TWO MORE EVENTS AT CHAMPIONSHIPS AND WEEK 2 AT SCHOOL

9th to 15th February 2013

‘Nothing is impossible, you should always seek to do your best, challenge yourself and reach for the stars’ 

My weekend of sport continued with Saturday at the Athletics ACT Track and Field Championships, I was throwing javelin.  Again I was lucky enough to be able to throw from my wheelchair, which is definitely no easy task but when you are determined and really want to do something there is no barrier that will stop you.  I had a couple of fouls but I also had some great throws, in the end I threw a distance of 3.05m which I was so pleased with.  Nalani was there throwing with me and she achieved a splendiferous result, a personal best and came second in her age group.

Poor Jarrett was not able to compete in the 1500m as his hamstring was still sore after pulling up with it seemingly tight after the 800m on Friday night.  He was disappointed but as an elite athlete, he knows better than to run on something that is sore and not feeling right rather than pushing yourself and making any possible injury worse. 

Throwing Shot Put from my wheelchair in the Athletics ACT Championships

On Sunday Nalani and I both threw in the shot put, there were some light showers of rain throughout the competition but nothing too drastic.  Again I was throwing from my wheelchair and was so thrilled when each of my throws went a little bit further than the previous one.  My longest throw being my last one, I threw 1.46m, another result that I was so proud of.  Nalani did well also, although she did not achieve a personal best in this event she did again come second in her age group.

To add to the excitement of the weekend I discovered that I had won two silver medals; one for discus and one for javelin and a gold medal in shot put, those medals mean so much to me-winning is not everything, you can come last but you are still a winner because you have actually tried.  The medals represent having a go and achieving a goal despite setbacks.   I was awarded the medals for the AWD category.  Nalani came second in all her events for her age group and she was presented with three silver medals and Jarrett despite his hamstring injury won a silver medal for his performance in the 800m. 

I felt so very fortunate to have not only my wonderful family there cheering me on throughout the events but also Louise, Monique, Annie and Sarah, who encouraged me so enthusiastically and gave me strength and determination.

Throwing had taken its toll a little on me though, by the end of the weekend I felt exceptionally sore and tight as well as that sickening nausea I have been experiencing lately. 

I cheered up a little though because on Sunday night after all the athletic events were over, we had a belated Birthday dinner and cake.  The cake was so scrumptious; it was a sponge cake with a delicious strawberry cream and jam in the centre, iced with gorgeous pink icing and some strawberries on top.  I want to thank you all for your lovely Birthday wishes; they really meant so much to me.

Jarrett found out on Tuesday after a visit to the physiotherapist that he has a minor tear of his hamstring and he will be out of running for anywhere between three and five weeks.  This is rather tragic for him as he was to compete in the 5000m Championships on 22^nd February.  He is working extremely hard on his recovery and following his physiotherapist’s instructions because he wants to heal properly.  I feel disappointed for him, his running means so much to him, I know what it is like not to be able to do what you love.

School has been extra busy also this week, working in Maths on Algebra trinomials, in English continuing with Macbeth and in Sports Science working on fundamental movement skills and stages of learning.   School really does fatigue me and I often come home from a lesson and literally fall asleep as soon as we get in the door.  On some days my pain whilst I am sitting in the classroom is not pleasant but I keep trying to concentrate on the lesson to take my mind off it.  I love school though and it is important for me, to keep going and doing as much as I can.

My physiotherapy appointment this week was like a blessing, especially after the huge weekend of throwing.  Again my special angel Kaitlyn worked to help give me some relief, working gently on my tight and sore spine and then using those marvellous heat packs. 

No athletics this weekend, but both Jarrett and I do have some homework to do.  Next week will be our third week back at school, Nalani is just returning to her studies next week; she had a longer holiday break than we did. 

Wishing you all the most rainbowiffic week, remember that you can achieve anything when you really reach for those stars.

 

BACK TO SCHOOL AND MY 15TH BIRTHDAY

2nd to 8th February 2013

"Unleash the power of a smile, smile at strangers, smile at trees, smile at misfortune, smile at yourself in the mirror in the morning, smile just for the sake of it."  (Taken from the book The Alphabet of the Human Heart by Matthew Johnstone and James Kerr given to me by Dianne).

