SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - A TIME TO REST

13th to 19th April 2013

As I sit typing this entry; attempting to keep warm, the wind is howling ferociously outside blowing the lustrous, golden Autumn leaves from the trees and trashing them savagely onto the dry, brown grass. 

This is been a most horrible week for tragedy, these events have shaken many people around the world, of course the events I am referring to are:  the Boston Marathon Bombings and the Waco Explosions.  Innocent lives taken and people's lives changed forever. 

Before I tell you about my week, I must thank those people who follow my Blog who have so generously donated to Jarrett's City2Surf fundraising.  He is helping me in my continual effort to raise awareness and funds for Brain Tumour Research.  My life goal is to do as much as I can to make a difference.  A cure will not be found in my lifetime but my wish is that no children in the future will have to suffer as many others and myself have had to.  There is no screening tests for early detection for a brain tumour, the treatments are harsh and cause life long cruel side effects and there is no cure. 

Here are some facts for you to think about and please pass this on to family, friends and people in your workplace, we are the only ones who can make a difference as funding is virtually nothing for brain tumour research. 

• Brain tumours are one of the most under studied of all cancers, yet receives very little research funding. 
• No significant improvement has been made in survival rates in almost two decades.
• Brain tumours are now the leading cause of cancer death in children and young adults.
•  Brain tumours strike adults and children alike.
• No risk factors have been identified and no screening procedures are in place.
• Brain tumours carry the highest individual financial burden of all cancers with an average cost been five times higher than any other cancer.

Here is the link again to Jarrett's fundraising page, it would so splendiferous if he could be the highest fund raiser, imagine what a difference that could make to helping researchers work towards a cure one day for paediatric brain tumours.  http://www.fundraise.city2surf.com.au/Jarrett_Anthoney90

I have been relieved to be on School Holidays, School took so much of my energy last Term.  I enjoy learning and challenging myself but I am finding it more difficult as my pain and nausea increases.

This week brought a visit to my Paediatrician, who is so very caring, we talked about pain relief, school, my nausea and other issues which are caused by the tumours putting pressure on my spinal cord.  I also had my usual physiotherapy appointment, as always I was looking forward to it.  Kaitlyn is exceptional and able to provide me with some relief which I am so grateful for. 

The other visit I had was from my care nurse, Karyn, she talked about how I am feeling, school, medication and we did a chart that rated my pain, nausea, mobility, general well being, breathing and swallowing.  She is also very lovely and I feel very comfortable with her.

One of the extraordinary people in my support is leaving, Tom my Occupational Therapist who has done so much for me has a new job in the Philippines.  I am rather devastated as he is someone that I feel really confident and comfortable with.  I think he is splendiferous and so wonderful at his job.  I will miss him.

I have begun listening to Lord of the Flies, it is written by the English author  William Golding, it is about a group of English boys  stuck on an uninhabited Island. they try to govern themselves with quite disastrous results. It is about human nature and individual welfare versus the common good. 

Stay strong this week, despite any hurdles that may come across your path and many thanks again to those that have contributed to raising funds from brain tumour research.