DVD's, TV and room service!

Dad and Mom got off okay. :( I managed to get to the airport and back (without the GPS! - Ken has it with him in Namibia!!) without any loss of time.

It was really fun having Micaela with us this time... the two of them both on JohnD's bed, kept themselves thoroughly entertained. It was good to see. I have to keep reminding him that he is not helpless - he can get up and help himself! The lighter dose is so much easier on him, he hardly knew that he had even had it. He was a little uncomfortable on the road trip home, but he ate a good supper - and he is just fine!

I love hearing from you! Thank you for all of your little messages. They mean so much to us.

1st VAC treatment

Can hardly believe that it's back to Pretoria again tomorrow morning. It has been so wonderful having my parents here since Sunday afternoon. We have had such lovely quiet time together, and the kids have worn them out playing "Rummy", "Chase the Lady", and now we are playing "O-NO!" All card games that keep you on the edge of your chair! :)

Dad and Mum fly back to Austraila tomorrow evening. JohnD's VAC treatments are only 24 hours in hospital now, so it's down one day and back the next. He has been so well. We went for a walk yesterday afternoon, and he rode his bike the whole way. He has not had the strength to do that at all! His hair is also trying so hard to grow back now. I'm glad with the school holidays, Micaela is able to go with me this time.

Ken is still in Namibia with Rick. They are having a wonderful time. We are missing them! They will come home on Tuesday.

Our Bouncing Ball...

What a different child! This month's chemo was just two nights in hospital, and the same evening we got home - he ate a small bowl of Mielie Pap (Gritz), and has not thrown up once! He has his energy back, his mischief and most of all his motivation. We are just amazed and grateful for the incredible change in him. To our precious Heavenly Father - we give all of the thanks and praise. He really is MUCH MUCH BETTER! He even has gained one and a half kgs (about 3 pounds). He is sleeping well, and he even moved his room around this week. This is something he always used to do every two weeks - but has not done once this whole year.

GOD IS FAITHFUL.

As I'm sure you can imagine - it's going well with us all. Micaela and JohnD are both working hard in school. They have their school holiday break coming up soon, so they are working to finish their books.

The ranch is dry, but we have lots of grass. It's warmed up nicely, and we are all excited about the summer coming. Winter is pretty much over.

We have a young man helping here until the end of the year. His name is Helgard - he is Abraham and Ilse's nephew (from Tzaneen).
Ken leaves for Namibia on Monday and will be away for two weeks, hunting with Rick! :)
My folks come to visit for four days on the 20th of this month, and then will fly back to Australia on the 25th, when I take JD for his next chemo session.

I guess this bush bulliten is updated!!! :)

Wed - Fri VAI treatment

We got home last night. He really travelled better this time, slept most of the way home. The two days / nights in hospital were tough. He really took it harder than before, and could hardly get up.
With the lighter dose, he has started eating right away, so that is wonderful, as usually it's several days before he can eat again.
Thank you for your prayers.

KNP Weekend away

Last year, when Walter and Barbara Bailey were with us, we took them to the Louis Trichardt "show". With our entrance tickets... we were fortunate enough to win a weekend in Kruger for four people. It was valid for a year, expiring the 31st of Aug. We had wondered if we may land up not being able to use it - with all of this year's unplanned events. Thank GOD - it worked out that we were able to go. After his op, JohnD really recovered quickly, and with the blood he received - his whole resistance and immunity has been so boosted! We took the opportunity and gapped it for the weekend. We had some lovely sightings. We stayed at the Mopani camp, and it really was just way too short! Kids loved the pool - as it was pretty warm!

This big jumbo has to be one of their "biggies"!

We head back to Pretoria for his first VAI treatment tomorrow... will be away till Friday. We have a total of 8 more treatments to do: 1 x VAI and 7 x VAC.