Sunday night summary

Hi everyone

Well the news from the meeting with the oncologist and radiology consultants on Friday was not good. The second area below the tumour which has been removed is confirmed as a secondary tumour. There is still some work to do to confirm its pathology (that is being done in Sydney)- at the moment it is also considered to be a PNET. We had a further meeting with the Mike Sullivan the oncology consultant on Saturday to discuss the detail of the tumour and the treatment plan which is now being redeveloped in light of this development. He worked on this all day Friday and Saturday.

Because of where this tumour is it can only be treated with serious amounts of radiotherapy and probably a very aggressive progamme of chemotherapy. The chances of success in treating the disease is now much reduced from the original prognosis but Mike Sullivan is optimistic about developing a plan that will work. In other words the journey for Sara and us is now much harder and longer with much more serious long term side effects. So we have had much to think about over the the past 2 days. Tomorrow we have another meeting with the oncology people.

The plan is now a bit of a moving feast and the first step is trying to assess the nature of the tumour and its activity. This will be done by doing a PET scan (which is not available in NZ) in Sydney on Tuesday. Sara, Rob and Sue will be taking a day trip to Sydney to do this and our really good friend Pip Aitken in Sydney is going to pick us up from the airport and be with us for the day.

At this stage Sara is still having her operation on Thursday for the lumbar puncture, portacath or pick line and ovary tissue collection. She may also have some bone marrow taken for later use following the chemotherapy treatment. The radio therapy is still due to start on the Tuesday 7th February.

Over the weekend we have had some great family time at our new home here in Christchurch and down at the beach at Sumner. Ruth visited for a massage last night and Robyn, Mac and Nana Crawford brought dinner here tonight. Kate has been wonderful, sleeping in the room with Sara and supporting her with her great sense of humour. Kate is now planning to return to the States next Tuesday week. She has also been working on getting Saras diary up to date which Sara does not have the energy for but real wants it done! Sara is in good spirit and been having some fun time this weekend but she is still very tired, so we will continue to manage visitors with the prior phone in system. Thanks for the continuing stream of messages and support - it means a huge amount at this very difficult time.

Warm regards

Rob, Sue Kate and Sara


"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope"

Martin Luther

Cool day for Sara!

Hi everyone

Sara had a busy day getting the back of her mask made for the radiotherapy which involved lying on a bed with her face in the front mask while the plaster cast mould for the back was made. Tommorow she has a CT scan using the full mask and we meet with the oncology specialists.

Sara came home to our new abode for the afternoon and rested up before a doing a little retail therapy.

Tonight we all(Sara, Kate, Alan Gleave, Rob, Sue and Aunty Ruth) dined out at Le Cafe to celebrate her fantastic NCEA level 2 results. She got an amazing 179 credits! ( you only need 80 to achieve). She got 1 excellence and 4 merits in her external exams!! Which she was stoked with!

It is very late and tommorow is another busy day, we will talk later!

Warm regards, Sara, Kate, Rob and Sue. xxxx

Late Wednesday quick update

Hi everyone

The last 2 days have been a bit up and down for Sara (and us) as we all continue to come to terms with the events of the past few weeks. Sara is still in hospital while her medication for the seizures are sorted out. She has also been experiencing some nausea and diziness as a side effect of the medication changes. Today was a better day than yesterday and we went out to the Boatshed Cafe for lunch or breakfast depending on your mood and choice. Last night both Sue and I stayed with her, tonight it is just Sue and I am on the home front.

This afternoon we moved our stuff to our new abode on the hill near Sumner (courtesy of John and Glenda) and it feels wonderful to have some space we can call "home" for a while. We have been very lucky to be able to stay with Robyn and Mac for what has been nearly 3 weeks and enjoy the peaceful surroudings and garden of their place and be with all the family. Tomorrow night Kate returns from Twizel with my sister Ruth (where it sounds like she has been having a great time) and will be here also. We are hoping that Sara will be able to come home at night in the day or so.

She has had a few visitors in the past few days but is still getting very tired. She had a wonderful 4 hour peaceful sleep this afternoon and then dinner with us and her Nana and Aunty Robyn.

