Christmas happiness

Hi all

Well after all the rushing, planning and shopping Christmas came together like a wonderful fairytale. On Christmas Eve we spent the day, donating plasma (me), watching Madagascar 2 at the movies, making a Peter Pan costume (because Santa was just tooo busy) and enjoying time with my sister, Olivia and Ben.

Christmas Day began at 6.30am, with the tiny tiptoes of a lil princess. Immie opened her presents from Santa..with great delight Santa got it right, especially with the Dora Light. Well Done Santa!!!. After that we went to the beach and enjoyed some sand castles, wind and swimming till 8.30. Back home just before 9am, we got ready to have Livi, Ben, Nige and Jody over for brekkie. We opened a ton more presents, and Kody returned home at about 11.30 to a heap more. Every one was very happy with what they received Immie's best present being the Dora light, Kody's was UB Funkeys . I was very spoilt with lots of presents, including new Pandora beads, new necklace and a very special gift of my Granma's recipe book written in her handwriting. Jason was spoilt to with a hamper of coffee treats for his new hobby of coffee making amongst many other presents : ).

After this we trekked down to my fabulous Auntie's and Uncle's place in Mandurah. There we ate...ate.....drank...ate....drank...laugh...giggled..talked....and ate some more. We had lunch then shortly followed by Dinner. Then some went off to see the lights, while we tucked a very over tired Immie into bed at 7pm. Afterwards we sat around eating more and chatting. Boxing Day bought more food, a slippery slide and our traditional pinata bashing lol. Then home to Perth, were the kids went nuts trying every new toy out, and Jason and I collapsed on the lounge. It's hard work eating and chatting I tell you : P.

We all had a great Christmas, the only downfall being Immie's poor skin and mood, she did not seem too worried but the Actuane tablets had really made a mess out of her lips with them cracking and bleeding on Christmas Day.

After Christmas we spent lots of lovely days together until Jas returned to work on the Tuesday. I even got to go to the sales and bought a brand new.....Christmas tree for next year, how very exciting, especially when the trolley holding the tree decided to take off down the car park, while I was fussing with my bag. Luckily two ladies stopped it before it ran into a car. Funny now not so funny then : ).

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, with lots of giggles, laughter, food and love,

Love

The Holmes Gang

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

Merry Christmas to all our readers xx

To all who read The Holmes Gang blog,

We wish you a wonderful Merry Christmas, where all your hopes and dreams are met and you are able to spend the day surrounded by family and friends. We Thank all who have supported us and help us travel the long and sometimes tiring journey of 2008. Your support as helped us continue on, please join us for 2009 as our life returns to a slightly new "normal" again.

Here's to a fabulous healthy and happy 2009 for us and for you.

