The lead up before the calm..

Scan week...The tempo for this week was set way before it occurred though knowing the lead up did not ease the worry. One moment sticks out in my memory that frames the week and why being a cancer parent doesn’t just end when the treatment options are finished.

Every night we gather around the table for dinner and everyone is asked “How was your day and what was your best bit?” It makes for extremely up living, humorous and heart pulling listening. On Tuesday night, it come to Immie’s turn when asked what her best bit of the day she responded “My favourite part today was Daddy smiling at me when I did not wiggle, scream or cry when they put my needle in. He was very happy with me. “. My emotions a mix with pregnancy hormones and normal worry over scan week, this response almost tipped me over the edge. I was so proud of her for being so good at her canula insertion, though the question that rings often throughout my head was “Why?”,Why her?, why does every three months this become her life yet again?, why does someone at the age of 5, need to understand any of this pain or pride over not struggling or crying when she gets a canula?. These thoughts drive you absolute bonkers, where these incredible kids take them in their stride; to them it’s their life....normal for this to occur.

This week I struggled, spent more time crying then cleaning or studying : ). Anything that was a little off this week sent me off the deep end...like Kody losing his last two baby teeth in one day, trying to guess what the dot to dot picture was showing on the MIBG scan computer, Imogen talking to our baby, the tone in someone’s voice when asked to have a look at Imogen’s hip when we attend clinic next week.

Yes I was a basket case (actually I think we were both basket cases). Thankfully Imogen and the Baby bean, have kept their assistance in sleep deprivation to a minimum. Thanks also must go to my fabulous mum who joined me for the MIBG scan; I am not sure how I would have done it without her. She kept me distracted, by talking about anything other than the scan. Thanks mum : ). I am thankfully also to how smoothly the canula insertion and nuclear injection on Tuesday with Imogen and Jason. Big thanks must go to my friend Dana who had my nuclear powered Imogen for Tuesday afternoon, asked at the last moment, you are a true star.

We have had our worry fuelled this week by Imogen’s occasional complaint of her hip hurting. Yesterday while having Imogen for a sleep over (thanks mum and dad) my mum and dad took her to our chiro (a family friend for as long as I can remember). He checked Immie out and noted how much her hip was out, after an adjustment; she spent the day running around like a pain free maniac. This of course has made us feel much better...I would have been much more nervous if he had not found anything. Though true relief for three months will come when we hear those words, “The scans are all clear”. Our appointment for scan results is next Wednesday at 9am, I know I ask often though I would really appreciate a few extra prayers, thoughts or whatever you believe in.

I will report back the “Fabulous” (positive thoughts) news later next week.

This week Kody was linked into Scouts from Cubs - Well Done Kody!!!

Thanks for listening; getting this off my chest through the blog brings me much peace.

36 weeks pregnant

Love

Fiona, Jason, Kody and Imogen.

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/FamilyBusyBeesAugust2009#

One day at a time : )

Hi All

In the last month I have begun to understand why sleep deprivation is used as torture when the enemy is trying to find out your secrets : )..so here’s the warning don’t tell me your pin number or any BIG secret.

Between Miss Immie and Baby Bean, Jason and I have been lacking in sleep big time. Immie got to the stage just last week when she was waking up to 5 times a night...blaming everything from monsters to sore legs. Sleep deprivation and a worrying "cancer' parent just don’t mix. Out came the BIG gun’s bribery, corruption and reward charts....and the reward that broke the sleep drought...A smartie ice cream from the deli, second night - temporary tattoos, third, four, fifth, sixth and seventh are accumulating to a special prize...Immies suggestions....a motorbike (Seth Imogen’s “friend” at school has one), a playground in her backyard (lol), trip to the zoo...mmmmm the options what shall we pick??. There is not much I can do about the other Master Holmes waking me up with karate chops and kicking: P, though I am so grateful Immie has found her sleeping abilities again.

Poor Kody last week was suffering from tonsillitis, he spent 4 days laying on the lounge. On the 4th day, he was begging to go back to school. I am glad to say he is back to his normal cheeky self now. The week before he also attended a choir try out and now he is one of the 75 kids from his primary school in the choir. Kody was so funny, he came home laughing after choir try outs as he never thought he would get in – FUNNY BOY!!!!. Kody has also moved up to Scouts from Cubs, as he has reached the age bracket to move on. He has enjoyed the last 2 sessions, so here’s hoping this continues on.

Our Baby Bean.....we are doing great, besides the emotions, sleep deprivation and maniac dreams. I had an appt at Osborne Park Hospital last week, to get the cord blood paperwork signed. Yes we have decided to go through with it, regardless of what the resort “ PMH” thinks of it. The deciding factor came from the fact the cord blood is stored for 18 years, and as we all know a lot can happen in medical treatment in that time. To us it’s Baby Bean’s insurance policy, one we never wish to make a claim on. I also discovered at the hospital, an awesome registrar who knew what Neuroblastoma was, had actually had a family friend who had a daughter who was diagnosed with it, about 4 years ago and has now been clear for 3-4 years (love those stories). He also offered to come take the cord blood, whatever time, when ever, he lives 5 mins away. I was told the Baby Bean’s head is engaged, and I have done well to not put on much weight (about 5 kilos) – YAY!!!!. Not long now 46 days wow!!!.

Last Thursday we received exciting news...We have a new niece and cousin, Jacinta (sista in law) and Colin (Jason’s brother) welcomed to the world...Sienna Lucy. We made the dash to Narrogin on Sunday to meet our newest extended family member. I am so glad we did she is so cute...we were all like a bunch of chooks...boooock...boooocking (this is meant to be a chook sound??)... and squawking all over her. Immie was very cute, since then she has shown a huge interested to when we will get our new family member. Congratulations Jacinta, Colin, Rhylee and Tayah, check out the photos on the picassa web album below – “New Beginings....Sienna Lucy Holmes”

While your at the picassa web album check out the other photo file “July Holidays and a bit after 2009” all about July, when I celebrated my 1st birthday : P, us enjoying school holidays and catching up with friends.
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang

It’s almost time for scans again...time goes fast hey?. Booked for August the 25th, results the follow week. Positive thoughts..positive thoughts all the way : ).

Hope this blog entry reaches you all in a comfortable and peaceful place, one where you cherish each day. Thinking of you always, Blake, James, Savanah and Josh. Fly free.

Love Us

P.S Got my uni results back two HD (high distinctions) and one Credit - woo hoo