The Late one that didn't work! Been busy having fun!

Hi Everyone

Well you will be pleased to know that Sara felt like yesterday was one of the first days since a month ago (yes it is a month yesterday since we got the news) that she had a whole day of some real fun. Yesterday was the first day for a while that we haven't been full on with hospital type things for a little while. A sleep in for Sara and a late breaky and then off to hospital for a 10 minute job to get her bone marrow hormone stimulation injection. She has one of those each day until Tuesday -fortunately for her and us they happen at 12.00 noon each day which means Sara gets lunch when she makes the visit as well as the injection! They are meant to make you feel a bit flu like but so far that's not happening - fingers crossed!

Then we went off to the Gardens Cafe for a lunch, first for the rest of the Young Ones and a second for Sara (the first was small!). Sara met up with her good friend Sarah Prattley for part of the afternoon taking in the gardens and Art Centre for some street performance watching and some shopping at the stalls. We also visited Anne Munro at the Salamander Art Gallery before Sara headed off to her Nana's for a rest and a look at the lovely art book - thank you Salamander!

Kate heads back to the USA on Tuesday night so we are making the most of the time left over this weekend for the little "big sister" and big "little sister" to spend time togther. Kate is keen on a barbi before she heads home so maybe tonight!

So it is 3 days of near normality and family time. Kate has done a very artistic and creative job on Sara's diary and scrapbook which is progressing towards being up to date! Last night Sara and I had some fun setting up a laptop for Kate to take back to the States, so we can talk and email easily.

Sara is still getting tired after a few hours on the go but is definitely feeling a bit better with each day. After the op on Thursday she was a little sore (laughing very painful!) on Friday but feeling a lot better Saturday. While in that drowsy stupor after the op Thursday Sara was laughing about something and I commented it was good to see she still had her sense of humour, the response was "Dad, they can't operate to take away your sense of humour". So true and how silly of me!

She has now moved from Ward 28 to the CHOC ward where she will be for the next phase of treatment. We are still awaiting the final interpretation of the results from the PET scan done in Aussie but the preliminary indications are that it will be very useful in targeting the treatment area for the radiotherapy.

Tuesday is a big day with the other op happening (bone marrow harvest, lumbar puncture and porta cath) first thing in the morning and then in the late afternoon the radiotherapy is starting........... and that evening Kate departs direct to LA from Chch.

Today there are a couple of friends visiting but it will generally be a laid back day and hopefully we will see a bit of sun (hmmm not looking promising right now through the rain, wind and cloud!). Monday we look forward to another relaxing day. It feels kind of nice to have this little break in the process before we embark on the next bit.

We are glad everyone is enjoying the photos and we continue to enjoy the messages on the site, emails and cards. Thanks to the rowing team for the beautiful flowers and balloon, the flowers were very timely as the previous ones had passed their use by date and we were very reluctant to throw them out! We would also like to acknowledge the support we have received from the Child Cancer Foundation especially the funding of the third airfare to Sydney.

If you are intending to visit then please call Rob on 027 223 4546 prior to visiting just to check that it will work for Sara. We will probably not post the site again until Tuesday evening so enjoy your long weekend break (in NZ!) and we will talk again then.

TTFN
Rob, Sue, Kate and Sara