We will have to continue to manage her visitors carefully so please phone Rob on 027 223 4546 before visiting. She is spending some time out of the hospital during the day but is still resting lots during these times.

Her kiwifruit haircut is growing back very quickly - she loves to show it off to her visitors and get them to touch it. Tonight there was great excitement when she had a breakthrough with a strong desire for some chocolate biscuits - she has been rejecting all sweet food for the last 2 weeks!

And yes we are getting close to completely covering the wall in Room 5 with cards, messages, posters and monopoly boards! Thanks to everyone who has sent so many wonderful presents - they always bring so much joy to Sara and are a real boost for her spirit.

love to everyone

Sara, Kate Sue and Rob

Monday night update

Hi everyone

An update on the events since the last posting on Saturday.

Saturday night was not so good in the end (Sara was staying at Matai St with us) but we had to rush Sara back to hospital at midnite after she had a partial seizure -like an epilectic fit - it was all over in 10 -15 mins but very scary for her and us - it was a more severe repeat of the thing she had in the movies in Nelson. She is now having the medication changed to prevent it happening again - this one was a side effect of the surgery and all the disturbance to the brain - the one in Nelson was caused by the tumour. The neurosurgeon we saw on Sunday morning explained it very well and we feel much more at ease with it now. Now we understand it more and know how to manage it if it happens again we will be better prepared if there is another one. She had a less severe one this morning in hospital. She is on home leave during the day but returns to hospital at night and will continue to do that until the medication is sorted.

Yesterday we said farewell to the two cousins from London (Tracey and Lisa) as they flew out to Los Angeles last night. We all went to the airport for the farewell. Otherwise it was a quiet day around at Matai St with a few visitors and lots of sitting in the sun and relaxing.

Today was busy with several meetings with specialists in the morning, Sara spending a little time with Kate before she went shopping with Ruth (my sister) and then we (Rob, Sue and Sara) visited John Galombos at their house down in Redcliffs. They (John and Glenda) have very kindly offered us their house while we stay in Christchurch and we will move down their shortly which will give us our own space for the extended time we are in Christchurch.

The radiotherapy is now going to start in 2 weeks time. We may try to return to Twizel before then for a few days but will see how it all goes. Kate has taken off for Twizel tonight for a couple of days.

We continue to receive lots of cards and messages which is great. Today Sara received a most fantastic present from Alan Grant - a Twizel monopoly board - with piccies of places and our friends in Twizel featuring all round the board - very cool and Sara thought it was awesome. It is now gracing the walls of the Room 5 at the hospital. You really have to see it in real life to get the picture!

In amongst it all Sue and I are sort of coping allright but it still seems unbelievable and all a bit of a blur. Being surrounded by family for the last 2 weeks has been awesome and a great comfort. It really is a day to day thing but I am starting to think about things a bit further out now we are getting all the stuff from the hospital while Sue is much better at the hour by hour approach.

Tomorrow we do not have anything scheduled so that is great but have plenty of reading to do - all the hospital info! Visitors are welcome but please check in with Rob on 027 223 4546 first. Firstly, so we can manage the pressure on Sara and secondly so we can let you know where we are! If we are in the hospital visiting hours are 11-1 and 3- 8pm.

Saras original quote for the day " Don't expect anything. The spontaniety of every minute is what life is."

Warm regards to everyone

Rob, Sue, Kate and Sara

Sara and her Nana Crawford, cousins saying farewell at the airport and the famous Twizel monopoly board (many thanks to Alan Grant).

Saturday brunch

Busy Friday

Alternative hospital food, in control in the radiology unit, down at the river with Erin (on the icecream date), and the stitches come out under Saras supervision

Time with family and friends

Grandma Young, Sara and Aunty Helen, Mac and Sara and Sara, Alan-Gleave and Kate having fun on Friday night

Wednesday afternoon around town

A wheelchair ride to the Cathedral and doing some tree hugging!

The catch up

Hi dear friends

It feels so good to have Sara back home at Matai St. We had a great family brunch pancakes, strawberries, banana and maple syrup plus cream. Pancakes to be repeated tomorrow by popular demand! Most of the girls have been to the mall including Sara and have just returned with Sara now taking a nap. I'm severely outnumbered at the mo 6:1 so stayed home with Kate and listened to some favourite music. It feels good to just chill out for a couple of days before we embark on the next steps.

