Don't sweat the small stuff : )

First Time Immie has wanted to wear clips since her hair came back..it was very cute : )

Ok I did start writing this blog update, a couple days ago, and then read it back and realized it was all a bit sooky lala. Yes we had an average week at the resort, but I started thinking that maybe it was more important to look at the positives of this week. Like the fact Imogen has been in fine form..I regular comedian..she has had us in fits of laughter, that at times it was just so hard to put her to bed. Kody and Imogen both have wicked personalities, at times Kody’s humour is amazing and very funny even to the oldest of grownups. So yes we are LUCKY (lol) and the phase “Don’t sweat the small stuff” does ring true especially in accordance to this week.

Ok so Immie did not get all scans this week, a defunk at the nuclear plant or maybe just offices, meant Immies nuclear scans did not happen. Next Tuesday and Wednesday are take two, meaning results clinic is the next Wednesday. Then no one could decide whether to immunise the princess, though I think (?) it was decided no. Then no one reminded us to give Imogen iodine, hydration or contrast for the CAT scan...but hey it could have been worse.

We did have awesome runs into the hospital on each day..got parking, only had to spend the mornings there, got another two new dolls for Immie (oh yes she is so slacking in the baby doll dept – not), saw “ Gorgeous” Olive and Simon briefly (other patients), saw Dr Rahmon, got some more stickers, got 4 appts done, got to sponsor the hospital cafe, got the dvd of the 3b modelling show, got to see Carol, Hailey, Suzanne, Dora aka Shirley, Nurse Rochelle, Nurse Paina, Hillary and lots of the other lovely staff, heard Immie say after she saw Dr Maryanne “ We haven’t seen her for ages” (oh that’s so mini me) and most importantly got to spend time with my beautiful and very brave girl.

I would say the positives out rule the negatives, remember...

Yesterday’s the past,
Tomorrow’s the future,
But Today is a gift,
They why it’s called a present.

Love ya
Fiona and the gang

For Your Beeswax it's....

End of Treatment Scan week

...starting tomorrow.

A very busy and tiring week for the Im-gen.

Monday begins at 8am - cannula (drip) inserted for the GFR (kidney function test), which takes about 4 hours (I think - pregnancy brain : ) and then at 11am a Bone scan.

Tuesday begins at 10 am with another cannula (drip) for the 11.10 am 5 min MIBG injection and then 2.30 pm Echo (heart test). My mum's day, as i only remembered last week I can't go due to the nuclear medicine and our baby bean.

Wednesday begins at 9am CAT scan then 10.45am for MIBG scan (yeap the one I was worried about before as she has to lay still for an hour and half).

Immie is not having a audiology...ummm..no brainer due to her hearing aids ; ) and no bone marrow aspirates as they believe it to be unnecessary due to the fact her bone marrow has never played a huge part in her disease.

We enjoyed a beautiful day today at one of Imogen's most favourite place in the world...the Cuddley Animal Farm in Henley Brook, perfect peace and relaxing, or you could say the calm before the storm.

Send us some thoughts and positive vibes if you have some laying around..if not don't stress as everything is going to be peachy keen (lol) aka fantastic : )

Love to all

The Holmes Gang

P.S. Results appt is next Wednesday at 11am.

831 Days Later...

Dearest Imogen

I cried for you today,
But they were not tears of sadness.

I cried as I was grateful,
For you sitting there smiling at me.

For today erased all the times,
I doubted that we were wrong to
Cause you all that pain.

Every test, scan, needle and dressing change,
And never once you complained

You smiled, laughed and crafted
Through all those difficult times.

Our incredible inspiriation,
Always our light on the darkest day,
Forever we will be proud,

Never will we forget,
You choose us to help you fight,

Never will we forget,
The friends we made and lost along the way,

Forever our baby girl
Thankyou Imogen for choosing us

Love Mum, Dad and Kody

3rd of June 2009 - Last Day of Tablets FOREVER

831 days since our lifes were changes forever

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/June2009#

P.S. Check the link above for some funny pics of Kody for his assembley

ooooo...I can see the end of the tunnel!!!

Hi Beautiful people

Well this week I have been a little in awe land.

The last week of contact hours with uni for semester one, I am feeling great (besides the little monkey giving me a stitch every time I try to walk to fast..yeap I now have the pregnancy waddle : ) , 22 weeks of pregnancy, Kody has his assembly for class and 1st trombone performance next Tuesday, I finally have an appt at King Eddies, Jason’s business is striving, Immie received the Pre Primary commendation award for the week today, my sister arrives tomorrow, I have a fantastic family...oh and just one little thing....

IMOGEN WILL FINISH ALL TREATMENT NEXT WEDNESDAY MORNING

and also our friend, Nicole who started treatment for leukaemia a week behind us 2 years and 4 months ago will finish her treatment this Sunday.

