BACK TO SYDNEY

5th and 6th June 2010

If you could call a Winter's day perfect then that would describe the day that greeted us on Saturday. Jarrett had running training at Stromlo but I did not go this time as Mum wanted to make sure everything was organised in the house for our return to Sydney for a week on Sunday. Once everything met Mum's high standards Nalani, Mum and I went to the shops to buy a gift for Celina whose Confirmation we were going to that night. The shops were so busy, I started to feel really uncomfortable and the noise really affected my ears, as they began to ring more than usual.

In the afternoon we had a visit from my number one Salesman, Tass and his lovely wife Gloria. They had been to Melbourne to see the stage shows Mama Mia and Fame and they brought me back the most beautiful and delicate lilac butterfly mobile. Then Tass excitedly told me some magnificent news that he had received on Thursday and that was that Mick from Canberra Weekly had called him to tell him that after Natalie had interviewed me, she and the camera man went back to the Office inspired and in awe of my story. Mick, who normally sells the front cover to people for advertising has decided to change his format because of me I can not believe how my story is affecting and chaning so many people's lives and this week I will be featured on the front cover of the magazine. Wow, me, a cover girl and attracting more attention to my story and my dream of helping and inspiring others this is just unbelievable! I am now hoping that every person in Canberra who picks up that magazine will also buy a copy of my book, this would be a true rainbow moment then.

I managed to grab a quick cat nap before we had to go to Church to see our family friend Celina make her Confirmation, a very special occasion. The Mass was lovely and reminded me of making my Confirmation last year when I returned home after radiotherapy for five weeks. After the Mass the family held a dinner at a wonderful new Italian restaurant near Yerrabi Ponds. The food was presented artistically and would have met approval of the MasterChef judges. I was getting extremely tired and after speeches and the cutting of the cake we left to go home to bed. It had been magnificent to be invited to be part of Celina's special day and she really loved the gift that I had chosen for her. I had also got to catch up with another friend Briana who has to have an operation soon and she is really nervous about it, so I was able to give her some tips on how to get through the difficult times. The only thing that was really dreadful on this night was that it was overly noisy and I just could not hear and it was so frustrating, I wished that I had my pink hearing aid and then I would have been able to answer questions people asked me and join in converstions like a normal person.

After a restless nights sleep with pain and probably nerves I woke to what could only be described as the most miserable, foggy morning Canberra has had in weeks. The thick fog made the air so damp and icy, Jarrett went to running training at the AIS while Mum and I packed our bags for Sydney. I received a lovely gift from Jenny who had knitted me a rainbow beanie and scarf, it is different to the one Tess and her Mother made I think rainbow beanies and scarves may be the new fashion statement this season, she also made one for Theodore which he is wearing. She had found a butterfly badge that she had bought years ago for a fund raiser for hearing impaired and she said she thought I would love to have it. The morning flew by so quickly and then it was time to leave and drive to the airport. As I hugged Tinkerbelle goodbye I felt a wave of sadness come over me, which made me choke up in my throat and made my stomach churn. As we drove the tears began to fall freely from my eyes and I found it difficult to stop. I don't know what this visit to Sydney will bring, I always hope that it will be positive but I had this gut feeling, so similar to the one I experienced prior to my line insertion surgery which went drastically wrong and caused me so much pain because the surgeon made an error and thought they were inserting a port-a-cath and not a double lumen central line and it was also the same feeling I had during my second and third chemotherapy when I had dreadful problems with my blood pressure, I am feeling so nervous.

Jarrett, Mum, Theodore and I were escorted to the aeroplane first, when you are in a wheelchair you are put on the aeroplane first and you always sit near the front of the aircraft. The flight was extremely quick, one minute you are up in the air the next you are landing. Unfortunately, it was raining in Sydney when we arrived and as the taxi drove us to the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Coogee Beach, Paul had organised this for us, Ronald McDonald had no accommodation,the Motel we had booked at is being renovated and Paul did not think it was a nice place for me to stay. Paul is one of the miracle men behind my book and he has a heart of gold, I feel so fortunate to know him. The Crowne Plaza is incredible, our bags were taken to our room, there was a lovely card written to me welcoming me, flowers and chocolates in the room and the most magnificent view of Coogee Beach with the pounding waves crashing onto the delicate sand, I honestly felt like Royalty today. I thought that it would be marvellous if all children who are ill and have to have tests would be able to stay at such a tranquil place it would certainly lift their spirits. We had a telephone call from Tess who is picking us up in the morning for my interview at WS FM with Amanda Keller and Jonesy. I am so excited about this, a Sydney radio interview this means that I can let everyone here know about my story and my burning desire to inspire, raise awareness and help others. I am so hoping that this interview will create a renewed interest in my book here in Sydney and that the sales will sky rocket and then that will mean so many more funds for Brain Tumour research. I also have my appointment with my neurologist tomorrow as well as my MRI, even as I write this I have felt a wave of fear engulf me.