Love, Hugs and Kisses

Fiona, Jason, Kody, Imogen, Molly and Milly xxxxxx oooooo

NOT LONG NOW....THO WHO's COUNTING...ahhh that would be us love the Holmes Gang

The new leg of the long journey

Hi all
Being a cancer parent is the one of the toughest jobs alive. You attend the hospital for regular checkups, watch your chid go through unfathomable medical procedures and you get told often about drugs they are going to give your baby, that have major and crappy side effects. Some days the journey feels like it is almost finished and then another leg (drug) is added on. Well after having a lovely siesta for 20 days, as Immie had no procedures (besides broviac removal) or meds. On Wednesday we had clinic to discuss and begin Accutane. We were lucky enough to jag the fabulous Dr Nick, who is lovely and Immie likes (Strangely enough as she spent most of stem cell snarling at him, I was just saying the other day how incredible Immie is as she never holds a grudge to anyone at the hospital regardless of what they have done to her). Dr Nick read through the side effects, as I explained them in the previous posts. Then we discussed Immie’s freaky finger and toe nails that are regenerating new nails caused from the huge dose of chemo she had in mega therapy. Apparently she’s like a tree, with their circles (rings) growing (living) and showing their age. Kody thought it was cool, he said so she has a new life and I agreed what a fantastic way to think that cancer was part of her old life pre mega therapy and stem cell rescue. Then we talked about scans, MIBG, Cat scan and hearing tests Dr Nick is scheduling these in for February, not sure whether I will have any nails left that month : ). After that we discussed new promising research on Neuroblastoma, always exciting as Immie’s cancer is one they have found very little new research for in years. The research is still in the baby steps place, and loosely (as I have not read the details tho Dr Nick did send them to me) described as finding a familiar cell in a lot of neuroblastoma cases and being able to turn the cell off, hence the cells die, leads to minimal cancer : 0 ). Ok it’s a lot more technical, but very encouraging when my sister first heard it on ABC news. Then Dr Nick checked out Immie and she smiled, giggled and was an angel. We checked out Immies counts which were again great; this was visually obvious from the fact that she had not received an even bigger bruise or bleeding (a sign of good platelets) after running head first into the underside of the Playschool Bridge on her second last day of playschool. We then ended our very chilled out clinic, clinic has improved immensely, it has become organised with patients arriving at their allocated times and having to arrive an hour earlier to do finger pricks, so results are ready when your appt is. A HUGE WELL DONE and THANK YOU to 3b Out patients, from all involved with 3b. We were then given a wee cup, to establish a baseline to start Accutane on that was needed that day. Easy enough you think we had ½ hour or so to kill at the pharmacy and Immie kept saying she was busting. In true Imogen form, busting meant absolutely NOTHING and pharmacy took over an hour. We ended our visit at the Resort with a mad rush and NO wee sample, as I was having my new “princess” crown installed at 4.30, at a dentist located half an hour from the hospital. Luckily Jas met me there to retrieve the beautiful Immie, we arrived to find Jas lining up mechanical work with the receptionist : ). My connection with my new crown was short lived as an hour and half later it fell out, argh luckily I did not swallow my $1100 tooth. That night Immie received her first three tablets of Accutane, given by a gloved Jas, as it has side effects on unborn children and we aren’t taking any risks for future plans.
Thursday morning we had a quick trip to the hospital to drop of the highly sought wee sample and deliver some Christmas chocolates. Then we went to Toddlertown for fun with our friends Kai and his cousin. We all had a lovely coffee and cake. Then I got my crown reinstalled, after the dentist giggling that it would have been an expensive dinner for me had I swallowed it. To this I replied, ahhh no it would have been an expensive dinner FOR you!!!!. Thursday was also the last day for big boy Kody’s last day of Year four, they spent the day watching videos and crafting - remember those days, I use to love the last week of school.
Friday, we did chores for Jas then went and had lunch with Karen and her friend Grazia to celebrate Christmas, got to have a great chat with both. Thanks Karen it was just what I needed. After this we met Mum at the pool, for a couple hours of fun: ). Then Immie and Kods returned to Mum’s house, while I went in search of Jason’s Christmas present from them (sometimes it’s easier to do solo trips, especially when Immie a little whinge and Kody’s walking around in his bathers, Thanks Mum). After returning, we chatted and got to see my Dad.
Saturday Immie was very exited (and so were we) as she went to stay at Granma and Bumpa’s place for a sleep over. Kody was going to his dad’s. Firstly we returned to the scary Galleria to get a new Christmas dress as no one liked the one I had chosen. To seek revenge I made them all come with me, the first time Jason has been to the shops this Christmas. Luckily for Jas the trip was very easy, scoring a dress in the second shop!. Jas and I then went to dinner and a movie after dropping our beautiful girl off to Granma’s and Bumpa’s.
On Sunday after picking Immie up we noticed her skin, on her face had become dry. I had also noticed since giving her the Accutane she had been very whinge. Though we were unsure whether this was from the end of school emotional mess or the drugs. We lathered her up, and headed for the pool. I went to do my intensive gym workout for my motor vehicle claim (boring). Jason and Immie purchased Immie her first goggles (very cute) and had a ball in the pool.
We have been told by Dr Nick, we should notice a difference to her skin etc, after week of taking Accutane (around Christmas day – Happy Joy!!). Though every child is different, and everyone knows how Imogen does things – VERY DIFFERENTLY, she is an individual and no one is going to tell her anything else (Yay for her) : D.
Well if you don’t pop back before Christmas or New Years we wish you all a wonderful, gorgeous, safe and healthy Christmas and New Year. 2009 is going to be FANTASTIC.
Thanks for joining as in our families journey for this year : )
Hugs, Kisses and Festive Drinks.
Love the Holmes Gang.

School comes to an end...

Hi all
Well another school year is drawing to an end. Today Immie had her last day at kindy – incredible another milestone ticked off. When Immie relapsed this year, the end of the school year seemed light years away. Today Immie soars and strives at school, learning how to write her name, her colours, shapes and that she has lots of friends (very cute). I have to confess I did cry a little, though then I went to Kody’s class to help cook food for his end of year party, no time for tears there!!.

On the weekend we went to Hyden to see Jason’s and my : ) family, we stayed with Col and Jacinta. This allowed us to spend lots of time with gorgeous Rhylee and beautiful Tayah. After a lovely dinner on Friday, we awoke on Saturday morning to a gorgeous day made for jet skiing. Everyone had a ball, and the amazing Kody even had a go at knee boarding, 4 times around the lake – WOW!!. That night we went out to dinner to celebrate a belated 30th Birthday for Jason, we had a lovely night at Terra Vista. Sunday we packed up, enjoyed lunch at Sue and Brian’s, checked out their new abode (impressive work). Then drove home, and Jas then went to pick up the very cute Milly.

Tomorrow we have clinic in the afternoon, to begin the Accutane drug as mentioned in the last post. Wish us a smooth trip to the resort. WOO HOO can’t believe it’s almost Christmas, looking forward to the family and the food – yummy!!!.
Love Fee

Lots more beautiful pics can be found here -

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Lovely moments of magic

Hi all

Once again the week has gone and I have yet to update the wonderful blog. On the Tuesday we went to visit the wonderful Dhani and beautiful Sam, friends since we both gave birth to Immie and Dhani - four years ago. On Wednesday Immie did a sterling job at having her broviac removed, fasted for six hours till 1.15 – no sweat. She spent the morning playing with Josh, crafting and being good till the time arrived. Prior to going to the hospital she did freak and did not want to go anywhere near that place. The thought of having her taps removed made her bellow loudly. I am not sure how she thought they were going to be removed, but she was having no involvement, luckily after a little bribing we were on our way : ). We got home at about 5pm, got ourselves ready and we went to the school Christmas carols (yeap nothing going to stop supa kid!!!).

Thursday meet us with a early start to travel to meet the WIGGLES, arriving early, we went to the park for a while. Then we caught up Cherrie, Kim (who organised for us to meet the wiggles – thanks heaps Kim) and all the crew and off we went to a small room to meet the wiggles. They arrived we got a gorgeous photo with them, and a very quick chat, and then unfortunately they had to go get ready for the show. The Wiggles show was great, Imogen loved every bit, singing and shouting, it bought a tear to the eye to see the girl enjoying life to the fullest. HJ’s for lunch, home to meet my fabulous boy. Kody has been busy doing school swimming lessons and growing (he has grown heaps in the last six months). I can hardly believe he will be in Year Five next year!!!.

On the Saturday morning Kody and Immie had their pictures taken with Santa. Immie sat there will her eyes wide open, while Kody joked around with Santa. We pick the pics up tomorrow will have to scan and blog the pic. Over the weekend we began hanging the lights, they look very special. Will have to blog some pics, we are the only ones in our street: (. On the Sunday morning we opted out of the city Christmas parade and chose a visit to Cuddly Animal Farm, one of Imogen’s favourite places, think that has to do with all the cute baby animals you can hold. In the afternoon Granpa came to visit and then before you know it was Monday, and the week began again : P.

Monday bought playtime with her pal Penny, and plasma donating for me...

HERES WERE I GO TO ALL WHO DON’T DONATE AND COULD DO, PLEASE, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING BLOOD. Immie would not have made it through stem cell rescue without the donations from the wonderful donors. Honestly it really does not hurt too much and it does not take much time out of your life every three months!!!.