I can’t believe it, sometimes I think it has gone quick, then some days it has gone

painfully S-L-O-W. We are over the moon, Imogen has been so patient and so good for us and the hospital taking every tablet, enduring every procedure..needle, scan, med etc with a grin and a ferocious determination. We could not ask any more of her, we are so proud, so blessed and so very grateful. We all will never forget the battle and journey it has take for her to reach this stage again, and this time FOREVER!!. From a toddler, she has grown into a beautiful, gorgeous 5 year old.

Every day we experience special moments with Imogen, just the other day she had been drawing in her room and then bought me a piece of paper with love hearts drawn all over it. She said, “Hey Mum this is for you, this is how many love hearts I love you”. It took my breath away, my eyes were teary and once again I thanked the gods and angels for allowing my girl to stay here with us. It’s these small but precious moments that stay with us forever, always tucked away in our hearts and heads.

Thanks for your support, no matter how small or large it will never be forgotten,

Love, Hugs and Beautiful smiles

Fiona, Jason, Kody, Imogen and Piglet (lol)

Immies Fairy and Pirate 5th Birthday PARTY!!!

Hi all

On the 3rd of May, Immie celebrated her 5th birthday with a Fairy and Pirate Party. Even though she was in the throes of Accutane (biotherapy) she still managed to behave and keep a smile on her sore face.

We hired a fairy and pirate to come entertain the little gems for an hour and half, and it worked a treat. All of us parents stood around wondering how we could raise the money to have them come every week, they were all silent and in awe of these amazing characters : ).

Then we had the food and the chocolate fountain (thanks for bringing it mum), which ended up coming off and flying chocolate around the whole food table. Very Very funny, even though Immie did not find it very funny at all, due to the fact she caused it to happen and that she ended up wearing most of it. After the food came the Peter Pan cake and then the goodbyes.

We must say a huge Thank you to all for coming to help us celebrate Immies birthday, though especially to my Granny and Granma. When Immie heard they were attending she simply reply “I am SO happy now!!” .Thank you both for coming.
Big thanks also for all the gorgeous gifts, big hugs from Immie.
Another year of gorgeous smiles and love from our beautiful girl – hurray : )

Love
The Holmes Gang

Check out the photos link below....very very cute xx

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

Newest Angel Josh

Sun Rise

If tomorrow starts without me

and I'm not there to see

If the sun should rise

And find your eyes all filled with tears for me

I wish so much you wouldn't cry

The way you did today

Well thinking of the many things we didn't get to say

I know how much you love me

As much as I love you

And each time you think of me

I know you miss me too

....By Nicole Latter

For almost two years we have been lucky to know an incredible family with an amazing beautiful boy, Josh Wisniewski .

Josh gave the most wonderful love to his family and to the ward and families on 3b through his cheekiness, laughter and smiles. Yesterday Josh joined all the treasured angels in the sky, and gained the most honorable wings to recognise his determination to fight this dreaded disease called Neuroblastoma.

Josh was often fighting along side Imogen, shoulder by shoulder they glued and coloured through chemo and checkups. Never once concerned about the journey that had bought them together, more focused on the fun and laughter to come.

Josh, will always be in our hearts and thoughts as one of our friends and true battlers to have touched our souls and spirits.

Fly free, Joshie, enjoy the freedom of painless flight and days full of fun and laughter,

You will always be missed xx

Sending all of our love, hugs and thoughts to

Hannah, Peter, Aaron and Anika

A Suprise Gift for the Holmes Gang

Hi All

Ok I know I have not uploaded about Imogen’s fairies and pirate party and trust me I will and it was gorgeous...BUT I couldn’t wait to send the attachment of our newest Holmes Gang addition at 20 weeks...and IT’S A BOY

(well 95% chance it’s a boy, the legs spread kind of gave it away : ).

Jason and I told Immie and Kody together last night, for about 2 minutes Imogen grumped and then she got over it, Kody was mmmm..a little more impressed, so overall a great first response (lol). Jason and I were surprised, we both had always thought we would have two little girls and a big boy...though it didn’t take long to adapt to the idea, especially when I remembered how cute Kody was and still is : ).

Enjoy the happy snaps of our boy the next time we all see him (click on the link below), he will be safely in our arms,

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/OurBoyAt20Weeks#

Love and Hugs to all

Jason, Fiona, Kods and Immie Holmes
The Holmes Gang

Update on the kidney ultrasound

Yesterday Imogen had the kidney ultrasound to investigate why she had a yucky UTI. The ultrasoundist (sp?) said from appearance she could see nothing wrong with the left kidney apart from the apparent scarring from the two ops. So the search for the big UTI continues with more urine collection - what fun lol.

All is very quiet here today, two very happy kids back to school, Jason is working hard..even Milly the cat's not here as he has gone to get the snip and ear mites remove - how very gross!!...ahhhh the serenity....though it is a little lonely. I can hear the uni work and washing beckoning must go (lucky me : )

Love Fee

Immie turns 5 with HAIR!!!

