Shave for a Cure!

Yesterday at the hospital we had the wonderful Jill come and do some activities with Brody while waiting in the clinic. Brody got his bloods taken first and then we did some behaviour activities with him. Then we had to go into the small little room which Brody hates to see the doctor. Brody was worse then normal as he had been stressed all day about getting a sharpie. He tore the room to shreds, he throw the pillow at the doctor and throw the pencils all over the room. Jill has come up with some great ideas to help with this process.

After the doctor we waited again and after a few attempts from Brody to run off, they finally called us in. The chemo room was packed with other kids, and after the morning Brody had i didn't think it would be great for him to sit in there. So i remined the nurse that he had a running nose so we could get our own room. We did and Brody got his chemo and Blood transfusion in peace. He could sit up in the bed and watch his own movies. An hour before the blood finished two nurses come in and helped me hold him down for the sharpie. Again he hated the whole world, but he soon forgot about it, as i let him go up the see through lift. He loved the ride!

We have to go back on Friday to check his bloods and then back next Wednesday to do chemo all again. Brody's levels are low and still has his running nose. It is getting harder and harder to take him to the hospital as he cries the whole way and then wont get out of the car.

Today Brody's cousins Domenic and Ethan were colouring their hair for shave for a cure at school, which was a gold coin donation. I (Aunty Vicki) gelled their hair up and sprayed it blue and red. Brody also wanted to do this, so i gel the little bit of hair Brody has and sprayed his head. They all looked so cute! Domenic and Ethan told a friend they were doing it for Brody to help him. Love my Boys!!!

Pj Day!

Brody and i have spent the whole day in our PJ's, as we did not do much at all.
Brody woke up this mornig in a happy mood and got so excited to see his cousins Domenic and Ethan. He play playstation for a little while with them until Grandma had to do homework with them. We then said good bye and Brody and i decided to make a cake (well muffins) for Grandpa. So Brody told me he was the cook and i was the mix. But i think it really went the other way around. He then wanted to eat one straight away, before Grandpa even come back from the shop. Brody had to have his muffin and a cup of tea, (which is really Milo).

Brody then started to get tired and we went and had a sleep for a couple of hours. We both really needed that! He again woke up and come out into the back yard to help me get the clothes of the line and try and get him to have a game of ball. But Brody stayed outside for 2mins. He does not like the sun in his eyes and also has a issue with ants.

Brody used to love the outdoors as he would run around every where chasing the dog and chickens. He loved riding his bike and getting me to push him on the swing. You never saw him much inside. But now that has changed, he want even walk on the grass because of the ants. We put sunglasses on him and a hat and even still had a problem with the sun. It makes me sad that he cant enjoy what he once loved to do!!

Hospital clinic tommorrow, will be a big day, glad we got a rest today. Brody nose is running again, and he is still fighting this like a true hero. I love my son and am so proud of every thing he has gone through. xxxx

Out of Jail again!

After spending all morning running around the hospital collecting things and making appoinments and holding Brody down for a sharpie, eye drops and to change his dressing we finally got to go back home to Grandma's place. Now we are very tired and ready to go to bed early.

Brody is still doing well, which sometimes worries me as because of the Autism he dosent feel much pain or sickness, so you really never know if he is worse than he acts. We go back on Wednesday for another sharpie, chemo and most likely a blood tranfusion as his bloods were low today. It will be just for the day, unless he has any thing else wrong.

Brody has been really excited today now that he is home and loves to play with his grandpa. I would like to thank my parents for beening there for us, as they used to look after Brody when i went to Uni, my dad changed Brody's nappies as mum couldnt lift him. They let us live with them when we had no where to go and now they are looking after us and supporting us again. They havent had any time for themselves in the last 4 years, they are devoted to their family and put everyone before themselves. Love you mum and dad. xxxx

Last day of Chemo!

This is the last day of chemo and if we have no set backs we can go back to Grandma's tomorrow. I am looking forward to getting out as this week has been a hard week. I think i am just getting tired and a little run down and like Brody getting sick of it all. Brody has had a craving for Smith's chips. Chips for breaky, lunch and dinner. At least he had a apple in between the chips. He cant stand the smells from hot meals, which makes it hard for me to eat anything near him. Brody is also still very moody, but still wants huggles from mummy. Which has helped as mummy has felt very emotional today!

