A word of thanks....

I am so aware of all the people out there that are helping to repay my benefactor. I cannot thank you all enough. We are almost there now.... I started off with a bill of $10 000 for the operation to remove the breast lump that I had. It took every penny that we had and we had to secure a loan from a bank to cover the costs. Then we learned that I had to have radiation too and that it would cost $17000 and I fell apart. I knew that there was no way to secure the money that we needed. It was at this stage that our local community started working the internet and their intranet! To the people that have contributed so far I say thank you very very much! I would not have had this treatment if not for you. To all the South Africans, the New Zealander and those from the UK and the United States that have given of their time, finances and just general encouragement, please know that no good deed goes unseen. I pray that you will all be blessed by my Heavenly Father who cares for me. As far as I know there is still an amount that is outstanding but I will be guessing if I tell you how much it is. I have been busy focussing on my health and rebuilding my strength. I am indebted to you all.

THANK YOU!

Finally on the 16 June 2009 our little Macaela made her appearance after a long drawn out labour.
Well done Caroline and Byron. She is a lovely chubby alert baby. She has her Daddy's eyes and long curly hair. We are so happy for you all.

Had a letter from immigration to say that my health was unacceptable to gain permenent residence in New Zealand. However I do believe that with the right motivation and the end of my treatment in sight it may be possible to apply for a medical waiver. there are other alternatives too but we will see what tomorrow brings.

I am looking forward to ending this week on a high as it is the week that signals the end of all my treatment apart from the tamoxifen which is a five year long treatment.
Now it is just time to gain my strength

I am so happy my newest granddaughter is about to make her entrance in to the world. Welcome little Macaela!!! Gramma and Oupa love you and cannot wait to hold you and hug you. We know you are far away and are likely to be a lot older before we do meet you in person. It is one of the sacrifices we didn't think of at the time when we left SA but we are making a good stable life for ourselves so that we can help your Mummy and Daddy raise you in financial stablilty.

We love you already honey. You aare special to us as what Jennifer and Rebecca are. We look forward to getting to know you and discover your personality and quirks that make you special.

Lots of love
Gamma

For the last few months I have been using the Earthlings site for my blogging but unfortunately it has been closed down so I have decided to return to this independant blog in order to keep chatting to my cheer leaders and other friends. It is probably best to blog independantly in any case so that there is continuity.

I am currently back home after the completion of all the radiology. My breast is scaley and looks scalded. Blisters have burst and are needing to be constantly moisturised to help prevent itching.
Other than that I am doing really well. I am having to rest my injured shoulder and I am veris all very normally tired but I am told this is all very normal and to be expected. So in two weeks when I see the Doc again I am expecting the "all Clear!" to be sounded. Roll on 26 June!!!!!!!!!!!

Last Blog for 2008

This will be the last blog for this year. So much has happened in the past year. Our lives have done a series of flip flops in the last 4 months. Finally we have lodged our paperwork for residency in New Zealand. The papers were delivered to the Hamilton branch of Immigration New Zealand on the 12th December 2008 and I was admitted to hospital on the 17th for breast cancer surgery. I am still waiting for the results from the laboratory so I am unsure as to what our plan of attack will be for the New Year. I have begun the 2nd stage of recovery and exercise to regain the use of my arm. Today I managed to hang out my wash on the washline. Great achievement!
Well Happy New Year to everyone for 2009! Good riddance to all the bad things of 2008. My annus horribilus? no we have had worse years, just coz this one ended on an off-key tone doesn,t mean we will just write off the whole year. Some good has come from it! We are in a wonderful space right now, loving the way of life and our two precious granddaughters Jennifer and Rebecca who are the light in my life right now.
Yes I have a challenging year ahead and I know it will be just that - a fearsome challenge. I have God in my corner fighting my battle for me and giving me the strength I need to live in this new year! Le Chaim! I say, "To life!"

Well here I go! This is my fight for life!

It has been slmost a week since my last post. In the last few days my life has been changed radically and I am preparing for more changes. To everything there is a season and this season is full of surprises. I have gone from acceptance and depression to acceptance with the fight in me stirred up. I will beat this. I have to. I have never won on the lottery because I don't believe in lotteries. I have never won at a casino for the same reason. I have been saving my win for this!!! All the challenges I have faced are culminating in this one. Big and Scary but I am not afraid of dying. I am afraid of not living to see my dreams realised in the lives of my granchildren. I HAVE to be there for them. Jennifer gave me the will to fight when I nearly lost the fight to encephalitis and tickbite fever and now both these gorgeous girls have my heart firmly in their hands. then there is still my tiny unborn grandchild. Whar's not to live for and not to fight for?
I can do this. I must do this. With God I WILL DO THIS!

Now I know

Now I get it! I am tired for a reason..... I am NOT just lazy! The pathology is back and the lump is cancerous. Ductal Carcinoma to be exact. The specialists rooms have moved my appointment forward to the 9th of December instead of the 18th and my DH wants me to pack a bag so I can go in immediately if i can be fitted into the surgeon's schedule. Like everything with us there is no time for reflection.... all rush rush rush! Watch this space.