Dad xxx
Our local community, businesses, Lions Club and newspaper have been so supportive of us. We've got some amazing friends and family. We've been very, very lucky and we are so grateful. But, we're a little hesitant to put pressure on people to sponsor us in events like Relay for Life. We know many people are doing it tough. We've entered a team in our local Relay for Life again this year. We Relay for a few people, but mostly and for always, we Relay for Dexter. We Relay to fight back. We Relay to raise awareness and money, to fund research and patient support. This year, Dexter will be in his 16th month of remission. Sixteen months since he was cleared of his hepatoblastoma (liver cancer). He's not yet three years old. How about this idea - to raise extra funds for our Relay team.... If you have a small business, and want a little promotion, throw us $100. It's tax deductible, so your business can claim the donation at tax time. (Of course, we'd be very happy to take larger donations!) In return, we will advertise your business here, on facebook and on twitter. We'll write up a description of your business. We can add photos and contact details, and your website can be linked to the post we write. We will publicly thank you for your donation, sharing the post on Dexter's twitter and facebook accounts. What do you think? Know anyone who would benefit from a little promotion? Spread the word - tell your business-owner friends.
Just in case: We would be unable to support any business which harms people or animals. Through Dexter, we will not support racism, religion or political views - because cancer and cerebral palsy do not discriminate. Read about Dexter's cancer journey on his Relay for Life page
Read about last year's Relay event Watch Dexter's cancer in photos video Who is Dexter? Read about Dexter's 2013 Return to Home page Return to Blog Share and like and share :) We found this video on facebook. It was posted by Gabriella Corva. The video is simply beautiful. The boy in this six and a half minute animation could be Dexter. It is so well done, sometimes, I see Dexter in the boy's face. The video was recorded in Spanish, but you won't need to understand the words... you will feel the emotions. Have some tissues handy. Thank you, Gabriella. (Click on the play icon, then on the arrows in the bottom right hand corner and the video will be played on your full screen.) Post by Gabriella Corva. You look funny!
My Sister Knows I have cerebral palsy Dexter's Wish List Return to Home page Return to Blog A long time ago, Dexter was born nine weeks too early. In reality, this happened less than three years ago, but after everything that has happened since then, it feels as though it was decades ago. We almost forget, at times, that Dexter was born early. And yet, that early birth... and those weak, immature lungs, were the most likely cause of Dexter's quadriplegic cerebral palsy and his cortical vision impairment. And so, we will never forget to celebrate and acknowledge Premmie Days. And today is Wear Green for Premmies Day. These are some samples of earlier posts we have shared: Lenice was only able to have a half dose injection of glucocorticosteroids. This was given before Dexter was born, to help with his lung development. Because he became too stressed, and they had to deliver him quickly, he never received the complete course. But he came out OK. And then he crashed. We almost lost him that first night. But Dexter is a fighter and he went on to survive pneumonia and anaemia and jaundice. He had ultrasounds, echo-cardiograms, x-rays, barium swallows, enemas, electroencephalograms, milk scans, swabs, lumber punctures, blood work and loads of tests. Less than 24 hours later, my beautiful baby boy was delivered via emergency caesarean section. He weighed 1.59 kilograms (approximately 3.5 pound) and measured roughly 44 centimetres. I didn’t get to hold him and I only heard one tiny cry as he was lifted out. He was wrapped in plastic. I saw the back of his tiny head as he was wheeled to the intensive care unit, where my husband got to follow and I waited. 8 long days later, still covered in tubes, I got to hold my son for the first time, for half an hour. It was the most precious 30 minutes I have ever experienced. Every day, something happened… often terrifying. Dexter was in hospital for 122 days… longer than many premmie babies, but less than some kids. But, every day (almost… 120 days out of 122 days) Lenice sat beside Dexter and held his hand. Andrew was there as often as he could be, while studying and driving to Sydney each day. After Dexter moved to Wollongong, Lenice would call Andrew, worried about where he was. It would be midnight and Andrew had to work the following morning… Andrew would be in hospital, cuddling Dexter. Dexter’s 122 days were difficult, but Dexter came home and not every premature baby’s story has this happy ending. Today, there are many babies lying in hospital, fighting for every breath and struggling just to survive the day. There are many beautiful, devoted and caring nurses, making sure the babies get their best chance, and maybe... sneaking in some cuddles. And, there are parents... with that hollow, empty expression on their face, as they sit beside their babies... wondering, hoping and worrying.
We're pregnant, again. It came as a huge surprise to us. We'd sold the 'baby stuff', and considered ourselves a family of four. But, that wasn't to be. Because of our experience with premature birth and neo-natal intensive care units, pregnancy is scary. The tiniest thing can be a big concern. When we were pregnant with Dexter's sister, Dexter was undergoing chemotherapy treatments, so we hardly had time to consider the pregnancy... This time, with a fairly settled life, the pregnancy can receive more attention an thought. Every sensation can be felt and every pain considered. Kicks have been heard during ultrasounds and this baby seems to like moving. This time, we hope we can deliver a healthy, content term baby.
