Monday 27 August, 2012
Hi everyone,
Good news and bad news. Good news is Emily managed to get to the Child Cancer “Stars of Courage” kids ball on Friday night and has had a great weekend with family that have come down from up north. Emily met her baby cousin Flynn for the first time and we got some cool photos of the cousies together. : )
Bad news is that last night Emily had horrific pain that required me to call the palliative nurses out of hours to come and help manage the pain. A tube was inserted into her arm that allows me to inject morphine via the tube. This manages her escalating pain levels better as the pain relief gets into the blood stream quicker than the pills. It was very upsetting to watch her in so much pain for nearly two hours until the extra pain relief settled her down. She was sobbing and writhing in pain and Gary and I could do nothing until the nurse arrived to draw up the pain relief. Hideous.
We plan to keep very low key for the next few days and again just need space to get our heads around the next phase of Emily’s condition so that I can focus on getting her new pain regime sorted (it is ever evolving as the cancer progresses). If we don’t answer the phone or reply to texts please don’t take it personally. I just feel really overwhelmed with offers of help and over stimulated at the moment with all this medical stuff and need to focus all my energy on meds and keeping the kids in their usual routine. I really do appreciate the offers of help but I just don’t know what we need right now and we are fortunate to already have a network of a few key people that are cooking, picking up kids etc. Thank you to everyone that helps and everyone that has offered. Very kind.
Please feel free to leave messages on the blog though as they really help :)
Kath and Gary
Rochelle
August 30, 2012 @ 12:32 am
I have been wanting to comment on your blog/posts for a while now but not knowing what to say…what do you say? My thoughts and sentiments are echoed in many of your friends comments. I have kept up with Emily’s blog and am so moved. You, Emily and your family are often in my thoughts. Though I don’t know you well, I too think you are Amazing!
Lusia
August 28, 2012 @ 7:13 pm
Dear Wooddin Family,
Just treasure each precious moment
With love
~Tanishas Mum~
Sarah Stewart
August 28, 2012 @ 5:19 pm
Wishing you ALL strength for the journey, clarity when you need it and the space to relish your time with each other.
Hello to Emily from Lachlan (from 2011 Miss Stuckey’s Class).
From Sarah, Paul, Lachlan and Matthew Stewart
Sonya Dean
August 28, 2012 @ 1:55 pm
Hey Wooddinns,
Just letting you know I am here – on the couch or in bed – but I am here. Thinking of you all,and praying for pain free peace. Sorry I can’t be delivering the pasta bakes this time but if I could, I would be there in a heartbeat!!
Hugs, kisses and much love to you all
Sonya Dean and family xxxxx
Rachael Morris
August 28, 2012 @ 1:40 pm
Thinking of you guys often. Let’s hope this pain can be controlled and Em can be more comfortable.
The Morris/Greig Family
Anita
August 28, 2012 @ 11:26 am
Dear Kath and family,
I have been so moved by following your brave and courageous journey with your amazing Emily. I remember meeting her as a wee tot in a stroller years ago and your beautiful, happy face Kath, so proud to introduce her to the world. It is clear, from half a world away, that you are by far, an amazing, amazing Mum with a beautiful family. I will continue to pray for you guys each day. Also, we will donate blood, here in NY, because of Emily. She is so smart!
xo
Anita (Neets) and family.
jo knighton and family
August 28, 2012 @ 7:11 am
emily looked so beautiful at the ball..love the photos…love to you all xxoxo
Tina
August 28, 2012 @ 3:56 am
My love, thoughts and prayers go out to little Emily and to all the family, carers, etc. xxx
Sarah H
August 27, 2012 @ 10:24 pm
Dear Kathy and Gary;
As a fellow parent, my heart is just breaking for you, For Emily and your wonderful family! You are doing what is best for Emily, not for you…. And that is the best, most unselfish, amazingly brave thing you can do for Emily at this point!!!
Cancer pain is unbearable, it is wonderful you have an amazing Pallative Care Team that is on top on Emily’s pain now…. The more comfortable Emily is, the more she can carry on being as ‘normal’ as possible – like attending the Ball, I bet that was a wonderful night for her :-)
Someone comment about sitting in the sun…. I have to say – as a fellow terminal patient – the sun always makes me feel better and happier after being in it’s warmth! It truly does something magical within my body and actually helps with my pain!!! Even out a comfy lazy boy near a window that gets sun/bay window that you can both sit in, to read a book together or speak about special times together and soak up the suns rays….. It will help :-)
All my prayers are with you all – as I have mentioned previously, Emily has really taught me so much, you have a amazing daughter!! (I am sure you already know this a million times over and again!!)!!! If I lived closer, I would be offering to help with anything – but I can pray for you and have been ever since I stumbled across Emily’s Journey!!
Thinking of you, Sarah xox
Leisa Webster
August 27, 2012 @ 9:56 pm
Kath and Gary,
So pleased that Em had a great night out on Friday night and was well enough to go out and enjoy it. She looked beautiful and very happy!
Reading about her pain, and trying to imagine what you guys must be going through watching this just tears my heart apart. At least the morphine is on hand to help with some of Ems pain now. Em is a true fighter and so wise beyond her years.. I am sure she has taught us ALL a thing or two .. love to you all,
be strong, Love The Webbies xxxxxxxx
Wendy & Lloyd Hughes
August 27, 2012 @ 9:32 pm
We worry about Em’s pain but we are glad to hear that the pallative team are helping you thru this time. We feel helpless and wish we could do something but realistically the only way we can help at present is to do our bit on daffodil day this friday….
All our thoughts and love
Wendy & Lloyd
Amy Shirtcliffe
August 27, 2012 @ 9:19 pm
May there always be an angel by your side.
Amy, Jase and Lexi
xx
KATHY
August 27, 2012 @ 9:12 pm
This is just such a hard thing to write about – your childs unbearable pain. So glad they helped Emily get out of it at least for a while.
May you have some more down time with Emily and may she enjoy some more things – what every child has the right to.
Sun is good therapy sometimes and you dont have to go far for that at the minute. Perhaps the warmth of the rays will sink into dear Emilys bones and help her feel a little better. You can chat with her there – share some of your memories of being a child Katherine.This will also help her away from the pain and suffering for a little while.
May Gods hands keep you safe Emily
Love The Kesselers. XXXX
The Watsons
August 27, 2012 @ 8:50 pm
Wow, what a conflict of emotions! Gutted that Em is on morphine (know you were dreading getting to that stage Kath :( )but also relieved to know that her pain will be managed.
Whilst this doesn’t help you guys directly, with it being Daffodil Day on Friday, I’ve been organising some fundraising at work, all of which will go to the Cancer Society. I hope that the money raised will go towards helping other patients and their families who have to face this horribly cruel disease, and it also makes me feel a little better knowing that I’m doing something in my own way to say “f*** you” to cancer
Stay strong Kath and Gary. As always, you know where we are.
Neil, Emma, Scott, Sadie
xxxx
Brenda
August 27, 2012 @ 8:40 pm
A truely inspirational and amazing family!!! So sorry to hear of Emilys pain – and ever grateful that you guys have the pallitive team on hand when required. No amount of words can express my anguish at what you all have to endure every day….. Just know that we are thinking of you, and are doing what we can to help in any small way. Big hugs to Emily, your family and your wider support network – You are all amazing xxx
The Stevens Family
Lynley Debonnaire
August 27, 2012 @ 8:15 pm
Hi Kath and Gary, So very sad to hear that Emily had been in so much pain.I just pray that you and your amazing family will find strengh to get through each day.Please to hear Emily enjoyed a night out. Look after yourself Kath and the new little one that will soon arrive. It was nice to see Tom and Sherilynn the other night. Our prayer circle at church continues to pray for you all at this time.
All my love and prayers to you all
Lynley Debonnaire
Telly Power
August 27, 2012 @ 8:03 pm
So sorry to hear Emily is experincing pain – Hopefully the medication gives her some relief. I am happy to hear she managed to go to the ball though xoxo
Cameron sends Emily big virtual hugs
xoxo
Chantelle & Cameron Power
Caitlin
August 27, 2012 @ 7:52 pm
Hi, I have had the awesome pleasure of getting to know Emily at camp quality over the last couple years and it is heart breaking to see you all go through this! I check your blog every day without fail. Great to hear you made it to the ball though Em, hope you had a great night!! Ruby still chats about your girls first camp together and how much fun we all had together in our bunkroom!!I hope the pain stays under control for all of you. Thinking of you all.
Caitlin xx
Clare
August 27, 2012 @ 7:18 pm
So sorry to hear Emily has resumed the pain Kath!! It was just so wonderful to see her at the Ball and to see the strong wee character she is…staying on the dancefloor until the very last dance!! She truly is an amazing little lady!! Take Care xx
Clare
Michelle Neale
August 27, 2012 @ 7:14 pm
Thinking of you all during this extremely tough time sending all my love to you all xxxxx
Michelle Neale
August 27, 2012 @ 7:11 pm
Thinking of all of you and sending love and strength to you all xxxx
Candice
August 27, 2012 @ 6:51 pm
Hey Kath
I am so sad for you and Gary, and bit angry that Em, such a sweet innocent and positive child has to go through all this. My thoughts and prayer are with you all through this terrible, trying time. As we say in South Africa, “STRENGTH”
Lots a love
Angela
August 27, 2012 @ 6:38 pm
I’m so sorry to hear Em was in so much pain. No one deserves to go through this – especially a child. We’re thinking of you all and if you need anything don’t hesitate to ask. Love Ang, Colin, Kaylee & Oliver xxx
Taylor Family
August 27, 2012 @ 6:37 pm
Hi Kath and Gary
I saw the pictures of Emily dressed up and looking beautiful at the ball. So pleased she was able to go.
I hope Emily is not in so much pain now. It breaks my heart for you guys and having to watch her in that much pain as a parent it is just not fair. Praying that her pain has eased.
Thinking of you all the time.
Lots of love
Melissa, Brian, Nicole and Aimee xoxoxo
Korina
August 27, 2012 @ 6:35 pm
Thinking of you always.
Sending love!!
xoxoxo
Korina
Paula
August 27, 2012 @ 6:15 pm
Hi Guys,
Firstly, so happy Em got to go to the ball. What I could see of her in the photos she looked gorgeous and Jack looked awesome! Secondly,we are so sorry to hear that Em has more horrendous pain and I hope she is feeling better today?!
Our thoughts, love and support are here for you all.
Thinking of you
The Knowles’ xx
Lea ribbon
August 27, 2012 @ 6:04 pm
Thinking of you as always and hoping dear little Emily doesn’t suffer too much. Bless you all , lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxx
Stevens family
August 27, 2012 @ 5:53 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Catherine
August 27, 2012 @ 5:36 pm
Words escape me (that doesnt happen often!!)
My heart goes out to you all and have have tears rolling down my cheeks hearing the pain in your writing. you guys are doing an amazing job looking after your family and do whatever you need to do.
in our thoughts and prayers
Catherine – Jacks kea leader
Kate O'Halloran
August 27, 2012 @ 5:28 pm
Oh Kath,
Once again I am at a loss for words to express my pain and sadness for you.
I am so sorry you and Gary are having to watch your gorgeous wee girl go downhill after all the fighting you all have done to keep her well.
Please know that I walk this journey with you and grieve with you and pray you find the strength to deal with what life is throwing you.
Thinking of you often.
Kate O’Halloran
Julia
August 27, 2012 @ 5:24 pm
Glad Em got to go to the ball. Jamie also enjoyed it. Nice that they have things like that for these amazing kids. Lots of love to you all
Kylie Campion
August 27, 2012 @ 5:16 pm
Hey Em glad to hear you made it to the ball on the weekend, Hope your pain can stay well managed now. Thinking of you lots and lots up here in Kaikoura.
Kylie XOXOXO
LIBBY
August 27, 2012 @ 5:15 pm
Please please look after yourselves. Always here you only need to ask xxxx
I hope bump is doing well xx
Tui
August 27, 2012 @ 5:07 pm
Kath and Gary
Oh dear god so wish I could help prepare you for the next step of this journey. But ultimately it is yours alone.
I hated this game – ‘Chasing the Pain’. It is torture to see your child suffer. If you want to talk let me know. Happy to come and sit for a while at any time. Ben Allan’s father and sister came to me – I found it useful to speak to family that had recently gone through it all even though the pallative team are very helpful.
All my love
Tui – Harry’s mum
XXXX