Hi Peoples

Well had to update pictures from our gorgeous girl Imogen’s 5th Birthday. I wish I could say that I always knew she would reach 5 or that the last 5 years have been a breeze, though I can’t say I was always confident in these areas. I can say we are the proudest and most grateful mum, dad and brother of Imogen. She is the most amazing big lil girl, the way she has strolled, jumped, giggled, smiled and looked adorable through especially the last 2 and 2 months, has given us hope and strength. Thankyou Imogen for teaching us incredible lessons and showing us the strength we have personally and as a family together. We love you baby girl; you are our dreams and wishes for our future together.

Imogen’s day began with the morning alarm clock of Milly meowing at her door at 6.20am. Then presents, big hits were the musical box, the train set and the cd player. Waffles for brekkie. Then off to the pool for duck diving, backwards somersaults, bombies and birthday cake (of course). Home for the Granma and Granpa suprise...a new swing!!!. Lunch with my family. Then more playing with toys, then a delicious dinner of rice bubbles and lemonade – NOICE!!!. Immie did all of this while taking Accutane, herbal meds and amoxicillin (incredible kid).

Imogen’s big break from the resort was short lived...buggy wee equals UTI, caused us to returned and major antibiotics was begun. 3 times to the resort in three days...mmmm. Then back Tuesday to pick the antibiotics up. Tomorrow she has a kidney ultrasound to look for a reasoning of her UTI. Then Thursday speech therapy.

Kody has arrived home to an explosion of noise aka Immie. Kody had the best time at the Camp Quality Rock star camp, he entered the car blurted out in 15 minutes all the awesome stuff he had done then collapsed. Camp Quality and their supporters do an amazing job to bring laughter to the kids with cancer and their sibs. We missed Kody a lot, it’s incredible to realise how much he does for and with Immie especially when he is not around. I am sooo lucky to have two amazing kids xx.

Our aim to collect the baby Beans cord blood, has reached a few stumbling blocks. We have discovered the best place to have the collection is King Eddies, tho it has been a head ache as we need to be signed off from the hospital. Not too hard.. you would think, but because they would never use cord blood for Immie treatment the answer came back No. Together with our doctor we are now trying other ways to get it through. Unfortunately there is not a public cord blood storage facility, so the only way is to go private in WA and that is not the best solution when PMH would not even look at using the cells then. Now, we are hoping we never, never have to use these cells tho unfortunately we know kids do get sick and would feel better having the safety blanket. Time will tell...

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

Photos of Immies Birthday click above.

Thanks for dropping pass again

Love and Hugs

Fee and the gang

P.S. Please surround Josh’s family “The Wisniewski’s” with love as the struggle through their hardest days. Thinking of you always Hannah, Peter, Josh and Anika xxx

Catching up with us xx

Hi all

Well I have been getting the hard word from some of you as I have been a little slack about updating the blog lol : P. Up till this week I actually did not have much to update, which to us pure bliss, no scans, not lots of appts, no troubles, we have just been cruising : ).

What have we been doing??. Immie did have an appt at the Deaf school, which was very informative. I was really amazed at what hearing aids can’t do. I never knew how many limitations they have and the fact they are still only able to be used for hearing language in a quiet room face to face a metre apart. Ahhh...not exactly how Immie spends most of her day at Pre Primary, 28 other lil people surrounding her with plenty of excitement going on!!!. When term two begins the hearing school will be sending out a teacher to assist Immies amazing teacher, in working with the hearing aids. I also attended two excursions one for Imogen to Whiteman park to the animal park, were we had heaps of fun and Imogen got to feed the lambs. Then Kody’s excursion was to the Freo Maritime Museum, that was actually very interesting, the 1/7 of the ship they have stored in there is huge!!.

Immie also went to get her vision checked after the school health nurse, was slightly concerned. I was very happy to hear from an amazing optometrist that all of Immies sight is fabulous. Though it would be an advised to either check again in 6 months or get her glasses to help support her while she is lil and learning all the important early years’ knowledge. For once I was able to make a decision regarding Immie medically; I decided that the glasses for now were the way to go. We chose out a very cute pair with ladybirds on them, which was actually Imogen’s discovery : ).

This brings us to this last week, Imogen had her monthly check up to see whether she was ready to resume Accutane again for the second last cycle...and the answer was No. Her feet were still not cleared up enough. So Accutane has been delayed a week and we will make a decision next Wednesday to wether she is ready to begin. Unfortunately the side effects of this ugly drug will coincide with Immie’s birthday and party. This is something we could do without but have little choice over. The drug in Imogen system seems to be building up each time. Last month she had the dry hands, extreme peeling feet and cracked face, which meant we did not see the beautiful smiles of Immie for about a week and half. Jason and I are keen to finish the Accutane, and unlike the first round treatment where we were nervous to be off treatment we are actually looking forward to the day when Immie does not have to swallow any more tablets or endure any more poking and prodding. So that was Wednesdays clinic, then we received a call on Thursday as Imogen’s urine sample had grown a bug, back in we went with another urine sample. Then back again on the Friday for Imogen’s first speech, that was painful to listen to as you don’t realise as a parent how much you adjust yourself to understanding your child’s speech. The end point is Imogen speech, grammar and saying tricky words is not that crash hot. Now Imogen has appt booked each Thursday morning at the resort for speech. The speech therapist actually thinks that her problems are not just from treatment but also from the many ear infections she had when she was very little. That’s all for now on all the updates on Immies medical marvels : P.

