Off-topic - Apologies for recent absence

[PatrickS2222]

Hi All! Just a quick one to say thanks once more for all your positive vibes. :thumbsup:
Jenny had another high-resolution MRI last Monday and we were thrilled to hear there is "no current evidence of any regrowth" which is about the best news we could dream of hearing.
The Children's Hospital also invited Jennifer to become an Advocate for their teenage patients, to assist in ensuring they are as least nervous and worried and as much at ease and calm as possible. She says she will accept this role so she can return some of the huge help they were able to give her.
Additionally, next weekend is her 18th birthday, so some celebrations will certainly be in order! :drink::licking:
As from tonight, presume "No news is good news" and I shall stay somewhat quieter unless there is something significant to report.
Again, many thanks to all the wonderful caring people who have been there with positive waves helping us through tough times - it's been a huge help!
My heart also goes out to anyone in a similar situation - life is so precious and our loved ones are even more precious to us. :thumbsup:
Here she is with one of her tremendous team of medical specialists:

 

[Wagtail]

Good stuff Mate. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop.

:thumbsup:

 

[3930dave]

It is expressed in different ways, depending on context......"Practice being Grateful" is something I think of, every time I come to this thread....

The good vibes will continue....... Happy 18'th to Jenny - I'm sure it will be a great party !

Rgds, D.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Hello again!
18th birthday party was a lovely evening :drink: on a special occasion, enjoyed by one and all. I had overlooked posting about it.

Even better news ... MRI scan earlier this week. Results: NO evidence of any regrowth! :thumbsup: We're all over the moon with relief, because now (18-24mths after operation) is when regrowth frequently begins.

She is training for next month's Oceania Championships in New Zealand. Keep fingers crossed! :laughing:

 

[AchingBack]

Cheers and tears. God bless your family. Hope she skates well.

 

[Wagtail]

Lovely news.

 

[3930dave]

Excellent update !

:cool2:

All the Best,

Dave.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Hi All, more good news. Oceania Championships are in full swing in Rotorua, New Zealand. I was holding off posting until after Jenny's event She placed a credible 4th in her Figures event. While I would have dearly loved to see her bring home a medal, to be so close and be narrowly beaten for the Bronze is unfortunate. It would have helped her regain even more of the self-confidence she once had, although she's still doing quite well in that respect. I spoke to her after the event and she was very happy with her skate ... just not contending with the bit about the other competitors being the best in their country! She is now sight-seeing with some other team members, then coming home on Monday afternoon.

Once she is back home, one of the women's magazines here - "Take 5" - wants to interview and photograph her for an upcoming fund-raising event they are involved with, and they want her assistance in promoting the event. :confused2:

Almost forgot to mention :laughing: ... her hair is long enough and the weather has warmed sufficiently for her to plan to no longer wear a wig after she returns. We'll just have to become accustomed to her new hair-style .... much darker and much curlier! That's at least until it gains some more length and sees a lot more sunlight. :thumbsup:

Needless to say, I am just so very proud of her achievements. She was working quite a bit, especially for the dentist, as well as training almost every day. It's a huge help that she can drive, but I can't believe the distance her car has travelled ... 23000km (14000 miles) in seven months!

Oh, I also wondered at times whether any more than just a few people were reading my two-finger typing effort, then I found the Views count for each thread 9900 and counting! I couldn't believe my eyes! I have to say I'm amazed how many wonderful people I have never personally met can care so much about our lovely daughter ... I'm sure it has helped her, and it has certainly helped me too. One more time .... thank you all for caring so very much! :drink:

 

[pmsmechanic]

Thanks for the updates. I really enjoy them! And of course wishing your family and Jenny all the best.

 

[AchingBack]

Happy to hear her progress on the way to the mountain top.

 

[3930dave]

In the Big Karma picture, my bit of positive energy that I send your way is what I consider to be just a tiny Down Payment.....

Your family's journey that you have generously shared with us is a tremendous reminder to me of many important things, that I often race past in the bustle of Today.......

If somebody read your comment on its own somewhere.....

"Needless to say, I am just so very proud of her achievements. She was working quite a bit, especially for the dentist, as well as training almost every day. It's a huge help that she can drive, but I can't believe the distance her car has travelled ... 23000km (14000 miles) in seven months! "

..... they'd think - "There is a very energetic and hard working young lady !".

:thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Thank you Dave, and everyone else here too. Yes, she is one busy young lady. :laughing:

Take 5 Magazine interviewed and photographed her last week for their up-coming story I'll post a link as soon as I know the article has been published.

Tomorrow she is attending a function at the Children's Hospital where she will be meeting the Federal Health Minister. He is apparently to make a significant announcement on behalf of the Australian Government. I'll try to find a link to the news story and post it. :thumbsup:

 

[shaeff]

That’s great news, Patrick! I’m so happy to hear she’s doing well!

 

[PatrickS2222]

Here is the announcement on the Children's Hospital Foundation's website.

$1 million pledged to help the fight against paediatric brain cancer | Children's Hospital Foundation -Children's Hospital Foundation

Everyone is justifiably thrilled! Jenny is pictured with the Federal Minister for Health and the Foundation's CEO. :laughing: Both Jennifer and my wife Debbie were interviewed by television reporters :confused2: I haven't yet had any success in finding a link, but I will post one as soon as I can. :thumbsup:

Here's a Facebook link - only one of the news item I can find:
Facebook

 

[3930dave]

That's great news Patrick !

Rgds, D.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Just a quick update:

Her MRI scan last week showed no evidence of any regrowth - very relieved and thrilled to hear those results! Great news.

Also ... she is attending the US Figure Skating National Championships in Florida next January. The opportunity arose when several other adult club members more experienced in overseas competition suggested it would be a good idea to travel with them. I just wish I could afford to go as well ... but I might take a while to come back home!
Apparently a visit to Disneyworld is planned. More sight-seeing is highly likely!

 

[shaeff]

That’s awesome, Patrick! Loving all this positive news!

 

[3930dave]

+2 ! :thumbsup:

She'll enjoy Orlando. I visited The Mouse courtesy of a business conference - something for everybody there, The Orlando airport is one of the best organized that I've ever been in.

Rgds, D.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Yes Shaeff, Dave and All, it's a huge relief and wonderful to be able to say she's beginning to feel well, normal and look forward to the future.

There was a brief hiccup in her being "qualified" to attend and compete in the "America's Cup" of artistic skating, but that has been sorted out, and she's going!

Also ... she just today was notified she has been enrolled in a local University to become a schoolteacher, which is the career she most wanted. She is understandably thrilled! :thumbsup:

 

[Wagtail]

Very good news Mate.