Home we go!

This is a photo of our 'boys'

Hi guys

Eli here...we have had a massive few days! WAMMA (grandma from WA) left on wednesday after a 2 week stay. It was awesome to have her around, and we miss her 

heaps. She gave mum the confidence to feed me 'real' stuff, like bananas, crusts (and even lolly bananas!) yummo! It was loads of fun.

We also had a chat with the Dr on Tuesday about my transplant. Its going to be a huge deal, and it was a very sobering time for mum and dad, with lots and lots to think about. The good news is, there are two cords that the dr's are 'finalising'. Basically, I have an appt with a surgeon on Monday arvo to have a chat about my spleen coming out (yep, its a definite), with the possibility of a third round of chemo after that. They are not sure on when all the planets will line up (ie, transplant bone marrow, beds and how well i am!)...lots depends on when a bed will become available. To be honest, im not keen on another round of chemo, the last one made me a bit more crook than the first time, and it means more time in hospital - yukko. But, we are hoping for the best, and that they can get me in as soon as they can. Another round of chemo will also mean another month in melbourne for us all. We will keep you posted.

On a lighter note, one of the cool things was that Dr Karin said that if my bloods were good, we could go home for a few days...mum and dad were filled with nervous energy, but thursday morning (apart from a yukky cold), my bloods were good, and we travelled home! Yippee!

First stop was to say a huge thankyou to the Entertainment Centre in Lakes who helped us raise soooo much money for the Leukaemia Foundation...you guys rock! I also got smothered in kisses from my Aunty Hayley who came to town to catch up with us...she is so way cool, and i saw my cousin kyle for the first time in yonks...he has grown so tall! 

We also heard a whisper that the Sandbar Surf Shop were holding a fashion parade on 4th May, and they were donating the proceeds to us! Mum and dad were absolutely gobsmacked at their generosity. We were all humbled to say the least, and are very grateful for their thoughtfulness. So from all of our hearts, thankyou to Deb and Jerry. We will hope to have a pic of them up soon.

On Friday, i attended my first ANZAC pde in lakes. It was awesome - although i was a little cheeky and squealed through the last post...im not in the best shape, my nose keeps running and im coughing a fair bit...So i thought i would let mum and dad know!

Anyways, after the parade, we caught up with our good friends robyn and sarah and said hello, and met a whole heap of locals who had heard about us, and wanted to tell us they were thinking of us...its awesome to hear that we have touched so many people!

We jumped in the car and went to visit all my good friends at Bairnsdale, Donna, Nat, Leona, Wren, Jonah, Ava, Winter, Rachelle and Yas...it was heaps of fun...and even better when collingwood beat essendon!

Today, we all decided that we miss our home very very much. We dropped in and saw Rob who is looking after all our cows while they have their babies. We saw the little babies, one boy and one girl, and another was on its way...Rob let us know that the 3rd one arrived late this arvo and all was going well. I saw moowhistle..she is still as fat as a hippo..we cant wait to hear how she goes, and what she has! We then went to our farm at buchan south...all we can say is WOW...the little boys (we have 10 baby steers) - including Tom Piper were all looking awesome. It was just so nice to be on the farm again and doing stuff. Me, mum and dad went for a walk through the paddocks while Uncle Phil and Wally took the car...although i slept a fair bit, it was definitely nice to wake up and have a feed next to the fire. 

We have to travel home tomorrow, but not before having a visit from Vicki, and stopping in to see my great nan and pa in sale. My nan (ninny) is sick at the moment, so im looking forward to giving her a big ELI cuddle and smile to help make her feel better. Im also looking forward to blowing my pa some rasberries!

It has been so nice to see mum and dad relax and really enjoy their time home. We have even had bodsie the cat home for a visit which i have found very intriguing. Im really liking her tail and her soft fur! She is not so sure of me though! We all celebrated as she caught her first mouse!

Thats enough from me...we are all counting down the days when we can come home again for good. Its going to be one of the best days of our lives.

Love you all

Eli

xox

Man, we need the rain!

An Anzac Tribute

Hi guys

Eli junior here. It's Anzac day on Friday and I would like to pay tribute to members of my family.  We were fortunate enough to come across some photos of my great, great-grandfather and namesake, Eli Brown. Eli was the youngest of six children. He was 21 when he signed up for the Australian Army and served on the western front. Eli's dad, also named Eli was a logging contractor and unfortunately died when Eli was in France after a log rolled on him. 