In the normal dull boring world (which we absolutely love), Immie and Kods finished Term One of with a bang. Both attended the school disco and had a blast. Kody also received a merit certificate for his project which are like hen’s teeth at Alinjarra. My mum flew out to Tasmania for a workshop on papermaking and we missed her like crazy. We had a wonderful Easter in Narrogin with my parents and Granny and Granpa, we all loved it and enjoyed the break. Then we headed to Hyden to see the other half of the Holmes gang, and give my beautiful niece Tayah birthday wishes. It was great to be able to see them all and Jacinta’s big belly : ). Then this Wednesday (same day of clinic) we headed back to Perth , with a few lost moments, we arrived an hour ( 5 hours instead of 4 – yuk) after we were meant to...tho still made it to the hospital on time.

Our Bean’s testing all came back low risk, which was a big woohoo. I promise I will upload some pics of the scan to the picassa web album link below. I have still been soaring through this pregnancy, just tired and now my pants are getting way to tight to fit hahaha. 17 weeks along – incredible.

What’s next....well it’s the most important day of the year for our beautiful girl, Imogen turns 5 on the 26th of April. WOW is the word that sums that up. She will be spending her birthday with us, probably at the pool and then has a birthday party on the 3rd of May with friends, family, a pirate and a fairy. I can’t wait her first birthday for two years with HAIR!!!!. Term Two will begin, and we have another 4 weeks of no appts besides speech – NOICE!!!. Then Imogen’s last dose of Accutane...can’t wait!!!. We will also have a scan to see our lil bean again; this will be the last time till we official get to hold him or her in our arms. And most importantly till we blog again we will be making the most of life, laughing, smiling, giggling and loving every bit.

Love to all

The Holmes Gang

see the below link for more gorgeous pictures of Kody, Immie and our Bean
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang

Truely wonderful music to our ears : )

Hi all

Well you can tell the news is absolutely fantastic as I am updating so quickly. Today we had results and check up clinic. The results amazingly confirmed from the MIBG “Mr Big” scan, there is no evidence of disease and most importantly no evidence of new disease. Yay, Yay, Yay, to a cancer parent this news is music to our ears, the relief that our beautiful girl has dodged another bullet. Kicking cancer's butt big time!!!. We are so proud. Now she continues on doing Accutane for another 3 cycles, two weeks on, two weeks off. We are going to finish this protocol off completely this time, no maybes.

Though it’s not just our Immie who has made us proud, our incredible boy Kody has been hard at practise to perform the Hauka at the school’s harmony day. Yeap our very white skinned boy, with no shirt on in front of the school, performed the Hauka with an assortment of New Zealand and other boys yesterday. It is one of those moments as a parent you are in total awe of your child and what the 10 years of parenting has developed into.

We are so blessed. Thank you to our guardian angels, Thank you to the spirit angels especially Blake, James and Savannah for looking after our girl and Thank you to you our supporter, our friend, our family.

Love to you all

The Holmes Gang

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

Kiwi boy

P.S. I had my first antenatal appt at Ossie Park Hospital today, all was well. Even scored a referral to the dietician apparently with my BMI being on the high size, and because I am so FAT, I need to keep my weight in order (LOL).

P.S. Please send love and support to two beautiful families, Oliver and his gorgeous parents Karli and Simon who are back at the resort getting a new port (3rd one) as it has dislodged. Also to gorgeous Josh, and family Hannah, Peter and Anika who are having a challenging journey at the Resort.

March the crazy month!!!

Hi to all our avid supporters,

This update is for you (especially you Karen and Margaret - My mum's friend : ). I must confess Jas and I have been having a hard time this month working through our apparently normal life that constant throws us off balance.

Immies 2 year battle with the beast was celebrated as our grateful day for having her here with us. We all went to the pool including Granma. Sunday’s mornings at the pool have become our tradition, it’s so nice to drop out of life for 2 hours every Sunday – no mobile phones, just laughing and lots of fun. Immie now swims like the fish she was 2 years ago. She has perfected duck diving and pulling arms. Kody always eggs us into going to swim in the much cooler pools outside...but bombies are fun, especially in the diving or is that “belly flop” pool : P.

So another year was crossed off the countdown to the day we can finally breathe again. It’s funny a lot of people no longer ask how Immie is going, I think sometimes that maybe EVERYONE is totally over it. Personally I don’t blame them, but unfortunately we don’t have that option. I am sounding like such a sad sack, but I just can’t help it, call it the baby hormones though I prefer to just call it “I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!”. Ok enough venting, let’s focus on what has actually been happening.

