Home to the Mackenzie for Easter
Hi everyone
We travelled home to Twizel for the Easter break on Thursday. A beautiful day and great drive back home. The first time we have been home for a stay for over 3 months. Sara has been very tired for the last few days (both here and in Christchurch) and has been resting and sleeping lots. She has seen a few friends while we have been here but we are all just taking it easy and enjoying being home for a few days. We did have a meal out at Shawty's on Thursday evening which made us feel like we were really home.
A week ago we had a discussion with the oncologist Dr Rob Corbett about the analysis of the last MRI scan. He told us that there are indications that the tumour may have enlarged despite the radiation and chemo treatment of the last few weeks. This was devasting news for Sara and us and we have had a very emotional week. As a result we will be travelling to Sydney for the another PET scan - hopefully this coming week. Until we get the results of that we will not know where to next with Sara's treatment.
Kate arrived back on Sunday safe and well and has been telling us stories of her travels all week. We have been giving her a hard time about her acquired accent and she has also been entertaining us with her new liking for country music. She is working this weekend at the Korner Kafe in Twizel and plans to go looking for a job at the local cafes in Sumner when we return there.
Sara has solved her bath problem for the meantime by using a soft mat given to her by Aunty Robyn or a Z-rest sleeping mat discovered in the garage at 211 Mackenzie Drive! Sara enjoyed all the wonderful suggestions and discussion on soft baths - maybe an opportunity for someone to completely redesign the bath!
Thanks to everyone for the continuing support, messages and visits, when we are able to see people. Also a big thank you to all those who organised and contributed to the Support Fund in Twizel. We have recently received a cheque from this fund for $1400 which has paid for Sara's laptop. We feel very grateful and really appreciate this generous gift from our home town and all our friends there. We feel very humbled by your kindness - thank you so much.
Warm regards
Rob, Sue Sara and Kate (back in NZ)
posted by Rob Young @ 9:45 PM
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24 Comments:
"Happy Easter" Sara and family, I hope Easter bunny left alot of goodies!!!
I'm saddened by the not so good news, something that none of us wanted to hear, but I know that your fighting spirit will again win over.
Have you been enjoying the beautiful veiws now that your back here in Twizel?, with the snow covered mountains and bright yellow sun in the clear blue sky?? Oh man I should be writer-yeah right!!!
We hope you enjoy your break home for Easter but make sure you get plenty of rest and don't over do it. Hello to Rob, Sue and kate, happy Easter to you all as well. I'm sure it must be nice to be home again even though it's only for a breif time.
Good luck in Sydney, our thoughts are with you, as always.
"keep smiling sunshine"
Dear Sue, Rob, Sara and Kate
In our minds we can see the Ben Ohaus out your front window - the wonderful shadows on the hill slopes, the full moon coming up on one side as the last of the sun disappears on the other - oh, beauty!! Not here in not-so-sunny Nelson.
Toby has taken a shine to the newish red car and has just HAD to go and check the non-existent surf. He thinks it corners well! In the meantime I'm running my own personal survey on how driving styles affects fuel consumption! Toby might need my research as a student of Energy Studies.
Mart is outside trimming trees to let in the winter light and I'm slowly getting back to normal life now ERO is over. The tomato sauce is made and ready to be delivered to you in Chch and I've got a batch of relish on the go. Are you into tomato relish?
Zoe worked last night but has handed in her notice. Being on call doesn't fit in well with homework. The texting ntework is spreading the word about a party at 123 Halifax Street tonight - everyone welcome! Tell your friends!! And there is a flat at 123 up on the hill. Could be an interesting night here in Halifax Street. The old fogies at home will be standing by. At least it's not far to get home. But considering the text has been doing the rounds all week it could be quite a crowd.
It's 16 years this Easter since we moved in here in Halifax Street so that means 16 years for you in Mackenzie Drive too. There's been a lot happening in that 16 years but in these last 3+ months you've had the hardest journey of all. We're alongside you, darling Youngs, with our love and thoughts.
Jane, Mart, Zoe and Toby
Enjoying a quiet afternoon with a coffee and easter egg in hand! I remember the change over at Mackenzie Drive 16 years ago. We just carried on calling in for cuppas and friendship!! And here we are still connected over this amazing blog. Thanks Rob, Sue, Kate and Sara for sharing your lives with us. Sending love and energy to stock up for the coming week.
