Yes we're home safe & sound as most of you know already. Lauren continues her treatment/checks in Adelaide now. It must be the Adelaide water, as she needs fluid each visit here as her creatinine levels remain at the high end, although still within range. Lauren finally got to spend time with her favourite pet, Jemma - the famous dog on 'the wall' in her transplant room in Sydney. Aside from an occasional case of sicking up, she continues to do well. So much so, since leaving the transplant room in Sydney on Day 30 something, she hasn't needed to overnight in any hospital in Sydney or Adelaide since, ......touch wood!!!!!
The good news is the information paper about Sydney transplants I promised a few people, before heading to Sydney is nearly finished. The purpose of this is so future families travelling from Adelaide to Sydney for Bone Marrow Transplants at least have some better and basic information around logistics of accommodation, shopping, general tips/choices/options whilst there, so they don't replicate the hours going over the same ground hundreds of families have researched before them.
This will contain a list of families who are willing to be contacted by future transplant families to discuss their thoughts and experiences. Whilst names and address won't be on the website(s), the charities will be the gate keeper for these names/contact numbers. So anyone who has been down the bone marrow transplant path (in Adelaide or Sydney) and are willing to be contacted by future 'transplant' familes, can you please let me know. My contact details are below. A couple of charities have shown interest in putting the 'paper' on their website(s) which will truly make it accessable for all future families having to travel this unfortunate journey.
On a sad note, Julie & I decided in Sydney to part company after 18 years of marriage, (temporary at this stage). I know a lot of people will naturally blame the transplant for this, but other than bringing things to a head, it wasn't the fault of the transplant. This might explain to some people in Sydney why we left without saying goodbye. So my contact details (Michael) are M (personal) 0434 463 118; W 0404 837 601 (returning to work on 3/11/08). Email: Krelsh@virginbroadband.com.au
Address TBC.
This blog will continue as required for updates about Lauren and her progress, albeit less frequently. (next major date is day +100). I was recently revisiting the original blanket email updates I used to send, which were replaced by this blog and its updates, thanks to the advice of some nurses at Adelaide, and can't believe how much we've covered and achieved over the last 12 months around Lauren's treatment. If anyone told us last year everything we'd be doing over the next 12 months, I would have told them to go jump (...more descriptive of course!!!). But looking back, we've met some wonderful people both in Adelaide and Sydney (Fred & Emily et al) who we'll continue to stay in touch with. And of course above all, Lauren's transplant has gone well.
Heaps of people deserve heaps of thanks from us, but none more than 3 people who gave up the most. Kate & Nathan for being such wonderful and understanding kids and sister and brother throughout. Whilst not necessarily comfortable with all the changes thrown at them over the last year, including going to a new school in Sydney, they have not only grown and developed but also never complained along the way as they always understood why we were doing what was needed to be done.
Also, my Mum who on numerous times dropped everything in Sydney to live with us in Adelaide as needed, to help look after the kids and spend time with Lauren in hospital and has been a great source of inspiration to Lauren along the way.
There's heaps more people we need to thank, but these 3 particularly changed their lives to fit around us and their love & selfless acts will always be remembered and appreciated
