1st post of 2015

Unfortunately I didn't get to continue the rest of my 2013 journey as I relapsed in 2014.

After two rounds of chemo I broke my wrist and then couldn't have any more treatment.

During this time I was told by my specialists that they didn't think I would go back into remission if I relapsed again so my choices were have a bone marrow transplant or they could make the remainder of my days comfortable.

I of course had the transplant.

So its now 2015 and I am day +112 after the transplant and currently back in hospital with RSV. Doing well and hoping to go home today.

Will catch up more soon and post photos.

Until then ...........

My 2013 Journey

In the New Year of 2013 I could never quite be well. We didn’t really worry about it much because I’m never well with so many medical conditions that I hold. But this did seem to be different. I was getting colds in summer, flu like symptoms but not the flu. Infections coming left and right.

 This went on for months but as I said we didn’t really worry (we as in Gary, I and my team of Drs). Every month I have a blood tests to check full blood count, liver and kidney functions and other things the Drs need and they always came back normal.

That is until April 2013.

On the night of 30 April 2013 at 8:30 pm I got a phone call from my GP. She told me there was an anomaly with my white blood cell count and S&N (who were the group who drew my blood) had just rang her about it. She was trying to decide whether to send me to hospital that night but I told her I had a hospital appointment the next day with my Endocrinologist for the Diabetes. So she was happy to let me wait until then.

So the next morning I wasn’t concerned because I really didn’t know what it all meant. Then I got a phone call from the hospital. “Mrs Neilson could you please come in earlier than your appointment today?” So I went in early, the Endo met me at the counter and said “Toni, what are you up to this time? I’ve have been getting phone calls from your drs non-stop. We’re not  going to be looking at your diabetes today, we’re admitting you to hospital.”

Ok so now this is where I started to become worried. Apparently your White Cells have their own count but they are also broken down.  One breakdown is Neutrophils. My Neutrophils were extremely and well outside the normal count. I still didn’t understand what this actually meant other than I was more susceptible to extremely bad infections because I wouldn’t have been able to fight them off. I had no immunity.

Then I was put into an isolation room. Anyone who thought they might even have a slight cold had to be gowned and masked to visit me.

 

A Haematologist/Oncologist came and saw me and told me I would have to have a Bone Marrow Biopsy because they believed I had Leukaemia and needed to find out what type.

 Wow that blew both Gary and I out of the water.

To be continued ……..

2013

Very soon (if not by the weekend) I will have posts made to share with you the majority of my year of 2013. It wasn't a good year in any way, shape or size but in the end it was a GREAT year.

Keep your eyes on this space :D

Wow .... It HAS been a long time

I didn't realise how long it has been since I posted on my blog.

Today's blog is about my special little treats.

Even though our mulberry tree has split down the middle after a lightning strike it is full of leaves and already beariing fruit.

Already loaded with fruit .....

And so sweet tasting mmmmmm





The mango trees are in full flower so hopefully we will have lots of yummy mangoes in a few months.

Can't wait :)

Decorating the Tree

Christmas, Christmas time is here ........

Yep its that time of the year again!

Don't you love Christmas?

I do!

My kids do!

And putting up the tree and decorating is just the start.

The carols are playing!

The mood is changing (if only it wasn't like that all year round)

The shops are absolutely crazy!
(I'm finished with shopping so I don't have to fight the crazy people now)

Saturday Fun

It wasn't the best weather but in the afternoon is was nice enough to take a family trip to the beach.

We walked for miles both on the beach and then on the footpaths.

Went to the parkland as well so the boys could play on the swings.

It was a fun afternoon.

Red Car Yellow Car

Have you ever played this game?

The boys and I have so much fun when we play this.
You get 1 point for every red car you spot and 5 points for every yellow car (or vehicle of any kind)
Today I won hahahaha
Seeing as I'm usually driving you'd think I'd win all the time but the boys are very good at spotting the cars in the distance and I'm usually concentrating on something else.
I only won by 15 points and that's cause I saw 3 yellow cars in a row!
See what happens tomorrow as we reset the points on a new trip :)

Landscape Painting

Its finally finished

Melbourne

I went off to Melbourne to spend time with a friend. We were both sick so basically just chilled and laughed and laughed. Had such a good time and really can't wait to do it again one day.

We followed this rainbow all the way from the airport to home.

Baby Chicks

Cam's kindy has hatched chicks!