Since we updated with our gorgeous news, life has been crazy busy!!!. We had two cancelled MIBG scans due to the nuclear medicine sent from Canberra, not arriving correctly. This lead to Immie being constantly filled with iodine, the medicine that helps protect her thyroid during the scan. Granma (superwomen) took Immie to have her nuclear injection on the Tuesday, 10th of March an appt booked for 11am that actually occurred at 2.30pm (argh!!). Immie finally had her big scan the MIBG scan on Wednesday 11th of March. The MIBG scan runs for an hour and half and requires Immie to lie as still as a statue for the complete time. This was Immies first time without a GA, she was an absolute star. She was allowed to have a little relief (1 -2 mins) between sections as the assistants moved the machine. We are very happy that it is now done, and we have an appt next week on Wednesday to receive results.

Imogen has also completed another round in the ring with Accutane, this time her poor face took a battering, by the end her skin had broken down and was red raw. Though do you think that bothered Immie – nah!!!. Would you believe we start again next Wednesday, geez it’s frustrating that the two weeks go so fast when Immie is off the drug.

What else...Jason and I celebrated 6 years of marriage, it’s been an amazing 6 years, here’s to many, many more incredible year’s together. We were lucky enough to go out to dinner to celebrate thanks to our friends Dana and Jason xx.

We attended our beautiful friend Nicole’s 5th birthday on the weekend, a Dora and Diego theme, lots of fun for all. Well Done Cath!!!.

Jason volunteered (lol) to go on a scout walk, with Kody and his scout friends...such commitment. Good to see Jason and Kody doing their best!!!.

I’m back at uni doing three units, it is a lot of work, and until our Friend Kellie came to give a hand on Sunday I was a little worried about where I was going with it all. Now I am on a clear road to successful lesson plans and essays. Positive, positive!!!

What’s to come in the next couple of weeks...This weekend we have a surprise party, and then my Dad’s birthday and baby Cooper’s 1st birthday on Sunday. Next week I have my first initial appt at the hospital clinic, we also get to say hello to the new Holmes addition with an ultrasound on Friday. Kody has scout camp next weekend; this is the beginning of Kody’s camp career. He has two other camps in April. Both Immie and Kody have school excursions in the next couple weeks. Immie also has an appt with the hearing school, so we can get the most out of her hearing aids. My calendar is struggling to hold all of these happenings!!!.

Well this is Fiona signing off, hoping next time I visit I am not such a sook : ).

Thanks for the love and congrats all send regarding our beautiful news.

Love Us

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

lots more photos of us

A new suprise!!

Guess what!!!,

we have exciting news that does not relate in any way to the resort or gorgeous Imogen..

WE ARE PREGNANT!!!...(well actually I am pregnant ; P )

8 weeks and 3 days, due the 27th of September (3 days prior to Big boy Kody’s birthday).

I know everyone tells you should wait till three months, but we thought stuff that we have had enough of melancholy news let’s share some very, very exciting news.

So begins another new journey and a very precious gift for all of us, another five year gap, someone must know I would not cope with many babies at one time.

Kody is excited tho determined that it will not be born on his birthday, lol we will see about that.

Immie was very excited, as she came to the scan with us, and an exclaimed “We are having baby, You are having a baby, I am having a baby”. She often asks “what’s that baby is doing right now?”.....it could be a long seven months for one lil girl.

So Hurray and Yay for us!!!!,

Love to all
Fee, Jas, Kods and Immie.

Day by Day

Immie with her earrings aka hearing aids

Hi all

This week...has been...emotional.

Monday bought Angel James funeral, a beautiful service though heartbreaking for Vanya, Shane, Liam, Brent and all of us touched by this amazing kid. Rest in Peace, James Thomas.

Tuesday involved chores and trekking into the resort to pick up contrast for Immie's CAT scan on Wednesday. There was also fun, as we got to catch up with Karen, Shannon, Hailey and cute lil Dylan.

Wednesday began early as Immie had to have her contrast two hours before her scan mixed with ¾ can of lemonade. Who thought it would be soo hard to convince a 4 year old to drink lemonade at 7am ( or actually about 6.20am due to how long it took to get her to drink it all....about 40 minutes). Then we left for the hospital at 7.40am arrived at 8.20am- time for a coffee (YAY). Up to CAT scan, and discovered that Immie needed a injection of x ray dye which meant a cannula. She was a very very brave girl, just a little cry and ouch. The injection of the dye cause more concern due to the fact it was cold. Immie laid very still, and the scans were done super quick. Everyone viewing the scans looked happy; I hope that is a positive vibe. We won’t find out the any results till next week.

Then back down to the ward and off to do a finger prick (another ouchie!!). Then back to the ward, a very very quick wait (very happy). We saw Dr Phillips, and discovered that last week’s echo was all fine, tho the GFR had not returned any results yet. Imogen’s skin has all clear up and now she has resumed her Accutane, and we wait to see the side effects this time, every time is a little different.

