The true Imogen spirit : )

What a gorgeous week of sunshine, we have had this week in Perth. On Sunday, Imogen, her friend Penny and ourselves were picked up by the trekkers via fire truck and taken to Whiteman Park. The top of our cul-de-sac was full of trekker vehicles and people. These incredible people travelled from place such as Bunbury to Donnybrook, just to put a smile on our girls face. Imogen was also then officially declared the princess for the trekkers for 2009.

Imogen was very privilege as she got to hold a Joey, baby possum, rabbit, baby rabbit, guinea pig, bob tail lizard and a most precious Koala named Karen. Imogen had an awesome time at Whiteman Park, thanks to the very generous Pat for allowing us all entry and organising a VIP tour with the lovely guide Tracey. Then as if that was not enough the Kids Cancer Support Group (Thanks Sue: ) organised a little car ride and BBQ for us and all the trekkers.

Both the trekkers and Kids Cancer Support Group are incredible people who tirelessly volunteer their time and hearts to supporting Kids with cancer. Without them our jobs as parents and families with children with cancer would be even harder. A Big Thankyou to both groups with Love from the Holmes Gang.

www.thetrek.org.au/

www.kcsg.org.au/

On Monday this week Jason turned 1..ok 31, but Immie has been telling everyone he turned 1, so who’s to tell her any different : P. We celebrated this special birthday by having breakfast at Hillary’s Boat Harbor. This time last year Imogen was doing her stem cell rescue.

Back to school on Tuesday for Imogen and Kody …a much welcomed moment by all. I can tell you the silence on Tuesday morning was deafening.

On Wednesday we had our official appt at the resort. It was here we experienced a priceless moment. Jason and I had been talking about sad and serious stuff with Immie’s oncologist, the liaison officers, and then it was Imogen turn to be checked out. Imogen had been busy playing with the gorgeous OT Beth in the OT room. Suddenly into the appointment room bounded Imogen with a huge smile on her face, without a worry in the world. When checked she had full movement of her legs, had lost a little weigh due to being sick recently and looked great. Imogen oncologist was shocked, so much to the fact she repeatedly said “She really looks great”. We walked away from that morning, very comfortable in the fact we are doing the right thing for Imogen. We also firmly believe Imogen’s health and happiness right now stems from previous radiation, Mr Renier’s natural medicine, our faith in him, positive thinking and the powerful thoughts, prayers and hopes from everyone for a true miracle (please keep it up!!!). We now move away from the hospital care, just slightly and get linked up with Silver Chain. What happens with Imogen now will be played out by how Imogen is in herself and how she seems to us. Imogen and Kody finished the school week, happy but very tired.

Ashton and I have been trying to forge some normality in our crazy world this week. We have really enjoyed being home, having some regular sleeps, feeds and exciting household duties – oh yay.

To more exciting news, we fly out to the Gold Coast next Friday. Make a Wish have organised some incredible experiences for our beautiful girl Imogen and all of us. We are very lucky to have my mum and dad joining us too. Kerry the Make a Wish representative will come out next week and present Imogen with her trip. We can’t wait to see what they have come up with…woo hoo…

Looking forward to capturing some more gorgeous pictures of the girl and us next week and when we fly out to our once in a lifetime trip.

Love, Hope and Positive thoughts,

The Holmes Gang

P.S. There is a whole heap of new photo albums located on the Picassa website link below, even of all the fun we had on Sunday at Whiteman Park.

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang
(you may need to cut and paste this link into the browser, I can't seem to get the direct link to work)

School Holidays : )

Just before you read the blog update I must add a little note to all...Imogen does not know anything about us getting a pool. We have not told her, due to the fact we did not want to disappoint her if we could not fulfill this dream and also can you imagine or remember a 5 year old's concept of time in regards to how long it takes to make a pool or actually anything they desperately want, for our sanity please remember this when asking us about the pool : ), Thanks for your time xx

Hi all

Firstly I must send a huge Thank you to all who have responded to my sister, Olivia about the dinner rooster. It is great to be able to spend more together as a family, and just take off for walks at Immie’s request at 5.30 pm when I would normally be preparing dinner. Also thank you to all who have given generous gifts of money, to help Imogen do what ever she desires to achieve or pursue.

Well Holidays have ended up being wonderful, tiring and full of lots of happy memories and moments.