So what has happened since "the late blog"?

Yesterday we had a further meeting with Mike Sullivan and his registrars and while we do not have the plan yet we are in the fast track planning stages for the treatment and will be discussing the plan on Monday. He has already had a response back from the his colleague in Los Angeles confirming his proposed strategy for treatment. Sara had a long sleep yesterday morning after a second night of waking due to headaches ( due to the healing process). So once she awoke we had a very full day with the the oncology meeting, meeting with the social worker who discussed the issue of hats and wigs for Sara amongst other things, going to the radiotherapy unit to be introduced to the treatment process and start the process of having her mask made for the radiology treatment. This is done with the same computerised technology that Peter Jackson uses for the Lord of the Rings mask making - so by next week the front will be made from clear plastic and then a mould is made for the back of her head. Sara got to drive the radiology machine with the remote control unit to see how it all works - she thought that was pretty cool.

Radiology will start in three weeks and run for a period of 6 weeks -Monday to Friday. The chemo will start 4 weeks after the radiotherapy has finished which will be around the beginning of May we think.

Following this we visited the CHOC ward and were introduced to it and taken round by the charge nurse Jan Millar. This is where Sara will be recieving her chemo from May onwards. This will involve her spending 2-3 days at a time in the ward every 4-5 weeks until the end of the year. We learnt lots and were shown the portacath and how it will be inserted to allow the chemo to be delivered without the need for temporary lures.

Then we had to take Erin (one of Saras nurses) down to the coolest vending machine in the hospital for an icecream and then outside to the river for a sit in the sun which Sara loved. The machine is so great to watch that you don't need any excuse to go buy an icecream!

And then it was time to have the 40 stitches out! Erin took to them and in no time they were gone - the healing is remarkable with virtually no sign of the surgical cut made in Saras head. An absolute credit to the skills of the neurosurgeon Mr Macfarlane - he still uses blanket stitch rather thn staples. and then home for dinner!

Sara had a great nights sleep last night and we saw Mr Macfarlane before we came home today and he showed us the second MRI scan. No doubt we will be looking at that again next week with Mike Sullivan. We have lots of action again next week but will probably not update the site again until Monday evening.

We need to just put the record straight on which rugby team we support - sorry Bob its not the Highlanders we a very definitely all converted Crusaders supporters even Kate who once supported the southern men!!!

We have posted some instructions for blogging for those who have been having frustrating experiences - hope it works. Will throw some photos up later.

love to all from Sara and her whanau.

Saturday morning news

Hi everyone

Just a brief update - will do a blow by blow for the last 2 days later in the day. Sara spent last night in hospital and had a really good nights sleep. She came home to have dinner with all of us at Matai St (roast chicken by Saras request) and went back to the "hotel" about 10.00ish. I have just been into pick her and Sue up and she is now out for the day at Matai St and maybe the night - we will see how it goes. Just getting ready for brunch of pancakes.

She feels up to a few visitors today so if you would like to come visit her at Matai St then you are welcome - but please ring Rob first on 027 223 4546. We still need to manage it carefully to ensure her recovery continues as rapidly as possible and she will no doubt be taking a few naps during the day.

love to all
Rob and the rest of the whanau.

Blogging the site

Hi everyone

Some people have been having a few problems leaving blogs and I must admit it does seem a tad confusing.

Here is the Idiots Guide to Blogging on "Keep in Touch with Sara" written by a non blogger!


1. Click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of the latest blog. Generally the photo postings won't have one but all the written postings will.
2. Choose an identity - best to use "Other" then you can put your name at the top of your blog.
3. Enter "Name" in the blue outlined box which appears when you click "Other"
4. Enter word verification letters into the box - the letters appear above the box - just enter them in the correct order. This prevents computerised spamming of the site.
5.Click the "Publish your comments" button

Your blog should appear when you go back to the site.

If you would rather email that is fine but please send it to our hotmail address: suerobyoung@hotmail.com

cheers
Rob

The late blog!

