February 21st, 2008 - Into the Lodge
Yesterday Cameron had another does of chemotherapy in the morning and didn’t feel very well at all afterwards, went right off his food and then slept for a few hours in the middle of the day, but awoke determined to ‘get out’. He started eating a little again and by the end of the day was feeling much better, although he now has very distinctive black rings around his yes, is very gaunt looking and is clearly starting to look a lot like someone with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. .He had a few visitors yesterday, including his friend Tyler, whose dad brought him along and he really enjoyed hearing all of the news from school, where it seems rumours are circulating about Cameron having to repeat year 7 next year. Of course that is school yard nonsense as it’s way too early to predict that and he has in fact been doing school work in hospital whenever he has not feeling ill and is determined not to have to repeat the year and given the way he has taken on this cancer I would not doubt Cameron’s ability to complete the year.
He also received a lovely paint set and a pad of art paper from his class teacher of last year, Miss Smith, which also went down a treat. He also remains over the moon about his visit from the Queensland cricketers and relished telling me the story of one of the fathers on the ward who, upon seeing his bat signed by the entire Bulls team, instantly offered him $100 for it. Cameron refused to sell. By 7.00pm he was ready to make his move from the ward to the lodge, which is a self contained apartment on the hospital grounds. He was very excited to be getting out of the ward, although we were somewhat apprehensive because he had a dizzy spell when putting on his shoes. Nevertheless, he insisted he was okay so we got him into a wheelchair and took him to the car then drove him the few hundred metres to the lodge. He is very weak. Just being in the car felt like a whole new experience to him.
In fact, he was so delighted to be out of the ward that for a couple of hours he had verbal diarrhoea… which is always a sure sign that Cameron is excited. Clearly he has been watching a LOT of television and is very up to date on all the current affairs, including the goings on of errant sports stars and other celebrities, as well as the US election campaign, which he has his own opinions on. I understand from Cameron that Hillary is someone that “Hillary Clinton is a good person. People love her because she cares about peopleâ€.  Okay… Hillary, it seems your PR is working, except at home… Everyone is constantly amazed at Cameron’s general knowledge and particularly the doctors, some of whom are quite stunned at his ability to quickly grasp some fairly complex medical concepts and he’s not afraid to ask questions and for explanations of how, why and so on.
Unfortunately, they seem unable to explain, today, why the whole back of his head is sore to touch… He saw a doctor today to see if they could explain this, except to say that it is almost definitely linked to the chemotherapy. Anyway, like everything associated with this entire experience, Cameron is enduring looking forward to his next big step, which is to get home. We just don’t know when that is likely to be, but we’re hopeful that it may be as soon as next weekend, but he will need to return to hospital for his next round of chemo soon after that, but with a bit of luck he may get to spend a day or two at school during that visit home and reconnect with his mates. The headmaster of the school, Sunshine Coast Grammar, has also arranged a special prayer meeting for Cameron, in the new school chapel next Wednesday and hopefully I will be able to record that and publish it here. This is also a very minor chance that Cameron himself may be able to attend, but we’ll wait and see.
February 21st, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Hi Cam!!!
Stay strong … i believe you can get thru this!!!
Im glad that everyone is caring for u in the sweetest ways!
Just writing to say im thinking of you!!
Lotsa love your cuz
manuella xxx
February 21st, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Hi Cam!
You are such a champion. We are so thankful to God for you. You help us to keep going when we feel a bit defeated. I’m sure you’ll do well with year 7. If you need any extra help, I’d be glad to give you a hand!! I’ve got some more crazy jokes.
Patient: “I’ve swallowed my harmonica.”
Doctor: “Good thing you don’t play guitar.”
Why do skeletons stay home every night?
They have no body to go out with.
Why did the fireman phone the police?
He saw the fire escape.
Hey Cam, keep getting better. We really do want to come and see you on Sunday but at this stage Matt has come back from his year 7 camp feeling miserable with a cold. If anyone is sick, we will not take the chance but God willing we will try!! Love Trish, Stuart, Josh and Matt xxxxx
February 21st, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Hey Cameron, We were just sent the link to your site and are thrilled you are making such great progress. All the positive thoughts being directed from friends and school plus your strength and determination seem to be keeping you safely onto the healing path. Mix FM are coming to the school Friday so maybe you can tune in and listen to everyone. Keep strong and safe, Judith, Paul, Charley & Patrick
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 am
Hi Cam
So happy you are allowed to go to the lodge must be great to get out again. You wont have to repeat year 7 no ways, You have already proved your are strong enough to beat Lymphoma so year 7 is peanuts. Anyway / is a lucky number. We are so proud of you sweet dreams.
Love as always Dee Martin Manuella and Kenneth xxxx
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:55 am
Hi Cameron,
My name is Janessa and I am 11 years old and live in upstate NY, USA. My mom told me you are sick, I hope you get better soon. My church is praying for you and my Girl Scout troop too.
I want to tell you that Hillary is a good person but Barack Obama is the better person for President because he cares about peace and wants to end the war. He is a regular person like us, but Hillary thinks that she has more power than everybody else and thinks she is better than us. Barack wants to end poverty and cares if kids go to good schools. I got to see him 2 weeks ago and shake his hand, it felt just like a normal persons hand, it was cool. I think that is it.
Your friend, Janessa
February 23rd, 2008 at 1:17 am
Hi Cameron
Hope you enjoy being at the lodge. Glad you are doing well and sure you’ll be home soon. Hope you have a fun weekend.
We’re all thinking of you. Say hi to your Mum & Dad as well.
Love
Andy, Chris & Jen