FINALLY..... AN UPDATE

Hi Everyone - I had hoped to write sooner but the days since we arrived in Sydney have flown. We have been back ten days which is also hard to believe. I am still to unpack my suitcase but the rest of the family are organised. We have only spent two days at Westmead Children's - the first day back to meet some of the doctors and nurses and have an orientation of the Oncology wing and then last Monday for a full day of treatment. It was an interesting day spent sitting in the clinic with many other children and their parents. All the children seemed to have a different type of illness and so no ones treatment is the same. It was fairly confronting and by the end of that long day I felt extremely drained. Georgie did really well and took most of it in her stride. We came home with a large brown paper bag of medicines - chemo drug, antibiotics, mouth washes etc.... and then the oncology nurse has made three house calls to administer her one of her daily doses of chemo using her porta cath. It is fantastic that Westmead have this service which saves us three trips to the hospital in a week for this next phase of treatment. This second phase lasts for 28 days. Daphne and Dianne are the two nurses and they are just wonderful.

Tomorrow we are out there for 7.30am as G has to have a general for a lumbar puncture - chemo to the brain and her other chemo drug. Not sure how long we shall be there. Each time you go they take a blood test to check her levels so we shall see how they are as to when she will have to go out for some more transfusions. So far she is doing very well. She is looking great. Still has alot of hair. Just shows how much she started with as it is everywhere all the time.

We went to the two public schools that we were able to choose between given our current address and we have decided to send the girls to Pymble Public School. Cate starts tomorrow and is so excited. We have bought uniforms and school shoes to great excitment and Georgie is also really wanting to go as well so we shall see how the beginning of the week goes. We are still deciding which class she will go into. Cate will be in Year 3.

We have been car shopping and house hunting...... one much easier than the other. Shall keep you posted there.

It is wonderful to be back with Jill and Dave and to have seen the aunts and uncles and cousins last weekend. We had a lovely play with the Smiths last Saturday afternoon and looking forward to catching up with other friends over the next few weeks.

We have to get our clocks into Sydney time as the bedtimes are alittle out of whack. Late to bed but sleeping in so it does feel like we are on holidays (sort of...).

Michael is enjoying spending time with all of us - Bruiser is keeping us all on our toes. What an understatement!

I am doing fine. Still does not feel like we are back to live but I am sure that will change as some regular activities start up ... school, work...

We are missing our Dhaka "family" and all our buddies in Singapore who all took such wonderful care of us and helped and supported us in so many ways. We so appreciated everything that you all did and feel so fortunate to have such wonderful friends in our lives.

Not sure if this will work but shall try to post then perhaps I will need to get further instructions again... Lots of love Sally

Update from Sydney

The Seymour's left sunny Singapore last Wednesday night and headed home! After 3 1/2 years in Bangladesh, they are finally back in Sydney. Reports are they are all doing well but extremely busy setting themselves up. As you can imagine there is a lot to do! Visiting schools for both girls, buying cars, looking for a home and keeping up with hospital visits.

They are currently staying at Mike's parents' place waiting for furniture to arrive. The best way to contact them is via the blog so keep the messages coming.

Andrea
xx

The Seymour kids

This was taken on Tuesday 2nd March at Tanglin Mall in Singapore. The Seymours loved Cafe Beviamo - especially Georgie and they were there for one last bite before leaving for Australia last night.

Great to see/hear news from the Seymours! Georgie is looking good so I hope the medication will be gentle on her. I know the routine from past experience so I am thinking positive for all of you :) Here in BD life is as usual. Gym, work, home, etc. nothing really exciting, but that is OK. Erik, the ice cream man, had a big concert with his band the No CLUE?s and the Super Mad Cows at the Nordic Club on Thursday night followed by Shams and his band. It was a roaring success with a mad crowd of kids aged 2-13 break dancing in front of the stage and keeping the adults at a healthy distance. Not sure if that is what the club had planned but certainly I think the kids had their best night in Dhaka. Miss McKay, Elliott, Ward, Arestia and Mr Curley came to show their support from AIS/D - more power to them! Apparently there's a new concert planned for May so I guess Dhaka is rocking (well.....)

Take care/marielle

Three Days to Go in Singapore

It is hard to believe that we are only three days away from moving back to Australia to live! We have had a lovely couple of days getting to know each other again and catch up on some sleep after our dreadful Thursday night both in Singapore and in the air for Michael, Cate and Charles. Georgie had treatment on Friday morning and we are off tomorrow morning for the two procedures - bone marrow aspiration and the spinal needle as well as all the chemo drugs. Not sure if they will want to give her anything else. Wait and see. We may also meet Georgie's Sydney doctor tomorrow so that will be wonderful. Michael had an extremely busy five days in Dhaka - lots of hugs (apparently) and not alot of sleep but he survived and made it to the airport Thursday night with two children and a reasonable amount of luggage. He was not totally sure what was in his bags but that was the least of his concerns that night.

We leave after midnight on Wednesday night and arrive at about 11am on Thursday. We will get the children settled and then the three of us will head off to Westmead for orientation and then back the next day to start next phase of treatment.

We shall keep you all posted. Love Sx

Sal and Georgie

Photos

Kate has sent through a couple of recent photos. xx

Today was a lovely day

We had a lovely day together. Georgie had a good nights sleep (and so did I) and after a sleep in we pottered about for the morning. She wrote in her journal while I did some little chores and got organised. We had a lovely lunch with the girls. Just what Sally needed!!! And Kate kindly picked us up and delivered us home so we headed out for a walk later on when it is cooler. We met the Wigan ladies for coffee (and pizza) and Bent, our friend from Bangkok found us at Cafe Bev which was lovely. G and I then pottered around Orchard in between phone calls from Bangladesh. She is very nervous about her next trip to hospital tomorrow morning for another big round of chemo so we have to talk through this often. She is so good with taking her yucky Vit P (pill) but it is a bit of a process three times a day. Shall let you know how we go tomorrow. Sx

Singapore Update

Hello all,

A little news update on the Singapore and Dhaka front.
Lovely Georgie has managed to get control of the bacterial infection with the help of some good antibiotics and plenty of quiet time. The infection was traced back to her nose so it has been a warning of how susceptible she will be to air born bacteria.

I was hoping to send this update with the results of Tuesdays tests but no news as yet. George will be having a one chemo drug treatment this morning and Sally and Mike are hoping that it will be a short visit.

So far the chemo treatments have not had any adverse side effects but it is certianly leaving her very tired and without much energy. She is maintaining a healthy appetite (eating two serves of scambled eggs in one sitting yesterday morning) and keeping herself distracted with drawing and playing some one on one games with Sally and Mike in between big sleeps.

Catie is being very strong as the big sister in residence but aching with the loss of her everyday existence with Sal, Mike and buddy George. Catie and Charle's stand in parents, Sandy and Mark and their daughter Clancy are being absolutely fantastic and our thoughts are with them as they manage their new 5 member family life and create and keep the sunshine in Catie's, Clancy and Charles day. Huge thanks to them for the selfless support and help!!

At this stage the plan is for Mike to fly to Dhaka around the 22 Feb and finish up with the packing in readiness for a final departure on the 25. Mike's last day in Dhaka will involve managing a final hand over/board meeting (joy) and then emotional final farewells, before making his way to the airport with his treasured cargo, Catie and Charles!

Love to all,
Helen xo