WEEK 9 AT SCHOOL

30th March to 5th April 2013

Easter was a special time, a time to be grateful for what we have in life.  Easter Sunday marks the day Jesus was resurrected. This is a joyous day for all and reminds us of the promise for eternal life and God's love for us all. As I reflect on Easter, I think of my journey over the past few years, they have been difficult and challenging, yet also a time of many joys and new wonderful friendships.  My journey, which I believe that God has given me for a reason, has inspired me not only to raise awareness about brain tumours but also the so desperately needed funds so that researchers may one day in the future find either a cure, a way of early detection and more successful treatments.

This has been a short week at school which was a relief because after competing in the Cross Country I have been extremely sore and fatigued. 

In Maths we have continued our work on Money Matters, including doing some work with excel spreadsheets.  We wrapped up our unit in Sports Science by listing what improves and diminishes an athletes fitness.  In English we have been working on a Money Matters unit and researching things like tax file numbers, bank accounts, credit, industry awards, buying a car and superannuation.  We have our new novel which we have to read before the first week back at school next term.  The novel we are reading is Lord of the Flies. 

It was wonderful to have physiotherapy this week, with the amazing Kaitlyn working on my right heel and foot using voltaren gel and the ultrasound to try to provide some relief from my stinging pain and swelling.  She also did some work on my neck which is stiff and painful.  Then those absolutely fabulous heat packs provided me with some more relief.

I also had a visit from my care team nurse, my oxycodone has been increased by another ml, I now take 8ml four times a day and can have 4ml breakthrough doses as required.  My panamax remains at 10ml as that is the most I can take of that, as it can cause liver problems if you take too much of it when you have it regularly.  She talked about getting me a lovely soft and comfortable cover to go over my mattress to make it softer, my bed is beginning to feel hard and uncomfortable for me. 

My throat still feels so restricted, it feels as though it is as thin as a straw and I find it frustrating and it is not only when I am eating, it feels that way if I am swallowing saliva and sometimes when I have my neck turned to look at something. 

In footy tipping I am still leading but just by one to Nana, poor Pop has fallen behind, but he is known for his comebacks and it is early yet so he is still in with a chance.  My Tigers are playing Storm this week, I believe in them and hope that they can dig deep and produce a win. 

I sent a cheque off to The Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation Brain Tumour Research Fund this week, it is such a wonderful feeling to be contributing and trying to make a difference.  Every little bit counts, imagine if every person in Australia gave just $1, that would be an amazing $22 981 979.00, this is what our current population is. 

Raising much needed funds for The Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation Brain Tumour Research Fund at my Rainbow of Hope for Brain Tumours Stall

To all the people who have been helping me in my endeavour to raise those desperately needed funds, you are all splendiferous, your hearts are truly filled with love and kindness and I wish you many rainbows throughout your lifetime.