Sunday, 21 March 2010

Fun in the sun!

As the title is giving away - we are having a fantastic time in SA. It is so good to feel the African sun on our (very!) white, almost see-through UK skins. The boys are playing outside for the most part of the day and are dirty most of the time - a sign of good use of energy.

I have managed a few tea-sessions as well as dinner-dates with friends, a movie and relinking with old friends. Andries is in Singapore at the moment, spending last week in Australia on business. We miss him so much! He was also able to visit with Bernard and Cornelie, very dear friends of ours. And the reports show that they have been spoiling him rotten! Thanks you guys!

I have been on the Tamoxifen drugs for about four weeks. At times it makes me feel horrible (like a menopausal, pregnant, depressed mother of three children under the age of three!). But for most of the time I am tolerating it quite well. I hope that the latter will be the final effect as both specialists are so positive about the drug. It keeps the cancer away from the healthy breast but is apparently also good for bone density and keeping the bad cholesterol low. My oncologist did however warn me that the drug was developed as fertility treatment and that "she doesn't want any little surprises"......

A lot of people are asking us if there will be more children. And the honest answer is that we just don't know. With the information now available to us, the likelihood is small. I have to be on the Tamoxifen for at least two years, although it is recommended for five years. We were also warned that it is best to not fall pregnant for at least two years after the administering of the last chemo. But, as with everything else we are leaving this in God's hands. He will know best....

We are very excited for Andries' arrival this coming Saturday. He will be on leave for a week before we return to London. The last week will be a jam-packed to make sure we see as many friends and family as possible. Our last say in SA will also be the day we celebrate Ivan's second birthday. We can't believe our little baby is growing up so fast!

Thank you again to all who are making this SA-visit so memorable and lovely. It makes it so much harder to return to our temporary home in London.

Monday, 8 March 2010

Thanks to all

We've been in SA for little over a week now. We are enjoying every moment in our beautiful and warm surroundings. Everyone is spoiling us and it is so good to see all our loved ones.

Yesterday we had our thanks-giving event. Thank you to all who were there and also to all who made the day possible. Thank you to everyone who helped with the preparation of the food and to everyone who attended. We feel so grateful and blessed to have you all in our lives.

But the biggest thanks to our heavenly Father - for love, grace and healing.

There are lots of braai and tea appointments. Can't wait!

XXX