The Melbourne chapter had a catch up on Friday 5 July at the RACV Club. A couple of blow ins from Canberra joined in. A few hours just flew away in pleasant, animated chat.

L to R: Chris Clark, Warwick Elliott, Rod Allan, David Cran, Peter Jenke, Graham Smith ……and refusing to be in our main photo, below are Maxine Smith and Brenda Elliott.

Jabber sent through the email below about a week ago – I’ve just got around to catching up on my personal admin: apologies. I’ve added a couple of Editor’s notes where necessary.

“Hi All

I’m proceeding okay on the first phase of my high 50mm steroid regime for treating Myathensia gravia. (Editor’s note: read the link or see below for what that is)

On the 1st of April I will step down to 45 milligrams. This will be the first gradual step down of many until I finally finished the harsh steroid program in June.

I take the steroids and some sort of Chemo tablet at about 8:00 a.m.

The mornings, say between nine and 12, are my worst times, but it’s manageable if I’m careful. Loss of what little patience I already have, together with very weak legs are the worst symptoms. There is zero pain involved.

I take a pick me up tablet at about 1pm. From then until the rest of the day I’m okay. However, this varies especially in the mornings. It can be quite bad when I can hardly walk. At other times, like today, I can get around.

Tomorrow (Editor’s note: that was 28 March) at 2pm I go to Fiona Stanley for another blood test.

I have an excellent young GP. Today (27 March) when I had my first Shingles vaccine, he noticed from the initial Myathensia gravis blood test sent to him from FS about three weeks ago that my red blood count was very low. I’m astonished that they didn’t pick this up at FS before. 

My GP said this anemia can be serious on steroids. We’ll see what the blood test reads tomorrow. If it’s still low I have to have to go to FS for another blood transfusion.

Other than that I soldier on as always.

Huan is scheduled to leave for Saigon on Tuesday evening. She will return for business and to have some medication of her own.

All going well, I hope to join her at the end of July for a limited visit. By the time I hope to have concluded my full steroid program.

Cheers, C”

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a long-term neuromuscular junction disease that leads to varying degrees of skeletal muscle weakness. The most commonly affected muscles are those of the eyes, face, and swallowing. It can result in double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties in talking and walking.

On Tuesday, with his agreement, three of Tom’s four books joined his first – The Final Tally – in the Duntroon Museum. The books have a frontspiece added, based on Tom’s bio for the anniversary book.

Brenda and Warwick Elliott were there for the simple handover – Brenda is on the other side of the camera for the photo. The museum is undergoing refurbishment, so the team didn’t get inside: the whole building is being taken over, so it should be quite something to visit when we get back for our next reunion. It is assumed there will be access ramps for our walkers!

Also handed over was a copy of the order of service for Norm’s funeral – hope that gets appropriate treatment.

Tom has sent an update below:

“Thinking about it, during our time at RMC I often found myself “In the BOOK” and so now, some fifty years after our graduation, I find myself back at RMC, but this time “In the MUSEUM,” gathering dust.

Next stop “In the CEMETRY.'”

Speaking of which, after I got back to the US from our 50th Anniversary reunion I started to experience some “light headedness” (no not what you think – too many pints) and on consulting a cardiac specialist it has been recommended that I have a “pacemaker” fitted.

So, while I gather dust “In the MUSEUM” I will not have to worry about having a “heart attack,” sounds like a “WIN-WIN” to me..

However, as you would know the cost of any operation hear in the US is prohibitive..

But, as luck would have it, in 2012, in anticipation of her own retirement in 2018, Margo convinced me to join the US health insurance firm “Blue Cross Blue Shield,” as it takes five years to become fully vested.

Therefore, I have full coverage.

In closing, I will keep you informed of how I progress “In the HOSPITAL” over the next weeks.”

Chris Jones – aka Jabber – has returned more or less permanently to WA, only returning to Vietnam when he can for holidays, dental treatment, or whatever (he says forget the doctors, but many dentists are first class and about a tenth of the cost of Oz.)

Chris is battling a range of health issues. His contact details have been updated in the Class List.

He has sent through a range of photos – a couple of which show his medical conditions: I don’t plan to share those!

The photo below is of a happier time – at our 50th anniversary.

The Duntroon Society’s first Newsletter for 2024 is now available (if the link doesn’t work, go to www.dunsoc.com and follow the links to the Newsletter).

Canberra classmates and partners are meeting on Tuesday 2 April at The Duxton (https://theduxton.com.au) for a lunch time catch up. All are welcome: for non-residents of Canberra and surrounds, if you’re in town, or thinking of coming to here for some cultural enrichment not available in any of your home states, please add this to your itinerary. We’d all be delighted to see you.

For attendance, please let Kim MacMillan know at kymmac@ozemail.com.au