Red birthday (!) with Saminda and Mychel

This is the delightful morning tea provided by Saminda and Mychel for my birthday. Unfortunately, my brain mustn't have been quite switched on in the photography department (the photo of Mychel was so dark!) I'm still getting used to having to switch off from continuous mode to use the flash; it's usually in this mode to make sure I can get just the right expression/ movement of my kids! But it doesn't work with the flash...I'll learn.

Saminda had also prepared a chocolate and raspberry cake - more "Mmm-mm's"! We also realised after I arrived that we had spontaneously worn red (my favourite colour, at the moment!) somewhere, including the children!

I really appreciated this morning get-together, even more so when I realised Saminda had had a mere 2 hours sleep, with sick children and a sick husband.

It was also a time to "breathe" and be among some really supportive friends, with the news of Ally so freshly in mind.

Homemade goodies

Declan's drawing of a toy pelican (above) and his painting of a vacuum cleaner (below).

More celebrations

More sweet treats from the kids: chocolate drops, jaffas, freckles and the giant freckle. These were from Mary Delicious, an old-fashioned lolly shop in the heritage precinct in town.

Gary found these hair accessories to replace ordinary headbands; I'm really enjoying different things for my hair these days, now that I've decided to grow it. It makes a nice change from a bob and really short hair. I've even bought myself a hair-dryer!! Believe me, that is astonishing!

More delightul drawings from my dear ones...

Celebrations - my birthday

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE my kids' drawings...

This year, the kids were so excited about GIVING gifts; it really thrilled me!

Gary surprised me with a digital photo frame. I'd looked at them but thought we'd never have one - just so indulgent:) I warned him that he'd now be on display 'cause I take most of the photos!

Something fun made from the lollies Chloe gave me; a giant freckle and 3 giant jaffas -

Mmm-mmm!

My birthday celebrations Monday, 27th April

Above: Look how many gorgeous gifts my family lavished on me! And Declan insisted that surely I'd like some more! (His birthday tradition is to have his gifts distributed in a treasure hunt:))

Above: Gary indulged us with this mouth-watering mudcake. While he and the kids sang,"Happy Birthday" and I blew out the three candles, I wasn't allowed to have any for breakfast! However, when I woke up and finally made my way to the kitchen, Gary had given me a sample of the sour cream/ chocolate ganache-type icing!Mmmmm, that made me smile.

Above: Gary was up at 5:30am (bear in mnd this was a school day!) decorating the cake, arranging gifts, and dangerously(?) teetering on a chair on the table to get these beautiful balloons up on the fan - wow! Needless to say, they're still there (away from Ginger's claws, too, which could be a very good thing!)

Above: an early morning (hurry up and open your presents, Mummy!) with my 2 (actually 3) children.

Awesome Ally Necklace

I'm wearing this necklace to keep Ally in mind (and as a symbol of her being close to my heart!)

If you'd like one, I'd be happy to make you one; Chloe has also made one to give Ally (she has called Ally "Lardie" since the beginning just so you know!)

Quick Ally Update, Tuesday, 28th April, 2009

Dad rang last night to wish me a Happy Birthday (more on that later) and said he'd just come back from seeing Ally. The doctors hope to move her to the P.A. Hospital spinal unit a.s.a.p. to help with some distressing issues that are delaying her being discharged. We hope that these experts can give Ally the hope and practical help she needs. I also hope that she will continue to benefit from the supportive srvices of other specialists from what can only be described as a heart-wrenching trauma. Please continue to keep her close to your heart and prayers.

Awesome Ally Update

I've just spoken with my beautiful sister (Monday 27th April 9am). Tears from both of us...

Yesterday, she walked around a bit with the help of a walker. She is also now able to get up and be showered instead of having a bed bath. Most of her tubes have been removed, just a catheter and an iv line remain.

There are things I can't write about... please understand. Just know that some feelings and functions still need to return. And pray for strength and comfort and healing (physical and emotional). Ally is in a tough spot; this morning when the doctors' visited, there were murmurings of not going home just yet; of her life having to change; of little things that are challenges at the moment like being able to get her legs into the shower (both her shower and Mum's is a shower over the bath); and I'm not sure how she'll cope with stairs at this stage.

As an aside, did you know that her name means "helper and defender of mankind" ? Totally appropriate, isnt it?!

I'm going to try to find (or make) something beautiful to brighten her space. She's in a ward with at least 2 other spinal patients (both women). One is in extraordinary pain (headgear, etc) and the other has had two vertebrae damaged (the first op she had was the same as Ally's and went OK but the next op, there was something that went wrong, but I understand she's still a fairly positive person to have around.)

