Happy Sixteenth Birthday Sarah

Today our beautiful baby girl turned 16!

I remember clearly the day she was born - completing our family.  Sarah you are an amazing young woman - I am so proud of you and I love you so much.

Sarah loves her Drama and one of her talents is her ability to present a performance with her dummy - a hand puppet she calls Pepita!

For her birthday we managed to buy her a small ventriloquist doll by the famous man - Jeff Dunham - she was delighted and immediately had us in stitches with her performance. She will now begin practicing her voice-throwing skills.

Matt and Sarah

Elizabeth and Sarah

PJ's from Granny & Grandad

Sarah and her Ventriloquist Doll - Jeff Dunham - look at those smiles
 

Sweet Sixteen

Freedom and responsibility

Saturday 22nd February:  Matt bought a car. 

Signing yourself into debt and into freedom!

 Matthew has never really wanted to learn to drive and gain his independence - a real 'home-body' - he has always been happy to catch a lift from us or just stay at home. But ... at nearly 20 he has saved enough money for a deposit and chosen a beautiful new car.

 Matt's car was all ready to be picked up with a great number plate - "Number One Tease" - it is so appropriate.  It is a Hyundai Accent and he is so proud of it. 

 With lots of hard work and research, Matt and I did a number of test drives and to finally share this moment with him - was just special.

 Elizabeth was certainly celebrating - as she would no longer have to be Matt's chauffer! 

Now we all just have to stay off the roads when Matt takes his new car out for a drive.

Well done Matthew - Dad and I are very proud of you.  Be safe and drive carefully and enjoy your freedom.

Not feeling too good!

It has been a little while since I updated my blog - the reason - I haven't been too well.

After a couple of weeks off from my treatment I went in again on Tuesday - about halfway through the chemo I developed a severe headache and by the end - felt quite nauseous despite 4 different anti-emetics.  By the time I got home the vomiting started and eventually at 7pm - Ivan had to take me into hospital.  Eighteen bouts of vomiting later, three new forms of anti-emetic, morphine for the headache and they decided to knock me out and admit me into the ward.

I spent Wednesday and Thursday in hospital connected to a saline drip with medication to control the vomiting and finally was released on Friday morning. It has been a rough road even since then. Normally, I am up and about by Saturday or Sunday at the latest, but today I had to have another day in bed.

Not sure what is happening, but am certain that another three months of this is going to be challenging.

My oncologist has made the decision to admit me to hospital for a PET and CT scan on Tuesday 11th March and then keep me in hospital for my next round of chemotherapy - so next week will be spent in the Wesley Hospital. 

Not the most upbeat and positive of posts, but really want to keep my blog updated and honest - life is full of ups and downs and looking back over time, to read the downs - makes the ups look really good. 

Cool heads make wise decisions

Our February heat has been fairly unbearable - not only have we had temperatures in the mid to high 30's but the humidity has been hovering above 70%.

My head has been suffering - the loss of most of my hair and the effects of chemotherapy have left me fairly light on hair. Heat rashes, sore scalp and dripping perspiration resulted in me phoning my friend and hairdresser at 6pm last night to request her help - when she had a chance.  Her reply was come on over in 40 minutes - the children will be fed and I will have made their school lunches.

Matthew came with me - he wasn't letting me go by myself - the reason - I was about to go bald!

Hair dripping with perspiration

Ready, set. smile
 

Starting with a number two blade

A number two was not short enough so....

it was down to a number one!

I must admit looking in the mirror is still very confronting.

But .... When you have awesome friends like Hayley - I love this photo - the smiles say it all.



 

So here I am - the proud owner of a bald head.  I guess I now truly feel like a cancer survivor and a chemotherapy patient.   But..... it is really so lovely and cool!  So it was a wise decision!

Family News

My Dad had knee surgery on Wednesday and today I popped in to visit him - he is doing so well and looks amazing.  The surgery has been successful and he is already up and walking with crutches.  The pain is a bit intense after walking and physio - but otherwise more than bearable.

We live in a very blessed country - he has been on the waiting list for about 4 years, but this surgery has not cost him a single cent - it is all paid for under our Medicare system.  How can we complain.

My own health is good:  I am having a two week break from chemotherapy - this first week is to recover from the high levels of fatigue and then next week I am having another week off - to help our darling Sarah - who has been diagnosed with Asperger's.

After a number of years and many doctors - we finally appear to have a diagnosis that fits and that we can work with. Sarah has struggled for so long - feeling that it is her fault and to have someone finally say that this is just the way your brain processes things and you can learn to cope in a different way - has been a big relief.

We are still a long way away from getting her stable, but at last we have a team around her, that is supportive and helpful.  Sarah, my possum - we love you so much.

Next week we will help my 'other son' Patrick move out of our home into independence.  Since September Patrick has been living with us and growing in strength and amazing courage to become a strong, healthy and happy young man.  He is taking a big step as he moves into shared residence.  We will still be his support network and love and care for him, but it is a good step for him to be taking.

Elizabeth will be celebrating her birthday gift from Monday - Wednesday as she enjoys three days away in beautiful Montville - a relaxing and beautiful getaway for our girl.

So as this week draws to a close - I know that tomorrow the sun will rise and I will rise with it, confident that slowly we are getting things right.

 My beautiful Portulaca flowers outside my bedroom window

 And my lovely ladybug windmill keeping them company.

Feeling well

Last night Elizabeth and I caught up with good friends Sarah Gav and Laura.  Before hand we had a few minutes to spare, so wandered up to the local park for some evening air.  I took a few good photos and then we were off for a yummy dinner and a few really good laughs.

Elizabeth and a good climbing tree

Me - all dressed up for dinner with friends

Our yummy dinner - Strawberry Pancake stack

Our beautiful friend Sarah Gav - Pancakes, Macadamia nuts and Blueberries

Laura enjoying a starter of garlic bread.

Just having the energy and time to enjoy an evening out with friends is such a blessing in my life this week.  Thanks girls for a great evening.

Freedom and Debt

Yesterday - 12th February was a very big day:

Matthew bought his first car.  He has been researching for a few weeks now and had narrowed it down to a Holden Barina or the Hyundai Accent.  The Barina was a little cheaper, but with all the features he wanted, so that was the one we were probably going to choose.  A test drive of both however resulted in him spending a little more to get his new car - the Hyundai.

The Hyundai Accent is a very classy car.  His finance was approved last night and so now we just have to wait for a car to be available for delivery. 

The other great news is that he has finished his 100 hours required to sit his Driver's test.  Queensland has brought in this 'stupid' (in my opinion) requirement that young drivers have to complete 100 hours of practice.  It is expensive and time consuming and doesn't necessarily teach kids how to be good drivers.  Many parents just put their kids in the car and get them to drive an hour up the highway and an hour back.  It has been difficult for us, as everything is within 20 minutes of home, so to collate these hours has been frustrating.  But.... now he is ready to take his test in the next couple of weeks.  A couple more fine-tuning driving lessons with the Driving instructor will get him completely ready and then our boy will be on the road - I will post a big sign - so everyone else can stay off the road. Only joking Matthew!

Holden Barina

Hyundai Accent

Well Done Matthew - we are so proud of you.   You have saved really hard for a 20% deposit on your car and are a good driver.  Dad and I wish you safe driving and the freedom this brings to you.