Well... Relay for Life is in just one more month!
We registered way back in forever ago, and now... there's one month left!
Before Dexter got cancer, Relay was always something we were going to do...
we just never actually did it.
Now, we have to Relay. We have to show support for Dexter, and everyone else who is battling cancer.
And, we have some very good friends in the Relay for Life teams and committees. Our Relay Family.
For the people who have known Dexter for a while, you will know why we Relay. For our newer friends, we'll share some of Dexter's cancer story.
Dexter was finally home, after 4 months living in three hospitals. At four months old, he still looked tiny. He was on a breathing monitor, and we knew we were facing a cerebral palsy diagnosis. We also knew there would be a vision impairment diagnosed. These were awful things to be facing, but we knew they were coming.
When Dexter was 12 months old, he went to his pediatrician, for a standard appointment. We were pretty confident... Dexter had thrived at home, and was really determined to work hard at his (home) physiotherapy exercises.
Everything was going well. He was pleased with Dexter.
And then, his face changed.
And his voice changed.
He'd found an enlarged liver.
And from that moment, though an official hepatoblastoma (liver cancer) diagnosis was yet to be confirmed, we knew were we facing cancer. There's only so much you can take before you break. But, there's always a silver lining, if you look hard enough. Dexter was going to be diagnosed with one of two liver cancers. He could have hepatoblastoma (a 'friendlier', less aggressive and more treatable cancer) or neuroblastoma, the nastier of the two. Luckily (and that word doesn't seem to really explain it), Dexter's cancer was hepatoblastoma. And even luckier, biopsies, a broken rib and scans showed no trace of the cancer in his lungs. We could beat this thing. Initially, the oncology team were frustrated with Lenice and Andrew. The typical chemotherapy treatment for hepatoblastoma leads to permanent hearing loss. Lenice and Andrew were devastated to hear Dexter would suffer the loss of his hearing, as well as his sight. After some discussion, the oncology team understood and international discussions took place, before a different treatment was found. And so, Dexter started chemotherapy treatments. Life for the next nine months was full of weekly hospital visits, platelet, blood and plasma transfusions, antibiotics, isolation wards, fevers and thermometers, spew cloths and vomit, hair loss, mouth ulcers, pain, lethargy and hours and hours of transport time, and uncomfortable nights spent sleeping in hospital chairs. The whole time, Lenice was pregnant. But, ours is a happy story. After nine months, 480 hours of chemotherapy and several operations, we brought Dexter home. Cancer clear. While the chemotherapy treatments used to kill Dexter's cancer cells were effective, they can lead to secondary cancers later in life. As such, we have thoughts and worries of cancer constantly in the back of our minds. When Dexter gets sick, those worries flare up. So while Dexter is cancer clear, we still worry. And, we Relay. |
Last year, we didn't know what to expect.
This year, we do.
We expect blisters and a chilly night. We expect crowds of people during the day and lonelier tracks at night. We expect to share nods and smiles and hugs and love with our Relay friends...
...because we're all in this thing together.
If you can sponsor us, we would really appreciate it. All money raised goes to the Cancer Council and donations over $2 are tax deductible. Last year, we raised ~$7000! If you don't sponsor us, maybe you could consider sponsoring Team Ash in our Relay. Go to her Team Page to read her story. We met Ash last year, and she and Dexter cuddled in a way that only cancer battlers can hug. |
Sponsor Dexter here.
Read more:
Who is Dexter?
Sponsor Dexter
Read about our 2013 Relay for Life
Read more about Dexter's hepatoblastoma
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