August 11th, 2008 - Happy Birthday Cameron
Here we are in August already. It’s hard to believe that tomorrow Cameron turns 12. What a huge day it is for him and every member of our family. Withthe first half of the year being filled with so much pain, fear and a journey into the unknown we now look forward to a climb back up hill filled with hard work, hope and excitement as we put our lives back together. Cameron is settling back into school life and is eager to just get stuck right back into everything. He is experiencing some difficulty recovering socially as friends have all moved on and he has been out of the loop for some time, but he has already shown how resilient he is and we know he will come out of this next stage of his journey even stronger.
The oncologist is happy with Cameron and his last blood results were all good. He is not allowed to be involved in “competitive” sports for the next 6 months (even though he tried hard to convince her that tennis was competitive so if he could do that he could participate in a sports carnival!). Our next visit on the 14th August will be for a C/T scan and the week after we will see the oncologist once she has the full report and we will know what the plan is going forward. He is still not yet officially in remission but this could be right around the corner as they have said he may always have some residue scar tissue left in his chest due to the size of the mass.
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During his last visit to Brisbane Cameron was also assessed by an educational psychologist to see how he is doing academically. This was sponsored by the Ronald McDonald Learning Program. His assessment was very good and fortunately he has not suffered too badly. There are some gaps and he has certainly had some effect from the treatment etc and so he has been accepted on the program, which means they fund 40 hours of private tutoring. We are so thankful. A journey with a child with cancer has so many effects on a family and programs like this do help ease the burden in small but meaningful ways. As a family we have learnt and grown so much and I look back and know that this is the journey we were meant to take and know it will take us to new places.
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Anyway next time you are in McDonalds you know where that change in the little box next to the till goes… the Ronald McDonald programme not only supplies accommodation to families from out of town who have to live near the hospital just like we did, they help families who have children with cancer with different educational grants, family breaks at their holiday homes around the country and in many other ways. Not that I am supporting junk food but it’s nice to know that Cameron and others like him have been supported by those who do…
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The wonderful news is last Sunday both Cameron and Carlton were baptised. As I said this journey took our family so deep and while the boys had spoken about being baptised before Cameron got cancer this journey really emphasised their faith and they both took the step before our whole congregation. Bill and I were so proud of them as they stood up and gave their testimonies and dedicated their life to Christ. They both spoke so well and Cameron seemed so mature. Carlton’s testimony touched the heart of so many and he came out of the water in true Carlton style. Of course this was a huge moment for our whole church and a few people from school who came along to witness this moment as they have all journeyed with us with many having a tear or two.Â
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This last weekend Cameron and Carlton went on a youth camp. Both Cam and I were rather anxious at this step! As I waved goodbye I could tell he was anxious about being away.  He returned Sunday exhausted and had a ball. Carlton was given the command to keep an eye on him and I am not sure how that went although Carlton said he told him not to play footy and he didn’t listen! Anyway they went horse riding, canoeing, had a go at leather making and had God time too. By 7:30 last night everyone was fast asleep so I am sure we will hear more as they recover over the week, we do know it was freezing as they were so glad to be in their warm beds. Of course Owen was not left out and went for his first sleep over with his friend – thankfully as he was bored within half an hour of his brothers leaving! Â
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Until next time thank you all for your continued prayers and support.Â
August 12th, 2008 at 4:03 am
Happy Birthday to you my sweet nephew 12 years old today, the next one you will be a teenager!!!!! So enjoy this year, of course your assessment with the educational phychologist was good I did not expect anything different. Good luck on the program. We hope you have a wonderful day and have an extra piece of cake for me!!!!! Take care lots of love as always Dee Martin Manuella and Kenneth xxxxxxxx
August 12th, 2008 at 4:07 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAM!!!
12 years old mate!! next yrs a biggy!!
Hope you have a great day 2moz will be thinking of ya!!!
Loving all the pics and good news!!
Tell mom and dad to give u a biiig b-day hug from me!!
And you gve your lil bros a hug frm my ok???
HAVE A BLAST!!!
Lotsa love
xxx m
August 14th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Hi Cameron, It seems my OTHER birthday greeting was lost somewhere in cyberspace. Well, I just want you to know you were in my thoughts and hope you had an absolutely fantastic day. The big 12 is something of a milestone in many ways because if you turn that around you get 21 and that is truly a BIG day, but 12 is just as BIG and turns the corner to prepare you for the wonderful teens!!! I can see you are getting back to normal, that is always a good sign that I am sure Mom and Dad are happy about, but the brothers must now whatch out because the BOSS is back!!!! Cheers my boy,XXX stay well and happy. Love from Grandad Bill Cape Town South Africa