An update on the last 3 days.
Hi everyone
Since Sunday afternoon Sara has improved and is now back to eating and drinking more normally and has had little nausea until tonight. She is very tired tonight after a couple of big days at the hospital etc. Today we were in for the first of her bi-weekly chemotherapy treatments over the period of the radiation (every Monday and Wednesday), the daily radiation and meetings with the dietician and doctors etc. When we got home at 6.30 we had a quick chat with Kate who is about to start her working week.
Last night Ruth stayed the night and cared for Sara while Sue and Rob went out for a Valentines Day treat at the Teppin Yaki Bar at the Crowne Plaza. Sara and Ruth enjoyed watching "Finding Nemo" - not sure how many times Sara has seen it - twice this week!!
On Tuesday after a visit from Mart Heine in the morning who was en route back to Nelson from Dunedin (great to see you Mart), we spent a large chunk of the day at the hospital too. This included a visit to the OT where Sara cooked up some stuffed potatoes by herself to check out her motor skills for this sort of task - she passed with flying colours but the arm has been a little bit tired since. The stuffed potatoes were very yummy. Lunch with Anne Munro and then we had a meeting with the CHOC staff in the afternoon to discuss the chemo and the radiation treatment.
The nausea has been largely under control since Monday when we had a more relaxed day. Monday was also busy with Sara having her haircut (it looks fantastic and we will get some photos up again soon when we have some time), a bit of shopping and a meeting with the consultant radiologist and the daily radiation.
Tomorrow we are back in the CHOC ward at 10.00am for a 3 hour blood transfusion as Sara's haemaeglobin count is down following the radiation. This is par for the course and regular blood tests are carried out to check on various effects of the chemo and radiation. We were told tonite that following the transfusion she will be bouncing off the walls - watch out! Followed by the radio and a visit to the Art Therapist.
Well a very factual rundown tonight - its time to run for bed and be ready for an earlier start in the morning.
TTFN
Sara, Sue and Rob
posted by Rob Young @ 9:09 pm
14 comments
14 Comments:
And I'm second - maybe - unless somebody is already writing theirs! Have just been looking at gorgeous photos of Sara and Rob that Mart brought home. Great haircut AND the wonderful smile and DONKEY!! The new member of the family!
Don't leap too high after the transfusion - that house of yours looks pretty high up on the hill.
Big day tommorrow. Sleep tight.
Love you all, Jane, Mart and Zoe
You make me feel exhausted Sara with all your daily activities.It sounds like the hospital staff don't let you lie around much either!! i'm looking forward to the photos of your new hairstyle. I hope you have had some use out of your new clothes - I certainly have.
we're going down to Bathurst this weekend as Petra starts uni next week. We are not looking forward to seeing the state of the garden. I'm not sure we will be able to see the house for the weeds and overgrown lawn!!
Glad you got a chance for a Valentine's dinner Sue and Rob.
Rest well Sara.
Love Pip, John, Petra and Nicole
Hi All,
It was great to talk to you the other night and hear Sara's cheerful voice. Hang on to that positive attitude, it will get you through! Life here is carrying on. Stefan cooked his girlfriend a romantic valentine dinner (he never cooks us anything!!!) and I went for another moonlight ski. Will have to have our dinner out when Ruth gets home. The weather has improved alot the last few days and the skiing was exellent. Katherine is is skiing today at Shames Mtn., they had some fresh powder yesterday, so she will be rubbing it in when she gets home. I'm off to Smithers on the w/e to check out the slopes there.
Thinking of you lots,
Love Lothar
Harrow Harrow Youngs!
Hows life on the flipside? Hope you all had a romantic Valentines day yesterday! I know I did. Well not really but that's what a hyperactive imagination is for. Hope the radio is going well Sara and that you aren't feeling as sick anymore cause of it! Think we might have to modify the original idea of the 250cc motor on the wheel chair and add some overly large wheels with mags so that you can go carve up at the beach (maybe a onboard motor is in order too?).
The last week has completely flown by me, as I'm already into my second week of my Diploma course (note, >my< Diploma. I'm greedy :P ). It's not too intense at the moment but I'm enjoying it while it lasts. Cliched or not, its like the calm before the storm of mathematical equations and fundamental concepts lol. Buts it's great to be surrounded by motivated and focused people (only down side is that they are all guys. We lost the only chick on the very first day. She went to the toilet and never returned... just like a bad horror movie…). They also have a wonderful system of, fail 1 test (and the re-sit) and you fail the whole year. I'd like to see that introduced into schools to produced some super stressed students lol. Wish you could see our teacher for Compliance Issues though. I swear this guy has ADHD in his face. Never seen a grown man twitch so much (not that I've seen a little kid twitch that much either....). Meridian Energy could solve all their power problems if they could harness the energy this guy puts into his facial expressions.
