Frankston life

Hi Everyone,
I was prompted to do my Blog after Ian's wonderful pictures on Facebook to Papua New Guinea. Thanks for sharing them Ian! x

We had a beach party last weekend and house warming for our new home in Frankston (see Eva in swimsuit over her clothes!) and I even braved the Bay with one of Eva's friends...then home to our living room(and fire) decked out with fishing nets, starfish, beach balls, and seahorses for fish and chips (!) and Pina Cola's.


My thoughts are with my family and close friends in England where the Summer is turning to Autumn and then Winter...and as the weather warms up in Victoria and across Australia I think of everyone I know and love in Melbourne, Brissie and Sydney - and hope this Summer is safe and fun for all of us!

Health update: My next appointment to go to the Hospital in Melbourne is mid October as far as the specialists know (Oncologists/surgeon) the operation I had last year (Sept 24th can you believe) cleared the small Cancer tumour in my r breast/2 nodes.After the last Radiotherapy blasts in May this year I chose not to have Tamoxafin (the hormonal treatment on offer) and now my hair is returning but I must admit I ain't no beauty YET!


My f/time facilitation contract role is interesting which is good and I am hopeful that I will be able to continue with the job until 18 Dec. We have our training delivery starting next Friday so please think of me 18th Sept.

If you want to please email me with your news or call x

Love from Sarah xx

Anniversary, Easter and Visit from Kristine!

Daer All,
This short Blog to share with you my 1 year Anniversary with Ewa and our happy Easter time, picnicing with friends, having our own Sunday Blackpudding and Easter Egg breakfast (see me looking "Wow!" at the Champagne...) and even with Ewa suffering from a neck strain (see pic!) we managed to thoroughly enjoy and celebrate our year. I thought the 'Love' poster that friends at the George Institute (my last job) gave me particularly relevant and so show it to you in detail here. xx

On a very sad note we also visited the Bushfire area and the St Andrews market which is something we do (market) about once a month. Since the Bushfires we had not visited out of respect, however we heard the St Andrews market was open again so went along...I show you some pics of the actual Bushfire area which we also saw on our way to Kingslake only 15km away from St Andrews. The desolation, huge huge area of burnt woodland and complete destruction of houses - was astonishing and very sad to see. We are hopeful that the folk who were effected by the fires will be able to get back on their feet again soon.



What did YOU do for Easter?? :-) IF you like, send me pics/email about what you did...

Love from Sarah xx
PS: Kristine please send the great pics of us in front of Luna Park - when you visited Melbourne with Felix!!!

All Sorts! March & April '09

Dear All xx
See top pics of our break in Apollo Bay 24-27 March! (more later...)

Well, it is has been over a month since my last post...mainly because so much has happened (good) and still travelling to the END (sigh) of this treatment process (see hospital 'Tobruk Centre' where I went for Chemo, right) my first Radiotherapy was 2 days ago and the last is on 21 May so looking forward to THAT!

I really enjoyed the time Ewa and I spent with Leonie and her chap Greg on Sunday afternoon on 22nd March. We went Montsalvat the famous Artist community residence (www.montsalvat.com.au) for lunch as I had been there with Ewa and thought Leonie and Greg would like it. It is twenty mins. away and we all had a lovely time exchanging our 'war stories' and eating Tapas. Thank you BOTH so much for our time together and the lunch, I look forward to seeing you both and treating YOU to something nice when I come to Sydney sooon! (June/July)

Ewa had arranged for us to visit the Great Ocean Road and a stayover for three nights 24-27 March at a rustic 'farmhouse' called Martin's corner (www.greatoceanroadtrip.com) with Misiu (Ewa's four year old German Shepherd). Our idea for this trip was to celebrate the end of Chemotherapy for BOTH of US. With Ewa's encouragement I walked and even swam on the beautiful Apollo Bay beach and all three of us had a splish-splashing time!

At the farmhouse we watched terrible DVD's (!) and made ourselves a Ploughman's lunch - without the bread and of course enjoyed Champagne and Guinness on arrival! :-)) The only 'holiday panic' we had was as we did our last minute check to leave - I couldn't find my (50th Birthday present from Ewa) watch...but our return home it was found nestling safely inbetween my TShirts - in our overnight bag! Have you ever done that?!!!! GRRR!

As a part of the trip we went to see the iconic 12 Apostle rock formations further along the coast - and they were majestic to see and it was fun to read about the (over 200) Shipwrecks that had occurred over the years since the shipping routes opened up...