Eli was affected with mustard gas and as a result, spent a long time in hospital before coming home to Coleraine, in Victoria.

After being home for a while, he decided to get on his pushbike, and travelled until he ended up in Deniliquin where he started a skin and wool buying business.  Eli and his wife had two sons, Norm and Kevan - my great poppa. My great poppa and his brother Norm also served in the Royal Australian Navy, and fought many campaigns in World World II.

My great Nanna from Deniliquin's father also served at Gallipolli and then was taken as a  prisoner by the Germans while serving on the Western Front.  After the war he returned to Renmark and grew fruit.

I guess this is a heartfelt thanks to not only my own family which has such a rich history (and great names like mine! but to all those men and women who served and continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force.  Lest We Forget

love and hugs

Eli

xox

Some more photos!

me n all my toys...

hmmm...which one first!

me n my banana! Yummo!

me n great nan and poppa from deni!

lots of 'firsts' have happened...

i had my first 'crust' - mum had her first heartattack...

i had my first 'banana' - mum had her second heartattack

i had my first weetbix - mum was very cool with that one!

just thought we would share them with you...

we also saw great nan and poppa from deniliquin. they looked great. We were sad because we couldnt get to nans 80th birthday recently, but we sure made up for it today...

enjoy the photos...no more babies on the horizon at this stage!

with love, hugs and rain

eli

xox

a few more photos!

This is my good friend Kate...she is a little cutie!

Our first calf! Thanks to rob and vicki for making sure the little one (s) arrive (d) ok!!

Mum and calf (number 16!)

mum and me getting my grease and oil change today - platelets!

my new best toy-the bouncer!

me and aunty hayley who came to visit last weekend 

me and my beanie...mum bought it...keeps my noggin warm!

apparently the eyes say it all!

This is nurse 'raelee'...she is cool and is a mad carlton supporter...much to dads disgust!

me and dad hanging out...

playing guitar in hospital...i love music!

hi gang

here are a few more pics for your enjoyment...

went to my dr appt today, and needed another round of platelets..nothing major, but i sure feel better...i did really well again and didnt spike a temp, but will have to keep life quiet for the next few days as my body will not be able to handle cooties cause the chemo has wiped out all the good stuff to fight infection.

mum and dad are massively happy..our first calf has been born! yahoo...number 16 gave us our first 'baby'...when mum told dad we had a baby, he was shocked, then laughed cause i think he thought i had a brother/sister on the way! I think we are all happy with calves for now!

just wanted to say a huge thanks to rob and vicki who are doing a fantastic job looking after all our cows and baby calves...we cant wait to get home to see them for ourselves!

luv and hugs

eli

xox

Just a quick thanks!

Hi guys

just a quick one!

mum and dad got the best pressie today...pat shegog asked johnson and johnson to donate some bandaids today for all our mates at the childrens cancer centre at the royal childrens hospital. Guess what...we got a box of 60 bandaids...all with the wiggles on them...all the kids are going to be soooo happy...

a massive thanks to pat, mel and johnson and johnson for their great effort...bloody awesome!

luv, hugs and sunshine

eli

xox

A grease and oil change please!

Hi gang

Eli here...just got out of hospital after an impromptu visit...we had to get my bloods done yesterday morning in case i needed anything...

i didnt get far! I got called back in the afternoon to have my platelets added to with a transfusion. So we were there 2 hours waiting for that to happen, and then we were told my blood was really really low (50) so i had to stay in overnight so they could put more blood in me over 8 hours! Dad stayed with me, and i decided to be a bit of a bugger, and let him know that i have more teeth on the move! Mum and dad checked out my gob and yep...only a few days off getting my 4th tooth..the top right one is definitely on its way...so i have impressed mum with getting 4 teeth in four weeks, as well as having chemo and some transfusions on top of it all! Yay...

Im also neutropenic (low neutraphills that help fight infection)...and i was extremely lucky to get out of the hospital, because i didnt get a temperature at all...if i did get a temp, i would have had to stay in there for yonks...mum and dad are VERY proud of me!!

