Its been busy and an up and down few days for Sara

Hi everyone

Back to blogging - apologies for the lack of updates in the past few days! We have been very busy the last few days with the kidney function tests on Thursday, and visits from the art therapist, social worker and OT on the same day and the radio at the end of the day. The radiotherapy has made Sara very nauseous despite the NASA medication (the anti naus drug she is using was designed for astonauts to use in space!). So we are benefiting from the space programme on 2 fronts now with this and the titanium plates in Saras head.

Friday was also a busy day with a brief visit from Barry and Jude (friends from Wanaka) while they were in town, Sara visiting Nicki for some more meditation training and then seeing the oncology consultant and doctors before the radiation to try and sort out the medication for the nausea and discuss the longer term plans for Saras treatment. We finally got home around 7.00ish after picking up a beautiful present for Sara from her Uncle Peter (Garnett)- an orchid which now graces her bedroom - thank you Pete, she loves it.

However we were not home long. As a result of the effects of the radio and Sara getting more and more nauseous and finally getting very sick over the next hour or so she ended up back in CHOC for the night on Friday. Fortunately my sister Ruth was here and was able to comfort Sara while Sue and I sorted her and Sara for the overnight stay. They stabilised her condition very rapidly with a drip and she had a comfortable nights sleep with Sue staying over ( there is a parent bed in each room as well) and me heading home for a midnight feast of pizza. Thank you to the wonderful staff at CHOC and especially the nurses on duty that night for the very prompt attention on arrival.

Sara spent most of yesterday in Room 2 at CHOC but by mid afternoon was feeling like eating a little again and on top of the nausea. Her medication has been altered so fingers crossed it will reduce this side effect. She has a respite from the radio until Monday afternoon and while still very tired yesterday afternoon was returning to old self again and having a few smiles. She spent some time just lying around and having a spa before heading to bed early.

Last night I headed off to the Super 14 match with Ruth and cousin Harry. We had bought tickets for all the Young Ones but with Sara not up to it (she was going to do the full face paint job) we found some very willing Crusader supporters. There were a few lonely O-T-A-G-O.... yells from the stands but nothing really too intimidating. By the way Bob did you hear the joke about the little boy, or did we hear it from you?? - something to do with his Mum and Dad beating him up and he decides he doesn't want to live with them and decides he will go and live with the Crusaders because "they don't beat anyone". Ah excuse me ... who beat or should that be thrashed the Southern men last night.....again. Maybe you will be eating Vals pies on Monday.....again.....and yes Val I know you will be rubbing it in....do some for us!

Just to remind you Bob - for the record (courtesy of the Press - that fine upstanding Christchurch paper) the Crusaders have not lost at Jade Stadium in almost 2 years (maybe thats why only a few Highlanders supporters turned up) and its five years since they ("the C-R-U-S-A-D-E-R-S") went down to the Highlanders and how many Super 12 Finals have the Crusaders made and and how many have they won????? Yes, it's a new name but the same mission, and despite Split Enz "History Will Repeat Itself!"

Kate is back in Angel Fire and starts work today - she had a great trip back and did a great job of getting herself through all the airports etc. but there is not a lot more snow!

Today its a beautiful Canterbury day here at Redcliffs and will be a restful one for Sara, so please no visitors without phoning first.

TTFN
Sara, Sue and Rob.