Hi everyone

Well I'm home from the hospital and will try to update you on the news so far. Today we saw the Dr (Dr Michael Sullivan) and the team who are going to oversee the next phase of Saras treatment. She will be moving to the care of the Childrens Haemotology and Oncology Clinic (CHOC) as the tumour she has is a form of childhood cancer. It usually is found in children younger the Sara. It is called a PNET which stands for Primitive Neural Ectodermal Tumour. It is described as primitive because it arises from some of the most primitive cells in the brain ie the cells from which the brain originally formed. Because of the primitive cell nature these tumours can be quite aggressive ie they are designed to grow fast. Only 5% of brain tumours in children are of this type and not normally located where Saras one is - normally they are in the cerebellum. Because of where it is, it is relatively small for this type of tumour as a result of the symptoms appearing reasonably early.

So today a lot happened as the CHOC team moved into action. For us the speed at which it is happening is very reassuring and will feel that we are in the best care we can get. The histology was being confirmed today and this may require sending the sample to Sydney. Dr Sullivan has already emailed his colleague in Los Angeles Childrens Hospital (who previously worked in New York) to seek his collaborative advice on treatment.

This afternoon Sara had an MRI scan to see what remains of the tumour for planning the future treatment. Sara will have a lumbar puncture in about 10 days to check for presence of the cells in her spinal fluid - there is no evidence of any tumours in this area on the MRI but there is a need to check this to develop the treatment plan. At the same time she will also have a portacath inserted to deliver intravenous fluids and chemotherapy etc as part of the ongoing treatment.

While this is an uncommon tumour the team is putting in place a plan to ensure the treatment is right. This plan is going to be presented to us tomorrow afternoon all going well. Like we said yesterday it will take 12 months to complete and Sara will be taking a gap year this year.

We have also met with the CHOC social worker and the art therapist today. The OT came and visited and is pleased with Sara's progress. Tomorrow Sara will have her stitches removed and may be discharged from Ward 28. We will be visiting the CHOC ward and seeing the social worker for a full meeting. Sara continues to endear herself to all those who meet her and felt much more reassured after the sessions today with the various specialists involved in the process. She likes to ask staff and others how they like her "trapdoor" including the orderly who wheeled her down to the scan!

Sara had lunch out today at the Art Gallery with my family but is still very tired and cannot handle to many visitors so we will have to continue to ask that you respect the fact she is not able to see visitors yet. All the family continue to help in every kind of way which is wonderful including Robyn attending the team meeting this morning and another massage from Ruth this evening. My other sister Helen has headed home this afternoon to Nelson for a week or so - she has been a great support during the last few days - she is famous for her haybales - lamingtons - hence Aunty Haybale! Mac (Robyns partner) heads to Auckland tomorrow so he spent a bit of time with Sara this afternoon.

So we are all focusing on the future but taking it day by day - we will try to update the site again tomorrow but if Sara is out of hospital tomorrow night we will probably have other priorities! No time for loading photos tonight - maybe tomorrow - see you.

Rob and everyone here in Chch.

Quick blog!

Hi everyone

Just to let you know that today went well and I will update the blog with the detail later tonite - like probably real late! On the run now as we go out for tea with the cousins and Kate et al. Just left Sara in good spirits an hour ago. Thanks for all the great messages, cards, blogs, emails and pressies in the last 24 hrs - they have really helped all of us to cope.

love to all
Rob

A long day .....

Hi there,

Well - it's been a long hard day and we all feel very wrung out. The news is not so good. This morning the neurosurgeon confirmed that Sara has a malignant tumour (P-net tumour).

However, after a discussion with the oncologist tonight we have some rays of hope. The tumour is one which will respond to treatment with a reasonable success rate. It is going to be a long journey and treatment (12 months) will include both radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Tomorrow we will know more but tonight Rob and Sue are staying with Sara in Rm 5. They are all feeling a little stronger this evening and are preparing themselves for the next step.

The next couple of days are going to be busy with many meetings with various experts of the different fields associated with Sara's treatment. We ask if you can all continue to be patient and allow the family some space to come to terms with the situation.

However we all get great comfort from the blogs and texts of support that you are all sending - please keep them coming as they are really making a difference during this very difficult time. Sara reads every word of the blogs we print off (often several times over) and values them highly.