The Dr’s will call us next week with the results from the CAT scan. Immie is no longer having her MIBG scan and injection next week, as there has be another new diagnosed neuroblastoma case (ARGH!!!!) and we were asked to give our appt to them. Of course we said Yes, as we know how urgent those first scans are, and another Nueroblastoma case is devastating. After we had finished our appt with Dr Phillips, we went in search of Beth to organise how we are going to get Immie to lay still for an hour and half for the MIBG (any ideas??). It is the first time we will be having the MIBG without a GA.

We finished all of that so quick that it left us with a huge gap between the times finished 10.30 am till the time the Hearing Australia appt was 2.15pm. Yeap there was a cancellation, so Immie got in early to get her “earrings” (Immies words), also commonly known as hearing aids. We spent a lot of time strolling the city streets and realised how boring the city is for young kids. Finally 2.15 arrived; we had a lovely audiologist, and got Immies earrings programmed to her hearing. She seemed quite keen about them to start with, tho was not that impressed a few hours later. We caught the cat bus back to the resort, pick up the script and finally began the trek home at 4 pm.

On the way home we had to pick Kods up from Key board lessons, thanks to Granma for dropping him there. Then home to collapse then reassemble for the Trombone meeting with obnoxious parents – blah!!. Then I arrived home again to collapse and fall into a deep sleep.

Thursday was Immie’s Mr Rener appt, we drove over to Attadale to discover that Lee was sick and they had tried to contact me once by leaving a message while I was getting school stuff ready – argh!!!. Back to school Immie went, full day of fun. Then after school Immie’s day care big friend Keeley visited. Immie was very happy and excited.

Friday, today was a full day of school for both my loves. Free Dress today to raise funds for the Victorian Bushfires.

This weekend will be emotional as we mark the fact that on the 22nd of Feb 2009, it will be two years since we heard those words...”We think your daughter has an aggressive form of cancer called Neuroblastoma”. When we look back on the last two years we are constant in awe at how much has happened in this time.

Also how much precious time we have had to be able to spend with Immie, with the help of hospital treatment and Mr Rener’s knowledge on biochemistry. We continue to stay strong and forge forward into the uncharted years of the future. We are confident that these two years of treatment will be overlapped with the number of years out of treatment in remission into the positive and amazing future.

Imogen will live a long, healthy and happy life.

Thanks to all our avid supporters, Family and Friends divided between past friends (that still surround us with love, you are now far and few between) and our new friends we have met on the way. Also to the hospital staff, where would we be without you ( I shunder to think : ( )xx.

Love to you all

Love The Holmes Gang

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

Granma celebrating her 51st birthday - hahaha

"Super Star" James

Hi all

I was not sure how to write about another incredible kid, James Thomas, gaining his soft angel wings and top position in the heaven Tee ball team after an amazing battle with cancer. I have written some words to express how we are feeling for his family.

I heard your voice,
And my heart begged I didn’t,
My soul broke,
The morning you rang me,
I never believed I could continue to feel such pain,
For you my fantastic friend, Vanya,
A friendship bought together by chance,
Your beautiful boy,
James Thomas,
Had left this land,
That once bought him hope and happiness,
To begin again,
With the other angels,
How could it be?,
We all ask why,
A forever unanswerable question,
Lays resting on our lips,
Though the lessons you taught,
James and all the angels,
Could never have been learnt,
Without the guidance and love you have given and shared,
Forever grateful we will always be,
To have known such,
Bravery, strength and Kindness,

Rest in Peace,

JT

James Thomas.

Sending Vanya, Shane, Brent and Liam strength, thoughts and prayers to guide them through the hardest days. You are forever in our thoughts xx

Love

The Holmes Gang

What's happening??

Hi all

Well I have been pretty slack with the updates, though the first ‘almost’ two weeks of school has flown by.

Kody has settled into school with ease, though in the last week the homework has upped the ante and as you can imagine he is not that impressed with this occurring. Kody has the same teachers, same class room and majority of the same kids. So instead of having to settle in again with new teachers, classrooms or students, it’s like they just had an extended weekend (of approx 10 weeks lol). He is also back on the bike after the accident, and riding to school every day.

He is also back to keyboard lessons, swimming lessons (with my awesome friend “taskmaster” Dana), Scouts and a very cool Art class on Saturday mornings (organised by Granma). Last week we received paperwork, stating that Kods had been selected to play a school instrument...he was picked to play the trumpet. Apparently they had testing done last year, and Kody obviously passed the rhythm test (must get that from me lol). Kody has grown up so much in the last year, and continues to amaze us with his humour and passion for life.

Immie has been settling into school like the star she is. Mrs Barker is amazed daily, by what she has picked up since last year. Immie also has the same teachers, classroom and majority of the same kids in her class (talk about making it easy for me to remember names and class numbers!!). She loves going to school, and is still only doing half days at least till the end of this week.
I would probably say her only difficulty is her lack of sometimes hearing and the kids in her class (not from last year) staring quizzically at her very short hair cut. Though this does bother Immie one bit, she continues on in her very happy and giggly life.