Well, that's all for now: the next Blog will be about celebrating our 1 year anniversary on 12 April and Easter, plus Kristine's visit with her son Felix and his chum Obie.

IF we haven't been in touch for a while - we can be in touch by phone or email, whichever is easiest! Love to you and your families and friends.

See you in Melbourne or Sydney soooon!

Sarah xx

Home Life March 09

Hi Everyone,
Since my last Chemo treatment (!!) yesterday, I am now recovering and resting until the Radiotherapy due to start in around 7 weeks. That'll be for 4.5 weeks approx. Then Hormonal tablets. My progress is yet to be confirmed - after all this hefty treatment - but I am told that the Cancer was grade I (not II as originally thought or III) and though it effected 2 nodes - I believe that I have a fairly good chance of recovery; aiming for 10 years' plus - or more more more (which is my heartfelt hope) xx

Nothing in this life is guaranteed (!) and given my'Virgo type way' of looking at things factually I am positive with a realistic edge; getting my mortgage in Sydney sorted out with the Bank there and now starting to link up with work contacts :-) and looking at new ways to make a living that I will be less stressed in - and further enjoy.

Guess this kind of realisation hits us all around 40-50: happiness and less stress please?!! If you have any comments please let me know via my emial! :-))

Well here is my Home life for March - Gillian (see left) my best friend of many years (around 20) lives 1 hr South of Brissie Vagas (Brisbane for UK uninitiated!) and she came to visit. I was very happy to see her and spend some time in her company...not a lot was said but a lot was felt (by me) in seeing her by my side and just enjoying CHOCOLATE (her favourite) see pic of G's gift in middle of home baked MUFFINS (right) which Eva made as a welcome... :-))

Later, we all watched a movie called 'Death becomes her' which was a funny comedy (have you seen it?!) with Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn.

Other than this, here are two unflattering pics which you may find funny - of me wrapped up against a cold snap that Melbourne throws to us every so often. My head gets cold! Brrrr!

Sending my love to and my family and long time friends in the UK: William, Inger-Marie x Hannah, Ellie and William in Lindfield, Mum at 273, Nannie, Gilbert and Millie her poodle who has cold armpits in the s n o w!!, My Sister in law Serene and R & J in MK, my Godson Joe and his new girlfriend, Jane my lovely Wappenham friend of many years who sends me encouragement and Reiki, Kieron who is 'there' for me with quiet encouragement and I hope recovering further from the flu', Kathleen who sends me interesting emails, plus John and Carrin on their great European trip xx
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Missing y'all and appreciating our contact along the way - in AUS, Lynley in Sydney, Pam in her new property Sunshine Coast, Wend between Tassie and Sydney, Carmel and Ian plus brood who have recently moved North, Roma of course Sydney, Milana and Tom in Sydney, Liz and Laz in Pymble, Sydney, Crispo, Sydney, Orsolina, Sydney, and her good friend Rita, Sydney, Maja of course (!) Sydney, Vitto at the Piccolo Bar, Kings Cross Sydney, David and family, Maroubra Sydney, Leonie and Greg (see you 23rd!, Sydney, Suzanne at GI who is mid PhD - we'll meet up again soon! and dear Sarah, John and H in Bondi, Lesley and Marie down on Mt Eliza and sending xx to Michael my Melbourne friend and colleague in Melbourne for his trip to Jakarta and elsewhere this/next month! :-)

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Love, Hug Sarah xx

Waiting Waiting Waiting

Hello Everyone, xx
Doing the interview for the pilot TV show at the Austin Hospital (for family in the UK you may like to look at the hospital website http://www.austin.org.au) - has made me realise what fun it is to communicate and have a forum for one's views! The TV crew wanted to film me as a patient on the various machines in Radiation Oncology and they have HUGE ones!!!! The Radiologists (?) were very professional and kind and it was all easy to do...ie hopping on and off the machines... then I had an patient meeting filmed with the Professor who is looking after my case, then I was asked to have an interview taking about being a patient etc. I talked about being sick so suddenly and the losses one goes through, the support required to face harsh (and life saving treatments) like Chemo and the struggle to emerge into the world again. I did enjoy doing it - and felt happy to contribute to the show. I wonder if it will go to air? It is going to be on Channel Ten and I will get a DVD of it all even if it doesn't go to air...