Anne, Bob, Hayden and Bridie
hi all
hope the journey to sydney goes smoothly and you get the best of seats for your travels .
there is a big jazz fest on this weekend "our" streets are filled with people bands and cars
I exhibited at art in the park yesterday they were exhibiting today as well but couldnt stand two days of early starts
only sold one painting yesterday all of the works have gone over seas
gardened to day , the last week or so I have felt able to put some energy into such a project
I am hoping there is a cure, for Sara you never know there are new things being dicovered daily these new ideas are giving me hope too ,I think I was born with a big sign at the end of the bed that read optomist .
no easter eggs this year staying off the sweet things we will have a family dinner tomorrow when stuart turns 37!!!!!! hell that make us seem old .
it must be great to be home and have Kate there with you as well . she certainly didnt take long to aquire a accent .
chris and kate are in n p this weekend
pauline will enjoy nursing carli we are yet to meet her apparently she is a very good baby.
lots of love and cheers to all we will send all our strong vibes to you to help you on your way next week carol and co
We are in Smithers, and our Kitimat Krew, plus Liz T just back from a Easter Hike up the little Onion. (A strange name for a mountain.) It was sunny and snowing at the same time. Hope the Easter bunny finds you at home in Twizel. We are all thinking of you lots.
On the easter note I was off chocolate for about a week, but it didn't last. Really good chocolate is good for so many things, not to mention good moods, fun company, lots of energy hiking etc.
Stefan is down the channel working hopefully not freezing his ass off. He is staking small trees, hmm back breaking work!!!!!
Hope you had a great drive back home and really enjoyed getting back to your roots. Great to see the sun and mountains I am sure.
Til we talk again, sunny snowy hugs and smiles from us in Smithers. Auntie Ruth, Lothar,and Katherine.Plus, Stefan from down the Douglas Channel.
Hey Sara and family, keep hanging in there guys everyone is sending good thoughts warm hugs and heaps of love to you all, thinking about you guys alot Love Jacq
Hi there Sara, Rob and Sue, and Kate
So good that you can have some lovely autumn days here in Twizel. Not sure about sharing our wonderful home with all these other people - have they no where else to go!
My mother is here for a few days and we just walked to the kettlehole at Pukaki. Great views of the lake and hills and all the traffic streaming north.
Taylor has not stopped with his accidents - by the look of it he has now broken his big toe on his foot that has a healed/healing broken bone. Can't do anything for toes I'm sure so I am ignoring it for now. Xray for original foot injury again tomorrow so will probably know then.
Hope your peace and quiet has not been too disrupted by motorbikes - despite his broken bits and sore bits he and his mates have been out over the weekend.
Love and thoughts and best wishes with you all.
Love Connie.
Hey Sara
Happy Easter to you! Im sorry about your news but keep on staying positive! You have such an amazing attitude! I will keep on sending out my positive thoughts to you as Im sure everyone else is too!
I have been away for the past three days at Lake Brunner. Wasnt really sure where that Lake was before I went but I can tell you now that Lake Brunner can be found on the West Coast 30 mins before Greymouth. There is a bit of a geography lesson for ya!
Cait and I bussed there early Saturday morn. I brought a couple of magazines along for the ride, but no need. It was a crowed shuttle so I ventured down the back to sit in the only available seat. Lucky me I got to sit betweebn a Canadian and an American. They would not STOP answering me questions about NZ. This was nice as the time passed quicker. BUT unfortunately for me I really couldnt answer most of their questions. I realised these two boys- (the american was a hottie fyi) were into their nature. Topics of conversation ranged from sheep to wool to mountains to trees to deer?? They even asked me about Mount Cook. Now this was actually a highlight of our 3 hour trip as they mistaked my pronouciation of Cook to something else (remove an o put in a c) and were amazed that we called our highest mountain that. Slightly embarrassed I corrected them!
A long time later we arrived in Moana which is the name of the town which the Lake is at. Nat my friend and her hot cousin picked us up. We chucked on some togs and new clothes and drove down to the lake. This was a mission in itself because it was very cold and I didnt bring trackpants or really any clothes I needed (why? because mum didnt help me pack.)
That afternoon did heaps of biscuiting! And even..... managed to get up on the waterskis FIRST TIME! pretty proud of that one!!
Left the lake itching and scratching- so many of those mozzie fly things!
That night had a huge meal, a few drinks and I slept for a few hours on the couch. Woke up then played a bit of Singstar. It really is a family game wehad like 20 people playing at once!! Ha ha. Just about lost my voice!
