LUNCH WITH THE FOCUS CREATIVE TEAM

10th June 2010

On a sunny, crystal clear Sydney morning we went to the beach for Jarrett to run, whilst Jarrett was running Mum and I went for a walk, then sat with the sun shining on us and taking in the breathtaking views across the deep blue ocean. It would be so fantastic if every single day I could have the warm and glorious feeling I had at that moment.

Today was a day I had been looking forward to because I was having lunch with the Focus Creative team and the terrific Tess. Tess pick us up from the motel and chauffeured us to their office in Paddington, there are so many historic buildings in the area which I found was quaint. Gavin came and swept me off my feet to carry me up the stairs to their office, I was introduced to Carlos who runs the business, he has also been involved in my book, he is a really wonderful person. I then met the lovely Tanya, I was excited to see the familiar smiling faces of Paul and Ben and I really loved seeing where these amazing people do their work.

They decided to take us to an elegant, upmarket Pub in Paddington for lunch, unfortunately Paul was unable to join us because he had to go back to work. The food was fresh and delicious even though I only had chips, we laughed, we talked and had a splendiferous time. On the way back to their office we called into a unique cafe for coffee and hot chocolate, it was here that Ben took a piece of basil out of his shoe which he had put in a lunch time, and he ate it! It was part of a bet with Tanya, he won ten dollars for it. I don't think anyone else should attempt this! Then when he had his coffee he was trying to drink it without the pattern in the froth getting wrecked, he did a magnificent job doing this. It was almost three o'clock when I sadly had to say farewell to them all, I had a marvellous time with them. Tess dropped us back at the motel and I gave her a huge goodbye hug.

Gavin lent us his collection of the Simpsons DVDs to keep me laughing and told me not to return them until I have watched them all. I know that every time I watch one of them I will think of how Gavin always makes me happy.

As we had not received my results from my lumbar puncture, MRI and blood test we had to call the hospital to get them, then had to wait for them to get back to us. My MRI preliminary result shows that the remaining tumour has enlarged but remains stable, there is no recurrence in the cerebellum but there are two new enhancements in the area. My spine enhancement has remained stable from last time and the lumbar puncture indicates no cancer cells but the enhancement is most likely seeding which has to be closely monitored as it is the beginning of cancer cells. Not all my blood results are back and we will be contacted by the Endocrine doctor for in depth details on these either tomorrow or early next week. They are highly concerned over my weight and if it decreases too drastically or I become ill I will need to see a doctor immediately. One of the side effects from having the radiotherapy and the chemotherapy at such high doses is a high risk of secondary cancer so more examinations may be required prior to my return to Sydney in September.

My hope was that my news in Sydney would be good news and I guess in the back of my mind I would love to hear that all the tumour was gone but considering the severity of my tumour I guess I should appreciate that I am still here to be able to inspire others and keep raising that awareness and funds.

Bill, who I told you about in my last Blog was released from hospital and is now home with his family, they meet with specialists next week, so extra prayers would be greatly appreciated. I have always said there is always someone worse off than you and even though I am disappointed with my results and new diagnosis, I feel like I am the luckiest girl alive compared to him.

The WS FM interview with Amanda and Jonesy went to air but they decided that it would make more impact by them telling the story, so the part that I recorded was not in it, but they used what I said themselves to help promote my book. I hope that this will be sucessful and that having celebrities of their status talking about my book will encourage everyone in Sydney to buy my book. I am a little disappointed that this is what they decided but it is not about me being on the media it is about raising the highest possible awareness and funds to save other children's lives and to continue to inspire and touch as many people's lives as I possibly can in the time that God gives me.

I still remain in pain especially in my knee, I am fortunate the weather here has now been kind to us but I worry about the freezing cold weather back home and the effect it will continue to have on my pain and my ability to cope with it, it is not always easy to have this constant pain but I try to put it in the back of my mind and focus on as many positive thoughts as I can, however the pain is always there.

Thank you again to everyone who has been sharing their positive and encouraging thoughts with me, you have truly helped me each and every day on this journey.