Imogen got castings taken for her hearing aids and had another (long 40 minute) hearing test at Hearing Australia on Tuesday last week. She was very good. Her appt to be fitted with the aids is on the 27th of February, as this was as soon as they could get her in.

Yesterday we went to the resort for Immies GFR (kidney function test), arriving at 8.30am to get the drip installed to allow to provide access for the GFR injection and the hourly blood collection. Imogen decided she did not want emaula (the numbing cream), as she hates the bandaids that are used to keep it on for the time needed. Immie lay so still while they put her drip in and jiggled around her veins finding the right way to insert the canula (Immie veins are all very crappy after so much treatment : ( ). Then off to nuclear meds to receive the injection, and then it was with a pray and a lot of hope for the unstable cannula to last the 3 – 4 hours needed. Thankfully it did, and after many visits from beautiful hospital people, we were off. Immie was given another week off Accutane as her feet have still not fully recovered. We had a wait of about an hour and half for the booked echo (cardio test); we filled the time by going to Megazone, the park and keeping the hospital canteen with a constant money supply.

The echo ran on time and we will get the results for these next week, though they are all routine tests. Next Wednesday Immie will have a CAT scan, then clinic to ensure she is ready to begin her third dose of Accutane. The following Wednesday is the big test, the MIBG the most accurate test to tell us the full story of all the treatment Immie has gone through since September 2008. We have an appt on the 4th of March for results. The waiting is horrid and extremely hard.

Fortunately the week before this, I begin Uni so that will be somewhat of a distraction. What else??, oh Kods and me were involved in another car accident on Saturday, a young guy ran in the back of our Daewoo, so more quotes and fixing needed. I had to go to the doctors and get checked out as I am still under a Motor vehicle claim for the Sept 07 accident. I was deemed all ok and was very happy about that.

Well life marches on we are trying to find a normal balance, a little more difficult than from the first time we were out on good behaviour bond for nine months. Tho we believe (or hope) that it will continue to get easier over time. We still believe we are so very lucky especially as we watch the news surrounding the Victorian Fires and Queensland Floods.

Please keep Immie in your thoughts as we undergo the tests in the next month, sending all you can muster for positive beautiful clear scans,

Love to all and a special pray and strength sent to all scarred by the Victorian Fires and Queensland Floods,

Love the Holmes Gang

More gorgeous pictures of our delights : )

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

End of January 2009

Well as you can see from the picture above "Baldy" is getting her fuzz back - very cute and a lot darker. She tells everyone its Black (mmm..maybe not that dark, though you never really know till it all comes back..geez I sound like an old timer to cancer - yuk!!!).

I can't believe it's only a coupla days till school begins again. Kinda big school for Immie, well full time after 3 weeks of staggered entry and Kody's in Year 5 wow!!.

Immie has the same teacher as last year which is great don't have to explain anything - yay!!. Kody's teacher and class lays in the hands of school gods till tomorrow I am hoping they get mixed up, as he has been with the same kids for about three years. There are plenty of kids to be shuffled around with as last year there was four straight Year classes!!. It would do him the world of good to get to know a few different kids. We picked up the new school stationery - I LOVE new Stationery (nutter I am : P) and got Immie her first school dress (how cute).

We have been keeping very busy this holidays, hanging out together, going to the pool, having sleepovers at the Ledger's (fun : )). Immie and Kod's caught up with the hospital OT's on Wednesday, they made pancakes and enjoyed lots and lots of noisy music. We are still waiting to hear form Hearing Australia, which is a bit disappointing though pretty normal in regards to the hospital and referrals. I would have liked for her to have had at least an intial appt prior to school beginning.

Immie has just finished her second dose of Accutane, this time was not too bad, think it may be to do with the high dose of Vitamin E we have been giving her. Though the worse bit was when all her skin started shedding off on the soles of her feet - ouch : (.

Ohhhh.....I almost forgot to mention Superman Kody, Kody thought he could fly last week and apparently he can't : (. Jas and him were riding down a big hill, and then Kods got the speed wobbles and end up flying through the air and landing in the dirt. This resulted in bruising his head, giving him a black eye and major scabs and bleeding on his face, though no broken bones and no visit to the resort. Thank god he was wearing a Helmet. Check out the photos, he looks a thousand times better now : D.

What else...not much Milly the cat has settled right in and is BF's (best friends) with everyone. I have founded my dream house in the hills in Mt Helena, everything we want, Queenslander on stilts on 5 acres...just not the right time. Argh...oh well who knows what will happen tomorrow : ).

Love to you all,

Have a great "back to school" to all the kids returning : D

Fiona and the Gang

P.S Congrats to Colleen and Jethro on the safe arrival of there new little boy, Tobin.

Also a Thank you to the angels for giving Josh scans that were better than anyone could imagine and more time with his family.

Check out the face 5 days later

more pics on picasa abum

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

What did you say???