I told everyone I was going to be up at 6am for my 70min run that night. The next morning 6am came and went. I was so tired I couldnt bring myself to get out of bed. Got quite a few comments about how my run 'went' at breakfast! We headed to the Lake again on Sunday. It was so cold and raining that I didnt go for a ski or even a biscuit! Bit of a wimp a! But no worries! That night we played articulate which we will have to play Sara such a great game!!
I lost. Wasnt happy. But I got over it and went to bed content. And then this morning I got up and did my run. All around the outskirts of Moana. Was feeling good at the 55min mark and then I came to a HUGE hill and struggled a tad. Got passed by some hardout wearing an orange nike jacket. Not impressed.
Came home hobbling and we cruised out to the lake for the final time. It was raining SO hard that there was not a soul on the lake. I went in the boats but not in the water. It was SO COOL though! because the three families decided they would try and get 7 skiiers behind one boat. They managed 6 but it was AWESOME to watch a! AMAZING! 5 started on one boat two on the other, on the 5 person boat, the 2 end ppl had two ski ropes so then we drove the two-person boat round and dropped them off on each side very cool.. until one of the boys fell off and smacked his head- a lot of blood but he was ok!
Tommorow another busy day. Have to get a haircut and go to the doctors and go for a run. AND finish my pe! WHOOPS! My internal is due in on Wed havnt done much!
Anywho I must be off.. pe calls!
I hope your good! Keep your chin up and smile wide!
Lots and lots and lots of love from above here in chch
Cheese! :)
watch this super short blog!! time is now 12 16. got that? im trying to type faster hehe,
sorry bout that not too crash hot news, but im sure you can do it once again. you would never ever ever
EVER gues what i started doing on friday night after visiting???
i started knitting!!!!
well originally it was chrocheting or wahtiever its called!!!! i hav now done this many lines>
knitt
knit
knit
knit
knit
knit
knit
knit
knit
knit
hehe i held it up to the screen to see the size!! and its sbout this wide if i hold out my hands, but then you cant see that... its scarfe size. except the only wool mum had in twizel is cream... i may start again as its not the most appealing of colours in the whole wide world!! so i set a date! you will have a scarfe by the end of may!!! hold me to that k? ok so we may have to stretch it to half way thorugh june...
fly safely tomorrow or whenever you leave, ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELT!!! hey could you please ask if planes can get sppeding tickets?
watch out for those ausies...
oh and joke of the day!!!!
Q. how do you make a sausage roll?
A. push it!!!!!!
ahhhhahahahaha
loving ya ya big S.M!!!
S.M kate xoxoxox
p.s check out the time!! whoopwhoop 11 minutes!!
hey sara,
Jake and Jeremy all up in this beeyatch!!! bummer your back in twizel - no more sexc nurses aye!!!
hope you had a good easter we ate fuckloads of chocolate. mmm tuff break we're so fat rite now! - are you enjoying it back in twizel?, GOOD LUCK IN sydney, OUR THOUGHTS ARE with YOU , as always! =0 ;)
P.S our school is havoc without you running the place, assembly was quicker than a McDonalds drive-thru! mmm also new uni-form could do with your in-put, its um... a bit grey.
Jakes mums crazy.
best be off as we don't have school 2mra, lots of love & rest, keep on smiling,
J&J. =) =>
(WE' like to keep it short & sweet unlike writing novels but hey, this peice took at least an hour, no time 4 a speel check yeah!), really.
xoxo - from Jeremy'
oxox - from Jake '
My Dear Sara.
I've finally had a chance to check out your site. Im so proud of you gurl, you are one strong chick. Hang in there things can only get better. I'm in Christchurch until thursday 20th. I wish I could have caught up with you.
I just want to tell you that you are one of the most Bright and Wonderful people i've ever met. Our time on the spirit was fantastic, you're like my long lost sister or something haha.
I wish you all the best chicky babe. Keep in touch. Peace Love and Harmony... Love always Sarah Stewart. xoxox
Hey Sara
Its your mate Cheese. I hope ya had a good... Tuesday! Im out of routine already and its only day two of the holidays!
Just a quickie to say hey! Today has been pretty uneventful. Caught up with some friends at lunchtime which was cool. Some other mates came round for tea and we watched a vid called Crash. Very very good!Today at my first netball practice (team im coaching) only one girl turned uo so AWESOME start to the season (Note sarcasm!)
Tomorrow I will be getting my haircut! Exciting stuff a! Hopefully i can get Mum to take me shopping. I feel like new clothes!
I hope you have a mean Wednesday, check in then!
Lots of love
Cheese
Hey Sara, Jakes mum is not crazy. Luv from Jakes Mum
Hi Sara,
It must have been so wonderful to drive along those roads back to home after so long. I never tire of those views and it will be especially beautiful at this time of year.
Hope you had a great easter especially with Kate home again. Did you get to enjoy some chocs from the Easter Bunny? I often remember the Easter when Easter Bunny left big paw prints through all the corridors in the school - anyone else remember?
So sorry to hear the bad news and hope that your trip gives some more encouraging news! You have all been through so much, and when I was watching a programme the other night and the character talked about always feeling as though she had to smile!! You are entitled to feel that life has dealt you a cruel blow and have every right to not smile once in a while!!
I will have to get you some Fellmans chocolate - the best choc ever. We had some at Easter and nothing else compares, especially their dark chocolate.
Don't know when we are heading up to Chch this hols, but will get in touch. The kids have got holiday jobs so they have been really busy.
Love to you all
Cynthia, Victoria and the Stephens.
Hi to you all,
Hope you enjoyed the views of the MacKenzie over the Easter break and hope Easter bunny visited. I gather he visited the school again this year and according to a reliable source was seen hopping along both inside and outside the school building. Evidently (according to the unamed source) he was tall, white and fluffy and left behind a trail of Easter eggs and white footprints, as well as many eggstatic children.
Thinking of you all heaps.
And Jakes Mum....I don't think you are crazy.
Hi Sara, Sue, Rob and Kate,
Long time since my last blog effort. However have been regularly checking in and keeping up with your news.
Very sorry to hear the latest Sara however, like the others before me, know that you will beat this one too with that great attitude and smile to beat all.
Take care. All the best for the Assie trip. Don't be tooo hard on the Sydney shops. There is a rumour that they are only just recovering from the last "young" raid.
All the best and lots of love and hugs from Wellington.
Uncle Peter
Hey Sara
When do you go to Aussie? Good luck with your trip! I hope all goes well! I hope you have been feeling good and been busy!
I left ya on Tuesday.. so whats been the haps? Well on wednesday I set my alarm all ready for a run but couldnt get out of bed! Whoops!
So I slept in and then went to the mall with Mum and Hols. Mum and I have a minor disagreememnt because me being me ordered waaaay too much food for lunch and I couldnt eat all of it! Had a quick look around and then met some of my friends at the Russley Hotel to check out their 'skyline' room. Our 'Yr 13 Dance' is coming up so we are trying desperately to find a venue- proving to be a tad difficult, they are all booked. They Skyline room was okay... Nothing special relly! But may be our best option. Cruised to Clearwater Golf Resort. the name says it all a! It was beautiful but to cover food and venue alone we would have to charge forty dollars! Trying to keep ticket price down a!
I then met Mum and Hols at Merivale where I bought a top. Exciting!
Will you get much time to shop over in Australia??
I hope the weather is good!
For tea, I COOKED(!!!!!!!!) some pasta for Cait and Hols, tasted great!!! If I do say so myself. Even grated some cheese and chucked a bit of sauce on top.
My friend Nat came round and she drove me Cait and two of my mates out to my friend's part in Rangiora (also known as Goon).
We had a good night out there a. WHOOPS I got burnt marshmellow all over my new top Mum was not impressed a! haha! But she miracuously got it off today so that was cool. The part was good, lots of Villa girls were there which is always mint.
We came home at three, on the way home our car (or should I say nat's car) got egged. My window. I thought we had been shot when it first happened! Gave me such a fright a! CRAZY! Then I did a stupid thing... I wound down the window. That was dumb!!!Nat wasnt very happy with me. I can understand. There will now be bits of egg stuck in her cardoor for ages. It smelled too!
So that was yesterday.
I cooked some pancakes for a couple of my friends this morning. They didnt taste very good! But c'est la vie!
I woke up at 7.30 and went for a run. Only my second run of the week. Havnt been very motivated this week a! Got to get my a into g! Anyway this mornings run didnt go to well, lack of sleep and overconsumption of alcohol led to a very sharp stitch for the majority of my run. Was a nice morning though!
