Sunday, 15 March 2009
Kids meet their Grandfather for first time today
Today saw the kids meet their grandfather, (Papa) as Nathan likes to call him, (Pop) for Kate. Long story, but Julie's father (Ian) has never had the opportunity until today to meet any of his grandkids. Anyway the drought is now broken and I have fulfilled a promise made in September 2008 at Coogee Beach in Sydney at the end of the transplant. The kids have now increased the family they have in Adelaide by this new contact.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Visit to Government House for Flotilla for Kids and Camp Quality
Today saw Lauren visit Government House via Camp Quality and their involvement in the "Flotilla for Kids" in Feb 2009. As you can see by the photos, she had a ball.
The Gov's office
Lauren with Annie the founder of Flotilla for Kids.
The Gov's office
Lauren with Annie the founder of Flotilla for Kids.
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Looking for "Relay for Life" participants 28/29 March
Hi All,
The Cancer Council SA "Relay for Life" is on again on Sat/Sun 28/29 March at Santos Stadium in Adelaide. This event is an all nighter and we're looking to put in a team of 15 members to join "Team Lozza". Cost to register is $15 per member and if you are interested in joining Lauren and her Dad in this team, please email Michael at
Krelsh@virginbroadband.com.au
with your interest. We'll be joining other teams on the track who are also supporting ex or current kids with cancer.
You can find out more details at: www.cancersa.org.au click on Fundraising Events and then, Relay for Life. Is a great cause and a great community event, so please jump in with your interest.
Regards,
Michael & Lauren
PS Lauren still going well. She's back at school full time and as of Friday (yesterday) is off ALL drugs. None going forward - YEAH!!!
The Cancer Council SA "Relay for Life" is on again on Sat/Sun 28/29 March at Santos Stadium in Adelaide. This event is an all nighter and we're looking to put in a team of 15 members to join "Team Lozza". Cost to register is $15 per member and if you are interested in joining Lauren and her Dad in this team, please email Michael at
Krelsh@virginbroadband.com.au
with your interest. We'll be joining other teams on the track who are also supporting ex or current kids with cancer.
You can find out more details at: www.cancersa.org.au click on Fundraising Events and then, Relay for Life. Is a great cause and a great community event, so please jump in with your interest.
Regards,
Michael & Lauren
PS Lauren still going well. She's back at school full time and as of Friday (yesterday) is off ALL drugs. None going forward - YEAH!!!
Monday, 12 January 2009
Update #57. Day++ too many to count now. Lauren has Port out
Today saw Lauren have her port out, the contraption under her skin which was used numerous times throughout her treatment in relapse to drop the chemo and other drugs into her bloodstream just above the heart. The port is where the needles were inserted. Anyway it came out today which signifies the end of her treatments from her relapse in November 2007 and bone marrow transplant last year. She's doing really well and has still not overnighted in any hospital at all since being discharged in Sydney in September 2008. The photo below shows where her hair growth is currently up to.
A special surprise for her today when she came out of day surgery was Dr Jan who handled a lot of her treatments in Sydney was visiting Women's & Children's Hospital in Adelaide and paid a special visit to her which was really huge for Lauren and the rest of us. Good luck in South Africe Jan when you return later this month. Jan is the Dr handling Lauren's bone marrow transplant back in July as per photos below....seems so long ago now!!!!! We hope to meet again one day. Probably one more photo next when her hair has fully grown. Lauren is looking forward to starting in Year 9 next month back with all her friends in school where she can have a 'normal' year. Been a long journey and she has been inspirational throughout the whole thing and is a very special girl as are Kate and Nathan, our other 2 very special kids.
A special surprise for her today when she came out of day surgery was Dr Jan who handled a lot of her treatments in Sydney was visiting Women's & Children's Hospital in Adelaide and paid a special visit to her which was really huge for Lauren and the rest of us. Good luck in South Africe Jan when you return later this month. Jan is the Dr handling Lauren's bone marrow transplant back in July as per photos below....seems so long ago now!!!!! We hope to meet again one day. Probably one more photo next when her hair has fully grown. Lauren is looking forward to starting in Year 9 next month back with all her friends in school where she can have a 'normal' year. Been a long journey and she has been inspirational throughout the whole thing and is a very special girl as are Kate and Nathan, our other 2 very special kids.
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Update #56. Day +101 Lauren can socialise without the mask at last!!
Yesterday saw Lauren pass the magic day +100 since transplant, which means she can now go out in public and mix with people without the nasal/mouth mask anymore. She celebrated by spending last night with Kate (sister) and Bettina (Lauren's Camp Quality companion) at the Celebrity Tennis Challenge and met celebraties: Tom Williams from Australian Idol, Darren from the band Powderfinger and Brian McFadden, Delta Goodrum's fiancé.
