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