According to plastics today is only day four!!

Sheryl we can see you eating the Sundae!!


I thought I would write an update whilst I am sitting here on my own and Harry is fast asleep. He had a reasonable night, apart from a lot of coughing and then he unhooked his drain, sat bolt up right in bed which he hasn't done for a while and shouted get the nurse!! Everything was fine as we just hooked it back up, but gave me a bit of a fright. His temperature stayed down but he woke this morning and was sick again.

The sickness is due to the pain relief he is getting but they stopped the anti sickness yesterday as he hadn't been sick for a few hours, but hopefully they will keep it up now till he is eating and drinking and not vomitting.

He is a bit grumpy today as sick of being in bed and people constantly coming in and saying 'can you wiggle your toes?' and 'can you make a fist?' Just hoping the fist is all he does for now!! They are meant to be taking down the dressing today so am sure this will be a bit painful, but he can self administer the drugs before hand to make the pain less.

I thought we were on day five but apparently as the operation ended on Friday morning technically today is day four after the operation. So seems I have been ahead of myself for 2 days!

I did have a laugh yesterday as I had lost a bed sheet for about the past 6 weeks and have been looking everywhere for it and kept saying 'where has it gone?' So Shirley rings me yesterday and says she found it behind the couch!! Well I wonder how much dust is behind there as hadn't even looked there for ages! One thing you can't acuse me of doing is wasting my life on housework.

Will go for now... and hopefully after my big boy wakes he will be happier.

Back again, well the afternoon was very busy. Plastics came in and took the bandage off the arm and we have seen Harrys scar. The drain in the leg might come out tomorrow but they are going to leave the one in the arm till Friday. Nicole and Maddy popped in on their way home from 3B. Darren and Nanny Shirley came in and then they had to go and pick Ellie up as she had been at dance and then Siennas house. Then Linda, Sam and Adam arrived with balloons which are just great. Harry was just having the dressing put back on when they arrived. Then Jodie, Sheryl and the boys all popped in. They ended up staying for dinner - well Jodie went and got Hungry Jacks for the boys and this is the first time harry has eaten since the operation which was fantastic.

Radio Lollipop came by and we all had a game of Uno. Although be warned never play next to Jye as he is pretty mean!!

Dad then came up and cooked some fish for our dinner which was lovely, whilst harry had a little sleep. We are now both awake and watching television but hopefully he will go back to sleep soon.

Thanks to Emma who has been walking Sam for me. At least that is one less thing to worry about.

Ciao for now.....

Day four after operation - yesterday was only really day three

Boys and their toys!!