Oh and I've discovered the wonders of public transport. Namely sitting on a bus for 50minutes during peak rush hour, to complete a trip that normally only takes 10minutes. I can see why people take books, music and the odd game of Twister© onto the bus (ok maybe not twister but you get the point....). A new favourite game of people travelling the metro is, “Encroach on Alan's personal space”.
There’s only 2 rules. 1). Squeeze as tightly against Alan as you can, and 2) Take as long as you can getting onto the bus, and preferably ask the bus driver for the next 4 years weather forecasts while you’re there. I'm sure its great fun if you aren't Alan. Miff.
Anyway I hope you all have a good week (as I've run out of time to write more, Diploma Calculus calling me....), we're all still thinking of you (like we'd forget you, Ha!) so stay safe and go easy on the beach go'ers.
Keep it real.
The Povall Clan, Snerty, and Bilby (which due to hate mail and numerous lawsuits are no longer “Festively plump” or “A bird of prey” respectively).
Lol just read the last posting. Bouncing off the walls? Good luck Sue and Rob, we'll be thinking of you both!!! :P
hi guys
Just a wee note to let you know we are all thinking of you.I don't have any legit business down in CHOC so won't be able to swing by and catch you Sue with a phone in one hand and a coffee in the other!!!!!
Am really enjoying cheese's blogs...just keep up the exercise cheese my girl...you'd be dangerous without it!
Sam is back up at the Boyle after a week down here rock-climbing...only thing is,he brought 2 more cadets with him to camp out in the lounge...which was a bit smelly and expensive..FOOD>>>FOOD!!!
OK then ... must off coz I'm a real cabbage on the keyboard!
How's the meditation going?hope you have some longer relief times without the nausea.
Lots of love and positive vibes to you and yours
Janine,Rob,Sam and Sophie
hey gurl. ive got art at the moment but mrs frost aint here so yeah thought i'd further my career in "writing blogs to sara" hahaha. how you been chook? omg did i tell you what happened to me? no wait i dont think i did. yeah well on the first day of the leadership course we had to canadian conoe out to bird sh$% island. (we being jeremy and deeanna and me sitting in the middle relaxing in the sun lol) and we (jeremy and deeanna) got there allright and we got to get out and look around the island. so up i get and i balance myself as best as i can and get onto the rocks. might i add that they are COMPLETELY COVEREDED in brids droppings! im so good at censoring at the moment... hehehe. and i had to like dodge the rocks and try aim for the cleaner ones as i was in barefeet. and then i jump from this really big one and i was aiming at the browny greeny patch of grass so i wouldnt jump into a prickle and get a boo-boo. and so i jump.... and you i ended up standing on a LIZARD! like come on!!! EW! how disgusting is that? (im sure i liked screamed the whole town down... well momentarily anyway because its still here) and everyone (everyone being mr giles, nathan, cartnick, deeanna and jeremy) are like peeing their pants at me as im standing there hyperventilating! man was i grossed out. but if that wasn't bad enough. we had to get back in the canoe of course to get back! so in i get... hop scotching through the poo rocks and i slip! well duh. of course it would have to be me out of all people to slip. and i fall into something gruesumly slimy (ohhhh i dont even want to talk about it) and after i recuperate myself i finally get into the canoe... wobble wobble wobble. and then i realise as i am heading back to shore, that my foot is bleeding. i like three places! THREE! thats more than two and less than four! i couldn't believe it, so good old mr giles came to my rescue and cleaned it up and put a sticky plaster on it. but i was limping around all day whenever i was wearing shoes. i realised its because my foot was all swollen and has the meanest bruise on it! truth hurts! hahaha. get it? yeah... anyway. thats no the end of my dramatic AND traumatic experiences... you know how i told you about how we had to do ropes courses and stuff. yeah well i was being such a great helper and all (as ya do) and deeanna was getting across this rope at a great speed and i thought why dont i give her a hand so she can get down. so up i walk and lean foward to grab the rope and just as i touch it... IT HAPPEND! it was basically in slow motion. deeanna starts ssslllooowwwlllyyy falling backwards, still holding the top rope, and im standing there going NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO!!! hahaha. nah not even i was still standing there, you know me! and then her legs flipped out from under her and kicked me directly, i mean like spot on, on the bullseye, in the gut!!!! OOWWWWWWWW!!! i have never felt something so sore in my tummy before! i wonder if thats what it feels like to have a cesearian? (sorry cant spell) maybe one day i'll find out aye?
well anyways, im allright now... JUST! lol and back to top form! cant wait till interval though because I AM STARVING!
sweet better cruise just in case mrs g decides to come and take a visit lol.
luv u lots dude. xox
Dear Sara
I can't wait to see the haircut! Fantastic that you are feeling a bit better nausea-wise.