I truly believe that a smile is magical and can change someones day, I love to smile, despite the fact that I may be in pain or feeling unwell because the power of a smile can make you feel better.

Before returning to School, a special treat was in store; we went to the National Zoo and Aquarium for morning tea and to look at some of the animals.  Finally we had a day where the weather was cooler and I could cope.  I loved watching the monkeys at play, they are so very human like.  I got to see the large brown bear taking a bath in the water and he loved it.  Then I saw the red panda's having a wonderful game of chasing each other all around the ground and then up the tree branches.  I saw a peaceful, sleeping Koala and the towering, yet elegant giraffe.  But I started to feel quite nauseous so we decided it was time to come home.

School went back this week and it almost feels as though I never had a holiday, we are straight back into work.  In English we are studying Macbeth, another of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies but with a bit more bloodshed than Romeo and Juliet which I studied last year.  We have learnt that the most important lines in the play are "Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air"  It tells us that not everything is as it seems in the play Macbeth. 

In Maths we are doing Algebra, which I really love doing and in Sports Science we are doing performance enhancement but not with drugs which has been in the news so much lately but naturally through training and recovery. 

I had my physiotherapy appointment with the wonderful Kaitlyn again, this time she had to work on my ankle and foot which I had injured practising my discus.  My ankle is sprained, my heel looks like it has another stress fracture and also possible fractures in my ankle.  After a gentle massage and some ultrasound, I then had those amazing heat packs along my back which has been extremely painful some days.

I was supposed to see my Oncologist this week, but unfortunately he could not come to Canberra Clinic because he had the opportunity to go to a conference, which is important for doctors because this this where they can learn more about new treatments and research. 

However I did have a visit from Wendy my lovely CNC nurse and Tom my magnificent OT this week.  They both are so helpful and I am so glad that they are part of the team taking care of me.  Tom has given me an air cushion to try out, you see when I am going over bumps in the wheelchair or car, I am experiencing pain up my spine which really is uncomfortable.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that it works.  Wendy talked about all my medications and about visiting the school to talk to the teachers and students again, to help them understand how I am feeling and to ask any questions they have. 

Apart from the pain in my spine and neck, my injured right ankle and heel, I have been experiencing headaches on a daily basis, these headaches are either on the top of my head or in my temples and the intensity of them increases and decreases throughout the whole day, it is so annoying and makes we quite fatigued.  I am grateful for my Ondansetron which is an anti-nausea medication as I have also had nausea virtually on a daily basis.  My way of dealing with all of this is not only through using my medication, but also having relaxation massages from Nalani and smiling through it all, as I said early I think the power of a smile can achieve wonderful things.

Something exceptionally wonderful happened for the beginning of Term, with many, many thanks to Anna and Leanne my book 'Theodore and Friends - Theodore is Left Out' has been put into every Public School in Canberra.  This means that my message of tolerance, inclusion and understanding can be taught to children and hopefully help those that are different.  These copies are A4 paperback size and I have been lucky enough to have been given the spare copies, twenty of them to sell to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Fund for research to find a cure for this horrendous disease.  So they are extremely unique and special books and I am selling them for $20 each.

Today, 8th February was an extra special day, it was my 15th Birthday.  Thank you so much to the people who have left me lovely messages in the comments of my Blog.  For me the most splendiferous part of my Birthday was sharing it with the important people in my life.  My day was really quite magical receiving balloons, flowers, extraordinary cards with the most lovely verses and special gifts.  I felt very humbled and spoilt by many people and I am so touched that so many people care about me.  

A special friend Monique has come up with a new wonderful word 'rainbowiffic', I think it is fantastic and I think it would be the perfect word to describe my wonderful day. 

Tonight I threw at Athletics ACT Track and Field Championships, I threw discus, I was able to throw from my wheelchair which was so fantastic because I was so worried I would not be able to throw with my injury.  Throwing at the Championships is something that I had put on my Special List for this year, it was one of my goals.  I was excited to have Happy Birthday sung to me at the Track and then to throw 3.40m. 

Another highlight of my Birthday at the Track was seeing Louise Ellery, she is someone who I am inspired by, her strength, courage and determination for anyone competing in sport is amazing. 

