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