I draw childhood cancer
There is a website https://idrawchildhoodcancer.com/ and Facebook page entitled ‘I draw childhood cancer’. They provide visual resources for children and their families facing childhood cancer. The art is created by Angus Olsen who lives in Australia. One of his daughters was diagnosed with cancer at 2 years old. Many of the images resonate deeply with me. I have chosen one to illustrate this blog. “What do we say to the god of death? Not today.” Tragically for some children and their families this is not the outcome. However, due to advances in treatment an increasing number survive. For some the repercussions on their body and mind are long term. There was an article in the news this week about a young man in Auckland who has paid a high price for survival, just as Rory does.
Professor John McCall is quoted as saying “The price of the cure from cancer is not a free ride. Sometimes it is, but often it’s not.” Every week Rory suffers and struggles. In spite of this life burns bright within him. It is both heart breaking and inspiring.
This week Rory had another session with Clinical Psychologist Dr Andy. Sean and I will attend the next session with him. Sean and I had a phone call with Dr Nick. He will review Rory’s case in 12 months. I have had a phone call with Jez, Rory’s case worker from ACC and Sean took Rory to get his Reandron (testosterone) injection.
The highlight this week for Sean and Colt was volunteering to count NI kokako at Parininihi Whitecliffs. It is the start of the breeding season and Tiaki Te Mauri o Parininihi Trust https://parininihi.co.nz/ need to understand the dynamics of their kokako population. This required a very early start, travelling to the site, and making their way into the bush, in the dark. As the sun came up and the dawn chorus began they played kokako calls on a boom box at intervals along marked tracks. The kokako are curious and come in close to investigate. When they do they are counted and their leg bands recorded. Colt said it was definitely worth a day off school.