My oldest baby celebrates 10 years old

Today my beautiful boy turned 10 years old..a decade..ten years of being blessed with a fantastic kid. We were so lucky the day he chose me and his 'beach' dad firstly, and then Jason later to be his Dad, and then Immie picked him to be her big brother. I think she got a great deal there.

Today we woke at 5.45 am for our tradition early present giving, and when he opened our present, the roles were reverse...Kody recieved a Wii, and his simple response was "you really should not have done that, felt like a very naughty kid ; P. Kody recieved a box of suprises from Immie (well besides the Wall -e that was just to hard to keep a secret, esspecially when your jumping on the trampoline..suprises just fall out of you mouth).

Then the day went from Fantastic to super as the birthday wishes and presents kept streaming in, and Kody's spent the day with Granma, who then shouted the movies " Chimps in Space". Home they came to see, Cherrie and Kai delievering a present.

Then a big clean up and incredible prep for the 10th birthday party by Granma, (what would I do without her...Thank you thank you mum). Immie and me then returned home froma long day at the hospital, to quickly ice the chocolate block shaped cake and finish the slideshow of the years of Kody (well the first three years..the rest did not happen..: )). Everyone arrived at 6.30pm with lots of fun and laughter, and of course..more presents. Fun was had by all and all Kody's favourite food groups were met, Lasagne, Pizza, Chips, Lollies..oh and a little salad.

A well dressed Kody (thanks Aunt D & Uncle D) amused all with his wii and bamboo playmat (for the computer, thanks Uncle Nigel). Then it was cake time and good night for all, Kody said "He had the best day even worth missing Home and Away for tonight"..hahahha.

Love you all

The Holmes Gang

Attached to this blog update is pictures of Kody's party, I hope to add a slide show of his life pictures very soon xx

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/KodyS10thBirthday#

Immie's Surgery Journey - 22nd of September

Hi all

Well super amazing Immie and me are back home, yeap operation was only on Monday. The surgeon was amazing, removed all the visible leisions (had a good look around to ensure there were no more visible )and then stitched her left ovary over next to the right, so when she does radiation her left ovary won't be blasted (WOW).

The op took about 3 and half hours as long as last year's, but the surgeon wanted to have a good look and some of the leisions were located in tricky places. Immie recovered with an epidural (with catherter), panadol, and lots of rice bubbles.

On Tuesday night she really pick up, and would not stop chatting (lol). They turned the epidural off at lunchtime yesterday (Wednesday) and Immie handled the pain. Then yesterday afternoon in one shoot, they removed the catheter, cannula (drip), epidural and did the broviac (main line) dressing.

Came home, not being able to walk very well, today she is walking, bending (gingerly) and giggling on pain stop. Back to the hospital the afternoon for dental checkup. Then next week will involve getting the base lines for her hearing, cardio (heart), liver function and bloods, with the view of beginning mega therapy (big chemo) on the 6th of October.

AMAZING!!!, we finally have a date, this will allow us to plan our life a little better over the next month and on. This is also means we will all be together at home for Kody's 10th Birthday and possibly also Jason's 30th on the 12th of October (even if it means we are in hospital we will now know where we are).

All your thoughts and support make a huge difference

xx Fiona

Pictures on the link below -

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/ImmiesSurgeryJourney?authkey=PgJ3Nc6tfA0#

Surgery Date Surprise...

Hi all

Yesterday we had our surgery date with Imogen's surgeon, Mr Gallow. After an hour of waiting we were very happy to be told that Immie will be having her surgery on Monday...yeap that's 22nd of September. While we were there the surgeon rang his assistant and cancelled all his Monday morning patients. We were shocked that he did this for our girl, though thankful that Immies treatment was getting full priority. We are also thankfully that our oncologist Dr Phillips, rang Mr Gallow once again, to explain the importance of the fact that Immie needed surgery ASAP.

Immie has to go in Saturday morning to get her blood cross matched for any transfusions she needs to have done during the operation. Then I am unsure when we will be back in there, either Sunday night or early Monday morning.

Please send us lots of positive thoughts that Mr Gallow and team can get as much of the leisions as possible, and not do any possible damage to the kidney or urethra.