Jarrett and Nalani also competed, Nalani in the Discus, in which she came second and will get a silver medal and Jarrett in the 800m and he also came second and will be receiving a silver medal.  They were both marvellous and I was so excited for both of them. Poor Jarrett though after he finished his race, his hamstring tightened up and even though Nalani with her fantastic expertise, even though loosening it and treating it with ice, it is still tight and sore so he may not be able to compete in the 1500m tomorrow. 

Tomorrow I am throwing the javelin which I am hoping to do well at also.  Then on Sunday I am throwing Shot put, so you can see it is a busy weekend ahead for me. 

Thank you to those who suggested some fund raising ideas, I really love the one related to athletics, hopefully I can come up with something in that area.  I would deeply appreciate any more ideas any of you have.

Have a rainbowiffic week, may you always keep smiling despite any adversity and enjoy every day to its fullest.

LAST WEEK OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

26th January to 1st February 2012

This week we celebrated Australia Day on January 26 and it commemorated the establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788. It is a day when there is an opportunity for Australians to come together to celebrate their country and culture.  We can reflect on the achievements of the nation and explore ways to make the country even better in the future.

With it almost being time to return to school for a new year and because of pain and nausea, I have spent a quiet week at home reading another Secret Seven book, watching some DVD's and playing some of my favourite games.

I had my usual physiotherapy appointment at which the marvellous Kaitlyn worked on my neck and shoulders which were ever so tight and sore.  At the end of the session I had three delightfully warm heat packs, they feel so phenomenal!

Yesterday I went to the oval to practise my discus which I have been having some difficulties with lately, it was a little bit windy and I must not have balanced myself very well and I had a bit of a stumble.  Unfortunately I think I have done some serious damage again to my right heel as it is extremely painful and icing it stung.  This meant that I could not throw at Interclub tonight and I was so downhearted.  Next week is ACT Track and Field Championships and I don't want to miss doing them because competing at that event is on my Special List for this year.

Next week apart from going back to school and Championships, it is a significant week for me because on Friday it will be my 15th Birthday, which is a huge milestone on my journey.

Wishing you all a splendiferous week and thank you for continuing to follow my journey.

RESTING UP

19th to 25th January 2013

Today I would like to begin my Blog with a quote that I found from Mother Teresa, I think it really sums up life and one of the lines from this quote would apply to something you have been experiencing this week. 

"Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realise it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it."

It was Nalani's 19th Birthday on 19th January, I made her a special picture of a beach scene, she thought it was extra special.  She enjoyed her day and in the afternoon we had Interclub.  She threw discus and javelin, so did Jarrett and I.  Jarrett is not a thrower but he decided to do it to push Nalani.  In Discus she got a personal best and in Javelin she did extremely well.  I threw pretty well also, I did not get any personal bests but I did enjoy having both Nalani and Jarrett throwing with me.  Jarrett got personal bests because he has never thrown at Interclub before, so he was excited about that.  Although I think he has decided that he is definitely a runner and not a thrower. 

I had physiotherapy with Kaitlyn who this week worked on my neck and behind my right knee which has been painful and also swollen.  At the end I got to have my glorious heat packs, they really do feel so soothing. 

This week I have had headaches each day, they are so annoying as they come and go throughout the day and vary in intensity.  My back pain has also made me fairly uncomfortable this week.  I always try to find something to provide a distraction from my pain.  If you sit there thinking about it, it becomes much worse. 

A special highlight of my week this week was getting to see Sarah and Stuart and Meryl.  I tire easily with my pain so I am not able to spend too much time visiting or having visitors but seeing them put a huge smile on my face.

It will be ACT Track and Field Championships soon, I have set myself a goal to try to get a personal best in my events.  I am doing Discus, Javelin and Shot put. 

School goes back in less than two weeks now, the holidays have really gone so very quickly.  The temperature has risen again so it has remained difficult to do anything.  I think we are in for some cooler temperatures over the weekend but they are also predicting rain. 

Thank you to people who have come up with some fund raising ideas, I am still looking for more and would appreciate any ideas you have.  Dianne has been selling some of her home grown vegetables to help raise funds, many thanks to her for this great idea, it is also a very healthy one!