This is me and my friend Crispo! It was taken at my 50th in September in Sydney. I've spoken to him once since then and I miss him! I do still miss friends from Sydney (like Cripso) and it is hard when one moves city and starts again...and I find I miss Crispo, Liz, Lynley and Wend as well as dear Vitto at the the Piccolo cafe in Elizaabeth Street, that I used to go to every day in Kings Cross. Perhaps this is a good sign - that I am starting to 'look out' at the world again - and want so much to be a part of it, rather than looking inwards and coping with health issues. So the title of my Blog this week is Waiting !!! Not-so- patiently for life to begin again - and I'm thankful that I am still here.


Love to all, Sarah xx

Homelife Tuesday 24th February 09

H i Everyone,
This past week has been full of homelife type activities, such as purchasing a Sunshade (see right x 2) to replace the one that blew itself into a knot in the storms - on the day of the Bushfires littel did we know how serious the fires were and only 35km away from us in Greensborough. Fixing the weight at the bottom of the shade so it will hold the damn thing (DIY is never straightforward Eva says but the wine helps!!) and putting up two lovely posters of Krakow and one of John Lennon during the Imagine sessions which was a gift from Kieron so long ago and left unframed...the framing of these posters are special Christmas gifts from Eva's son visitin from Poland: Zbysiu and his beautiful future wife to be - Lidka. "Thank you!" :-) As Zbysiu said on XMas Eve - may things never get so bad that you think of selling your John Lennon print! I agree!!!

The pic on the left (next to JL) is one from my Mum and Dad of my other favourite city (Amsterdam), given when I purchased my property in Northampton before I left the UK in 2002. It means so much to me given my Dad passed away 17 Dec. last year and I have this and so many other things to remind them of their love. xx

Apart from this, I've added pics of our peace flags (I think that is what they are called) which hang in our backyard and remind me very much of Sydney friends who gave me them as a parting gift and remind me about what is important in life ie "Happiness", "Love", "Peace", "Tranquility", "Courage" and "Wisdom".

Something else that happened is that I have been invited to participate in the Austin Hospital's TV Doco. (where I am being treated) for Channel 10 to talk about my treatment for early breast cancer and in particular my upcoming Radiology treatments which won't start now until April. Ah well, life is never dull! This pic was taken of me by Eva whilst doing DIY so that's what I look like - during Chemo - my eyes are a bit de-focused!! If you check on my Blog, know that this is just my way of informing especially when my energy is low and I do appreciate our contact by phone, text, email and in person!

Sabe xx

Celebrating 50 years of Sydney Myer's free music in Melbourne!

Hi,
Just to say how much I enjoyed the free music festival in Sydney Myer's Music Bowl, in Melbourne on Thursday 12th February. The event was attended by around 6,000 and we all sat on our picnic blankets, enjoyed the Classical music program and watched the stars as they peeped out from the rich navy blue sky as the program progressed. Highlights for me were the Gershwin Piano Concerto by John Chen and the famous Carmen Suite by Bizet. I am not Classically inclined but enjoyed this wonderful event. "Thank you" to all who made it possible... and to Eva for encouraging me to step out on wobbly legs and see the worlds riches - again.

Sabe

Monday 16th February

Hi this is my first Blog type message!

I am Sarah (left), I moved to Melbourne June 30th ’09 and am presently receiving treatment for early breast cancer. My main treatments end around mid May '09 (hooray!) and I will again be able to eat my favourite HOT Thai food, drink Champagne and run about. Not least of all, I will be able to give more than I have been able to - to my lovely partner Eva (see right). These pics were taken just after we found out about my illness and so we were making the most of pre-surgery days left - and having a ball celebrating my 50th in Sydney! Pressure was 'on' in unknown ways and we missed our night time flight (who knew Melbourne has a last flight curfew at 9.15am?? So we begged with Virgin to let us re-book for earliest available next day and thankfully we got on it...but not before we very nearly (where were our HEADS??) missed the flight AGAIN as we got to the car park too late for the bus :-((

So, I say "thank you" to the Dear MAN who gave us a generous lift from the long term C/Park in his 4 wheel drive to departures - without you - we wouldn't have made it in time for my Birthday celebrations... One of life's ANGELS. (...and we won't mention the speeding fines incurred during this drama!)

To my friends and family who have been steadfast and true during this horrendous journey...IT's NEARLY OVER!! I look forward to enjoying life again (in the usual ways) soooon. Sarahxx