Ally herself, feels blessed in a lot of ways and has a positive and strong heritage, especially from Nanna, who was told at 23 that her paralysis would mean she wouldn't walk again or use her hands, etc. She persevered, sometimes crawling around ,dragging herself up to do the washing, looking after young children, having babies, etc, and teaching herself to use her hands, one knuckle at a time, until she was proficient at knitting, sewing, cooking, millinery (hat making), caring for the family, friends, and her home... Ally has this same determination, this same drive and the same compassionate Father in Heaven who longs to draw her through all this, and will be with her always, just as He was with Nanna. He will be her rock. I know cause He is mine.

Ally update - Friday

After a rugged start to the day, Ally has rallied with the help of a lot of support staff, family and a good friend. It's a bit overwhelming having so many people constantly around all doing and asking different things but I think she's coping remarkably. She's very optimistic about walking again and soon. The physios helped her get up today - twice, and she's tried walking (albeit with straight legs). She's a very determined, gutsy young lady and, like her Nanna before her, will work very hard on all of this.

From what I understand, one of the biggest challenges at the moment is regularly taking deep breaths - she had another x-ray of her lungs today but doesn't know the result of this yet. Her haemoglobin is still low, too, so she's having another blood transfusion to help with this.

If you're thinking of phoning or visiting, it's a good idea to phone Mum first - she has a good idea about what Ally's up to:)

"Hello I am Chloe. I had cross country on the 24/4/09.The preps and year ones had to run around the oval that is at the back of the school. The year twos had to run around the boundree fance. and the year threes had to run all around the oval that is at the back of the school AND the year threes also had to run next to the boundree fence.I got really taiedafter all that running around. For dinner on the 24/4/09 I had aavarcardoe sanmich. I'v hade a great day. "

I just had to include this! Chloe asked tonight if she could write a blog, too. Like mother, like daughter. I figure the writing practice will be a bonus and a great creative outlet, too (for posterity:)). However, she wants us to go through and correct her misspellings, etc, which I think will be a shame in a way:)

Anyway, this was the first official post on my other blog which was my first attempt at blogging over a year ago, and which I was wondering what to do with. It has only recently been ?reopened for access. We'll see how we go.

What will these hands do?

I can hardly wait to hold these hands!

Pondering...

I'm looking forward to having a snuggle with these arms, just like I do with the other older Baby B's!!

A curled up little one cosy and safe and secure...

What will she ache for? What will be her passion?

Musings

Where will these legs and feet take her?

What will she use her mind for?

Introducing... Hmmm... we'll keep you posted on her name as we reach agreement:)

Beauty-full!

Amazing intricacy... what will she stand for? What will be her strengths?

Miracles

Want to see (and hear) another miracle?

Click on the April Rose button, wait a while, and smile, knowing God can do the impossible and still leave doctors speechless!

Update after Ally's surgery - Thursday, 10:45am

She's looking good.

About to go for x-rays to check her lung is working properly; needs to practise deep breathing - hurts- and something she's always found difficult.

It was a five hour operation; has a nice long "zip" down her side. Surgeon is pleased with result. He took out the "floating rib" to gain access through the front, removed the smashed pieces, replaced it with part of the rib, wired it up and put a cage around (there's still a little fracture left but he put some "stuff" on that to help it heal).

Ally's able to move her legs slightly - still has her legs wrapped in stockings and pads from the op. Still has pins and needles in her feet.

She will be in hospital for probably 5 days then a couple of weeks at home. After about 4 weeks, the doctor expects she'll be able to do light duties!! She'll have a brace fitted to stop her bending (apparently they've already worked out what kind of person she is - bouncy, sparkly, always on the move, etc...) :) which she'll need to wear for about 6 weeks.

All in all, some amazing results! And Mum said she can already at least one greater purpose in it:)

My brother and Mum are off to Ally's workplace for some morning tea and to let them know how she is, and perhaps find out a bit more of what happened Tuesday night:)

Update on Ally, my sister

It's 12:15am (Thursday-just!) and Mum's just rung.

Ally is back in the ward - no one came to tell them so they don't know how long she's been there; the nurses don't know anything about the op. and the surgeons have gone home; but we're presuming that because Mum and Dad weren't sought out that everything will be okay. Don't know if she can move anything - she's too drowsy.
Mum will go back in the morning when she (Mum) wakes up (if she's allowed re visiting hours) and will ring me either when she gets there or when she's spoken to a doctor.
I haven't spoken to Dad - could hear him on his mobile in the background while I was talking to Mum- but I guess we'll talk in the morning.

Mum said she (Ally) looks "good" / okay".
Mum will need to pick Cameron up from the airport at around 9 in the morning - hope the doctor doesn't do his rounds while she or Dad aren't there. Still, I guess I may be able to call the hospital myself tomorrow.

Thanks for caring,
Cathy