A HOT END TO A QUIET WEEK

12th to 18th January 2013

Today marks ten years since the horrendous bush fires that engulfed Canberra.  On January 18th 2003, the Canberra community was devastated by bush fires. Four people died, a total of 470 homes were destroyed, and 2000 businesses, homes and vehicles were damaged. As the fires roared through the suburbs many people described it like a flow of lava coming down their street.

The Canberra bush fires were the second most expensive bush fires in Australian history, second only to the Ash Wednesday bush fires.
Lightning strikes ignited 160 separate fires, which burned for ten days in the adjoining Kosciusko National Park, before advancing into Canberra suburbs. Severe drought conditions, low relative humidity and high temperatures that endured and winds of more than 200kpm led to the severe firestorms.

Now there are many bush fires burning all around Australia in high temperatures and winds, again fire has caused so much devastation to our beautiful Country. 

Today in Canberra it has been extremely hot and windy, we have sweltered with the temperature hitting 40.2 degrees just after 3pm.  When you go outside the air virtually takes away your breath, it is just so appalling.

My week has been quiet, mostly due to the dreadful weather conditions we have been experiencing, you just can not do anything, especially outdoors. 

I have been reading The Secret Seven Books by Enid Blyton, I am really enjoying them, they are not only interesting, they provide a little mystery and are hard to put down. 

I had my usual physiotherapy appointment with Kaitlyn who worked on my legs, scapula and neck. Thank goodness physiotherapy has airconditioning because then I could have those wonderful heat packs on.  It has been difficult to use them at home with the heat, so that is a form of pain relief that is not available to me at present.  I always look forward to my appointments with Kaitlyn, she does so much to try to help me, she is pretty extraordinary. 

This week I have been bothered by terrible headaches which come and go continually throughout the day.  My pain killers are not doing anything to assist them, however, physiotherapy on my neck, cool washes and massages are helping me get through them. 

My other problem this week has been with nausea, fortunately I have Ondansetron which seems to give me just enough relief to stop me from vomiting.

I also had a visit with my GP, who is very special to me, we have been going to him since before I was born.  I had to get some scripts for medication and he also checked my heart and lungs, which I am pleased to say are all okay. 

Tomorrow is a very special day, it is Nalani's 19th Birthday, I hope that the weather cools down for her special day.  I have made her something special but won't tell you as she may read this and then it would spoil the surprise.

It is now less than three weeks until school goes back, the school holidays have really flown by and with the weather been so disgustingly hot, we really have not been able to do much.  Maybe the weather will improve in the next two weeks and we can get outdoors to enjoy ourselves, I have been hoping to go to the zoo to visit the animals again.

I have been thinking about fundraising ideas for 2013, and I have not been able to think of any wonderful ideas yet.  I am really hoping that some of you may be able to come up with some unique and terrific ideas.  It is important for me to continue to raise awareness and funds for brain tumours.

Try to stay cool and keep safe.

SECOND WEEK OF JANUARY 2013

5th to 11th January 2013

It is hard to believe we are into the second week of January, time really does seem to fly by and hasn't this week been stifling hot in many areas of Australia. 

The raging bush fires have caused so much destruction and heartache for many, it is so terrible to see it happening all around us.  I think the most distressing thing is that in many cases these fires have been lit deliberately, that is just horrific.  Maybe some of these teenagers that have nothing better to do, could be helping those less fortunate in our society instead of lighting these fires.

The heat has made me feel so dreadfully nauseous and tired.  We have little portable air coolers in the house but they just take a little of the heat away.  The temperature in the house is still above 30 degrees, but I guess that is far better than the 37 that it is outside. 

With the high temperatures you can not do too much, especially outdoors, so it has been good weather for playing games, watching DVD's and reading. 

In the heat this week I had a physiotherapy appointment with Kaitlyn who worked on my hamstring, buttocks and neck, I have been so dreadfully tight and sore in these areas, of course they are nowhere near as sore as my spine but when they are sore at least I have another area of pain to think about apart from my spine.  At the end of my session, I had those absolutely marvellous heat packs on, they are truly splendiferous and with the hot weather I have not been able to use mine at home often this. 