So today is actually day four after the operation. Darren did the night shift last night and I got to go home and sleep in my own bed, which was lovely. I took Ellie to school this morning which she was happy with.
There was talk of giving Harry an anti sickness medicine which normally makes him sleep for hours. Typical I thought, Darren stays and harry sleeps, but not this time! During the night Harry had a temperature, and low blood pressure and then they did a chest x-ray. All was ok but now he is on antibiotics. The broviac is working now after Vicki from 3B sorted it out, which is great, and currently we are just left with the drains in and the broviac is currently hooked up but no more attachments.
The catheter came out this morning after a long night, as it wasn't working properly. This is great as the less things he has attached the better, each attachment is a risk of infection. So all in all the boys didn't get much sleep!
We saw one of the surgeons today who has said that the pathology lab have said that they can't give any definite figures but at this stage things are looking good. So fingers crossed we have a good result from the lab. Harrys leg is currently in a back slab with a boring brown bandage round it at the moment. He was a bit disappointed the other day as he said how come he didn't get to pick the colour and got this boring old thing. So some good news for Harry - he will get another cast before we go and will get to pick the colour. If I was a betting woman I would bet on 'green'!! If anyone thinks differently I will put a $50 in it??
Tomorrow we are seeing the plastics man and the drain from the arms and leg might be coming out shortly. Which will be good, as we can hopefully then try and move him.
Harry has had the most incredible surgery and if he agrees I might scan and post his x-ray on here, so you can see what has been done. He is asked what is pain score is out of 10 and I haven't heard him say above 3. He is using his pain control medicine only once an hour and if asleep obviously not at all. He hasn't really complained, although he is fed up with being in bed which is understandable, and we have still seen him laugh over the last few days. Especially when the nurse told him his mum off, but mum won in the end!! Don't mess with a stressed out parent when their child is in hospital, well not me anyway!!
It is funny how things happen and how they affect you. When you are dealt a bum card like this, your only option is to deal with it. Those around harry can't crumble as he needs us to be strong and his strength is what keeps us going. For those who saw me last week you will know that it was a bad week. I cried more tears than I thought possible and slept very little, but to see what he has gone through and how he strong he is being well what else can you do but pull yourself together.
Being with him keeps me positive, and makes me realise that you really shoudn't sweat the small stuff. There is no point, as one day some 'big stuff' might slap you in the face and then you just have to cope. There is also the option that you just crumble and don't cope, but really it won't do anyone any good. Crying is fine and what you need to do to get you through. Shouting is great as it makes you feel better, and boxing is even better if you can find the time to do it!! You also have to be positive and drink lots of coffee to get you through. Loud music in the car helps as well, as this is normally one place where I cry!
On Harrys journey we have learnt a lot and met some lovely people on the ward, none of whom deserve this but all of whom are coping. For all the other people we know and have been there to help and offer support it has been great. There is a team of people climbing Mont Blanc and raising money for Ward 3B, and I would like to wish them all the best. http://www.themontblancproject2010.com/ Their aim is to raise a million dollars, and I have been sitting her for the past couple of weeks, thinking of something to do so we can raise some money and put this towards the oncology ward at PMH. Any ideas?
Once we have the results from pathology and our little champion has recovered from his operation, they are going to hit with more chemo. Actually he won't even have recovered as apparently the leg can't bear any weight for 6 weeks and arm will be in the sling for up to 3 months, but chemo must go on! Our journey is still only in its early days and we have a long road ahead as the chemo could go on for a while more, but with all the help and support around us we will get through it.
To all those who have sent messages and are thinking of us - it means a lot. Keep praying for Harry in those prayer circles.
The picture of the mini moke is darren and harrys new toy. This is their new hobby and they are going to be doing it up. So if you see this little mini moke flying down to the beach or point walter it is us!! (well maybe them and I will be in the aircon'd Honda behind!)
Love to all, and right now I am praying for a restful night. xxxx
Today I have learnt that not every pee bottle weighs 40 gms but some can weigh 41 or even 43!!

Day four after operation

Ella fanning Harry as he was very hot!!

What a night. Poor harry was pretty sick in the night and is currently catching up on some sleep. The room was very warm which didn't help, but luckily they have told us we can turn it down. So we are no longer sitting in the sauna that we were in last night.
Ellie is still with Aunty Sarah, and Darren is doing the night shift tonight. We will go home about 6 and then I will do the drop off in the morning.
Slowly the different lines and things are coming out of harry. The drains from his wounds will be there till Tuesday when the plastics man will look at his arm and check the wound.
He had the most amazing surgery and when the plastic surgeon came in this morning and asked Harry if he had any pain, he said 'yes my right ankle!' Which I suppose is a good sign that all the painkillers are working as it was the left shoulder and leg they have operated on.
Visitors are more than welcome, but for the next few days it might be an idea to just send a quick text to see how he is going. Thanks to Ann for bringing Ella up to see Harry.
I suppose I should be taking this opportunity to catch up on my book club book, but really I would rather get some sleep. (then again I will probably just sit here and do neither!!)

Back at PMH

Well they finally kicked us out of ICU and we are back in PMH - ward 6A - and in a side room. I have to say a huge thank you to all at Charlies. The staff were fantastic and I am so glad that we were there after the operation, as Harry had his own nurse (Paul, Ben, Kelly and Sam - you were great). It also meant that I got to sleep last night as he also felt happy knowing someone was with him all the time. Everyone involved in the operation has been to check on him and more than once. So thanks very much.