I went to ricc mall to return a top that strecthed and they got all angry at me? Said I needed proof of purchase which was fine. They couldnt have said it nicer though!
Took Hols for a bit of a driving lesson today as well.. ha I know what your thinking.. DANGEROUS! I was surprisingly calm! Hols is pretty good I must admit for someone who has only had two lessons..
Anyway bro I leave you, sorry not much to report a!
But check in with you tomoz!Shoutout to you other Young ones!
Cait says hey! You're awesome Sara!
Lots of love
Cheese
Hi Sara, Kaayyte (American accent) Sue and Rob
Sounds like you're having a torrid and miserable week, desite vast quantities of chocolate. We're thinking of you all (that's "Y'aall" Kaayyte!) heaps.
Had a great time with all the rellies\ in Taupo over the weekend. Played a round of golf (9 holes) with the guy cousins and cousins in law. One of them had recently had surgery on his wrist, so played the entire nine holes using one arm and a five iron. He beat me by seven strokes. I'm not much of a golfer - at one stage I was tacking my way up the third fairway (jumping between 'out of bounds' and the fifth tee). All good fun.
Have spent the last few days doing little jobs round home, including trying to clean my bike (long overdue) Craig Chapman was up, and convinced me to take my chain off to clean it down properly. Good theory, except that 'Laurel and Hardy' (my wife's description) managed to lose the joining rivet from the link we'd broken, and things went downhill from there. We're off to Timaru this morning, bike in tow, to get the Cyclery to sort out my mess.
Have a good Friday team. Hope to catch up with you soon.
Lol Granty et al
Ps the letters I have to type in to post this are 'nbugr': about sums it all up doesn't it?
Hi there young ones
Vicky the Hairdresser Hair Ha
Shops all changed big paint job.Come and see and have abit of chill out.Reading the events each day and sending loads of love to you guys.Heh Sarah when your up for some Reiki i will come.
Each day is a better day ok
Love vicky
Hey hey sezza baby!
Its your mate cheese!
My random letters I have to type in are zuzoydl! (Good conversation started Granty bro!). Now I had a quick think to myself and realised none of these word verication things are ever proper words! That seems kinda odd to me. Anywho thats my moan of the day!
How are you feeling? Are bathtimes waaaay more comfy now? I hope! So!
Just downloading a song at the moment called forever young! Ha reminded me of you bro! Cos of the young thing!
Cant believe that the hols are almost over. Its CRAZY. Even NUTS.
My holidays are slipping past me! But I should stop complaining! Because they have been pretty good..
Went out to brekkie with some mates. Maccas actually to be more specific. My second mcdonalds brekkie in MONTHS. Not a fan a! I felt so sick after I finshed my hotcakes and hashbrowns!!I have to say though my view on whipped butter has changed. It tastes good! Really good! Probably contributed to what made me feel so yuck though.
Today I was very lucky Mum bought me some shoes and a running top!! Mean! I get to test them out tomorow, got an early one haha!
But for now I say goodbye sorry to cut the blog- Dad needs the computer!
Blog tomoz!
Cheese
Hi Sara
Sorry to have missed you at Easter.
We went and did the Milford with my elder sister - and rain, hail, sleet and snow didn't stop us!! The Wet Coast was certainly that.
Sorry to hear the not so good news. You're never far from our thoughts.
Love
Sue, Bill and Bridget
Hey Cheese
Yep I think 'Forever Young' is a great song too, and could easily be Sara's Title track, even without the fortuitous pun. This morning's code is 'twpbx' is this text for 'typewrite in the box'?
Got given a lot of stick at the bike shop yesterday for stuffing up my chain. I was told to 'stick to my day job'. How often have I received similar comments while trying to do my day job? (occasionally even from one S. Young!) Still Tommy and I had a good time at the playground at Caroline Bay, and we saw two trains go past so we were most pleased. (And we got to go to McDonalds!)
Hope Saturday morning is brighter in every way in Christchurch Youngs all. The sky in Twiz this morning is moody and oppressive.
Thinking and praying for y'all.
"Craigallachie!" (Scottish Grant clan motto / war cry, which loosely translates as 'Stand fast')
LOL
Granty
PS meant to day yesterday that I don't think Jake's mum's crazy either, though bystanders are safer when she isn't using crutches
PPS that was meant to say 'meant to say' not 'meant to day'. Typos slip in when you have to blog in a hurry before Tom pulls the internet cord out AGAIN.
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Rob
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