She continues to do well. Still needs the wig at this stage, but her new hair has started growing again, so next update will be Lauren with her own hair fully grown!!! (be a while yet). She is picking her subjects for year 9 at Concordia this week and will be able to visit her friends at school now and lead some form of normal life.
Just a reminder if thinking of visiting Lauren, please postpone a visit if you're sick/cough/cold at all or been exposed to anyone with chicken pox or other infections as her susceptibility to catch infections is still higher than for a healthy person.
She continues to do well. Still needs the wig at this stage, but her new hair has started growing again, so next update will be Lauren with her own hair fully grown!!! (be a while yet). She is picking her subjects for year 9 at Concordia this week and will be able to visit her friends at school now and lead some form of normal life.
Just a reminder if thinking of visiting Lauren, please postpone a visit if you're sick/cough/cold at all or been exposed to anyone with chicken pox or other infections as her susceptibility to catch infections is still higher than for a healthy person.
Monday, 20 October 2008
Update #55. Day +81 (from Adelaide)
Hi All,
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
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
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Update #54. Happy 14th Birthday Lauren. (Day +59)
Today saw us celebrate Lauren's 14th birthday - a birthday at one stage we wondered if we'd ever get to. Thankfully we have, with many more to come!!!! All continues to go well with Lauren and her last appointment at Sydney Children's hospital is tomorrow. The staff here have been fantastic and we're a bit apprehensive of leaving given the team here have been involved totally throughout the transplant.
Tuesday sees Julie and the kids fly home at last, with Michael driving back on Thursday/Friday.
Thanks to everyone for their support throughout this transplant. We will publish a photo of Lauren for the Sydney nurses once her hair has grown back, as promised.
We're getting a lot of texts about catching up when we're back, but just a friendly reminder, we can't take visitors at home until day +100 for Lauren's benefit. Please be aware of this as we really need to stick to this for obvious reasons.
Kate & Nathan finished their term at Rainbow St School on Friday and have had a rewarding experience here having made new friends, but are also keen to get home to see their friends there.
Photo's below are:
Kate's 9th Birthday
Kate & Nathan with their respective Teachers at Rainbow St
Lauren's last taste test with Jen the dietician
Lauren's 14th Birthday
Tuesday sees Julie and the kids fly home at last, with Michael driving back on Thursday/Friday.
Thanks to everyone for their support throughout this transplant. We will publish a photo of Lauren for the Sydney nurses once her hair has grown back, as promised.
We're getting a lot of texts about catching up when we're back, but just a friendly reminder, we can't take visitors at home until day +100 for Lauren's benefit. Please be aware of this as we really need to stick to this for obvious reasons.
Kate & Nathan finished their term at Rainbow St School on Friday and have had a rewarding experience here having made new friends, but are also keen to get home to see their friends there.
Photo's below are:
Kate's 9th Birthday
Kate & Nathan with their respective Teachers at Rainbow St
Lauren's last taste test with Jen the dietician
Lauren's 14th Birthday
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Update #53. Day +55. Going home!!!
Hasn't been a lot of news the last couple of weeks, except Lauren finally got her nasal tube out last week and will now allow us to take photos of her. We haven't done much of late except visit the hospital for blood checks as she still can't mix with people. A recent drive to the Gap gave her a chance to see something of Sydney.
We've been OK'd to return to Adelaide next week, so please don't continue to use the PO Box in Randwick to mail us anything. The PO Box closes this Friday/next Monday. We're just waiting to confirm flights etc. Lauren can't wait to see her dog, Jemma again (the one contact she'll be allowed). She is still in isolation until day +100, so please be aware of this.
Her 'creatinine' levels (kidney reading) are still fluctuating but seems to be maintaining suitable levels with the fluids she drinks each day. Time will tell as this is the first week we're not using IV fluids as well. Aside from this we've been lucky in that Lauren hasn't needed to be hospitalised overnight since she left the transplant room - seems like so long ago now.
Congratulations to all those who walked in the 'Light the Night Walk' in Adelaide last Wednesday. We heard it went really well....and thanks for the pictures!!
So all going well, we should be back next week, see you then.
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We've been OK'd to return to Adelaide next week, so please don't continue to use the PO Box in Randwick to mail us anything. The PO Box closes this Friday/next Monday. We're just waiting to confirm flights etc. Lauren can't wait to see her dog, Jemma again (the one contact she'll be allowed). She is still in isolation until day +100, so please be aware of this.
Her 'creatinine' levels (kidney reading) are still fluctuating but seems to be maintaining suitable levels with the fluids she drinks each day. Time will tell as this is the first week we're not using IV fluids as well. Aside from this we've been lucky in that Lauren hasn't needed to be hospitalised overnight since she left the transplant room - seems like so long ago now.
Congratulations to all those who walked in the 'Light the Night Walk' in Adelaide last Wednesday. We heard it went really well....and thanks for the pictures!!
So all going well, we should be back next week, see you then.
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