October 2010 Lakes Entrance trip
Hi Friends
and Family in Aus and the UK, it's been a while since I last posted a Blog; I feel Summer coming and so probably am more inclined to poke my head out and make connections again - Winter in Melbourne has been a real long one!See some pics of our happy stay in Lakes Entrance which Eva arranged as a treat for my 52nd Birthday; 4 hrs North of Melbourne and we stayed in a standard holiday cabin tpe thing. We had a beautiful Fish Food
Platter at Nautilus cafe (see pics) ...crab, lobster, scallops...lovely. 
We had a glorious time on the 90 mile beach and inspite of me being low on energy I did manage to follow Ewa to the end of one side of the Lakes to the Entrance and then we walked
back along the other spit. The waves were so ferocious one side of the spit that we couldn't hear much else - the other side it was so quiet and peaceful, sheltered from the wind.
We visited Metung o
n the recommendation of a work colleague/friend of mine and found some beautiful Black Swans (see pic) ...and signets...and purchased an arty waste paper basket! I was happy!! Ewa purhased some tops in the local shop and we had Breakie. We pitched our famous tent (see Ewa right) which goes with us on all Beach excursions and it kept the wind out and the sun came out too...
Well It is nearly November now and healthwise I have just come back from the Austin hospital and seen a specialist there who explained my Lymphodemia (sp?) is a result of the surgery and radio therapy which has blocked one of my lymph channels in my arm so it can't drain as quickly and therefore swells up. A pain but a feature of these treatments. So I have to continue to be careful and bear it when my arm gets tight which restricts typing or heavy lifting for my right arm. Apart from this my Cancer is under control from the Tamoxifen I am taking and which I have to continue to take for another 3-4 years in tablet form. My hair is growing slowly back and so I feel almost like a person again - if a different person than the one before the Treatments started - on Sept 24th 2008.
If I haven't been in touch with you lately, it is not because I am unaware of you or don't think of you. Time goes quickly and my memmory is somewhat shot - things just take me longer depending upon my energy levels and brain capacity.
I am hopeful of a continuing recovery for however long and send love and friendship to you - hoping I may hear from some of you in response or just happy to have made some contact again.
xx Sarah
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! :-)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Love, Hug Sarah xx
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
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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! :-)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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
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
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