WEEKEND AT THE CAVES

After such a significant week, we needed a break so Scott and I spend the weekend at Berry and Wombeyan Caves.  The three girls had a great time telling the AFL teams how to play but it ended in a draw!!  Saturday night was spend at Taralgo Pub.

THE BIG SHAVE

 BEFORE FROM THE FRONT

 BEFORE FROM THE BACK

 AFTER

 AFTER WITH DAD

YES SHE DID IT AND WE ARE ALL SO PROUD OF HER.  SO FAR SHE HAS RAISED ABOUT $4000 FOR THE LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION.  THANK YOU TO ALL HER SPONSORS!!

IAN'S GRADUATION

This is going to be a big week - celebrating the culmination of 13 years of education for Ian and the end of school days for my children.

At the Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday Ian was awarded the Citizenship Award and we are all so proud of him.

At the Graduation Dinner on Tuesday night Ian was one of the after dinner speakers and dispite a few misgivings from Mr Wallace and Scott and myself Ian delivered a typical "Ian" speech.

GETTING READY FOR THE SHAVE!!

Scott is busy promoting the shave on 24th.  Did you listen to Macca on Sunday?  He wants to join the people who are donting money for Jessica NOT to shave. 

THROUGH THE HURDLE!!

The hurdle proved to be not so hard to jump through and Scott is home and feeling a lot better than he has for a while.  We think the back problem has been there for a while but was a low priority when compared to the enormity of leukaemia and a bone marrow transplant.  Now he can concentrate on TAFE and promoting the Shave on 24th September.

ANOTHER HURDLE TO JUMP THROUGH!!

Just when we thought we were on top of things another challenge!!  This time a type of infection maybe linked to Scott's back injury.

Scott has started a TAFE course, his mouth is starting to improve, and he is putting on weight so we will focus on the positives.

Today he will undergo an operation to hopefully find the infection and prevent any further complications.  After undergoing a battery of tests, the good news is that the infection is not in the bones.

THE FIRST HAIRCUT IN TWO YEARS

Why is Scott at the hairdresser and not a barber?  Is it the female stem cells? No the reason Scott is here is because Pina the hairdresser is going to shave Jessica's hair for leukaemia.

JESSICA'S TURN TO SHAVE

Click on the image if you are having trouble reading. 

Scott had no choice - his hair was shaved off three times last year.  Ian had his hair shaved at school ealier in the year and now it is Jessica's turn.  Yes that is right!! That beautiful waist length hair is going to be shaved and donated to the alapecia foundation so Jessica can support the charity that has provided us with such wonderful support since Scott was diagnosed with leukamia.  Please support her in  her quest to raise $4000!!

BOY'S BIG DAY OUT!! 19TH JUNE

Map of general area being exploered!!

THE CREW!!!

Eddie, Ken, Guy, Daniel, Adam and Scott

The Araluen Pub

One of the many creek crossings

Getting dark with Eddie's new gadgets

         A magnificant sunset looking out towards the sea at about 1200 meters above sea level.


It was a day of celebration - for the boys to have a day out without the handbrakes and for the girls -well it was a chance to chill out and complain about the blokes!! For Scott the sense of independence and return to normality was overwhelming. The ride in Eddie's new #200 series Landcriuser added to the albeit tame, sense of adventure and something new. Thanks again!

When we saw the photos though we could see it was a typical Guy, Ken, Eddie and Scott Day!!

PUVA TREATMENT

What is it??  Scott describes it as suntanning his tongue!!  He is currently attending St Vincnet's 4 days a week to treat a severely ulcerated tongue that is making it very difficult for him to eat and therefore put on weight.

It is a bit of an anti climax - take a tablet - take radical care to cover up from the sun and then 15 seconds with a suntan machine!!

When he attended the wedding Scott had to be very careful to protect himself from the sun!!

IAN LEADS WITH THE BAND ON ANZAC DAY

Ian is continuing his obligations at Vice Captain of Woolooware High.  First it was to attend the Dawn Service at Caringbah to lay a wreath and after that leading the Sydney March with Woolooware High School Marching Band. 

MELINDA'S WEDDING 24TH APRIL

The last time Scott attended a formal occassion with my family it was a sad occassion - Uncle Bob's funeral.  So it was fitting that the next occassion was a very happy one - the wedding of Melinda and Simon at Green Point in the gardens.

Diane and Neil, Mum and Colin and Trish were all able to attend and it was a wonderful day and great to see all the cousins and some old friends!!

WHY A PURPLE BEARD?

Purple is the international warning colour for chemotherophy drugs (cytotoxic chemicals).
Scott had extremely low plateletes and due to steroids had bad shakes, hence shaving was not a good idea. However what do we do with a grey beard? Colour it purple of course!

WEEKEND @ BENDETHRA

 To view a slide show of our weekend at Bendethra click on the link  View slideshow

SCOTT THE MEDIA STAR!!

Once again Scott has been approached to feature in a news article, this time in the Leukaemia Foundation's publication 'the Carer', highlighting the wonderful work done by the Patient Transport Team.