I’m horrified to see that it’s been nearly 12 months since I last wrote a post! That’s almost unforgivable. One thing I can say in my defence is that I did write this post 5 months ago but ran in to some problems loading it on to WordPress. I saved it as a draft with the intention of trying again, and then life got in the way. Well actually a new full-time job got in the way. I was working full-time for 3 months (crazy) but am pleased to say I’m now working 3 days a week (still crazy, but not quite so bad!) I’ve been working for the medical school at Deakin University. They have a fantastic simulation centre where they have a range of expensive computerised manikin’s that can have heart attacks etc to give the students practice at dealing with serious situations. It’s set up like a hospital with a simulation technician in a control room. Ironically one of my roles is to help out with scenarios, acting as either the mother of a sick child or wife of a husband having an anaphylactic reaction or stroke. This is one area I can say I have experience!
Needless to say life has been busy. Ava is still going to the childcare centre she’s always gone to two days a week and I’ve been able to get her into family day-care with a lady called Nicola for the other day. She goes to Nicola’s home and has a ball. Ava loves role-playing and with Nicola she gets to do a lot of this. She’s so determined, inquisitive and full of life. I let her sleep with me this week as she wasn’t feeling well. When she rolled over in the morning the first words out of her mouth were “Mummy, you’re my best friend”. However when I asked her for a kiss two minutes later she wasn’t interested; it’s all on her terms, let me tell you.
I’ve reconnected with an old school friend which has been wonderful. Sam and I were very close at school, but hadn’t seen each other for 25 years and have just picked up where we left off. She has 3 children, 2 of which are the same age as Fletch and Ava. Her little girl Bonnie has become Ava’s best friend. They really adore each other. Ava has a couple of little sayings. Nearly every time we pull into the driveway she says “This is my home, where my family lives”. She say’s it so often that I can 100% say she knows where her home is. Every night we sit down to dinner she asks “So, how was everyone’s day?” and we must all go around the table informing each other about our day. It’s a nice tradition, until she gets tired and starts throwing her peas, then things can go downhill.
I am pleased to say Fletch is cruising along nicely. We’ve had two check-ups with Dr.Karin since I last wrote. We saw her 6 months ago when she returned from long service leave and she was very pleased with Fletch. The only hiccup we’ve had in the past 8 months was a not too serious reaction to a flu vaccination. Karin asked me to have Fletch vaccinated for the flu before we left the hospital, so that is what I did. The next day he complained of a headache but still went to school, however the following day we received a call from his school saying he’d become quite unwell. By the time we got him home he’d vomited and was crying, saying his head was killing him. He was obviously very distressed. I called the vaccination centre at the Royal Childrens’ Hospital to ask them what I should do, and they advised I take him to the emergency department at our local hospital. He was becoming very anxious in the car and was in a lot of pain. It didn’t take long for them to see us, which was a relief considering how busy they were. They checked his blood and urine which was all fine, and then the doctor asked if he’d ever had a migraine. Why hadn’t I thought of that? My mother used to suffer from awful migraines, she’d lie in a dark room feeling like her head would explode. Fletch had the same symptoms. The doctor gave him some Nurofen and Panadol which worked surprisingly quickly. He’d gone from thinking he was going to die to cracking jokes. The whole episode was put down to a migraine most probably caused by the vaccination.
Other than this episode he’s been really well and as busy as ever. Although at the time I thought it might be overkill having him vaccinated for the flu, I am very pleased he was. A few months ago I went down with gastric flu. I’ve had colds but never the flu, and let me tell you the flu is not just a bad cold, you really feel like you’re going to die, then you really want to die! I was pretty much bed ridden for 5 days, I have never been so sick. The kids had to stand at the bedroom door and wave to me. It was my turn to be in isolation. I was so worried the rest of the family would get sick, but thankfully they all stayed well. Ava was a little unwell, but not nearly as bad as I was.
We had another appointment with Dr. Karin a few months ago. She announced it would be the last time we’d see her as she’s retiring from clinical work. It will be strange not seeing her again. I made sure I expressed how grateful we were for all she’d done for Fletch. He is now down to 6 monthly appointments, only twice a year! We will be seeing a new doctor next time. Dr. Karin said she can’t see Fletch having any complications in the future, and that she is very pleased to see how well he’s going.
