SOME RELIEF IN MY RIGHT ARM

4th and 5th October 2010

I was so miserable when I woke on Monday morning, even though I had regained some use of my right arm it was still extremely weak and painful and my left wrist was a total right off, it was swollen and I was in agony. I feel terrible when I complain, there are people out there who are so much worse off than I am and it is extremely selfish of me to feel sorry for myself. These are the times when I have to summon courage and pull myself out of the hole that my pain has put me in.

I played Guess Who with Nalani and Jarrett and then we went to Belconnen to do some Birthday shopping for Mum, her birthday is on Thursday, I have already made her that special photo frame but she deserves some spoiling. My pain bothered me while I was at the shops but I did not want to complain or let it spoil the day. Fortunately, we were able to find exactly what we were looking for quickly and I would say it was quite a successful shopping adventure.

We watched the Commonwealth Games on television, the Opening Ceremony was full of colour and excitement, I was intrigued by the sand art, it was incredible, those men were so talented. Seeing the Australian team march out into the Stadium made you really proud to be an Australian and knowing that some athletes that we have actually met will be competing makes it all the more spectacular. I hope that Jarrett will achieve his dream of representing Australia one day in long distance running and I will be there to see him marching into a Stadium.

In the afternoon we met Tass and Gloria at Federation Square for afternoon tea, we always enjoy their company. Tass has sold 269 of my books, that is why he earned the title of Number One Salesman, he is hoping to reach 300, that would be a mammoth effort and cause for celebration. There are not many books remaining from the original two thousand, it looks like a reprint will be going ahead before the end of the year, there is a possibility that every school library in Australia will purchase at least one copy. If a reprint of five thousand books is done and all those books can be sold, that will mean $64, 750 will be raised for Brain Tumour Research, to be able to give that much to help other children in the future would be the most wonderful achievement for me. If through my journey and my wish I can actually make a difference in the way Brain Tumours are treated and aim towards an eventual cure how splendiferous would that be! I am still convinced my journey has been given to me for that reason - to really change the world in the area of Brain Tumours.

When we were coming home from the afternoon tea, I looked out the car window and saw the most resplendent rainbow, arching luxuriously across the afternoon sky. I was wondering if it was a rainbow for me, sent to help take away my pain and give me hope for another day.

Last night whilst nursing my painful wrist, arm and ankle I watched the Commonwealth Games, I actually enjoyed watched the female weight lifters, I saw the 48kg class, that is Jarrett's weight and they were lifting up to 77kg, it must put such a strain on their backs and knees. I went to bed still in pain but hopeful that in the morning I would have some relief. I listen to music to go to sleep as I still constantly have ringing in my ears the music provides a distraction to the ringing.

My night was interrupted as usual, however some marvellous news was that my right arm had improved when I woke, although I could not grip anything and it was still painful and weak, at least I had some use in it. Perhaps that rainbow yesterday was sent especially for me to ease my symptoms slightly and a little is better than nothing at all. I had to have my left wrist bandaged though as it gives it some relief and support, I also required the stronger pain relief.

I played Upwords with Nalani and then Guess Who with Jarrett, it is fantastic to have them home with me and being able to spend time with them. They are so busy with homework and other activities normally that we don't have as much time as I would like to spend together.

The skies were a luminous crystal clear blue and the sun was radiant with fluffy, delicate, cotton wool like clouds drifting gently across them. We had some bills to pay, banking to do and finishing off Mum's Birthday shopping, so went for a vigorous walk to Gungahlin. I love the sun warming my petite body, it did not ease the pain in my wrist, ankle and knee but it always brightens my spirit.

We have running training this afternoon and I am hoping that the sun will remain as lustrous as it is at present so we can go for a walk around the oval while Jarrett is training. I am still waiting to hear from the IPC people in regards to my classification as Jennie thought it should be lower, hopefully we will hear before summer competition begins on 16th October.

I have a doctors appointment on Thursday to find out results of my recent blood tests and to see if he has received any information from Sydney, also Nalani has to have her wart frozen again as it has come back up, not as large as last time but it has reappeared, this is quite common and hopefully one more freezing will get rid of it.

'When clouds finally clear, when pain eases just a little , when you see the first sparkling star at night that is when hope has come and brought a rainbow into your life'