On Tuesday Immie went to Kindy all day, someone forgot to tell Immie she was meant to be fatigued, the girl who never listens to norms (thank god!!). Today we had a quick visit to the hospital to a baseline line finger prick to prepare to begin the next drug on Immies list - Accutane
(What can you tell me about accutane?
Accutane is also known as isotretinoin, 13-cis-retinoic acid, and 13-cis-RA. It is related to vitamin A and is given by mouth. Accutane has minimal toxicities when used as a therapy for children with neuroblastoma. The most commonly described side effects include dry skin and mucous membranes. Some children experience peeling of their palms and soles.
Accutane stops the growth of neuroblastoma and can induce differentiation in vitro (in a test tube). A 5 year, randomized CCG study (CCG-3891) included 539 children with high-risk neuroblastoma. The study concluded that accutane improved the event-free survival for children with the disease and recommended that it should be used for treating all neuroblastoma in the future.).

Imogen will be taking this for six months from next Tuesday.

Clinic today was very quick, and we are planning to go in regularly in the afternoon it’s a lot quieter : ). Well here’s to another cruisie week, as its ALMOST Christmas as Immie keeps saying. I had an aha moment the morning when I looked at Immie engaged and smiling while stamping pictures on the Christmas envelopes. I thought how joyful it is to live in the moment, there really is no reason to worry for tomorrow as it has not arrived yet. I think I may have to take a leaf out of my beautiful girls book and enjoy the moment and not anticipate the future happenings.

Love The Holmes Gang

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

Finals and Fabulous Endings

Hi Beautiful People,

Well it’s been a busy week of running around, in the lead up to the most exciting month ever – December of course!!!. Last week Immie soared through radiation, she loves going there. This leads to TODAY BEING THE LAST RADIATION EVER!!!!!, no more 1 ½ hour round trips to Charlies or missing out on Kindy – woo hoo!!!. On Wednesday Mum took her to clinic and radiation, as I was getting my new tooth crown (yuk). Immie and mum went to the park near radiation to feed the ducks and had a ball. Then they went to clinic to once again discover Immie has awesome counts. Mum was also the chosen one, to do the LAST BROVIAC DRESSING CHANGE EVER!!!!. Then they spoke to the dietician and found out that Immie didn’t need to have her NG TUBE EVER AGAIN!!!!. This was because she had gained a little weight and was looking fab.

On Thursday we went to the zoo and then after we took Kods to radiation to see how very, very clever his very still little sister was at lying on the big table. After that we took off to the PMH resort to do some OT with the lovely Beth. We then continued onto our friends Karen and David’s (with a parking ticket – grrr) for a lovely Thanksgiving feast. Thanks guys it was great, even though I was a little maniac!!! : P. Dinner that night with Nana and Pop. Friday bought Kindy for the amazing Immie till lunch when she became a little too tired.

The weekend was lovely, spent all together filled with lots of laughter and fun planting our watermelons for the Yates watermelon challenge. Then Monday was a rush, after physio and playing with Hailey and David. Then lunch with the gorgeous Lisa and beautiful Cooper, off to radiation we went. Finally home after three we waited for the daddy to return and put up our beautiful tree.

Today is Kindy then radiation at 12.50pm and then we are going to play with friends Sam and Dhani. Then tomorrow at 2.15pm is the long awaited BROVIAC REMOVAL FOR THE LAST TIME!!! – Hurray. On Thursday we are personally meeting the incredible Wiggles, organised by one of Cherries gorgeous friends, Immie is incredibly excited – ‘Wake up Jeff” she yells.

So as you can see our week has been filled with many finals and fabulous endings to the last challenging 9 months. I have written all the important parts in capital so that if the gods, spirits and guardian angels are listening they will definitely hear..
THAT ALL OF THIS IS FOR THE LAST TIME EVER!!

Love and Hugs, must go pick up my princess love to all
Fiona and the gang

Lots of pictures of Milly, Our Christmas tree and home and hanging around click on the link below -

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