March 11th, 2008 - Back to school

Off to schoolCameron went back to school for the first time since being diagnosed, staying through the morning and returning again for a short while around pick-up time for a house meeting. I’m not sure who was more nervous about this first day back… Cameron, Leigh or the School leadership who have so graciously and enthusiastically undergone the crash course on what it means to have a pupil on the premises in Cameron’s condition – that is weak and biologically vulnerable. I’m pretty sure it was Leigh who was the most nervous, but as it happened everything went just fine.

Nevertheless I think she was relieved to receive the Mom’s taxi call from Cam at lunch time and to hear that he was okay, apart from the heat that was beginning to get to him and a sore throat. Mouth ulcers and sores throughout the digestive tract – that can easily become infected – are a common a side-effect of chemotherapy, which is why Cameron has an oral care routine that he has to perform with two different treatments four times per day.

When I asked Cameron how his first day back was he gave his trademark response, “Fine”. Then I asked him what was different about today than other times he’s been to school? He replied, “It was weird”. “In what way was it weird?” I asked. “Getting back into the routine after so long and just being there at school in a wheelchair… was all kind of weird”. Of course lots of people greeted and welcomed him back to school and so all in all, it was a successful day. Cameron reconnected with his school mates as well as his teachers and can start thinking about how he is going to perform the academic equivalent of his chemotherapy rebound later on in the year.

Tomorrow its back to Brisbane for a visit to oncology outpatients and the final chemo treatment of this second cycle. This particular medication doesn’t tend to cause nausea, but was responsible for some fairly nasty aches and pains deep in his bones and in various location last time around. We can only hope and pray that the substantially heightened side-effects that Cameron experienced during the first part of this cycle – in comparison with the first part of the first cycle – are not an indication of things to come tomorrow, because he really had a lot of pain last time.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 at 8:42 pm and is filed under Week 6. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

7 Responses to “Back to school”

  1. Deidre Wadl Says:
    March 12th, 2008 at 12:32 am

    Yippee Cam is back keep at it sweetheart we stand behind you and Carlton and Owen its your turn now to look after your older brother for a while. Big hugs and kisses to all of you. love as always Dee Martin Manuella and Kenneth

  2. billsr Says:
    March 12th, 2008 at 3:17 am

    Hi Cam,

    Great news, didn’t know you were going back to school so soon and VERY happy to hear it. Hope it will not be too much of a strain, and sincerely wish the chemo tomorrow will not give you too much discomfort. Keep on smiling, you are a very brave MAN!! Will talk again soon. Much love from all in SA. Love Grandad Bill XXX South Africa

  3. Ruby Says:
    March 12th, 2008 at 8:10 am

    Hi Cameron,

    I’m Katie’s daughter, I don’t know if you remember me but we used to be good friends when you lived In England. I’m glad that your back at school now! I hope everything goes well, I will keep looking at the updates and commenting!

    Lots of love Ruby xxx

  4. ballie46 Says:
    March 12th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

    G’day mite,
    Most people go through their life without getting the chance to show their courage.
    Therefore when we witness courage in its rawest form we can only look on, admire, and tune “Awsome”.

    Cam,your courage in the face of your illness has touched so many people, some of whom you don’t even know, but that same courage you’ve shown is helping every one of us cope with your fight.

    The bravest fighter needs good “cornermen” when the fight gets tough.Having your Mom and Dad,brothers,Grans,Grandads Aunts, Uncles,Cousins and all other “connections” in your corner giving you round by round support, there can only be one winner.

    Look up the word “winner” in the dictionery, and you’ll find it says,
    “Cameron Smith”.

    Hang in Bru!

    Uncle Ian

  5. toddke Says:
    March 13th, 2008 at 3:42 am

    Hi Cam,

    Just arrived back from SA. We had a great time and managed to get on to your website every other day to monitor your progress, as do Shazzie’s family. I’ll tell you all about it when I chat to you this week, especially when my legs seized at the bottom of the last climb. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but that’s what you get for not training. Managed to get a massage and you inspired me all the way up that beast. So thanks for that mate. By the way, the new board is cooking. Hopefully will be able to bring it over to your neck of the woods soon. Take care Cam. Speak soon.

    Miss you and love you all lots.
    Kenneth

  6. elstaks Says:
    March 13th, 2008 at 4:51 pm

    Hi cameron
    it must be great going to school and getting to see your friends again. you are an amazing person you are like super man, but better you keep fighting until the end. your name should be SUPER CAMERON THE GREAT and you could wear a super costume with a SC on the front. so what more can I say you’ve amazed me so very much. have fun and we’ll be praying for you. knock,knock
    whos there
    amos
    amos who
    a mosquito

    knock, knock
    who’s there
    anudder
    anudder who
    andder mosquito

  7. tracyn Says:
    March 13th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

    Dearest Cameron, glad to hear you are fighting this awful thing so hard, and hope you are soon once again the sturdy young man I remember so well. Much love, Granny Jo

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