Thanks once again for the ongoing support.

Regards,
Robyn

A busy day

Hi everyone

A bit of a late post tonite after just getting back from the hospital. Kate and Sara had a good night and slept in until 8.30am! Another busy day for Sara with the physio, social worker and occupational therapist visiting in the morning. The social worker came to discuss amongst other things, Canteen (which is a support group for young people with cancer). Sara had lots of little naps during the day and visited the OT again in the afternoon for an assessment which went well and will be followed up over the next few days/weeks to help restore the full mobility in her right hand. Tonight for the first time since the op she texted 2 messages with her right hand - she was very pleased with herself.

Rob and Sue spent the day at the hospital after being home together for the night. Tonite, Lisa (Saras cousin) who is home from London will spend the night with Sara. We have a big day tomorrow with a meeting with the neurosurgeon in the morning.

Sara continues to demonstrate her great sense of humour with wisecracks about the fact that Rob's done more housework in the last few days than he has ever done in his life (as we keep the room in order so you can get in the door!). It is now very well decorated with the end wall covered in cards and the poster from all her Twizel friends.

Another round of great messages today - thank you everyone for that - we love them and so does Sara - they all get printed off and taken in each day.

Love to everyone
Rob, Sue , Kate and Sara

Sara reading all the wonderful blogs, the decorated room, keeping busy with her texting (right handed!), the 4 cousins Tracey, Sara, Lisa and Kate, and Sara practicing her royal wave while Michelle tries to check the blood pressure!

The headgear has come off!

Hi everyone

Yes the bandage has come off to reveal the new trapdoor hairstyle. Sara is very proud of her new style and took it out to the Avon River and then to Medici Cafe this afternoon - there was no one else with a similar style - definitely very unique! Sara has had a bit of an up and down day but we have just left her in the expert hands of my sister for a massage and Kate is going to sleepover with her tonite so there might be a few midnite feasts! She had a late afternoon kip and was looking a lot better for it when we returned from our evening meal - cuz Lisa took care of her in our absence.

As she is still getting very tired and finds lots of people visiting very tiring she will not be able to have visitors tomorrow other than family. But please keep the messages coming and hopefully later in the week she will feel more able to cope with a few visitors.

Enjoy the photos.......as they say a picture tells a thousand words.

Many thanks for all the support -it has given us great strength and comfort over the last few days.

Rob, Sue Kate and Sara

Day 3 after the op.

Kate and Erin remove the headgear, the Zoolander style is in, down by the river enjoying the sun and it is kip time - my parents and sis wore me out.

A quick update

Hi everyone

Sara had a good night last night and Mr Macfarlane (the neurosurgeon) has been around this morning and is pleased with her progress - her hand movement continues to improve. She has been for a couple of walks this morning around the ward and is feeling good and still smiling of course. Kate and I are about to go back to the hospital for Sara to have her bandage off! She had a great afternoon yesterday with lots of family visitors and Ruth did some more massage.

Today she needs another quiet day so please no visitors other than family. She may be able to have some visitors tomorrow -1 to2 at a time - we will post it on the web site tonight or first thing tomorrow and manage it by people phoning Rob first.

Thanks for all the emails, blogs and texts - Sara is collecting them all up for her diary which she is working on today.

Sara and her whanau

Down by the river and out in the sun!

Smiling away!

Sara back in her room drinking a cup of chicken soup for the soul in amongst all her things and the banner courtesy of Helen and Ruth. The nurses love the room too!

This girl has attitude!!

Hi everyone

Its Sara here, Dad has written this down and is putting it into the website for me.

"I am feeling really good today, I had 2 midnight feasts last night, - jelly, peaches, chocolate mousse and desert was a nectarine! The nurse was wondering if I was doing any sleeping amongst the eating. Had a shower this morning and then walked back to my room (40 Young strides). My Aunty Robyn and Maccy have been in this morning while Mum and Dad went out for breakfast, then when they came back they all took me for a wheelchair ride down to the river, where I sat in the sun and soaked up its warmth - it was sooooo awesome. I am back in my room now with all my wonderful cards, flowers, toys, messages and all my things sitting in my lazyboy chair. The nurses are really cool especially Belinda who might do my hair later in the day."

