Journey

Routine “a sequence of actions regularly followed”. 

When I write the blog I realise our lives have settled into a routine where the same actions are generally repeated from week to week.  When I saw Rory’s school photo I realised these weeks of routine mark the passing of time and Rory’s recovery.  He has been in remission from osteosarcoma for almost 11 months.  When you compare the photos of how he looked in May 2020 with how he looks now there is a marked difference.  He has eyebrows and eyelashes, his skin his firm not soft and puffy, he has muscle mass, he is a healthy colour not pale and yellow and there is a sparkle in his eyes.  When you live with him every day these changes go almost unnoticed.  The horror of treatment and his weak grasp on life fades and you experience living ‘normal' days. 

Outside of the norm this week were a four day visit from Grannie and Grandad Gardiner.  It is always great to see them and have them join our chaotic life.  Colt was lucky to have both sets of Grandparents on the side line cheering him on at football on Saturday, and we enjoyed two family dinners with Sam and Caitlyn squeezing eight of us around the table. 

Rory had a game of disc golf with Rob on Thursday then he and I visited WITT (Western Institute of Technology) to check out the Skills for Living course which Rory might attend in 2022.  One of the big challenges is his need for one-on-one support for safety due to the risk of falls and choking and his very slow processing speed. 

I attended the Child Cancer Foundation Taranaki branch event on Sunday afternoon with nine other mothers.  This year we tried a cooking class with Cook Learn Love.  We learnt new recipes, sampled our delicious baking and enjoyed being together.  Thank you to Helen for running this class for us. 

Thank you to Kieran B for wiring Rory’s Hard materials project – a lamp for the bedside in his ‘man-cave’.