Journey

“Their swift growth is a reminder that time is both friend and thief”

I started this blog in 2009, as a way to share Rory’s journey with family, friends and supporters after he was diagnosed with cancer (Medulloblastoma) aged 7.  It was also a way for me to release my thoughts and feelings so I was able to propel Rory and our family forward.  I look up and 15 years has passed.  It is most evident in the growing up of Colt (13) and the growing old of our parents.  I lost my grandparents as a little girl.  Sam, Rory and Colt have had richer lives because of the love of Grannie and Grandad Gardiner and Nana and Poppa Honnor.  Rory has a unique and special relationship with each of them.  Unfortunately my dad, Poppa Honnor, has severe heart failure at 86.  Nana is caring for him at home and we are all rallying around.  It is a sad and terrible time.  I have been reflecting on the connection between my dad and Rory.  They are both star sign Aries, charming firecrackers when they want to be and Oscar the grouch when they don’t.  They are both incredibly strong and brave men.  They share a love of wood work, having a beer at the end of the day and being frugal with money.  They have the same sense of humour, often at the expense of Nana Honnor and I, and are rather partial to mints and scorched almonds.  They have both been known to speak without a filter, especially Poppa on the sideline at football games!  I hope there is still a little time for them together. 

This fortnight Dermatologist Dr Anna completed another two punch biopsy’s for suspicious moles on Rory’s chest.  Thankfully results for both were clear.  Rory has had a runny nose and chesty cough.  His patience for me assaulting him with Covid swabs ran out quickly.  All tests were negative but I didn’t fare so lucky catching Covid for a second time.  Sam had it the week before I did so he is my primary suspect as ground zero.  Covid knocks me over and I am currently on day 6, recovering slowly.  Being unwell resulted in Sean taking Rory to the Southern Cochlear Implant programme in Lower Hut on Friday to get the external componentry (speech processor) replaced.  They were almost seven years old and a part had broken.  Version 2 of the Sonnet CI contains advances in technology which is exciting.  Sean and Rory stayed in Wellington Friday night so they could attend the inaugural Brain Tumour Support NZ Patient and Caregiver Meeting on Saturday morning at Wellington Hospital.  The Radiation Oncologist who spoke laid bare the long-term impact of high dose radiotherapy on the brain, of which we are all too aware.