We saw a few x-rays of the shoulder after the operation and it is incredible. Screws and pins everywhere. Harry asked if he could take some photos of the operation as he is doing a scrap book of his journey and apparently Irene took some which they are going to give us. So that should be pretty amazing to see. Although not sure I want to see what has come out, just lots of people busy working will be enough for me.

Harry finally had something to eat today but he has also been sick a few times. The room has been warmed up as apparently this is good for his circulation although it certainly wasn't like this in ICU. It is so warm that he feels sick and isn't helping his mood. I think by the morning he might be requesting the ambulance to come back and pick us up.

We were bought here from Charlies at 5.30 pm this evening and got a ride in the ambulance. Ellie and I also got to go in the ambulance which Ellie was really pleased about. On the way this P plate driver in a white ute, cut right in front of the ambulance and then decided to turn left. The ambulance man wasn't very happy as he had to swerve and gave him a huge beep. Apparently this hurt harrys leg, so if anyone saw this Ute then let us know as Harry wants to get him.

Ellie is at Aunty Sarahs and having a sleep over. Darren is staying tomorrow night and I will go home as we might be here for 2 weeks. I said to Ellie I would come home tomorrow and she said 'it is ok mummy if you have to be with harry I understand!' Bless her!

Going to go and get some sleep for now. Until the next time..................

Surgery is finally over

Well what a day that was. The surgery that was meant to be 8 hours turned out to be nearer 18 hours. The anaethetist stayed from the beginning and finally handed over at midnight. Harry was finally brought up to ICU at 2.40 and we got to see him at about 3.30. Everything seems to have gone ok, and the surgeons are all happy with everything. The scans are all ok and show that everything has gone in the right place and is positioned well.

Harry was finally woken up at about 3pm this afternoon and is doing really well considering what he has just gone through. He is very puffy and swollen on the face and once this goes down he will be looking much better.

The plan is to move us up to PMH tomorrow as long as they have a bed for us and then we should be there for a week. Apparently chemo might not start for about 4 weeks which is great news, and hopefully will give him some time off to recover a bit and generally feel better.

Harry has come out of this with amazing strength. The road ahead will not be easy but he will get through this and we will all be there to help him. It has been very comforting to know that so many people all over the world were thinking of him yesterday. So thanks for your messages and comments on the blog it means a lot to us.

To all the kids who took the time to sigh his card at school thanks. This is a wonderful gift and something for Harry to treasure. He will also decide what to spend the money on but for now it is safely tucked in his bank.

Harry I am so proud of you. You are a true star, and although I am not sure of the reason this has happened, I do believe that your strength of character and determination has you marked out for something wonderful in life.

I love you and Ellie tonnes and tonnes. Stay strong my champ.
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15 hours and still in surgery

Harry is still in surgery, and has been there for 15 hours. We probably have another couple of hours to go. Everything is going ok so far, so fingers crossed it finishes shortly.

Will update you all tomorrow, as by the time he comes out we might be in need of some sleep.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The big day

Do you reckon the fashion will catch on?



My gorgeous buddhist monk! Love ya Harry.

Well what can I say but here we are. The dreaded day has arrived. Harry did fantastic this morning. He stayed up late, but there really was no need to send him to bed as he is going to be asleep all day, and got up at 5.30 this morning to get ready and be in the hospital. Just as they were getting him ready, he pulled the blanket over his head and started to cry. Then I had to take him in whilst he went to sleep. I managed to hold it together until I walked out of the room and Harry was fast asleep, but that was the hardest thing I have had to do.

We are now 7 hours in, and haven't sat here the whole time. We had breakfast with mum, dad and mum shirley, and then we went to see Ellie at the zoo. She is there on a school trip and as we might not be home till late or at all, we decided to go and spend some time with her .

The plastics team are about to start so at this point we should be half way. Thanks for all your messages, and thoughts.

Time for coffee and I will be back. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx