Lake Dewar POS Retreat

Well it's been ages since I have updated my blog. Life has been busy. Lots happening.

Here are a few pictures (thanks to the other POS girls who also shared photos) of the weekend. We ate, drank, ate again and laughed constantly. I don't think any of us wanted it to end. Most of these girls I have known online for years. They came from all ends of Australia. It was so nice to finally meet up.

Chilling Out

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

''

Tomorrow I am taking off for a weekend away with 20 scrapbooking girlfriends. We are planning on chilling out, drinking lots of coffee and lots of good wine, eating awesome food and being catered for by a chef, pigging out on lots of lollies, scrapbooking, bonding, walking, taking lots of photographs. Can't wait to spend 2.5 half days with ladies I have known online for up to eight years.

They have watched my girls grow up. They have supported me through my treatment for Breast Cancer. We have all been there across the miles to support each other through different stages of our lives.

I am so excited. It's only the second time I have been away from Jason and the girls. Sad I know lol. I have printed off a million photos. I will probably end up chatting the entire time.

Stay tuned for photos. This photo was taken last year at Florewen Retreat at Lake Dewar. Same place as where we are heading tomorrow.

Another Week

has flown by.

Last Thursday I had an Oncology appointment. All went well. No news is good news. I don't have to go back for three months. My Oncologist told me I am cured and not considered to be in remission. He said it may come back at some stage but for now I have the all clear. Pretty cool hehehe. Still have to wait five years after diagnosis to be considered much safer though.

My hair is growing fast. I have tight curls at the back. They have a mind of their own. The longer my hair gets the curlier the bottom becomes. Now the lengths on top are starting to curl too.

Worked last Friday but had the weekend off. Bliss.

Saturday, Jason went fishing with Adam, in Adam's new boat out on the bay. They didn't have much luck so no fish for dinner that night. He had a ball though.

Sunday we pottered around home. J started building my hot house down beside the veggie garden. Looking forward to growing some tomatoes in there for summer. Tomatoes just don't grow well up here. This will help extend our growing season.

Been busy planning for when my cousin Miche and her man Lee come over to stay. They will be in Australia for about five months and staying with us for two weeks. We are planning on taking them on a camping trip down Great Ocean Road, over to Mt Gambier and then back through the Grampians. Hopefully we will stay four nights (two in Mt Gambier region). If anyone has any must see places please let me know. We are so excited and can't wait to see them.

We are busy selling two of our cars. The 4 runner and the Commodore. Hopefully someone buys them soon.

My friend Sandra is in hospital battling lung cancer. Sandra isn't doing too well at the moment and is pretty drugged up on painkillers etc. Thinking of you Sandra.

Caught up with Paula and Erica on Tuesday. I had to sort out some class stuff for the Florewen Scrapbooking Retreat so we had a coffee and lunch.

The last two days I have been busy working on my latest Top Ten for Scrapbook Creations. Wow this one is a beauty. So much talent. I can't wait for the issue to come out in a few months.

Happy birthday today to my SIL Kathie.

A Day Out

With these three gorgeous girls (left to right, Wendy, Me, Erica and Paula) We had the best day. I haven't laughed so much in ages. This photo was taken at Starbucks. After heading back to pick up Paula and Erica's girls from school we stopped at Erica's for a cuppa. I was so happy to meet Erica's gorgeous sister Petra. Petra has travelled the breast cancer journey and she is a lurker on my blog. Make sure you say hi Petra. I really loved meeting you. You are such a strong lady.

I Passed

my short course tonight. I got a mark of 96%. Feeling very happy with that result.It was an open book exam but boy those questions were worded to trick you. You needed 70% to pass and some only just scrapped it in.

I am now working all day tomorrow because the girl that was on can't do the shift. Looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday morning. I am working Saturday night. That makes it 7 days straight. Lucky I have the next week off.

Next week on Wednesday, I am heading to a shopping centre a good hours drive away for coffee with my scrapbooking buddies. Thursday I have my radiotherapy checkup. I am going to have coffee with my friend Helen (we went through chemo together).

I received a phone call last night from another chemo Buddy's husband. David told me that Raine is now terminal. Within a month of finding her lump in her breast the tumour spread into other parts of her body and into her blood. Her liver and lungs are looking good (she has a few hot spots) but she was told this week due to it being in her blood she is considered terminal. She may live a year or twenty.

This is a shit disease. Makes me so sad that anyone needs to go through this. Girl check your boobs. The earlier you detect a lump the more likely you will survive.

Update

Radiotherapy is going well. 17 down, 13 to go (the last five are boost rads directly to the tumour site). I am a little pink. Mild sunburn so far and some internal discomfort in my breast. Mainly across the top of my chest and scar.

I am feeling really good. Heaps of energy, enough to rearrange the girls rooms this week and cull lots of toys and send them off to the op shop. A big thanks to Robyn, Paula and Sue for their generosity in helping with my petrol to and from the hospital. Paula was very naughty and way to generous. It really means a lot.

I spent a lovely afternoon with some of my favourite girls today. Paula, Erica and Tracey thanks so much for a wonderful day. We had a lovely lunch at a favourite cafe and then ended the day with a walk to the scrapbook shop. I think we were all very happy with our purchases.

At this stage it doesn't look like I am going to qualify for a rebate on my petrol for my trips back and forth from hospital. I am 2kms short according to there estimates to get 14cents/km back. I am travelling 570kms per week. Makes me so cross. It's not like we are rolling in money and can afford to be out of pocket around $150 a week.

In other news I am heading back to work sometime next month. I am looking forward to earning some money again. It will really come in handy. Hopefully my body can cope with the hectic pace at work.