(See more on the Lil Aussie Prems website)
Or, wear green and start a conversation about premature babies. We had a restful day, today. Yesterday was incredible, with the surfing. Mum and Dad were pretty brave... they let me go out deep... and I cannot swim... or float! But, we're so pleased we went surfing. I might get a bit of a cold, but it would be worth it. So, today, we rested. At dinner time, I was very hungry. When I get very hungry, I make whingy whiney noises. Mum doesn't like them. I don't have any formal speech therapy, at the moment, so Aunty Carol tries to teach me some words. She moves my mouth and everything! Sometimes, I let her... sometimes, I clamp my teeth down and grin. I can be very stubborn. So, tonight, when I was getting whingy whiney, Aunty Carol tried to teach me to say some words, again. Aunty Carol was teaching me to bang on my chair tray and say: MUM!!!! I'm HUNGry! That was funny! I really like that! Mum doesn't really like it when Aunty Carol yells "Mum!" and talks about being hungry... but my sister and I love it. Sloppy kisses xxx See my new chair
Watch me surf See me on the paddle board What's on my Wish List? Return to Home page Return to Blog
This organisation (Disabled Surfers Association) is so well run. Everyone is 'colour coded', so the correct level of care can be provided. The main focus of the day is 'Putting Smiles on Dials'. And they do that, with incredible energy and love. Today, it was an awful day. Whether you surfed or not, you were drenched, because the rain bucketed down. The water and the sky were grey, and the weather miserable, but what happened on that stretch of beach today, was simply beautiful. The people in blue shirts were all volunteers. And, many of them were young; kids and teenagers. They were careful, precise, patient and so very proud of their surfing mates. The beach was noisy with cheers and clapping and celebrations. And smiles and love... and hope... and gratitude. Words really cannot explain the sense of community and friendship that surrounds a Disabled Surfers event. Dexter was lucky enough to enjoy two surfing moments. The first time he went out, he surfed a few waves on his back. He was placed in a 'bean-bag', to add support and to prevent him from falling in to the water. His volunteers all supported the board. One volunteer rode the waves with him, with others in the group running alongside the board, ready to catch him if he fell, stop the board if it went in the wrong direction, or push the board if it started to slow. And then, they all lifted the board and carried Dexter back out to catch his next wave. For a little boy who cannot walk and run and jump and play... these were incredible moments. After his surf, he was starving!! Once everyone had had a surf, they were invited back out for another go. This time, Dexter surfed on his belly, lying on the bean-bag once again. Again, a volunteer rode behind Dexter and everyone else in his team ran alongside him. Dexter loved it, and his volunteers could see that. They took him out a little deeper, so the ride could be a little longer. Watching Dexter riding those waves is a memory we will cherish. And now... the videos!
Go to the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia website
Find them on facebook See Dexter on a stand-up paddle board Another thing off the wish list Who is Dexter? Return to Home page Return to Blog Mum tried to get a nice photo of us in our new clothes...
It didn't work! One day... she might get a great photo of the two of us! You know those times, when the days get away from you? 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.
This is our second year to Relay for Life. 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.
Who will you Relay for? Sponsor Dexter here.
Huge thanks to Gladys for her amazing fundraising efforts!
Read more: Who is Dexter? Sponsor Dexter Read about our 2013 Relay for Life Read more about Dexter's hepatoblastoma Return to Home page Return to Blog Look who I found! Jimmy!
Jimmy has been planning this awareness/fundraiser walk for a long time. He has the support of his family, and today, we met one of his brothers and his mother. And, we met Jimmy. We have a lot of respect for them... for Jimmy. Not many 18 year old guys plan to give themselves, totally, to an important cause for a year. This is what Jimmy was doing at 18. Not many 20 year old guys walk around Australia! When we spoke with Jimmy and his mother, it was as though we had known them for a long time... they are genuine... caring and friendly people. Jimmy was seeing his grandfather for the first time in a long time, but he spent time with us... talking and listening. And we're so happy we were lucky enough that Jimmy walked in to our town. What a beautiful family, and an incredible young man. It feels good, knowing people like Jimmy are in the world. If you can, support his cause - the Brainchild Foundation. Keep an eye out for him. He's heading south to Melbourne, around Tasmania and back to Adelaide. If you see him, make the effort to say hi. And if you can, help him out in his goal to raise $300,000 to fight back against childhood brain cancers. Read this earlier post we shared about Jimmy and his Walk for Cancer. The post includes a video about Jimmy, with details of beautiful Emily, who lost her life to a brain cancer. This is who Jimmy walks for. Jimmy's website has details of the dates he's planning to be in the towns and cities on his way to Adelaide. Thank you, Jimmy xxx
Go to Jimmy's website
Read our earlier post about Jimmy Who is Dexter? Dexter's cancer journey in photos Return to Home page Return to Blog |
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Find a Beach Wheelchair near you Buy a Yabby beach wheelchair here. "I am tired, I am having a bad patch and I am unsure if I want to scream, get drunk or most likely just pull myself together and get on with it." Kelly Dugan
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