Raising money for Camp Quality

Today we had Harrys check up at hospital and everything was as it should be. Whilst we were there Mum had Ellie at the doctors and she has a chest infection, so I am writing this sitting at Mum and Dads so we can try and keep the bugs away from Harry.

Harry has decided today that he is going to shave his head and raise money for Camp Quality. He read an article about someone who was suffering from Cancer, and shaved his head to raise money so decided to do the same. I am absolutely blown away by the generosity of everyone, he has already raised $1950 and I am sure there will still be more to come.

For those who would like to donate I can give you bank details to put the money in, and then we can give it all to Camp Quality in one go. I am also waiting to hear back from Camp Quality about getting a receipt book for those of you who want to have a tax receipt. If you want to donate then send an email to harry.oneill8@gmail.com and let us know the amount and if you want a receipt.

I will also look into paypal as a couple of people from the UK have asked.

Cousin Laura is here!

Laura arrived and the kids have been entertained all morning. I managed to get to boxing and had an hours excercise, if not good for the body it is good for the mind!!

Anyway we are off out for some fresh air, so will be back later!!

Back again. Went and got some fresh air, and now Ellie has a high temp and sore throat. The question is who will go to Nanny and Kong Kongs as can't afford Harry getting sick?

So tomorrow will be off to the hospital with Harry and Ellie will have to go to the doctors if we can get in somewhere.

Night for now, Vic x

Sunday 11th July

Yippee we have had 2 days and no sickness, and I don't mean because I have stopped drinking and being sick!! So a good weekend was had by all.

Saturday Ellie had Charlies party at Tropical Twist and it was nice to catch up with a few of the Mums from pre-primary. I also saw a friend who I hadn't seen for probably 3 years, who I knew from when Harry was at playgroup.

Lara came over and spent the day with Harry. They went on club penguin but unfortunately Harry got banned for throwing snowballs! Seriously only Harry could get banned for 24 hours for throwing snowballs on some interactive computer website. He wasn't very happy about it and asked me if I could change the clock on the computer as they might think it was the next day. Nice try harry but that ain't going to work.

Today we met another boy who is older than Harry but who went through this same chemo, and surgery a couple of years ago. The tumour was also in his left arm, and he had the bone removed through surgery. They live down South but were in Perth and as we had been put in touch through a mutual friend they came round to say 'hello'. It was lovely to meet them and his mum has been great at answering my questions over the 'e' mail and text, so I really would like to say 'thanks'.

The surgery will leave Harry with a 'frozen shoulder' and mean that he will lose some movement in the arm. He was concerned about water polo, but probably relieved that I won't be sending him off to squad swimming. I was sad for him as he loves the water, and playing water polo. When I put him to bed this evening, I said ' I am sorry about your arm' and was a bit weepy, and he replied 'it's ok Mum we will get through this!' I swear every day he amazes me a little bit more.

They say laughter is the best medicine, and in spite of all the crap that he is going through and the thought of what is still to come, I think we have laughed more in the last few weeks than we have done for months. When life throws you this massive curve ball, you have to stand back from everything you thought was important and realise that in reality none of it was really that important at all. So at the end of the day, there is no point in sweating the small stuff.

Thanks to all the friends who popped in today - you know who you are. Harry has coped so well so far and I think he is just getting bored, but he is loving the company of friends. If it wasn't school holidays I reckon he would have been at school this week, so let's hope it all continues this way.

Anyway one more sleep and Laura will be here.

Photos are of the kids wearing the wig that Nanny Pat sent over from when she had chemo.

Have a great week!

Friday 9th July

End of the first week of the school holidays and we have survived. I have to say that this is normally the worst holiday of the year as it is so cold and wet, and this time it is no exception. Weather has been cold, but now the bloody rain is here as well.

Harry had his blood tests on Wednesday and everything was ok. We spent three hours waiting for bloods, to have his dressing changed and a couple of stitches taken out, but hopefully all being well we won't have to go back till next Wednesday.

