Friday, May 10, 2013

STARTING NEW PAIN MEDICATION

4th to 10th May 2013

'Never underestimate your potential or your ability.  Believe in yourself, persist and when others give in, keep on going'

As many of you know, competing, enjoying myself  and inspiring others during the Summer Season doing Interclub, throwing Discus, Javelin and Shot put was important to me. 

Well sometimes surprises come your way and I received the hugest and most splendiferous surprise on the weekend when I was awarded the Athletics ACT 2012/13 U16 Female AWD Track and Field Trophy. It was such a huge honour and also very, very humbling.
The AACT Trophy which I was so humbled and honoured to receive


On the weekend in absolutely delightful Autumn weather I was also lucky enough to have a lovely afternoon tea with Tass (my number one salesman of my book) and Gloria  and my family at Adore Tea at Federation Square.  You should have seen the menu, there were so many options.  I ended up choosing to have an old fashioned strawberry milkshake.  Again they are extraordinary people that I have been fortunate enough to meet through my journey.

I only had school for one day this week as my Grade were gong on Camp.  Instead of going on camp, I rested at home and worked on some of my assessments tasks.  However I could not do too much as I have begun a new pain medication, the MS Contin.  It is a brand of a time-released formulation of morphine sulphate and I have to take it every twelve hours. 

I have had nausea and some vomiting, my care team don't think it is from the medication as it is a once off occurrence. If it was from the medicine it would be all the time.  One thing that the medicine does do and that is cause constipation, so I have had to increase my dosage of Osmolax. 

It has reduced my pain slightly but it has also made me extremely drowsy. I am drifting off to sleep regularly and it makes me also feel just a little hazy.

I met my new Occupational Therapist this week, her name is Bronwen.  She is lovely, nothing like Tom who I really miss but she has been very helpful.  I now have a new wheelchair which is much higher on the back and you are also able to tilt the back of it so if I am feeling tired then it can be tilted so I can rest.  I also have cushioned toilet seat, it makes the gap in the toilet smaller, you see I was virtually falling in every time I went, which was a really uncomfortable feeling.

This week I was also able to have physiotherapy with Kaitlyn, she worked on my ultimately tight and sore neck, gently releasing and massaging it to provide some relief.  Then those absolutely marvellous heat packs went on my spine, they are truly magical. 

On Tuesday it was Dad's Birthday, we had a lovely day he had the week off work to spend with me and we played a game of upwords and then watched a movie together.  We spoilt him with a dinner of Pizza and the ladies at work gave him the most scrumptious coffee cake. 

Sunday is Mother's Day, it is a special day to celebrate and thank our mother's for the love and care they have shown us all our lives. Happy Mother's Day to all the extraordinary Mother's who follow my Blog, I hope you have the most splendiferous day and get very spoilt.

I found this poem by an unknown author and I think it is really beautiful.

 
FOR MY VERY SPECIAL MUM

There are times only when a Mother's love
Can understand our tears,
Can soothe our disappointments
And calm all our fears.

There are times when only a Mother's Love
Can share the joy we feel
When something we've dreamed about
Quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a Mother's faith
Can help on life's way
And inspire in us the confidence
We need from day to day.

For a Mother's heart and a Mother's faith
And a Mother's steadfast love
Were fashioned by the Angels
And sent from God above....I love you so much, Mum.

Thank you so very much to all the people who follow my Blog who have donated to Jarrett's Everyday Hero Fundraising Page.  He has been training extra hard and really wants to help me raise as much awareness and as many funds to try to help researchers find a cure for this hideous disease. 

Again here is the link to his page, please keep passing it on to family, friends, businesses, within your work place and at schools.  http://www.fundraise.city2surf.com.au/Jarrett_Anthoney90

In footy tipping I am now five behind Nana, she is increasing her lead each week.  Perhaps this will not be my year, just like my poor Wests Tigers who are now sitting in last place on the NRL Ladder.

Please know I appreciate all your wonderful comments that you leave on the Blog each week, you are each such an important and special part of my journey.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere,
Glad to hear that you are getting some relief from the MS Contin. I'm sure as you get used to it it will make you less drowsy.
I'm glad you had the chance just to rest up and spend time with your dad this week. Speaking of birthdays we celebrated Ollie the cat's 6 th birthday last weekend. We had a coffee cake as well - and Ollie had a very small piece. He does love cake but we know it is not very good for him:)
I love your Mother's Day poem. I am looking forward to a quiet day with my family and my mum and dad will come over for an afternoon tea with my sisters and nieces and nephews. I feel very blessed to be part of a big loud family.
You must be so proud of Jarrett - and he hasn't even run yet!
Be kind and gentle to yourself as yo get used to these new meds
Xoxo
Catherine and Ollie.

Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere
Firstly, congratulations on winning the AACT AWD under 16 Track and Field Trophy, so proud of you, thoroughly deserving.

Great to hear you have a new wheelchair that is more comfortable and that you are not going to fall into the toilet because now you have the new seat.

It sounds like your new OT is looking after you. We are sure she will eventually be as close to you and as supportive of you as Tom was.

Absolutely loved the mother's day verse.

Maybe this week you will catch up with the footy tips. Remember last year Nan was ahead and faded in the home stretch. Plenty more games to go yet.

Love you to bits
Nan and Pop xxx ooo

Anonymous said...

Dearest Dainere,

Congratulations on receiving your well-deserved trophy - your courage and determination have impressed so many people!

I'm so pleased that you had some time off school this week so that you could adjust to your new medication - and to spend some special time with your Dad. Tomorrow will be Mum's turn to feel the love of her family - I hope that you all have a wonderful day.

Enjoy this glorious weather while it lasts.

Sending you lots of love and ginormous warm hugs,

Anna xoxoxoxox

Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere, love the quote.

Many many congratulations on being awarded the trophy , so well deserved to a great athlete , you have worked so hard.

Sometimes we can not go past the old fashioned things Dainere , i would have done the same and had a milk shake too.

We are sure that over time you will get used to the MS Contin and you will not feel as tired as you are feeling now with it .

So glad to hear that Bronwen is starting to help you now that Tom has left for overseas , and glad to hear you have a new wheel chair and toilet seat .

Glad you could see Kaitlyn and glad to hear she is better now .

Dads birthday sounds realy good , i bet he liked the coffee cake.

Yes Sunday is Mothers day , and we just know that you will all shower your mum with love and affection . Happy mothers day MUM .

A lovely poem Dainere .

Yes Jarrett is over the $4000 mark now , amazing , keep the funds coming in everyone .

Keep Warm special lady .

loys of love, hugs and kisses

stuart and meryl
xxxxxxxxxxxx


Anonymous said...

Hi Dainiere,
CONGRATULATIONS on the award!!!!! I can't think of anyone better to get it than you!

I hope the wheelchair is comfy and that your new OT turns out to be just as good as Tom.

On Mother's Day, Mum and I will do a special event together with one of my friends called the mother's day classic, it is a 5km walk/run around the lake to raise funds for breast cancer.

Good luck with footy tipping and I hope you have an enjoyable week
Steph

Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere,

Congratulations for your well deserved award.

New medication can take a little while to adjust to.

Bronwen has already been of help, which is great! No doubt you will miss Tom though.

What a great innovation: heat packs!!

Sounds like you and your Dad had a great day together.

Yes, thanks to all mothers for the love and care they give unconditionally.

Lovely poem and opening quotation.

Jarrett is really doing well!

The Tigers have so many injured players. Hard to be consistent with constant changes.

Thank you for your Blog and for allowing us to accompany you on your journey.

Love and rainbows,

Michael xo



Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere,

Congratulations on receiving your trophy. Once again, in recognition of your dedication and talent. Well done!

Strawberry milkshake, what a great choice. My choice would have been chocolate milkshake or iced coffee.

It's always a bit of trial and error when taking new medication. Everyone reacts differently.

Our body tells us when we need to rest and to sleep, so just listen to it and go along with what it is telling you to do.

Bronwen has been so helpful to you already. That is good news.

You have had a busy week with Dad's birthday and Mother's Day today. I hope that both your parents were thoroughly spoiled. They sure do deserve it.

That is a beautiful poem, Dainere.

It has been a busy weekend for me. My nephew celebrated his 21st on Friday evening. All of our family were there. Last night my friend and I went to The Seekers concert in Newcastle. It was excellent. During 'Colours of My Life', a huge rainbow appeared on the screen. No guessing who I thought of, immediately. Today, all of my family gathered again to celebrate Mother's Day.

Jarrett's fundraising continues to do very well.

Poor old Tigers!

Snuggle into that rug and keep warm.

Much love,

Elizabeth xoxo