Both Ava and Fletch had birthdays in July, Fletch turned 7 and Ava turned 3. Fletch had a little party with some school friends at a local rock climbing centre, and Ava just had a little party at home with her friend Bonnie. Dancing was my life when I was young; it was all I wanted to do. Ava seems to have the same love as her favourite activity is for me to play some funky tune on the iPod so she can wiggle her hips around the kitchen, I will never get sick of watching her dance, its pure joy!
Fletch really enjoyed school last year. Last term his class was busy learning all about the ‘olden days’ and how life has changed. He really enjoyed this learning task and it’s started a number of dinner conversations. “Mum what year were you born?” “1971, Darling” “Wow Mum, I can’t believe you’re still alive”.
Here is Fletcher’s grade one blog with photos and videos of his class dressed like children from the early 1900’s. http://ccunningham1.global2.vic.edu.au/interesting-integrated/ Fletch has also been a little ambassador for the Bank of Queensland. Every state has an ambassador and Fletch is the Victorian ambassador. A percentage of the bank’s profits are donated to Children’s Hospitals around Australia. http://www.boq.com.au/blog/Banking-on-our-Kids-Ambassadors.htm
His current obsession is basketball. He watched the Michael Jordan move ‘Space Jam’ and was hooked. He can shoot hoops for hours and has at times continued playing in the dark … “Just one more shot Mum, please”. He’s actually very good. He’s also enjoyed playing Auskick last year. On the last day of Auskick well-known Geelong Cats player Tom Hawkins played with the kids. Fletch had his photo taken with Tom and he kindly signed Fletcher’s footy top. Tom answered questions and Fletch made everyone laugh when he asked “Do you have a girlfriend?” I’m slightly concerned that his question was about girlfriends and not something like “What’s been the best game you’ve ever played?” but I suppose at least he asked something. Fletch made me chuckle the other day. At lunch time he asked for ‘burnt chicken’ as I stood looking at him thinking what a strange thing to ask for, it dawned on me. “You want smoked chicken Darling” “Yes that’s it Mum”. Fletch has now lost 8 teeth, he’s very proud of this number, although eating certain foods can be challenging. His mouth is looking like a broken piano, but somehow such a look suits a 7-year-old boy, however, I don’t think he’ll be signed for a modelling contact any time soon.
My Dad organised for my brother and his family to fly out for 3 weeks in summer. The last time Fletch saw his cousins was 4 years ago in Ireland just before his transplant, so he was so excited to see them again. It was so lovely to spend quality time together, especially considering Ireland was dealing with the worst storms in 15 years. Tom and Fletch who are the same age had a lot of fun, but also had some heated arguments, usually about the rules of cricket and who was winning. It became apparent that they are both very competitive! Emily who is 10 had grown up a lot and is such a lovely, mature girl. We also met the latest addition to the family, Isabelle who is 18 months old. Our days were mainly spent at the beach which was very relaxing. I love summertime; I don’t want it to end. Everything seems better on a sunny warm day.
Fletch is enjoying grade two and reading everything. It’s incredible how quickly it happens. He plays basketball in a little school team and has started back at swimming lessons. He’s also enjoying surfing lessons in Ocean Grove on a Saturday mornings. I do think doing the ‘Gangnam Style’ dance on a surf board would be considered showing off just a little. Fletch is such a wonderful big brother, he takes great care of Ava. Although they do fight occasionally, generally they get along very well and play beautifully. He really protects her.
The other day one of the doctors I work with asked me “what’s the main thing you learnt or gained through your experience with Fletch in hospital?” I didn’t need to think about it for long. My answer was this. No matter what challenges life throws at me I’ll get through them, and as long as my loved ones are healthy and happy, things are okay. I helped get my son through a bone marrow transplant, I can’t imagine there being too many things tougher than that. An experience like the one we went through is life changing but I learnt so much about myself. Life tested me and I know for sure what I’m capable of. I will always value the perspective, depth of compassion and strength it’s given me. That’s the silver lining. xx