If I had visited Shaz blogging in the music room (I always thought people liked my wee visits!) it wouldn't have been a big deal. Blogs to Sara come under the heading of understandable and legit time off task! The staff are doing it too!
The leadership course went well but we missed your input.
I hear your charms are building up. Hope you can still lift your arm with the weight of them.
Better go in case Shaz comes for a wee visit!!! Happy Spa-ing.
Love Glenda
think of you daily sara
sounds like you are doing really well keep it up the good work ,the spuds sounded yummy . all o k here just love having grant home from london
take care lots of love caroland co
Hi Sara, Rob, And Sue,AND Kate if shes tuned in!
Geoff and Chris here, the Luddites from the North Island, not very computer savvy believe it or not!
Just want you to know that we ARE thinking of you every day, and sending as much energy your way as we can muster.So impressed with all your daily activities, and your wonderful love of everything, Go girl!
Keep up the good work, LOVE YOU LOTS, and happy Valentines Day wishes too. xxx MASONS
Hi Sara, Sue, Rob, Kate
Lovely sunny day here in Twizel and great to have another update on your site. Hey Sue and Rob, well done on acknowledging Valentine's Day. You two sure need to be a strong unit at the moment and time for yourselves and each other is a big part of that. Ann Mac and I have just had a lovely catchup while Troy made her even more beautiful and Kate tried to work her magic on me. Needless to say one of our conversations was about you all and how you are doing and what a wonderful family you are. Ryan had Dean and I up half the night with a croaky voice and probably a sore throat, he kept waking upset and crying loudly and threatening to wake Kyle too. He seems fine today but Dean and I are failing fast. I imagine Dean's eyes are struggling to stay open down at DOC right now. Rob, I know he is missing having you around, as we are missing you at school Sue. Stevie came to me this morning and said just that. It was "Oh I miss Sue, I really do."
Stay strong - Sandy and the redheads.
Oh and Sara, you do know that everyone will now expect you to be an expert at producing delicious baked spuds!
Hi team
must be a Thursday, never could get the hang of Thursdays. Busy week. Suddenly realised camp is next week. Yipe. Rushed out permission slips etc and tried to organise who was going where. Frosty always manages to look so on top of things, while I just headless chicken.
More headless chicken this morning as I was back in the pool with 11 PE learning how to roll the kayak. Finally got up a couple of times but consistency is some way off!
Good to hear the nausea is settling (I know everyone is saying that, but it is good to hear Sara!)
Tom's birthday saturday so am trying to get myself mentally prepared for the onslaught of about ten or twelve small children for a party. ARRRGHH!
Must go and procrastinate. Sorry that the message is pretty dry. creativity suffering through overdose of late night Olympics watching I think.
Take care you all!
Granty
Hey Sara (and Sara's family)
It's Claudia Here.How are you Doing? Your Last couple of weeks sound pretty full on but it seems like your handling it ok.
I've been back in Dunedin for over a week now. It's really fun and it's great to catch up with all my friends here. School's just the same. Boring. But at least i don't have to do NCEA until next year. Lol.
Oh My God it was so funny today at school. We had our ID photos taken and i decided i would be pretty cool and do my hair all funky. I had a pony tail on the very top of my head and plaits that stuck out the side. I looked like a oompa Loompa. Lol. well any way i managed to get through the morning like this but when it came to the photos i wasn't so lucky. One of the really angry teachers said i had to take my plaits out because i looked immature. Grrrrr. I was really angry. Oh well, i did at least get a really cheesy grin in.Lol
Well I best be going now. I'll Blog you Later. lol.Well look after yourself. love ya lots
Claudia Herron
Hi everyone,
You are amazing Sara. Such strength and tenacity. I am in total awe of you. Your new hairstyle is awsome, now you look like your grandma (my Aunty Joan). Our thoughts are with you all. Love always to all of you,
Susan, Bel and Nick xxx
Hi Sara and the Youngies, a lovely day here in Paradise, Caitlin and Zoe went out this morning at 9am with Bill, Bob and myself, what a lovely morning it was to, the sun on the calm water with the brats rowing on through it, just magical. Bill was videoing them rowing so we can look at it and show them whats actually happening. Caitlin then was off to jump out of a plane (God nos why you would want to do that) so hope all of her got to the ground at the right time. Wayne and Val are doing a fundraiser at the Golf course so is a busy day. We are taking the brats out water skiing and biscuiting at 4.30 and having a BBQ after that so should be real fun. We upto 6 rowers now and Wayne tells me we now have another boy to row with Willis so things are looking up.
Sooooo hows things with you (should have asked that first but tough) hope all this back and forward is not to hard on an old girl rowing brat (part of the brat pack) look after yourself and lets no when you are up in our neck of paradise.
Regards Deno
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