Erika playing at our Ronald McDonald unit after we were discharged from hospital Chemotherapy: Cyclophosphamide – 5 days – 1 hour/day Topotecan – 5 days – 30 minutes/day Discharged – 21st Oct 17 The beginning of her treatment was, of course, scary. We had no idea how she would react to the chemo but we had… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 4. Chemotherapy Round 1
Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour cancers found in children mostly between the ages of 0 – 5. Erika was 16 months old at diagnosis but it is quite possible she had a tiny tumour when she was born. Neuro – meaning nerves Blastoma – meaning a cancer that affects immature or developing… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 3. What is Neuroblastoma and how is it treated
Urine test(an external collection bag with an adhesive surround for attaching on the skin (check for catecholamines levels. This is a chemical produced by the adrenal gland and excreted with urine. Levels will be much higher than normal in neuroblastoma patients) Cannula inserted in back of her hand and a small splint and bandage… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 2. Diagnosis
Jason, Erika and Nicole just a couple of weeks before diagnosis. Her first beach visit and the last time she was able to swim for 2 years. So life was cruising along nicely for me and my family. My husband of 31 years, Owen and I were happily married and his job allowed him to… Continue reading Erika’s Cancer Journey – Chapter 1. Prediagnosis
Close your eyes and imagine your thoughts are a time line stretching out in front and behind you. Behind you are your past experiences. In front of you your anticipations, anxieties and fears for your future. Now notice where your thoughts are focused. Are you beating yourself up over something you may have said or… Continue reading My Mindfulness Time Line Method
Even though I passed English at school, I never came close to excelling at it and actually fumbled my way through without ever completing any high school reading task. So to say writing a blog has been a challenge for me, is an understatement. I have questioned my ability to write and the relevance of… Continue reading My Writing Process
You would think after 20 months of helping care for my young granddaughter through treatment for cancer that I would have an abundance of inspiration for writing, but I just don’t. After the emotional turmoil of being in a constant state of awareness, I just feel emotionally exhausted. I also feel grateful we made… Continue reading Where to From Here
‘Home is where the heart is’, is so very true . After 20 months of living mostly in Brisbane, away from my Toowoomba home, my husband, my son and many family and friends, I am finally home again. I have been helping my daughter, and her husband care for and support their daughter Erika through… Continue reading There’s no Place Like Home
In the past, I have mostly used mindfulness skills for coping with negative and repetitive thoughts in my head. Stuff my mind would make up and try to convince me it was truth and important enough to require my fullest attention. It mostly worked well for me. Then, around 18 months ago, I was faced… Continue reading Why I’ve Been Away
Most people in this world start each day with intention, but sometimes, it’s difficult to live your life with intention when it can feel totally out of control. Having little time to stop and think intentionally doesn’t help at all. Sometimes it feels like I am on autopilot, and some weeks are just a blur by… Continue reading The Only Certainty in Life is Uncertainty