Please no visitors today other than family.

Love Sara

Sara partying with her soft toys today

28 hours after surgery....

Hi everyone

Its Rob here taking a break from the hospital at Matai St for dinner. Sue and I have been with Sara for most of the day. It has been an up and down day for all of us especially Sara but we have just left her in the caring hands of my sister Ruth. Ruth practices a thing called "healing hands" and managed to get Sara into a deep sleep this afternoon when she was in quite a lot of pain. She has woken and eaten some dinner and was really chipper for an hour or two. She reached another milestone this evening when she fed herself with her right hand -fantastic!

She is still in the Special Care room but may be moving back to her room tomorrow. Ruth is going to be at her side for the next couple of hours and will hopefully managed to get her back to sleep with her "healing hands."

Just a quick reminder to everyone - Sara is still in the special care unit (rather than her own room) and she has not been cleared for visitors as yet. We know there are a lot of people who would very much love to come and give their support personally, however it is still too early. We are getting lots of big smiles for everyone (as you see from the photos) but it does take it out of her and she needs her rest.

We are all loving all the blog messages (we print them off and take them in for her) and Sara is still getting the texts so that is great - keep them coming for her.


Rob, Sue and Kate

Sara eating icecream .........yum,yum!

The next morning...

Rob has rung from the hospital to say that Sara has had a reasonably good night and enjoyed a good breakfast this morning. The surgeon is very happy with how the operation went and her progress so far.

Robyn and Mac spent the evening with Sara to give Sue and Rob a chance to have dinner and a break from the hospital. Sue and Rob spent the night at the hospital and got some sleep in the lazyboys provided. All three of them are tired but coping remarkably well under the circumstances.

Sara continues to display her sense of humour and is in a positive state of mind. She complained that the staff in recovery were 'really cheap' - they would only give her 10 mls of water!! She spent the rest of the evening catching up with her fluid intake and had tea and supper.

She believes her role is 'to keep them on their toes', so she asks plenty of questions and is handling the situation very well.
We are extremely proud of her.

Thank you all, once again, for your support. We'll keep you posted as the day progresses.

Robyn and the support team

Still smiling...

Post surgery......it all went well.

Hi everyone

Sara is now out of surgery in the Special Observation Room in Ward 28 Chch Public Hospital where she will be for 24 hrs or more. The surgery was successful at removing most of the tumour as expected. She is doing well and her sense of humour is back already - she can't wait to do something styley with her hair to cover up the missing bit! She is quite perky and having a little to drink and eat. The surgeon is pleased with the operation, her recovery and motor movement in her right hand. We now have to await the results of the histology which we get mid next week and then will know a little more about the next phase of the journey.

For the next 2 days or so it will be family visitors only please, as she needs to be kept relatively undisturbed and not have too much stimulation. We will let people know via the website or word of mouth once she can have more visitors. Once again thanks for the support and Sara says a big thank you for the lovely presents and flowers.

Sara and her whanau.

Sara being a tough guy before the op - thanks to Bob Giles

The Big Day.......

Hi everyone

The day for Sara started with a 6.00am wakeup call to wash her hair. She had a great nights sleep and is in really good spirit today. Rob and Sue stayed with her in her room in a couple of lazyboy chairs and both slept well too - we are looking after ourselves as well and feeling much more together than earlier in the week. Sara went to theatre at 12.00noon in really good spirit. The conversation in the anaesthetic room just before Rob left was something like this:- Sara " Are people normally nervous now?" The hot anaesthetist (as described by Sara and Kate - too bad he has a wedding ring) replied "Yes very nervous". Sara responds quiet calmly " I am not nervous at all" with her fantastic smile all over her face! The op will take 3-4 hours. We have all taken a break from the hospital environment and had a family lunch and come home to Matai St for a little while.

Sara has made her mark in the room with all her gifts and while we were going to have to move out, they have now decided that we can stay in the room because it is so full of all the messages. Including the fantastic photo board from one of Saras friends in Twizel (thanks Sarah) and a fabric banner with the "Never Give In" message which is 2.5m x 1m made by Rob's sister Helen.

