      We now have Claire and Toby engagement (March wedding here) and also Lachy and Hanna (who also live in Tassie now). Dougall is still in London having a good time.

      I will save the news for when we do see each other. Jan says Hi!

      Regards

      Geoff Hamilton
      0408 957675

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