20th July 2013

Presenting Masterchef from the John Hunter Hospital. Here is Victoria's latest creation. All you need is 2 jatz crackers, cheese, plum jam and margerine!

Yes, that's right, Victoria had a high temperature late yesterday afternoon, so up to John Hunter Hospital we went. She is doing a lot better today, and will hopefully go home tomorrow.

Please pray that:

1. Victoria's neutrofils and hemoglobin increase as they were quite low last night. 

2. Victoria is well enough to start term 3 of school on Monday.

In my recent daily devotions, God has been reminding me to put on His armour .... Ephesians 6:13-18, particularly verse 16, Lift up over all the [covering] shield of "saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. 

Thank you for continuing to lift up Victoria and our family. Thank you too to everyone who has helped out our family this weekend.

18th July 2013

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for Victoria. God has been faithful. The tumour has not grown. It is stable, possibly slightly reduced in size. 

It has taken me a good 24 hours to come to a place of heartfelt thankfulness for this result. I had hoped for a reduction like we witnessed in the April scan. However, that is not the case this time.  This morning I found solace in psalm 23:6 ...

Surely or only goodness, mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

The chemotherapy treatment will continue another 3 months until October. Please pray that Victoria will continue to handle this treatment so well with minimal side effects, and that all hospital visits will be a positive experience for her.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Victoria on the day of the MRI. She had to fast from 7am. The MRI which was originally scheduled for 2pm did not take place until 5.15pm. Victoria coped very well with this delay, with minimal complaints regarding hunger or thirst. We thank God for the peace that was over her. The nursing staff commented on how good she had been with the delay.

We spent our time alternating between painting in the Starlight Express room, and watching DVDs on my laptop. It was a long day! A big thank you to everyone who has helped out this week looking after the other children whilst Victoria and I did the various appointments.

In the midst of all the scan and doctors appointments this week, the news came through that the Starlight Children's Foundation have granted Victoria's wish. Victoria's wish is to go to the snow and throw snowballs at everyone. So on Sunday 4th August, our whole family is off to Mt Buller in Victoria, for 5 nights. Everything is paid for by the Starlight Children's Foundation, travel, accommodation, meals, ski gear hire, lift passes and ski lessons. This is such an amazing opportunity for Victoria and our family. It will certainly help these next 3 months pass more quickly. We are so grateful to all the Starlight Children's Foundations sponsors and people who have donated to this fantastic charity.

Thank you again for the prayers and support that are offered to our family. It all truly helps us to make it through each day.

16th July 2013

As the day begins and I prepare myself mentally to live in victory in every moment of this day, another day of fasting for Victoria, a general anesthetic and her 11th MRI scheduled for 2pm, it is Psalm 103 that God has led me to this morning .....

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!

Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits -

Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;

Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!

The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed.

He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.

He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.

He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father who loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship and awe].

For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.

As for man, his days are as grass as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place show know it no more.

But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him,  and His righteousness is to children's children.

To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who [earnestly] remember His commandments to do them [imprinting them on their hearts].

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.

Bless (affectionately, gratefully, praise) the Lord, all you His hosts, you His ministers who do His pleasure.

Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord O my soul!

12th July 2013

We give thanks to God and all the people who donate to Camp Quality, as we have just enjoyed a very relaxing holiday at One Mile Beach. It is just soooooooooooo good to get away from the house and be at the beach.

Alexandra loved just messing about in the sand!

Victoria took on the challenge of riding a new bike. Her catch - cry throughout the holiday was, 'If Marshall can do it, and Charlotte can do it, and Alexandra can do it, then I can do it!'

Victoria's physio advised that with the left-side weakness it will be more difficult for her to learn to ride a bike without training wheels. So could you please pray that she will have the perseverance to achieve this childhood milestone.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us out of the last month, you have all made a huge difference to our lives,. The practical help has certainly eased the pressure I have been feeling and has returned my emotional state to a more even keel. For those of you who read this blog and don't live near by, I am going to mention some of the practical help that we have received in this past month, to illustrate how loving and caring people in this world can be, and to encourage you to help a family near you who is in need ..

Mum and Dad, funded by 24 hour break at a beautiful hotel

My sister and family, funded the room service I received during my 24 hour break!

Friends who looked after the children so I could have the 24 hour break.

