As always we have had an eventful few weeks in the Robinson household. On Saturday afternoon it appeared Victoria was getting unwell. As her temperature climbed above 38 degrees, and she still has the portacath in, we knew where we had to go! After a 48 hour stay at John Hunter, Victoria was feeling and looking much better. Even managed to get a spot of teaching done, checking Mummy's maths skills. Victoria got to see all her old friends....
Captain Funkytown, one of the Starlight Captains visited with the balloons and some magic tricks.
The clown doctors, from The Humour Foundation, visited with more balloons and jokes.
And left Victoria and Poppy with a big smile!
Sister Alexandra and cousin Jade had some fun with Captain Sweetheart, another Starlight Captain, who is a very clever face painter!
Charlotte too lined up for face painting.
A trip to the physiotherapist last week had resulted in the news that Victoria's left calf had started to tighten up again, so a night boot was needed again. When Victoria was feeling better we made a visit to the physio department and a new nightboot was made. One of the pink variety! Please pray that this boot will enable the calf muscle to stretch out.
It has been about 10 months since Victoria has had to go to hospital as a result of a fever. I had even unpacked all our hospital emergency bags. It was very challenging for the siblings to see Victoria in hospital again, connected up to the drip etc. Alexandra made us all laugh when she said to Victoria, watch out for that cord coming out of your bottom!
Thankfully the work we have putting into making them all more domesticated over the past 10 months is starting to pay off, as they did some great breakfast cooking of pancakes and bacon whilst Victoria and I were away. They even bought some pancakes up to hospital for Victoria and I. The next area of domestic learning will be room tidying, putting on the washing machine and hanging out, bringing in, sorting and putting away the washing!
Thank you to everyone who prayed and helped out in some practical way whilst Victoria was in hospital. We all appreciated it.
From an emotional perspective it has been heavy going for me, being back in J1 ward for our daughter, rather than just visiting other people. The whole question of what is God doing was front of mind. We are continuing to trust God for Victoria's healing, but when something like this happens, or when we get a scan result showing stable, but the tumour is still there, giving the threat of another 12 months of chemotherapy, it is a huge challenge to keep trusting God. I always have to return to the Bible, scouring it for encouragement, and put on some worship music and bath in His presence. On my Wendy, a God Girl blog I have written more about the way God is helping me to be an overcomer in this area. Please click on this link if you want to read more about that. I am choosing to continue to trust God with our precious little girl.
Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:7-8 NIV
Thank you to everyone who has donated blood and contributed to The Conqueror's goal of 50 lives saved. That goal has been reached! The next goal is 100 lives saved by 31st December 2014. If you are able to donate blood and haven't yet, please do, as it makes such a tangible difference to lives, including many of the children we have met in hospital.
We have had some fun over the past couple of weeks too, courtesy of a Camp Quality Family Camp at the beautiful Myuna Bay. For us now these Camps are not just about hanging out as a family doing lots of fun activities, but they are also about meeting up again with families we have gotten to know over the past few years and having a good laugh together. All our experiences are slightly different, but many of the emotional challenges we have faced are the same.
Victoria and Alexandra enjoyed the craft table as per usual!
And were very proud of their final creations.
Especially Alexandra.
Victoria lined up for the egg and spoon race.
After numerous races in an effort to win a prize, the toll was beginning to show. Perseverance is just one of the many character traits God has built into this girl.
Needless to say, she didn't win a prize.
Archery was next on the schedule, with everyone participating.
I think Alexandra wins the prize for the 'most determined' look.
Charlotte showed plenty of style.
After lunch it was time for the giant swing.
All kitted up, Charlotte was ready to swing.
Up, up, up and ...
away!
Marshall too kitted up, and went ..
right to the top,
And enjoyed the view.
It was a fabulous weekend away. Ken and I particularly enjoyed the parents dinner out at the Toronto Yacht Club, whilst the wonderful Camp Quality volunteers looked after all the children! We are very grateful to everyone who donates time and money to this organisation to enable families living with children with cancer to come together and have some fun.
So that is a snap shot of the highs and lows of the Robinson family in the last few weeks. We thank God for the blessings of the fun family times, and for the strength and faith to make it through the not so fun times. He is our Rock.
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1-2 NIV
Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for Victoria and our family. You are all a blessing to us. Victoria's next scan is 6th August.