Its a lonely and emotional thing to go through, even though you have support from family and friends you still feel so alone. You sit and wonder why this had to happen and why did so much have to happen to my little man.

When i was little i wished like many girls for a house, husband and a couple of kids with a happy healthy life. Then those dreams have got shattered over the years and you just wonder why!

Like many others, i was shattered to find out Brody had Autism and needed extra help, I dint know how i was going to cope doing this alone, but my years as a early childhood teacher helped me research and understand what i had to do. So i knew i had to accept this and move forward for Brody. Then when i found out he had Cancer my world come to a halt, I was angry with everyone and again was devastated by the news. This was some thing bigger and beyond me. I didn't know where to start or how i would even be able to do this. But 5 months have passed and i have learnt so much, meet so many wonderful people and I know I have tried my best and been there for Brody through out all of his years. We still have so much more to go through and discover. But i know that this experience has given me the best thing of all. My Little man's love and friendship. I wouldn't ask for any thing else.

Normal day in hospital!

Today Brody went better with the eye drops, he still argues with me but at least i dont need to hold him down. He is still doing really well, but was very tired this afternoon, so went to sleep before 5.00pm. He looks a bit pale tonight and has been still very moody.

He had his Nanna, Pop and Uncle Dane visit him today, and he loved all the things Nanna brought for him.
Grandma and Grandpa also come to visit, and they let me know that pop's funeral went really well. My lovely mum also picked up mine and Brody's washing to take back and wash. Love you mum, Thanks! What would we do, without our mum's.

Otherwise another normal day in the jail house!

Moody Day!

Brody has been very moody all day, he is still eating cold foods but not hot foods. He cant stand the smell from hot foods. He has not been sick, no high temps. I don't think any thing will knock my son down. The Doctors were also saying he is one tough cookie as most children get sick from this chemotherapy.

I had to hold him down twice today for eye drops as nothing would work, he is starting now to get back on track but again its taking a lot of work to get him to understand he needs the drops. Oh well, this is just normal stuff for me as it happens with everything. I hate it and wish people could just listen and understand what i am telling them before they just go and do something different.

We had a less busy day today, saw some of our friends from John Hunter children's hospital, which was a nice surprise. We did the normal routine stuff and both of us feel tired.

My thoughts have been with my Grandfather, mum and dad, today for the funeral of my Grandfather. He will be sadly missed. xxxx

My thoughts and heart goes out to the Selwyn family. Who have been heart broken over the loss of their beautiful Luke who had Autism and tragically drowned after wandering away yesterday afternoon. A bank account has been set up to help the family pay for a funeral and cover some living expenses during this time. Bendigo Bank North...... Richmond Luke Selwyn Benefit Account BSB: 633 000 ACC: 139544662, Thank you for helping. xxxxxx

Action Packed Day!

This morning was busy with doing activities with Brody and having to give him eye drops every 4 hours. I thought it was going to be like the nose tests, but we played Doctors and i pretended to do the eye drops in me, I also said this will give us special powers to turn things into ice. We also had to do the magic spell to make us Brave! It worked and i got the drops in each time. I was so happy.

Then Mary-Anne form Aspect come at 2.00pm and Brody still is not used to her, as he told her to go away and he doesn't like her. He then come around and played activities with us, with the help from his reward chart.

Brody was getting really tired by this stage as he normally has a afternoon sleep, but he had another visitor that come to visit him. He had his dad. So I went down stairs for a break.
I had come back up and the nurse had given Brody the eye drops, after all my good work, to get him to take them. It's now probably gone, as this is what happens if he doesn't stay in routine and especially if he has a bad experience, which the nurse said he screamed and he didn't get much in. Told him to wait for me next time, as he even gave it at the wrong time. But another nurse said that it was ok.

Otherwise Brody went to sleep at 6.30pm as he was so tired, he is starting to go off food again, so chemo is making him feel sick, otherwise no other side effects yet. Busy day, hopefully tomorrow is rest day.
Have to say a Big Thank you to two wonderful ladies that have been through what i have been through and still they can do kind things for us, Thanks Judi and Helena for the wonderful T-shirt that was sign by some country singers in Tamworth. Brody like it, good fit for him too, and the chocolates, they were yummy Judi. Thanks again, sending you all my LOve. xxxx