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Dear Critters,

MOVE OVER NINJA TURTLES – there’s a New Ninja in Town! Watch as this amazing NINJA CRAB molts from its shell high up on the wall of Blairgowrie Pier above the hungry stingrays that patrol the sand below. Once it has freed itself from its old shell, the intrepid spider crab does a spectacular free fall followed by a series of backwards somersaults before resting like a boss in its new, soft shell on the sandy bottom.

Thankfully, this crab did NOT meet the same fate as this 2nd crab in previously unseen footage (even more dramatic than the first crab moult-come-ray feast clip I posted a few weeks back …  NOT for the faint hearted …)

Speaking of untimely ends … someone reminded me recently that in all of my excitement about my recent underwater adventures, I haven’t been as focussed in my blog pieces on the fact that I have been diagnosed with terminal cancer and how I am travelling in that journey. The reality is that I would MUCH rather focus on the adventure that is life than the inevitability that is the alternative. That said, here’s an update for those who care to know how me and my infamous tumours are travelling …

My most recent CT scan a little while back showed that the largest tumour in my abdomen had responded well to palliative radiation and had shrunk down to 4.8 x 4.2 cms which is a massive improvement (*dance of joy!*). My condition, while stable for the time being, is still considered inoperable and incurable but I’m learning to live life more fully with this condition than I ever dared to live it before I was diagnosed. This week my haemotologist advised me that my blood work has definitely improved since my last visit three months ago. It is so great to be in a position to report some good news and to have the blessing of my medical team to continue making the most of whatever time I have left. Considering I was told in September last year that I might only have six to twelve months left, I am deeply grateful that at this point in time I can continue to celebrate and rejoice in every blissful moment that has been gifted to me.

I have always referred to this as my ‘scuba vs tumour’ blog, and I’m thrilled that at this point in time I can say with confidence that scuba seems to be winning 😉 Is it only scuba diving at every opportunity (combined with palliative radiation) that has given me greater quality of life and a healthier sense of well-being? No, there is also an enormous amount of positive thinking, faith, love, hope and support that have brought me to this cherished time in my life.

At this point I need to thank my family, close personal friends and all of you beautiful people that I have met right here on my Pink Tank Scuba blog and Facebook pages. Because I love sharing my underwater adventure photos and videos with you, you inspire me to keep looking forward. For the first time in a long time I feel comfortable about making plans beyond the immediate future of the next month or so, and my imagination overflows with all the amazing adventures I would still love to have. (I’m even trying to figure out some way I can meet with more of you in person fairly soon – watch this space! 😀 )

Enough cancer talk and mushy stuff for now 😛 Although spider crab season appears to have finished for 2015, here are a few video highlights from this year (and a couple from last year) just in case you wanted to see them again – I know I do! 😉

Love and bubbles,

PT xxx

ps While you are here, please check out some more of my ‘scuba vs tumour’ underwater adventures …

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