In the first week, Jason had the whole week off. On Wednesday we celebrate Big Boy Kody’s 11th birthday, with a day at the show. It was beautiful weather and Kody got a stack of money that had to be spent on show bags – of course : ). On Thursday we went to Narrogin for two days to get Ashton approved by my Granny and Granpa Littlemoor (fondly renamed by Imogen – their real last name is Middlmoor). He was welcomed to the family, with lots of Granny and Granpa cuddles and smiles (not sure what we would have done if he had not been approved : P). Imogen had a great time an even got to go for TWO motorbike rides with Granpa. Back Friday afternoon, with a quick and wonderful pit stop on the way at Boddington to see our friends Sam, Russ, Blake and Rhys. To a Saturday filled with Holmes’s, we had Colin (Jason’s brother), Jacinta, Rhylee, Tayah and lil Sienna here for lunch. The kids always have a blast together and this Saturday was no exception with beautiful weather. Kody and Imogen both got new bikes the previous week, they were keen to test them out and show them off. Later the same day, Nana and Pop (Jason’s mum and dad) also arrived, so the bikes got a real workout and showing off that day. A quiet Sunday, turn into a lunchtime movie (Ashton’s first : ) of the new movie “Up”, everyone thought it was very funny.

The second week of the holidays was revved up. This week involving a 7 year old birthday party (Happy Birthday Lizzy), battles of DS I’s (Nintendo game consoles - thanks Jeanette), Cuddly animal farm, Whiteman park, thoroughly fabulous visits to friends (Thanks Karen), Ten Pin Bowling (with Cherrie, Vanya, family and friends : ), Araluen Botanic Park, Orthodontists appts (just super), Coffee breaks with my special sister, Teeth x rays, a little bit of lazing around and most importantly no hospital visits or scans.

We decided for Imogen going to Cuddly Animal farm was much more fun than scans, so we cancelled them indefinitely. The scans were to reveal how successful the radiation has been. Imogen’s lack of pain complaints has shown to us how successful radiation has been. Next week we have the most dreaded meeting with the oncologist at the resort, to talk about how “to them” Imogen’s life with proceed, and the contacts we may need. We of course have now placed our faith in Mr Reniet and his natural medicines; he is to us a very wise man. Anyway it is one meeting where I wish I could just have an invisible pair of ear plugs to slip in, and just sit there and nod.

This week we contacted “Make a Wish” in regards to Imogen’s wish. On Thursday Imogen had a call from a lovely lady named Kerry. Imogen was very excited and promptly answered the phone when Kerry rang. Imogen had a good chat to her telling Kerry that her favourite colour was bright yellow, and what she would wish for – a dragon ride, to meet the looney tunes and a plane ride. This equalled to Kerry puzzling out that the best place to produce this wish would be a trip to Queensland. We spoke for a while after and the approval of the wish involved quite a few hoops to jump through. Much to our surprise today upon contacting Imogen’s oncologist, Imogen’s wish has had immediate approval, with the suggestion we could leave next Saturday. I was shocked, excited and sad, due to the fact Make a Wish had rushed through Imogen’s wish due to what the hospital had said…I don’t even want to know : (.

After a lovely day at Araulen Botanic Park today, where I spent a majority of the day, trying to separate my two sweet hearts to stop arguments : P. We have decided we would rather wait for at least another two weeks. Due to fact Jason already has work booked, the kids only return to school on Tuesday next week, and their Mummy (me) and them need a little time separated before we all go on a jam packed holiday together. I want this to be the truly magical adventure it can be, not the two of them fighting because they have been in each others pockets too much (ok I know I may be dreaming…but humour me : ).

This brings me to how Imogen has been prior to the last blog post. With the assistance of natural medicines we have had the return of a fully sleeping “all night” 5 year old girl. Imogen has no longer complained about her sore sinuses or head aches – another big relief. Imogen especially in the last week of school holidays has been awesome, her normal, full on, cheeky, great self. For this we are hugely grateful, we are thankfully Imogen is feeling great and that we get to enjoy our little girl..ok big girl, as she keeps telling us.

Imogen and Kody have been incredible towards Ashton, they are both incredible siblings. They sit there for ages, cooing and telling him how cute he is, even when he is yelling. Imogen makes songs up and sings them to him and is a super little mummy. I never imagined that both of them would be so maternal towards him, another thing we are grateful for. Unbelievably Ashton turns a month old this Sunday, time has a way of quietly slipping past. This is why we should be grateful for every moment.

Well I will leave you with that update knowing that this week’s excitement is still not over. On Sunday we have the “Kids Cancer Support Group” trekkers coming to take Imogen and us to Caversham Wildlife Park. She is going to be very excited about that.

Thanks once again for the love, prayers and thoughts we are constantly surrounded by all who know us or read our blog. Without you we would struggle to keep up the strength needed to fight this battle.

Lots of Love, Hope and Faith
Fiona, Jason, Kody, Imogen and Ashton aka The Holmes Gang