Anniversary Bone Marrow - all done!

Oscar's bone marrow aspiration is "all done", as Oscar likes to say. He also had his second flu vaccine shot while he was under anesthetic. His bloods are stable. I'm not sure but I think he won't need another bone marrow aspiration for another 12 months, all being well. He's had so, so many and its great to have another milestone behind us.

When he has blood taken now he walks into the room and says VERY LOUDLY to the nurse, "Don't hurt me". When she continues to get the needle ready he repeats it a number of times and finally gets up real close to her face and says, "Plleeaassee, don't hurt me". It makes the nurse feel very bad but I absolutely love his ability to stand up for himself and get himself heard in a place where it is so easy to become your patient number. They all adore him in there and when he gets home he walks in the door and states, again very loudly, "Had fun with Donna and Margaret" - meaning Dr Margaret, of course. Its a testament to the incredible job they do that he can go to the clinic and have a nasty bone marrow aspiration and come home to declare how much fun he had. We are so lucky to have such wonderful people to share this journey with.

All is well. Thanks for checking in on us.

One Year Anniversary

Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of Oscar's diagnosis. We had a wonderful day - visiting Wahroonga Park and later going to our friend's, Brooke and Curtis's house, for a play date complete with Tim Tams and mini donuts by the log fire. What more could a person want? Life is good.

In the lead up to the anniversary the boys have been having fun painting 'Thank You' cards which we have posted out today. I hope I have remembered everyone - so, so many people to thank. I have been waking in the middle of the night remembering another incredible kindness and adding names to the list continually. So, if I have left you out, please forgive me. I will no doubt wake one night and wonder how on earth I could have let such kindness slip my mind. We have been so blessed with kindness and I have been so sleep deprived and overwhelmed it is a blur at times. Rest assured, every little thought, text, prayer, food drop-off or other generosity has been greatly appreciated and the two words - thank you - seem so inadequate.

Finally, I wish to thank each of YOU, who have taken the time to read this blog despite the fact that it has been sometimes unpleasant reading, sometimes sad, sometimes whinging, sometimes way too personal, sometimes distant and sometimes strange. Also, of course, hopefully, sometimes encouraging, positive, hopeful and maybe even playful. Either way, it has been a source of outlet for me and has helped me find a voice for a journey that very often defies articulation.

So, thank you for bearing with me and hearing my voice in whatever way I could manage to articulate it.

When we open our hearts and listen to another persons story we are listening to ourselves - for we are all one big united family experiencing this sometimes crazy thing called life.

Thank you, thank you, thank you - we are blessed. x

P.S. We were at hospital today and Oscar's doing well. His bloods are heading in the right direction as they have come down somewhat but need to keep heading that way. All is good. Next Thursday 30th he is booked for his bone marrow biopsy.

Oscar's June ...so far

Oscar is doing well. The bone marrow is re-booked for 30th June. I'll let you know how it goes. We are hoping he is healthy and we can get a more accurate blood reading soon. He has been on maintenance since March and so far we haven't had a real indication of how the chemo is working as he keeps getting sick and has abnormally high bloods while he fights off the latest infection.

All part of the journey though so we are going with the flow and not focusing on results, outcomes or agendas.

This month we have declared 'Gratitude' month in our house as we head towards the anniversary date of the beginning of this journey. I'll be posting some of the 'thank you' projects we are throwing ourselves into as a way of honouring everyone who has helped us get this far. More on that later.

Thanks for stopping by and checking in on us. We hope you and all your families are taking care and staying well. x