What's going down in Roebucktown

It is now 2 years and 10 days since Oliver received his diagnosis. We are back in to PMH on Thursday for his 12 month post-treatment CT scan, then off to Charlie's for his PET scan next Wednesday. Then it's back in to PMH the next week for the results, and then we start a new leg in our journey. We will still have 3 monthly checkups for a while, but no more scans for at least 4 years, if they're going to be necessary ever again.

I must admit, there is still some trepidation going in for his scans, always a little uneasiness, but we have no reason to think that our little man will give any cause for concern. That said, we recently had to pay a GP a visit about a rash Oliver had developed, and he informed us of cutaneous lymphoma. Needless to say, he was tested and come back clean.

We have all just returned from 3 weeks in Albany. I had a nursing prac placement down there, so it seemed like an ideal opportunity to have a break, for karli to catch up with friends, and Oliver to spend time with his Oma, without having to squeeze it all into a weekend. It didn't all pan out as we had hoped, but it was nice to get away, and equally nice to be back home.

I am now officially 1 year into my course. My grades were (mostly) great this last semester, and I am enjoying my study and the time spent in a more clinical setting on the wards. I'm dropping a unit this coming semester to give us all some breathing space and be able to be more available to Karli and Oliver, plus I will be able to work more too.

In September I'm off to France to climb Mont Blanc. I am part of a team who are climbing in order to raise money for Ward 3B at Princess Margaret Hospital - the children's cancer ward. Less than 8 weeks to go. I'm really excited about getting into the mountains, and am looking forward to spending some time with the team I'll be climbing with. As part of my fundraising efforts, Noel - my mother in law, has organised a quiz night on 21st August (our federal election), so unless you're keen to sit around and watch while they count the votes, I'd love to see you there. If you can't make it but would still like to support me, please follow the links on the side of the page. All of the funds are going directly to 3B for a 3D molecular imaging machine to improve treatment of brain tumors. It's an expensive piece of machinery, but I'm confident we can raise the necessary funds.

Not much else is happening for us. Oops, almost forgot to update you on the monkey.

In my sandpit at home. Thanks for the shade Oma.

Oliver is a medicine ball of energy - those of you that see him regularly know why I've written medicine ball. No, he's not fall of medicine, but he's a pretty hefty little package. He is doing everything a little boy should do - he loves his cars and trucks and trains, he loves to throw things, he loves being loud, he loves his sand pit, he loves the park, he loves the playground, he gives great squeezie cuddles, and he knows his mind. His language skills are fabulous, though he can be a little difficult to understand sometimes - but then he isn't yet 3. He's not so fond of using his potty, but he is using it, and we are getting some measure of success. Two and a half years and we are still celebrating poo's.

My bath at Oma's.

Recently, he has been having monster issues at night, and he tells us that some things on the TV scare him - like Lightning McQueen and Mater going tractor tipping in 'Cars', or gopher in 'Winnie the Pooh', or when it gets dark at night on 'Chuggington'. So comforting cuddles are the order of most days, and 'monster' spray has also been useful at night before bed.

In my sandpit at Oma's.

I love to sit and watch him. I wonder what goes through his little head. I feel sad that we have been unable to get him into a regular group where he can play with other children his size (well, his age at least). And I hope that in his little heart he feels safe and secure in the arms of his mum and dad - even though he's usually pretty squirmy.

I still love my books.

I'll try to get Karli to write a bit over the next few days so you can get a take on our life through her eyes. Thanks for listening. Thanks for following our journey.