I also had an appointment with my Paediatrician this week, he is a wonderful doctor and takes good care of me.  I have been having regular headaches lately in my front temple area, so he carefully checked behind my eyes with his little light to make sure there was not large mass there.  Fortunately at this stage there is not, my headaches may be from the hot weather, hopefully they will ease as the weather improves.  He suggested that during the heat that I eat small meals regularly rather than just three large meals, it may help my nausea.  Pain is probably one of the largest concerns with it being around 6 - 7 out of 10 constantly, despite taking my regular pain medication. 

My spine remains twisted to the right at the top and to the left down the bottom and I am only to have gentle massage on my spine.  I can not remember if I have mentioned this before but when I had my last blood tests, it was found that I am menopausal, it is a difficult discovery when you are only 14, that is something that much older people have to face.  It is extremely annoying for me to have some of the symptoms but again, it is something that is part of my journey, it is most likely from my radiation treatment as well as my cancer.   I have to see my Paediatrician again on 18th February after I have seen my Oncologist on 7th February.

I found out from my medical care team that I can take more oxycodone, as when you take it for an extended period of time, you often get used to it, originally when you start on it, it is based on your weight.  They suggested that I could have an extra half dose at bedtime, to help me sleep through the night without waking with pain or discomfort.  I am also able to have five doses of the oxycodone a day when it is required, their may goal is to keep my pain down if possible.

Last night was Interclub and I was really determined to throw after feeling so unwell the week before and not been able to compete.  I was sore but when you really want to do something you love, you sometimes do it despite your pain.  My first event was discus, I had some problems this week throwing either too far to the left or right and fouling, however I managed to get one decent throw in, it was not a personal best but I was just relieved that it was in.  Nalani also threw discus and even though she threw well, she did not achieve a personal best either.

It was then time for Shot put, doing that event you are less likely to foul, and I was so excited to get all good throws and in the end I managed a personal best of 2.26m.  Unfortunately, Nalani did not get a personal best but she still enjoyed throwing because she came first in her age group.

Jarrett ran in the Mile Championships, he wanted to do really well and was aiming for a time under 4:45:00.  The weather was still rather warm at the time of his race and the heat of the AIS track is much hotter than the actual air temperature.  He had a reasonable start and worked his way through the pack, then in the last four hundred metres he surged and he flew, he had a magnificent finish and came 5th overall but 2nd in his age group which he has moved up to U20 Men.  The race had competitors from all ages from U14 Men to Open Men.  The time he achieved was fantastic, he got 4:42, so that was below his goal. 

As I finish my Blog entry for this week I pray that areas of Australia with such hot temperatures and sinister fires will see some relief in the form of cooling rain and temperatures. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

29th December 2012 to 4th January 2013

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, may 2013 be a year that is filled with many precious memories, good health, happiness and achieving goals.

My 2012 ended by spending time with my Nana and Pop, they are now back home, but the time we were able to spend with them was precious and special. 

Just like many places in Australia, the temperature in Canberra has risen to be extremely hot, today was a sweltering 36.8 degrees and it is predicted to be even hotter tomorrow and the high temperatures look like continuing until the end of next week. 

I have found that hot weather can be just as harsh as the cold for me.  Particularly yesterday, I was exceptionally sore, unable to move without pain, it was just dreadful and a little frightening.  Because I was so sore and then felt terribly ill I was not able to throw at Interclub, so I was so very disappointed. 

Nalani was able to throw last night, she did Javelin and Shotput, in Javelin she threw 15.40m and in Shotput she got 6.01m which were both personal bests this season for her.  She throws a 600g javelin and a 4kg shotput, which are much heavier than what I throw. 

Jarrett is running this coming week, he is competing in the Mile Championships. I am hoping I will be well enough to throw also as well as cheering Jarrett on.

Today I am not quite as bad but the pain and nausea is still making me ill, so this Blog is not very long.

Apart from having time with my Nana and Pop and not feeling well, we have been looking after a gorgeous little puppy, her name is Lily and she is a Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, she has been so cute and playful and brought so much joy into our days. She went back home to her owners today and we were all just a little sad to see her go. Even Tinkerbelle had become fond of her, they often played together and Tinkerbelle watched over her like a Mum would. 

It was a relief for me on Wednesday to have physiotherapy with Kaitlyn, she worked on my neck and spine doing gentle releasing, it felt wonderful and then those terrific heat packs at the end.

Have a splendiferous week, keep cool and keep smiling.