5 Years out of Treatment

well we are now in 2015 and miss Alex has hit the magic 5 years out from treatment so we can officially say REMISSION :)
she is now seeing a renal specialist due to above normal creatinine levels and they have fluctuated up and back to the above normal levels so we now are being monitored for her kidney functions ( about time as we hit the 5 years with out a renal visit) Alex also suffers from Neuropathy and her calf muscles are causing issues that may lead us to casts on her legs to stretch them and at 10 she is growing so that shortens them even more but at this point is stretching exercises that we hope can help and maybe skip the casts
she also now suffers migraines so we will see a neurologist about controlling them and keeping her comfortable,
but all in all she is growing into a beautiful Young Lady at now 10 1/2 she is smart and a true advocate for Childhood Cancer
below  are some photos from our fun day with Camp Quality this month just before Alex's little sisters 8th  birthday at Bounce Australia

Camp Quality Puppets Kylie and Dean

type-rope walker

we have scans in March and should see us go onto yearly scans and oncology visits, even with renal every 3-6 months plus ortho and neuro  its getting better
will post some more photos soon and update after march next lot of scans and appointments

Camp Quality Events March 2014

the month of march is a hard one for us as we look back 5 years this month to the time when Alexandria was diagnosed with cancer, but she is doing so well and we have had a great month of fun, adventure.  Alex had her first 6 monthly scan and doctors visit and that was great as we found out her remaining Mass is still slowly Decreasing in size ( I do Happy Dance with the family Here)♥♥♥

some photos of Alex in 2009 to now

2009 and early 2010

2012

 Now 

March the 9th we had an fun day with Camp Quality, we spent the day learning Archery and the girls had a ball it was interesting how much fun was had by us all and thanks Camp Quality for the chance to try this.

Alexandria and Robyn's school also got a visit from the Camp Quality Puppets, they do such a great show and the girls went into different sessions and I think everyone at the school loved them.

March the 16th we had a Mannum river cruise day again with Camp Quality and I got to show the girls some of where I grew up as a child, must say it has changed a lot but still a lot the same as I remember, Mannum is a small town with 2 ferry's that transport cars across the river. we had a short cruise up the river on the Proud mary and both Girls got to steer the river boat, after we had a BBQ lunch and got to check out the CFS fire trucks and local police paddy wagon as well as a nice drive around Mannum in a modle T ford Limo
(all photos in slide show )

was also hard as the last time I was up that was was in 2009 just after my Father had drowned in that same river ♥

Scan day finally

well after some calls and a run around we finally got Alex's date for scans,
Monday the 3rd June and all went well, we met the new oncologist and are now on 4 monthly visits instead of 3 and also may not be having a CT for ages and only if required :)
this is great to know :)

parking was  hard but it was cheaper than in QLD so a bonus,
the hospital trip was very easy and smooth,  a well set out hospital made it so stress free, best hospital trip we have had in ages and that is saying something, long waits didnt happen on this trip.

North Adelaide is busy but wow it was quiet after what we have seen

so happy things are moving forward again and we can now relax for the next few months before Scanxiaty hits again around October. plus a small trip for an orthopedic visit to check Miss Alex's feet as she is so clumsy and did have peripheral neuropathy  or Foot Drop and most know it as, but she is doing well and now we just need to continue helping her to be better at what she does. she is doing well with cheer-leading ( gymnastics ) so that is good and to keep it upas it will help her confidence

busy day tomorrow too Hubby has surgery and may take girls to the zoo if I can swing the price as its the day before pay day!

Relay for Life Gawler 2013

this weekend we had the Gawler relay for Life and Alex lead the survivors walk with another young Survivor,
Gawler has been doing the relay for 5 years now and this year is the first with children walking so they made the kids feel special ♥

Alex did 2 stories in the papers and just before the weekend we got the local paper and the girls were on the front Page ♥

also on the Adelaide Now web site raising awareness about early detection


Alex's story on Adelaide now
this is also in the advertiser,

we did the survivors walk and also went back for the candle light ceremony with our own candle bags for all the RCH angels and my uncle, Cousin and the girls great grandparents who lost their battles against Cancer

ready for the 2013 relay in Gawler

all ready for the survivors walk

cutting the Ribbon to start the relay with another young survivor and the Lord Mayor

Balloon release

Survivors afternoon tea

we went back to the relay for the candle light ceremony at dusk and the girls candle bags were added to the oval for the walk in the dark in silence ♥
they did a power point and the start had the survivors on it then went onto all that lost their battle with this horrid disease ♥

decorating candle bags for candle light ceremony tonight

decorating candle bags for candle light ceremony tonight

bags for candle light ceremony tonight

bags for candle light ceremony tonight

was aa long day and moving being there for the candle light ceremony and solidarity walk, we are hoping to get a team up for next year and then we can stay the whole night and join in more.

I also got an email from an editor from Take 5 wanting to share alex's story and spread awareness so that is on the card s soon too

we are still waiting for our referal from QLD to see the oncologist here in Adelaide SA. and Alex gets her flu shot today she is worried but when super flu's are around better to cover her than hope she doesn't get sick ♥

Alex is also going on mids camp this year here in SA she is a little younger but they said she can go I was happy to wait for the right camp as then a night with Just me and Hubby as they would have been together,

she will be gone for the whole first week of school holidays,

Moving Forawrd

we have been in SA over 3 months now and getting into the regular routines except scans are due and no one has contacted us yet so we called around and things have been delayed, so some stress with that but not a big deal,

Girls started Cheer-leading training last month and love it :)

they are doing well at school to but are missing their friends as well :(


I signed up for a 12 week push body challenge just to jump start my weight loss and get me back on a healthy eating plan and so far tired and sore but pushing through with out doing to much.

we are also looking are rescuing a cat or two looking a 2 next week that need a home and are in foster care,


I am also still studying but have hit a block :( but will try get into it full on soon and also doing a photography course that has helped me out so much with learning new things and how to use my camera better I have been off auto for a couple of years now but this course is helping me with the little things that get over looked

we got in the local paper last week to and they are looking at getting Alex and another young survivor to lead the survivors walk Alex will be their youngest walker this year, plus a possibility that both these young survivors will be opening the event with the mayor,

now to sit back and hope I hear from the hospital to get scan date sorted and move forward again 

on a sad note i know 5 warriors in Australia that have gained their wings and a couple of adults too so HATE CANCER majorly at the moment :(

Hugs your loved ones often you never know what is around the corner and we all should enjoy what we have here and Now