Thank you for the continuing stream of messages via the website, email and text - they are so heartening and helping us all to cope and feel all the positive energy and belief out there. We all feel really good about the fact that Sara's journey back to good health has started.


Love to all
Sara and all her whanau.

Good Morning America

Hi all

We have just been to the airport and picked up Kate, Ruth, Tracey and Lisa. All the family was there to welcome them and it's great to have them all home. We have just had a typical American/Kiwi breakfast of bacon, eggs, baked beans and refried potatoes followed by tea and coffee. Yumm. Kate and Sara are having some sister time this morning before Sara goes to hospital early this afternoon.

Today she is naturally feeling a bit worried about tomorrow and what it might bring, but she is still her usual bubbly self. Kate brought her home a puzzle, T-shirt and her favourite American snacks - cinnamon toast, and goldfish (cheesie snacks). Typical of Sara she solved the puzzle twice in a very short time - it would take the rest of us most of the day to get it under control!!

Today is a family day with Rob and Sue's family coming around to give support and encouragement. Great to see some messages already posted on the website - pretty exciting for us beginner website developers.

Sue and Rob will spend the night in the hospital with Sara in Ward 28 at Christchurch Public Hospital.

We ask everyone to respect our need for togetherness at this time and only visit when invited over the next few days.

We'll keep you all posted.

from Sara's whanau

Kate and Sara back together inside Kates skipatrol mates jersey

Hi everyone

Hi everyone

It is the 11th Jan and we are back in Chch having a quiet day with family after visiting Twizel yesterday . We had lots of fun and Sara loved her gathering at Shawtys and Hunters with all the Twizelites. Last nite we all slept really well and we are all feeling a lot better than the last few days. Yesterday Sara really enjoyed her visit to the Mackenzie and the wide open spaces and lying in her room at home very briefly - that and seeing all her friends raised her spirit and ours.

Thank you to everyone for all their love and prayers - we feel surrounded by good vibes and wonderful friends. We are not able to individually acknowledged them but Sara and her family deeply appreciates them. Keep them coming!

Tomorrow Kate arrives from the USA with Robs sister Ruth from Canada. They will be on the same flight and will be joined by Kate and Saras cousins Tracey and Lisa who are coming from London! And also the PE teacher from Twizel Frosty Boy Mark Frost. This girl has some pulling power!

Please no visitors unless invited for the next few days.but blog the site or text Sara ( she loves the texts). But dont expect her to reply - she finds it tiring.

The mailbox number is P.O Box 8137, Christchurch.

Sara s operation is planned for Friday morning. The plan is to remove as much as the tumour as possible and then we will have to wait till next week for further results.

Love to everyone

Rob Sue Sara and Kate (on her way)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

A day in the Mackenzie -gathering the spirit

Sara

Sara out sailing last week

The story ........

Hi everyone

Some of you will not have caught up with the news from the Young family and other have but here is the latest.

We had a fantastic week sailing in the Marlborough Sounds after Boxing Day with Robyn, Mac and Tracey and then we headed to Jane and Mart’s in Nelson. While on the yacht Sara had some trouble with her hand and we thought she had RSI as a result of all her text messaging to her wonderful friends and soooo much writing studying for exams. While in Nelson we went to the physio but then at the movies that night Sara tried to speak to Rob and found she could not get the words out. The next day we saw a doctor in Nelson before heading back to Chch.

In Christchurch we saw our family doctor and he immediately got very concerned and got us into the hospital system by 2 o’clock that afternoon. Friday night Sara had an MRI scan. By Saturday afternoon we had the terrible and devasting news that Sara had a brain tumour.

Monday we saw the neurosurgeon who explained in more detail what we were dealing with. We have been told we have one of the best neurosurgeons in NZ so that is very reassuring.

Our beautiful Sara is one of the best to - a shining light for all of us. She is so strong and her 17 years of determination have put her in good stead for the days ahead. I guess her stroppy terrible twos started to get us on her path as well!

If you would like to email us then the email address is: suerobyoung@hotmail.com

Love to everyone

Rob Sue Sara and Kate (on her way)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo