Christmas 2006 photos

Ron hands out gifts . . .

Joan gets to sit for a spell

Chris enjoys a fluffy chino

Beth hides in the bathroom

Christmas 2006

Christmas Day

Hunt

Collins

Sawa

We all gathered at Beth and Tom's late morning to share gifts. Some how in the midst of guests, festivities and excitement, a wonderful roast dinner was produced. We were able to share a very happy couple of hours, the 10 of us.

Chris and Mark later went off to the Sawa houshold to spend the evening with mark's family, some of whom had come from the North coast.

Trip to Sydney for PET scan

Ron and sister Wilma

Cheryl with girls Stephanie and Katie - To Sydney for day with the Hunts

We had a lovely trip up to Sydney for Dad's PET scan a couple of days before Christmas. A wonderful surprise - Dad's sister Wilma, Reg and Cheryl, Steph and Katie came down for the day from Hawks Nest and Maitland. It was a special and pleasant day that involved some favorite activities for each... Whilst Dad was required to rest/doze/relax over several hours, we were released into Liverpool looking at shops and all the bazaars. A fine opportunity just before Christmas!

It was a great idea and we're so glad they came.

Reg and Ron, Joan and Wilma

Liverpool hospital

Link to Tom and Beth's blogsite

http://canberracollins.blogspot.com/

Christmas letter 2006

Dear family and friends,

With our love to all especially at Christmas and for the new year.

We celebrated 52 years of marriage this August. Ron lives the week for his bowls day and potters around the house and yard. He’s had grandkids do most of the lawn mowing (not much with the dry grass) and son-in-law Tom doing projects around the garage (painting gutters and roof tiles, put in water drain – it’s a grate job).

The drought continues in much of Australia, and we have water restrictions. We are finding it hard to maintain watering for the garden and the lawn has been allowed to die, pretty much. Thinking of having professional help to make it more low maintenance. Almost no fruit on trees this year, so only few jars of jam and stewed fruit. Joan still likes to sew and take care of garden, and makes everyone happy with biscuits made with love. The big 8-0 birthday is coming up in March 2007.

Our cute new dog, Mitsy (looks like a tiny German Shepherd) has been the bane of our lives (#*!#?*#!) and in big trouble lately. She is good in most ways and loves people but chews anything she can get hold of – plastic pots (full of potting mix and plants), furniture cushions, electric wiring on trailer, and Beth’s birthday cake (up on a stand upon the table!!) This was a tragedy and almost the final straw. What’s next?! Stormy the cockatiel went because he made messes and chewed the wallpaper. Beware Mitsy!

We have had a year of doctor appointments and medical things. Ron had a couple of stints in hospital for stents (kidney). Dept Veterans Affairs came good and bought a new CPAP machine for Ron’s sleep apnoea. Joan has suffered with her back and leg nerves (disc pressure) so is missing her usual long walks, which is a problem. The back verandah now has a machine walker and exercise bike, as well as the dog kennel.

At a routine visit to chest specialist for emphysema on Dec 1st, Ron’s lung Xray showed nodules that were discovered to be metastases (spread of cancer) caused unexpectedly, by malignant melanoma (skin) – primary site a mystery. Surgery or radiotherapy are not options. We saw the oncologist yesterday, who encouraged active and happy holidays, and will see Ron mid January to discuss possible chemotherapy. He did warn against scuba diving or climbing Everest but recommended plenty of red wine.

In August, Joan and Ron had a very special holiday up to Queensland. We flew up to Brisbane and then caught trains (Tilt train, Sunlander) up north staying at Rockhampton, Townsville (Magnetic Island) up to Cairns, did all the regional tours. eg, Cape Tribulation, Atherton Tablelands, Kuranda, Sky Rail (Magnificent). Then our tour group worked southwards along the coast by rail and coach, leapfrogging the places we’d been to and staying at Airlie Beach (Whitsunday), Bundaberg and Maryborough, finally arriving back in Brisbane 17 days later. It was an enjoyable trip seeing many wonderful places together.

Through the year our ‘group’ continued to meet, reading and discussing a variety of books. We also had a pleasant weekend away at Mystery bay. One of our special friends, John, died after a brave battle with cancer, and we all miss him at our regular meetings and dinners. Two weeks ago a dear old friend, Lloyd, from Christchurch was also farewelled with love and respect. Joan’s special friend Jan (who one of our original home fellowship group) came to stay for a couple of days in January, which was lovely.

Joan and sister, Anne drive to Goulburn to have a day with Gwen from time to time. We have also visited or had visits from the other siblings, too. Joan’s clan got together for Anne’s 70th (we missed this one due to QLD trip) and also Taralga reunion to celebrate church’s anniversary. Ron’s sister Wilma, and Reg came to stay for their golf week in Canberra. We looked back through old photos and letters about our family history, Wilma remembers so many details. Our friend Helen has spent several months working with Ron to record and write down memoirs. Almost ready to print.

We have persevered with computer classes and made it regularly to class (even getting saturated the one time it did pour rain for 5 minutes). It can be frustrating and seem hopeless but we are trying.

Our grandson Steve wanted to be baptised in water so organised family and friends and youth to come out to the Cotter river where he gave a beaut testimony. It was a great afternoon out on the river, swimming and picking blackberries. We were very proud of him. He has started high school and is doing well, and also joined Air Force cadets where he’s been flying, camping and other trips. We went to his parade and met a major general and air marshall.

Beth’s younger 2 children Leah and Ruben as well as Chris’ Michelle are now all at one school in nearby Florey. They have all made new friends and settled in well. Each of the grandchildren have piano lessons with Ron’s bowls friend John, at Beth’s home on Thursday afternoons.
Chris works 5 days (almost full time) and still has horses, Mark still fishes (even went to NZ to chase them). Tom and Beth juggle shift work and all kids activities. It’s great to have them all nearby but not all talking at once…

Love to each one of you and many blessings,
Ron and Joan xxx

Dad's test results - December 2006

9 Dec 2006, 10am

A week ago, Dad had an Xray prior to a routine appointment with chest specialist (for emphysema). Unexpectedly, multiple nodules were seen in his lungs (new since last Xrays in April). Since then he’s had CAT scan and lung biopsy, and the thoracic physician has already said it is bad news. We go today (Sat 9th) at midday to see him for results.

9 Dec 2006, 10pm Well, the news is indeed bad, and surprising. The nodules in his lung are not bronchogenic carcinoma, but are in fact malignant melanoma metastases. No idea at this stage where the primary melanoma is or location /number of lesions there may be elsewhere so a PET scan is being organised. The specialist is referring Dad to an oncologist as soon as possible for assessment and care. Surgery and radiotherapy are not options. There is no way at this stage to say what the future holds in respect to time left, interventions to try, or likely progress. Chemotherapy may?? be an option, but unable to say if it would help slow the growth at all, and would not ‘fix’ for long (I think).
We have been so blessed this week to have all this done without drama or distress. God’s grace has surely been covering us. We are very grateful the doctor handled everything swiftly and compassionately and that he was the one to tell us the news. There will be many upsets ahead, and we are trying to face things positively and honestly. Rational and emotional reactions . . .

Thanks for love and care, please ask God for healing (yep, pray for a miracle), strength to fight and peaceful acceptance – in the right order.

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

So afterwards . . .Steve had Air Cadet's end of year parade so we all went out to watch (and clap). It was a lovely afternoon and Dad enjoyed himself (afternoon tea in the mess hall was a hit) and he had fun meeting an air marshall and a major general. We took some family pictures because it is not often we are all together and someone else can take a pic for us. Then home to make some phone calls . . .

Monday, 11 December 2006

Dad went to Calvary physio for respiratory 'rehab' which was booked weeks ago, and will still be of benefit to keep him fit and exercising under supervision and monitoring.

Chris had investigations for possible Coeliac disease (gluten intolerance)and Michelle was off school with a sick tummy. Mum was unwell so she is also off to get checked out.
Phone calls back and forward with specialist’s office – so now Dad has appointment with oncologist tomorrow and no PET unless ordered by oncologist.

Tuesday, 12 December 2006

Hi there again,
We went with Dad to oncologist today. He has ordered PET scan (look for 'hotspots' whole body) which will be sometime next 3 weeks and then back to him mid January. He's not talking chemotherapy yet, but will next visit. Says to enjoy holidays and being reasonably well. He prefers to not making people sick with chemotherapy when they're doing OK. Should not affect success (relative) of chemo if begun later. Melanoma very unpredictable type of cancer, can be aggressive or regress, can respond to treatment or not. Did not give any expectation or likely progression. He was encouraging life enjoyment, but advised Dad not to try scuba diving or Everest climb.

Love to all,
Beth and Tom, Steven, Leah, Ruben

For the whole family