Anyways...im home now...and feeling much better. I have a busy weekend ahead, with visits from great nan and poppa from Deniliquin and nan and pa from bacchus marsh. I think Rob and Vicki from buchan are also coming to say hello as well... Rob and Vicki are looking after our cows while we wait for them to have their babies...So busy busy...

We are all still doing well, and feel like we are half way there...only a few months to go now!

love, hugs and sunshine (and a bit of rain) to all!

Eli

xox

Chemo update!

Me and Dr Steve doin very important 'dr' stuff!


Hi everyone!

Eli here...just to let everyone know that i have finished my second round of chemo...im feeling ok at the moment...will need to wait and see how i go a couple of weeks down the track, when my counts get really low (you will probably hear me in Gippsland!)

I handled it ok, although i did puke a fair bit on the final day (poor mum copped a couple of rippers!) I have been off my food a bit, but mum gave me big hugs tonite cause i ate a fair bit...need to keep my weight on so i dont get one of those tubes up my nose-ewwww.

All is well, and i just have to wait and see how i pull up from this round, before they start talking about the next plan of action - possibly my spleen out, but that hasnt been confirmed as yet.

I will be heading for a blood test on monday, and will have another blood test on wednesday and a dr appt. Im not sure whats happened to Dr Steve, but i did hear on the grapevine that his little bambino might be on the way...HOW EXCITING! Now he will know what life is all about! 

Oh yeah, i have a couple of photos of me and Dr Steve, the first one is of me 'helping' dr steve with you know...Dr stuff! The second one is of me and Dr Steve...i really like him...he is very nice to me, mum and dad...and apparently knows his stuff pretty good too! Well, he is making me better, so something has to be going right!

On the social side of life, i have been to the Victoria Market for the first time...it was awesome. Lots of new things to look at (and slobber on when mums not looking!), and to smell as well...its baby heaven!

We have also moved into our new house with the Leukaemia foundation...its bloody AWESOME. i have my own room again thank goodness! Sick of hearing dad snoring! Geez they are noisy sleepers, tossing and turning all the time...could hardly get ANY sleep...I guess everyones a winner!!!

I must admit, we are all looking much more 'sprightly' in the mornings due to some good sleep!

Anyways...will keep you all posted, better head off for now.

We got a collection of goodies from Lakes Entrance through Robyn, Max, Matt and Sarah Pendle and their associates. The stuff looks AWESOME...and i know the kids at the hospital will absolutely LOVE it! So thanks HEAPS you guys...great job!

I would also like to thank Pat and Mel Shegog for helping us rally Johnson & Johnson...i hear they have donated HEAPS of bandaids for the Childrens Cancer Centre...So thanks for the great work there too...

I know we keep harping on about it, but we are just so thankful for all your support and the stuff you guys are sending through...the looks on the faces of the staff is priceless...i will try and get some piccies to post. Everyone really does appreciate it...and mum is doing her best to keep bairnsdale and lakes entrance on the 'map'!

anyhoo, best fly...thanks so much again, and dont forget to leave a comment, we would love to hear from you

lots of love, kisses and sunshine

Eli

xox

Dr update n stuff!

hi guys
eli here! its been a big couple of days, but good ones! Dr Steve said i was doing really well, and i'm ready to start my next round of chemo on thursday...so it looks like i will be back in hospital for a few days. Ive had a big week really, been giving mum and dad a bit of grief with not one, but two FANGS just coming through! I heard mum say that she has been so wrapped up with me being crook, that the 'growing' stuff slipped her mind. Lucky, me and my teeth are there to remind her!
i was also lucky yo get my 4month vaccinations yesterday...all 4 needles! youch! im feeling ok today, just a bit grumpy! So we have another appt with Dr Steve tomorrow, just to do a final check on bloods and stuff, but we reckon all will be ok to progress our treatment.
Would love to also say thanks to the bandaids and stickers which have been filtering in... the childrens cancer centre have loved them, and i know that all the kids will truly love them! There are some funky ones amongst them!Well done and thanks a million to those who have bought them.
Anyhoo, best fly. I would like to wish my dear friends Kate and Isabella a very special first birthday...and kisses to the both of you! Wish i could go to your parties - cause as dad says, chicks dig scars!!! but our thoughts will certainly be with you! have a red cordial for me!!!

love to you all, and if you have any comments as to how to improve the blog, or what u like about it, let us know! We would love to hear your feedback!

love, hugs and lots of sunshine
Eli
xox