Friends and teachers from school who arranged for our house to be cleaned twice during the school holidays

Thursday 'chemo' day meal roster - friends and teachers from school bring dinner to our home on Thursday, when I am often emotionally spent.

A friend who does my shopping for me when it is just too difficult to get to the shops. Sometimes getting just milk and bread is a huge help.

Friends who have looked after Marshall, Charlotte and Alexandra during the chemotherapy treatment in the holidays as the hospital advised that they didn't want siblings in the treatment room these holidays.

Friends who have stepped in to be pseudo Aunts and Uncles and great role models for our children. 

Family, neighbours and friends who are 'on call' to help out at a moment's notice to help out at home if Victoria is required to go to hospital.

We are so grateful to everyone of you, and to people who have helped us that I have not mentioned. Thank you for being so generous with your love, time and finance.

Thank you too to everyone who has joined The Conqueror's blood donating group. If you want to join and haven't yet, please click on this link - Join The Conqueror's group. The goal is 50 potential lives saved by 31st December 2013.

Finally and most importantly thank you to everyone who is praying for us. We are so grateful that Victoria is so well and that our holiday was not interrupted with an emergency hospital visit. Victoria had chemo yesterday (week 53!). 

Please continue to pray that the scan results next week will be extremely positive, just like this beautiful courageous girl.

And please pray that we can continue to stand strong in our faith,as in Romans 4:20, 21 ...

"No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to do what He had promised."

5th July 2013

School holidays are upon us. Victoria got dressed up to be a movie star and practiced some 'moves'. Victoria was well enough to have chemotherapy this week.

Last Sunday afternoon, Victoria's temperature started rising, and immediately we started to pray and claim healing in Jesus' name, within an hour she was back to normal. Praise God!

We are now up at One Mile Beach, having a restful holiday in the Camp Quality cabin. Victoria's temperature started rising again yesterday, again we prayed, claiming healing in Jesus' name, and again within an hour she was back to normal. Praise God! There is no way that we want be going to hospital during this holiday!

We are learning more and more to live out this scripture from Romans 4 v 20 and 21':

No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and do what He had promised.

We know that God has promised in Romans 8 v 28 that: 

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labour] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

So we choose to keep in faith for a good result for Victoria's upcoming scan on 16th July. Thank you for standing with us in prayer.

As I have mentioned before during this treatment period Victoria has not had to have a platelet transfusion, for which we are grateful to God. However the need to transfusions did get me thinking about giving blood and if my veins were suitable, giving plasma and platelets. I used to give blood regularly, first at Uni and then whilst working. However since 2006 I somehow haven't found (or made!) the time to give blood.

I can clearly remember coaxing my sister into giving blood whilst we were both at The University of Auckland. With our limited knowledge of all things blood, we found ourselves in a state of confusion when we were told we had different blood types, and asking ourselves, was one of us adopted? It was a very nervous wait to get home that night and tentatively ask Mum the question. We were lovingly reassured that neither of us were adopted. 

During my 24 hours away last week, I drove past the Red Cross Blood Bank in Newcastle. As I drove past, I thought that is what I will do later on this afternoon, give blood! And so I did, along with a lot of the Newcastle Knights players! 

Whilst I was waiting I read about Club Red. "Club Red provides and opportunity for organisations and groups across Australia to get together and do something special by regularly donating blood."

So I have set up a group in Club Red called 'The Conquerors'. If you give blood regularly, or are thinking of giving blood and saving lives, then click on this link to join The Conquerors' group, and let's see how many lives we can potentially save! 

When you join The Conqueror's group, every time you donate blood, plasma or platelets, your donation will be attributed to the The Conqueror's group. Our goal is to potentially save 50 lives by 31st December 2013. Just one blood donation can potentially save 3 lives! Let's get giving!

25th June 2013

The last 48 hours have been very interesting!!! We have experienced the truth of the scripture, The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10v10 (AMP)

The thief had some stealing in mind when on Sunday afternoon Victoria's temperature rose to above 38 degrees, that delightful trigger point for a hospital visit. Ken took Victoria up to the hospital whilst I readied children and things at home for the impending hospital stay. I was trying to hold back the flood of tears that wanted to come, as this unplanned event was likely to impact on my much needed 24 hour break scheduled to commence on Monday morning. 

I had completely forgotten how God had so perfectly made a way for me to have this 24 hours break. I was getting into double-mindedness, will it happen? won't it happen? Rather than trusting that God would make a way through this and there would be abundance.