Well the results are in on the hearing tests, Immie has severe hearing loss from the hands of chemo the drugs that have given her life. It actually answered our question that she was not just being a "selective" hearing four year old. Her high pitch hearing was dodgy last hearing test prior to stem cell, it has been stable from then though. Unknown to us, it was then and is now labelled as severe, the second level prior to totally deaf.

Immie's middle and low pitch have taken a bashing from stem cell too.

When we arrived, prior to the test the audiologist started talking about contacting Hearing Australia. This gave me the warning that we weren't here for just a routine check up.

I honestly was not too fazed about the fact she has to have hearing aids, speech and a few other things involving. I am just so glad she is here with us and able to live a full happy life whether it be with hearing aids or not. Actually we have both come to that conclusion, after the initial shock.

Now we wait to hear from Australia Hearing, and I am gathering Immie's aid for school with now be a given, until she and the hearing aids settle in.

Say a prayer or send a positive thoughts for our tough, beautiful "peter pan" girl, that this the only tiny bump that gets in her way, of becoming a normal, boring (lol) kid again.

Love Fee

What's going on with our Peter Pan aka Immie

Hi all

Medically, Immie completed her first round of Accutane, it was very rough at Christmas. We were glad when it finished just before holidays. The side effects we encountered were mood swings (you dared to look at her some days), extremely dry skin, cracked lips and nightmares. These side effects varied from day to day. Then we had two blissful weeks, with only special tablets and drops to boost her immune system. Immie began her next lot on Wednesday, after a few hiccups (ok some major ones...grrr), we had the tablets and headed home. We also got given the “forgotten” Vitamin E, to help her skin which we soon substituted for a tablet form as the liquid tasted horrible.

Immie has a few tests of the next month, unfortunately going into next month when she will begin pre primary. Though they are before uni begins for me, you gotta take the good with the bad.

Hearing test is the first cab of the rank – This Monday. Then mid Feb, the CT scan and another check up to begin the third dose of Accutane, End of Feb, check in contrast injection and then the next day big MIBG. Then somewhere in there they need to fit an echo in (a test on Immies heart) and a GFR (to measure Immies kidney function).
We are feeling positive in regards to all the results, though it’s always bloody scary. I wonder will there ever be a time it’s not, I’d doubt it. We are trekking towards that end, but someday the path feels a LONG way away.

On February 22nd, it will be two years since we began, this emotional, incredible journey, that has taught us so many lessons, though has also given us moments of extreme sorrow and joy. Weird isn’t it, how live changing events can do that??, two total different emotions mingled together.

To nourish children and raise them against odds is in any time, any place, more valuable than to fix bolts in cars or designing nuclear weapons.

Marilyn French

Food for thought

Love Fiona and the gang xx

Josh and Immie

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/Checkups2009#

Denmark is bliss : ) in 2009

Hi to all our fans (lol), family and friends,

After celebrating an awesome News Years with our good friends at the beach, we headed to Denmark on the 2nd of January. Jason stayed behind till Wednesday due to work, and then caught the bus down (much to everyone’s surprise I can actually tell you he enjoyed it : ).

We had a great time in Denmark (thanks mum and dad for the invite), we stayed at my Nana’s place that dad still partially owns with my Uncle’s. It’s gorgeous, plenty of space and a lovely veranduah. We all had lots of laughs especially me and mum, about what I am not really sure lol.

We got to visit the Tree top Walk (scary stuff, tho fun), Dinosaur World(lame, but Immie got to hold a bird so fun), Ocean Beach (lovely), The rainforest (as Immie named it, too much Diego for that girl – you may like to call it the bush), Boating on the river, ocean, by the river, The Blueberry Farm (yum), The Denmark Markets (perfect setting) , Green Pool (why aren’t all beaches like this???), The bakery (both : ), Every shop in town, Albany, The Witneski’s home and the local IGA (about a zillion times, did we eat, or what...WHAT Christmas is over???!!). It was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable holidays we have had, and the first long holiday we have had since Augusta, just before Immie was diagnosed 2 years ago. Told my Dad we would be back next year, he said he was going to Kalbarri then instead, I said that’s ok, we will go there then (super stirrer that’s my dad). On the way back we visted my Granny and Granpa, that was fun, the boys spent time playing pick up sticks (may have been a little cheating happening...I think??)

Enjoy the pictures they are gorgeous.

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang/DenmarkHolidays2009#

Since we got home we have been catching up with our lovely friends,
Dhani & Sam at the pool, Josh & Hannah at the Resort, Mr Rener, the true genius behind Immie’s health, Lisa & Cooper for a quick coffee, Nicole and Cath for a lovely swim and chat, Vanya, Shane, James, Liam, Cherrie and Kai at Vanya’s lovely pool and ice cold house, Laura at Burswood (it’s ok that was just me, no kids left in cars or taken to the casino : P ). Thanks all we had a great week, lots of fun, and lots of beautiful memories.

Love ya xx

Love The Holmes Gang

Checkout that hair, soooo soft : )