Week 12 - Twelfth Week of Recovery - Post Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy Treatment

Week 12 - Twelfth Week of Recovery - Post Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy Treatment

Wow all that build up to Christmas, the prep, the shopping and the waiting and its all gone in a flash!!!  But what a flash it has been!!

Firstly, Dave's health is still on the improve which is all I ever wanted for Christmas, and I am sure it is what Dave wanted too.  His weight is on the improve too and he is enjoying his food a lot more as well, eating little and often.  Dave still has PEGGY in his tummy but is not using it anymore to feed, though still has to flush it morning and night to keep it patent.  Hopefully when we go back to the specialist on Monday 9th January we can organise for PEGGY to be removed.

I thought it might be a nice perspective if someone else wrote about our experience and how Dave is feeling, so Uncle Murray wrote the following... 

 "We have been following David's story from across the Tasman as he fights his way against this horrible disease. When we arrived at the door to spend the festive season with Suzie and David, I didn't know what to expect! At first sight, there he was..... The same David! Looking a little tired and with a peculiar sounding voice but otherwise just the same..... Minus Quite a few kilos!! Not the ideal way to lose weight, I have to say! During our 10 days here, so far, I have noticed several very positive signs which I'd like to note. Every day there seems to be a greater intake of normal food, a constant flow it seems although hot spices and coarse options are still a struggle for his recovering throat. Beer is going down the throat, at this stage it's the non alcoholic type but beer none the less!! At the end of the 1st week David and I ventured onto the golf course, initially attempting 9 holes with the prospect of continuing if David felt OK. And he did, we completed 18 holes although I think David was a little washed out by the end, understandably! I think this is a great milestone to have under his belt, onwards and upwards as they say!

David... And Suzie, who has done a remarkable job of guiding David through this difficult episode of their lives, it has been fantastic to be able to spend these two weeks of the festive season with you both and the added bonus of Kimberley, Jono and little Toby Maverick, my first great great nephew, joining us on Christmas Eve has been superb. Keep up the good work guys and I am sure you'll be back to full fitness in no time."

Secondly, we have been enjoying our days with Jacquie and Murray... Christmas present and food shopping, organising menus, playing Jenga, and sampling a few wines/beers here and there for Jacquie, Murray and I.  

Off exploring to Morpeth...

Fun night of Jenga...

Then on Christmas Eve Dave and I drove to Sydney.  A two and a half hour drive, which wasn't that bad.  We were expecting lots of Christmas traffic, but the roads were fairly empty which was nice.  Popped into see Allie, Alex, Jack and Sam on the way through which was nice as hadn't seem them in ages.  Picked up the car seat and pushchair... thanks so much Renee for lending these to us and to Allie in helping us out.  Then on to the airport where our most special Christmas bundle arrived... our first grandchild, Toby Maverick, with his mummy, our daughter, Kimberly, and her partner Jono.  Oh my golly gosh, Toby is so so adorable.   On arrival there were lots of tears from us all, except from Toby, as he was very content!

Kimi, Toby & Jono
 in the background
pushing the trolley

 He travelled really well on his first flight... didn't phase him one little bit!

As Dave drove to Sydney I drove us home to give him a rest... the next two and a half hours back up the freeway were a bit hairy in places because of the torrential downpours, thunder and lightening!!  And our wee little man needed feeding a couple of times on the way too.  We made it home to a lovely welcome from Jax and Murray and platters of goodies.

Christmas Day was very relaxing, opening pressies, eating and chilling out.  Kimberly was a little over excited to see all the presents that Santa had delivered overnight.

Poppa Dave enjoying cuddles with the gorgeous Toby...
very co-ordinated in red!

Toby's First Christmas.... he's loving all the paper!!
& so darn cute in his Santa suit 

Christmas festivities

Looked after the gorgeous Tash for a couple of days
Murray, I enjoying a coffee aftewards

Toby's first dip in a pool... not too phased!

Summer!!  Cosmopolitans and games

From Love Is All You Need...

No road is long with good company.  

a Turkish proverb

and from You Are My "Once in a Lifetime" I will Always Love you... by Marci

Let's Make a Promise to...

1...

To hold hands, no matter how old we are.

2...

Say "I Love you" every day.

3...

Write love notes for each other to find.

4...

Forget mistakes.

5...

Forgive Words spoken too soon.

6...

Plan time alone together.

7...

Focus on the things we like about each other.

8...

Not to expect perfection.

9...  

Try to be the person of each other's dreams.

10...

Support each other through life's challenges.

11...

Say "thank you" often.

12...

Send e-mails that say "I love you".

13...

Take walks together.

14...

Hug and kiss every day.

I believe Dave and I do most of the above but its always good to re-mind ourselves too!!

We attended a funeral yesterday of a really lovely lady that was taken from us far too soon and the priest put things into perspective that we may not believe in a god but we must believe in LOVE and love each other.  Ann, your Irish blessing is so true....

May your troubles be less,

your blessings be more,

and nothing but happiness

come through your door.  

God bless you Ann, you will be truly missed by all.

Well this is the last day of 2016!!! I won't be sad to see this year gone... It's been a pretty rough year for our family and for a few friends we know, so I pray, hope and wish that 2017 will be a better year for all of us.

See you all again in 2017!!!! Have an enjoyable safe New Year's Eve... xxx