Sunday night I stayed with Victoria at the hospital. Her neutrofils were good 2.8. Last Thursday they were only 0.7. Victoria's temperature came down and settled all night. Here she is Monday morning ....

 Eating ice-cream for breakfast and ...

Having a jolly old time with the Captain Starlights!

Thank you so much to everyone who prayed for Victoria on Sunday night and Monday morning. When the doctor came around at 10 am she advised that all was well, and Victoria could go home! The plans of the thief had been thwarted once again! Due to Victoria's wellness, I had actually had a wonderful night's sleep in the hospital and a free breakfast!  My little 24 hour break was turning into a 48 hour break! Praise God.

We checked out of Hotel John Hunter as quickly as possible and drove home to get things organised. After taking Victoria to a friend's place I made a bee-line for Merewether Beach for part 2 of my break! The horrendous weather that had been predicted for days still had not arrived, whilst there were some dark clouds, the sun still had the victory!

After lunch, I took the opportunity to do a couple of things I used to do in Sydney when I was single, before marriage and children. I used to walk around the beautiful Eastern Suburb beaches and the Sydney CBD clicking my camera.

It was great to have the time and space to re-live that experience, it a different place, that I am really beginning to love. Please indulge me as I share some of my photos from yesterday.

Looking east from Bar Beach headland

Looking south from Bar Beach headland

Pink flower

Looking north from Bar Beach headland

View from hotel window (how blessed am I???)

Looking east out from Newcastle harbour

Pelican on Newcastle harbour

Tug going past Stockton

Spot the teapot cloud

Structure on wharf

My favourite, piles in the sunlight

Tugs awaiting their next job.

This past 24 hours has been a very restorative time for me, walking, photographing, reading and listening to worship music. Absolute bliss! This morning I awoke at 5.15am and was tempted to turn on the TV to see what the latest news was regarding the  inspirational Nelson Mandela. However, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, instead I started to read the next chapter of the Catherine Marshall book, Something More. She was talking total relinquishment to God in very area of your life. I then had a break from reading, opened the curtains next to the bed to see the black harbour dotted with lights on wharves and tugs working throughout the night. I turned on my worship music, listened to couple of songs, and then it struck me. 

I was lying at the foot of The Cross, worshiping Jesus, exactly where He wants me to be, total relinquishment.

Thank you to everyone who has made this break possible. It has been a very blessed time for me. I have life in abundance.

Sunday 23rd June 2013

Last week it was time to say good-bye to Wedge after 7 weeks of successful therapy and lots of fun! A big thank you to all the volunteers and Riding for the Disabled staff who made this opportunity possible for Victoria.

As we continue to believe for a great result from Victoria's scan on 16 July I have been reflecting on the past 2.5 years. This reflection was triggered a few things that happened this week.

Firstly we continue to experience 'emotional fallout' within our family, which has made for a challenging week. One of our children who has seemingly cruised through this whole journey so far, has since Victoria's last hospitalization four weeks ago, been really struggling at school. A new challenge begins. Please pray that God gives us wisdom with this situation.

Secondly, I myself have again had a difficult week emotionally, particularly on Thursday up at the hospital. When I was talking to another mum at the hospital, she suggested I needed to get away for at least 24 hours. So thanks to help of family and friends that is just what I am going to do on Monday. Please pray that all is well here at home whilst I am away.

Thirdly I had the opportunity to write a guest blog for ABC Open. The producer asked me to write about how I use the Victoria Grace Conqueror blog and what my aims and objectives were. As I was writing the article I began to think about the benefits I have received from writing about our journey and was quite surprised with what came out of my head and heart! If you want to have read, click on this link: ABC Open. I thank God for this opportunity to share our story and give people another reason to have hope.

All of the events of this week have caused me to think how amazing it is that our family has come this far, and is still hanging together, albeit loosely sometimes. I know I have said it before, but I will say it again, God has definitely been our rock during this journey, and He will continue to be. I think this sentence from Nathan Stone's book, Names of God, sums up well what we have learnt as individuals and as a family .....

"Man's extremity is ever God's opportunity, not only for deliverance but to teach also wonderful lessons of His purpose as well as providence." pg 81

Thank you again for your continuing prayer and support for our family. We are expecting an unexpectedly great result from the MRI on 16th July.