Keep in touch with Sara: August 2006

A LONG lunch to celebrate!

Kia ora tātou!

Over the last few weeks I have been getting better and better and my drug cocktail has been reduced significantly. On Tuesday this week we were in Christchurch, I had a CAT scan and an MRI scan. Then on Wednesday as we travelled home we had some really amazingly OARSUM news, when the doctors told us that my tumour had decreased in size. It is now 4/10 of what it was at the last MRI scan on the 18th of April-one month after my radio treatment finished! He pai rawa atu tēnā – That’s fantastic! As we travelled from the Geraldine hills to Twizel we rang relatives and friends with my exciting news!

When we got home to a beautiful Mackenzie day we beelined to Shawty’s Cafe for lunch, shouted by me as a celebration! Our family lunch evolved into a gathering of many friends as school and work finished. Thanks to Troy for keeping the door open late and the yummy nibbles. We left our long lunch for a late dinner at Glenda and John's with lots of friends, music, singing and dancing till midnight. It was a very special day and celebration for me!!!

“I just can't stop grinning!” - Cheshire Cat -- Wonder and Aliceland – You’re my idol Caitlin (The Cheshire Cat!) This is the quote from a previous production I was in, and it is just how I’ve felt for the last couple of days!

Now we have to think about what comes next. I have been on a cocktail of antioxidants and immune building agents for the last 5 months. We will be continuing this and working on adding to it.
Meanwhile the oncology team are working on a proposal to undertake some heavy duty chemo. We will be discussing this with them sometime over the next fortnight.

The excitement doesn't end here for me as my cousins Tracey and Lisa have come back from England for a visit. So this week we are going down to Wanaka for some skiing. It should be great fun, I can't wait to see them!

I've had a great time writing this Blog because I've used the program Dragon Speaking Naturally that the school bought for me to help me as I cannot type very well with my hand. You'll see the picture of me at my lap top with my "McDonald's microphone" on below.
Haere rā

Sara

"McDonalds Girl"

Kate and Sara at the party

Dancing time

Good things take time!

Hi everyone

Its been a while since the last blog and our apologies for that - we will try and keep it up to date a bit more regularly, even if it is just briefly, as we have heard from so many people how they are still watching it!

We have been home for a month now and its warming up a little outside and we are all settling back into life in Twizel. Our little house was a bit frozen up on the morning of our departure from Christchurch- the last Friday in June. But the split wetback and water inside the house was all sorted when we arrived home later that day thanks to a great bunch of friends and locals.

We returned from a weeks skiing in Wanaka over a week ago! We all had a great time. The weather treated us well and Rob and Kate had 5 full days skiing at Treble Cone. But best of all Sara skied for three afternoons and on the last Saturday was seen seeking out the small jumps and some off piste snow! While were were there the snow conditions were fantastic and got even better on the Wednesday when 38cm of powder snow fell! So Thursday was one of those world famous TC powder days. In between skiing we did a bit of the coffee thing and just chilling out - well actually it was quite warm during the day!

We spent some time catching up with friends which was great and Sara got to spend quite a bit of time with her great friend Caitlin who is in Wanaka training for ski racing this winter.

Sara and Sue spent last week around home being creative and keeping the home fires burning amongst some walking. Rob went back to work for a full week interrupted by a visit to the dentist. Kate headed to Dunedin for the week to see her friend Anna and then came back to work at the Korner Kafe for the weekend. Robyn (Sues sister) and Mac visited in the weekend and skied at Ohau with Kate on Saturday.

This week Sara has gone to school for a couple of afternoons and spent some time in the Art room and meeting up with her buddies and teachers. She is feeling good, is still her bubbly self and while she gets tired has been quite busy and really enjoying being home.

We are off to Christchurch this weekend for a few days to catch up with family and some friends and do some town things!

Ka kite ano.
Sara, Kate Sue and Rob