Thursday we went up to Tropical Twist which was good for Ellie, but unfortunately not so great for Harry as he couldn't really go on much. Then in the afternoon they spent the day playing with Sami (from next door) and Isabel. Karen, Ralph, Nicholas and Grace popped in on the evening and it was nice to catch up and have a bit of a chat.

Today we went up to Garden City just to get out a bit. Ellie went to work with Darren as she did on Wednesday. She seemed to enjoy herself and it also gave her something to do.

Harry has done pretty well this week and we are slowly getting into a routine with his tablets and the mouth care. He is managing to eat but appetite is definitely decreased, which really is to be expected.

Laura arrives in 3 sleeps, which the kids are looking forward to. Hope the weather improves as it was like this when she left last year.

Hope everyone has a good weekend, and that we manage to stay at home for the next week. xx

Photos from the last week

Point Walter with Sami, Sean, Ella, Harry and Ella. At the movies with Sean and the girls in the row behind.

Monday 5th July

Well it is now a week since Harry had his first chemo. We have been home since Thursday and have had a really good couple of days over the weekend and today. Harry has been feeling a lot better although is still battling with the sickness. We had Emily and Sean over on Sunday and it was great to see the kids shouting and screaming whilst playing Mario Kart. Then in the afternoon Cousin Billy, Mum, Dad, and Sarah popped over for a bbq.
We went to the movies today with a few of the kids from school. Thanks to Jules for organising and suggesting it. Then this evening we went to Regina and Gils for dinner and again the kids had a great time.
We ordered Harry a new bed with storage underneath and it arrived today, so he is all tucked up in his new bed. The spare room is slowly getting finished, just got to find where to put the last couple of bits.
For those of you who are here in the holidays, if you are passing and the car is in the drive, you are more than welcome to pop in for a cuppa and to say 'hello'. Obviously if it is not a good time then we will just tell you.

Home after the first chemo

Wednesday night I spent the night at home, and then when I got into hospital Thursday morning they said Harry was doing well and we were fine to go home.

So we packed up everything in the room which took a while - where did all this stuff come from? Then we went and spent the remainder of the hospital vouchers in the canteen and the shop (one of the benefits of going private), and Kong Kong and Nanny Jen dropped us home as Darren had a meeting at work.

I haven't had first hand experience of any other children who have been given chemo, but I think Harry has coped really well. His appetite has definitely decreased but he is managing to keep his food down.

Whilst receiving this treatment Harry has to do 'mouth care' which is basically brushing his teeth, a disgusting mouth wash and then using some special gel on his gums to keep his mouth as clean as possible. He already hates it, but we keep explaining the importance of doing it. (with a few bribes along the way)
I can't remember if I have explained this before but thought I would just let you know what the next few months have instore for us. We have a plan for the next 11 weeks, and then we have to see what happens from there. Harry has now got two weeks at home, and all being well we will be at home during this time, apart from a couple of outpatient appointments.
Week 4 (July 20th) we are back in hospital for the next chemo. Week 5 (July 27th) the chemo starts again and then August 3rd (Week 6) he starts the cycle again, basically a repeat of the treatment we have had. Week 9 & Week 10 (August 24th and 31st) he has another couple of weeks.

Week 4, 5, 9 and 10 - is a chemo treatment which means we have to stay in hospital until his levels have returned, Week 6 is a repeat of this first treatment. After all this is done, we have got more tests and then Harrys surgery will take place the week of September 6th - well at this stage. Then we have to wait and see what has happened with the cancer and then there is either another 7 or 10 months of chemo.

During weeks 4, 5 and 6 any of Harrys mates who would like to visit would be more than appreciated. You can only have a certain number of people in there, but a few different faces will hopefully bring a smile to his face. So if you are interested in popping by then let me know.

For all of you going away this school holidays have fun and if not before we will see you in Term 3.