Cheers

Lots of Love

The Holmes Gang

P.S. Guess what there are only 14 sleeps to our big boy turns double digits - 10, wow, I know I know...but I just have to say it I can't believe he is going to be 10....incredible

Cousins and Friends - Sept 08

Hi all

On Thursday we were surrounded by lovely people, Immie and me went to the uni restaurant to have lunch with my two uni friends Gracie and Erica. We all had a nice time, though by the end immie was begging to go home!!!. It was great to catch up Gracie and Erica and it made me realise how much I miss uni, I honestly really can't wait to get back into it next year (I know..I know I will be regretting saying that when exams and essays are due).

Then that evening after dropping in to see my Dad for Fathers Day (little delayed), we received a text to say that Jacinta, Colin, Rhylee and Tayah wanted to come say Hello and bring us some pizza for tea (yummy). The kids had a ball together, and we finally got to give them their bone pjs we bought in Melbourne, so they all ran around looking incredibly cute. Luckily they came then as they got to see Kods as he was going to his Dad's on the weekend.

On Saturday, Immie and me went to the incredibly exciting Dora the Explorer concert (thanks for organising the tickets Cherrie) with our good friends Cath and Nicole. Immie was very excited and performed to all the Dora songs. The concert was great and fun. Even though poor Nicole had a sore finger after my Immie accidentally squashed her finger in the chair (sorry Nicole). Back on the train, Immie was very tired, and I thought we were heading for a sleep at home. Hahaha not Immie, when she saw Nana and Pop, and had some lunch, she was full of beans...Incredible kid.

Sunday, we spent with Nana, Pop, Colin, Jacinta, Rhylee and Tayah, and had a mini party for Pop (Brian) who's birthday was on Saturday. We had lots of yummy food to eat. Then I suggested that the post box need to be put together and up out the front, this then lead to another part of my plan, everyone got in and did my gardening and pruning (thanks Jac)...hahahah all part of my evil plan ; P . Thanks everyone

We had a lovely weekend, it was so good seeing Immie play with her cousins,

Love The Holmes Gang

Photos attached to the link below

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/FriendsAndCousinsSeptember08#

AMAZING!!!

Hi all

I have titled this blog update - Amazing, for that is what explains what our surgeon believes he can do...Let me explain to you firstly the size of the leisions (yeap not even big enough to be declared tumours)

Number One
Beginning size -
12mm by 16mm by 25mm
Last weeks size -
10mm by 13mm by 16mm
Number Two
Beginning size -
24mm by 18mm
Last weeks size -
20mm by 16mm by 18mm
Number Three -
Beginning size -
12mm by 8mm by 25mm
Last weeks size -
9mm by 6mm by 11mm
Number Four -
Beginning size -
11mm by 7.5mm by 25mm
Last weeks size -
9mm by 5mm by 23mm

Yes I have not made spelling mistake we are talking mm's, grab a ruler and just check out how small they now are. The four leisions are spread across her abdomen . Today we had a meeting with our oncologist who explained the reductions in the leisions, and that we had an appt to see our surgeon next week (Tuesday) to discuss surgery. The only downside (though not really as it means we can all celebrate Kody's 10th birthday together on the 30th of September), is that Immies surgery may not be able to be fitted in till first week of October. If this is the delay then our oncologist will decide whether maybe another cycle of chemo should be done, prior to surgery.

Of course as soon as we have the surgery dates the mega therapy and stem cell rescue can be dated and a rough time can be give of when it will begin. Next Tuesday when we meet with the surgeon it will all be much clearer (at least we hope).

Immies MIBG scan was a breeze, Jas reckons its because he was there and he is our lucky charm...I think he may be right...

Thanks for all the positive thoughts, prayers and vibes
Love the Holmes Gang

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/MIBGScanSept08#

Busselton Holiday

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/BusseltonHoliday#

Click on the click above and chose slideshow

Hi All

This weekend we went away to stay at Geographe Bay Resort, this was all thanks to the very generous donation of three nights stay given to us by Woody and his family (a supplier that Jason uses for his business). We received this wonderful gift back in April when we did our radio interview, but have been extremely busy with Immies treatment and life, that we had not used it. What better time than now, prior to results news on Wednesday.

