MISERABLE WET WEATHER

25th and 26th May 2010

We have experienced two of the bleakest, most miserable days over the past couple of days and my pain has matched the weather and I just wish it would ease up and I would feel sunshine and warmth in my days.

Yesterday I woke feeling shocking, I had severe stomach pains, a headache and nausea I could not even stomach my morning cup of tea, even though I did not vomit I was dry retching. I was unable to go to school and it took until lunch time for me to feel any better and it was then that a lovely, delicious warm cup of lipton tea went down well.

Nalani had physiotherapy in the afternoon and we found out that she has damaged her fat pad that sits under the knee cap. She had to have it taped and still has to remain on crutches for a few more days but is able to put some weight through it. She won't be able to run at the ACT Schools Cross Country on Monday which she is terribly disappointed about but she should be able to run at the ACT Club Championships in July. She can start doing some sport in a couple of weeks but it will take six weeks to achieve a full recovery. She is determined that this is not going to stop her, she wants to come back from this injury stronger and faster. I think that she will be able to do this because she is a positive person.

We had two telephone calls yesterday about my book, one was from the Manager of Borders and he is extremely excited about me being in-store on Saturday because Canberra does not get many 'famous' authors to come in store. He is hoping that many people will show up to make the day a huge success. If I can sell out of all my books then that is a huge donation to the Sydney Children's Hospital Brain Tumour Fund, they are also going to have collection tins for people who may not want to buy my book but would like to make a donation. My hope is that hundreds of people will show up and then together we will be the ones who are helping others and making that difference to their lives.

The next telephone call was from Canberra Weekly Magazine which you see in front of your local store or shopping centre. They are doing a feature story on me because they think that I am an inspiring person and they would like to help me sell more copies of my book and to raise awareness about my story and brain tumours. They are coming to take photographs and do an interview on Thursday afternoon and then the story will be published on 31st May.

In the evening I started on three paintings that I am doing, painting is relaxing and helps you forget your troubles. I was still so sore and did not feel anywhere near 100 per cent but when you sit around and dwell on things it does not make it any better so it is much better to do something productive.

Rain, Rain, Rain it poured down overnight and into the day today, then the cold winds came in a flurry and made the day so icy it felt like we were in the Alps. I was so sore overnight and had to have pain killers during the night. I feel tired today because I did not sleep well and then my eyes flicker.

I had my physiotherapy appointment though this morning and I knew that Rhiannon would be able to give me some relief. I told her how my knee, ankle, buttocks, hip and spine were all painful and she went to work loosening all the tight, stiff muscles to provide that hint of relief. I had a lovely heat pack on my back after she finished with it and then ultrasound on my knee which was extremely sore today. I did some sit to stands a little wobbly but not too bad and then a little walking and trying to turn in two steps. I had a couple of anxious moments when I toppled and found it difficult to coordinate the turn but I made a good effort. I was really exhausted as I sat down, I felt like I had just competed in the Cross Country and my heart was racing. I am so unfit! We also gave Rhiannon the paper work to look that she can fill in to help me receive my classification as a disable athlete. When I return from Sydney I have another appointment with her. I am so lucky to have such a terrific physiotherapist she has helped me so much on this journey and I know that into the future she will be there to continue helping me become stronger and able to achieve more.

We collected the keys for our new home at lunch time and had a quick look, it is different to where we are now, it is a home, it is single level, it is not as big but I think we will be very happy there.

I have a very sore, scratchy throat today so I have been sucking strepsils and having plenty of fluids, this time of year is when many illnesses appear because of the weather and we spend more time locked up with windows shut.

Only two more days until we move into our lovely home I am still hoping that it will not be raining on moving day, that will make it a little slower, the removalists are coming between 8am and 9am to start the uplift, so it should all be moved into our new place by lunch time on Friday.

As a glint of sun creeps through the grey clouds outside I smile, maybe tomorrow the sun will warm all of us and remind us of the wonderful things we have in life.