We have been enjoying some 'normal' life for the past 2 weeks. Victoria has still had a couple of hospital visits for physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Last week we saw the clown doctors, hence this photo. The therapists advised that Victoria is doing well, although some muscles are tightening, so we now have stretching exercises to do both morning and night. Thankfully the bribe of a mini chocolate santa is working well!
Victoria definitely has a lot more energy now after finishing treatment. She is loving being at school more often, learning and having fun with her friends. Here she is having just the best time at the Festival of Arts day at school.
I am so enjoying this 'mental break' and am only just being to appreciate how much stress I had been under. It is great to have the time and emotional energy to now reconnect with friends in a social setting, rather than in a 'crisis, we need help setting'. We are definitely making the most of these 3 months.
A few months ago I mentioned that I had set up a group, called The Conquerors within the Red Cross blood donation Club Red system. The goal was to have enough donations in the group to potentially save 50 lives by 31st December. We are almost half way there - at 21 lives. So if you have some time between now and Christmas and you are eligible to give blood, why not join The Conquerors and go for it. Click on this link to join The Conquerors. It could be the best Christmas present you give someone this year.
When I was working in the "corporate world" before having children, one of my responsibilities was conducting Post Implementation Reviews (PIRs) on projects with budgets up to $20 million. So I thought it only fitting that I do a PIR on this priceless project, Victoria Grace.
From a statistical point of view, it can be a little confronting as you read the figures. I know for the families that we have met through the hospital these statistics will be not be surprising and that their children will have similar stories, often with many more treatments etc. But for those readers of this blog that haven't had this experience with their children, here is just another reason why these remarkable children should be acknowledged and admired for all they have endured. In Victoria's case, the statistics look like this:
Since January 2011, Victoria has had:
14 General Anesthetics
12 MRIs (scans)
44 Chemotherapy treatments
7 Hospital admissions for high temperatures (Febrile)
8.5 hours of brain surgery
1 portacath insertion operation
1 anaphalatic reaction to chemotherapy drug
And Victoria is only 6 years old.
To see her today, the delightful child that she is, despite all these events in her life, is a testimony to God's grace. She is living out her name, Victoria - victor, conqueror; Grace -favour and blessing. We continue to believe for her complete healing, and know that God has her in His hands. We continue to praise God for all He has done and all He will do.
For He who is almighty has done great things for me - and holy is His name [to be venerated in His purity, majesty and glory]! And His mercy (His compassion and kindness toward the miserable and afflicted) is on those who fear Him with godly reverence, from generation to generation and age to age. Luke 1:49 (AMP)