We all had the best time in Busselton, it was peaceful and quiet when we arrived on Saturday and stayed that way into Fathers Day and on the Monday we returned home. The resort we stayed at was huge and gorgeous, 3 huge bedrooms, all with ensuites, fridges, tvs, built in air conditiors, in the one villa there were actually four tvs with foxtel. The grounds of the resort contained a bouncy castle, tennis courts, two pools (one heated, unfortunately we never got to trial them) and was a short distance to the beach...WOW...what more could you ask for!!!. We had plenty of time to time for relaxing or sleeping (except for the 5 am start).

That is how father’s day began, yep 5am, boy was Immies daddy happy (oh and Kody was not impressed either ; 0).Then brekkie at the resort cafe, then on to Country Life Farm. There the kids spent two hours feeding animals, being spat at by the Llamas (now that was hilarious – hey Kods!!), bouncing on the castles, rowing the dingy and enjoying the beautiful day. Then we could not find the reptile farm, we decided to take a detour to Simmos Ice cream – yumbo!!!. Then back into town for lunch, then back to the resort to put the daddy to bed, and the kids and me wandered the beach. Yeap no stopping Immie, she kept up her amusing act till 8.30, much to Kody delight.

Monday day, we awoke, and ate some more (what a surprised), then back to pack up, as we wanted to see Aunty Donelle and Karly on the way home to Perth in Mandurah. Had lunch with Aunty, love it, THANKS heaps xx. We got home about 4 pm, relaxed, exhausted and happy. Thanks Woody, his fabulous wife and family.

Love
The Holmes Gang

Sports carnival & Cat scan - 4th of September

Hi all

Yesterday was Immies cat scan to help the surgeons determine whether they will operation prior to stem cell and mega therapy. Immie and her daddy left very early (a struggle for Jas – not exactly the early bird) at 6.20am to arrive at the hospital to the nurses surprise very very early. The cat scan ran on time, 10am, Immie was an incredibly good girl for all the doctors and nurses. During the cat scan they also did a bone marrow aspiration to record where they stand before being stem cell, the lovely nurses also changed her dressing while she was asleep, this is something we are incredibly grateful as Immie hates dressing changes. After a bungle up at pharmacy they arrived home at 2.30pm. Jas was also told that next Wednesday (10th) we will receive the decision from the surgeons and find out when stem cell will begin. A relief as we were thinking we would have to wait another agonising week for results. Even though we realise Immie could and probably will be very sick from stem cell, we really are waiting with anticipation for stem cell, as it means that after this Immie will be able to spend more time being a very normal gorgeous four year old. It sounds like Immie will be out of action from school for up to 6 weeks after the stem cell rescue, and then she will begin radiation. Right now we are asking for thoughts, vibes and prayers that the results next Wednesday, allow for the surgeons to make a decision that will benefit Imogen’s results in a successful stem cell rescue.

On the Kody front yesterday I went to the sports carnival, were Kody was incredibly brave even with a sore ankle managed to participate in every event, Incredible Kody he has learnt so much and grown so much from watching his sister kick cancers butt. A beautiful sibling relationship, were Kody as well teaches her so much. We are very very lucky to have amazing kids and a beautiful family. On a sad note Kody’s faction” Bounty” slipped from second to last in the last half of the afternoon..boo hoo, I think maybe the whole thing is rigged!!! lol

Love Hugs and Kisses

Jason, Fiona, Kods and Immie Holmes

Click below to see Kod's olympic sports carnival

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/TheSportsCarnival#

Nigel and Jody's wedding

Hi

My brother Nigel got married on Saturday to Jody, it was a beautiful service with Immie being the star as flower girl (one of three). We were all very very suprised when Immie stood very still, and smiled the whole service, it was incredible. I honestly was not expecting her to be the ideal flowergirl (as at times she is a jumping jellybean). The wedding service was quick, and then moved onto the reception with plenty of champagne and singing along to incredibly soppy love longs. The evening was lots of fun to all.

Congrats Nige and Jody

see pics below, press on the slideshow button on the page to have a look through all of them,

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/TheWeddingOfNigelAndJody

Love

The Holmes Gang