Once again some extremely sad and devasting news

Dear everyone

We haven't posted a blog for a while and things had been going well until a month or so ago.

Sara became seriously ill 3 weeks ago and was taken to Chch from Twizel by ambulance on Saturday night. A scan on the Sunday showed that the tumour had regrown much larger than it had been previously and very different to a scan 5 weeks earlier that showed the tumour still shrinking and collapsing.

We are all devasted by this news after all the hope of the past few months and are trying to keep our lives together - there is no other treatment possible under the circumstances. We have been home for 10 days now after Sara spent some time in hospital and Chch while her condition was stabilised. Sara is now spending large amounts of the day resting and sleeping and being cared for by us and the local GP, district nurse, the palliative care team in Timaru with advice from the team at CHOC.

We are spending Xmas at home with family and are just taking each day as it comes. Sara is fairly comfortable most of the time now that the drug regime has been sorted and enjoys her awake time with us and the occassional visitor.

We haven't had the energy or inclination to do our usual Xmas letter but have really enjoyed all the ones we have been getting and the many other messages of support. A big thank you to everyone who has been supportive during the last few weeks especially since we have been home with meals and other gifts.

Sara is really looking forward to Xmas Day and she can't wait to open her pile of pressies under the tree! We are treasuring every minute we have with our precious and beautiful Sara Jane who still shines with her beautiful smile, a heart of pink and wonderful sense of humour.

If you would like to visit please ring or text first and keep your visit short for Sara's sake and to allow us the time we need with her as a family in the precious hours when she is up to having some fun and time together.

Arohanui to you all and we wish you all a happy Xmas.

Rob, Sue Sara and Kate (whose been visiting lots from her flat in town)