Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Patience and strength


I shall probably get yelled at for that top image.

Some of you will already have a heads-up for this, and this be but an update. For others, I apologise for the blunt manner.

On Monday, my daughter had day surgery at Westmead to investigate a lump on her jaw and to do a biopsy. The results of the biopsy will be given to her next Tuesday at her next appointment, if not earlier. Mostly they call this a tumour or a cyst. It sits like an octopus draped over her left mandible, chewing through her jaw and her teeth. The jaw is paper thin and, in parts, non-existent. The surgeon remains confident it is not malignant. But is unable to identify it until the biopsy results are in.

Today I asked Kirsten if I might put this post up, and direct you to her own blog which she started yesterday. She is a stickler for objectivity and plain speaking. She could not find this anywhere on the web about what her 'condition' was, so decided that she would assist those who come after her.

Her blog is called Marsupial Mum. She explains why. You are welcome to leave her a comment, which she will try to respond to.

These photos were taken last Sunday arvo at the Union St playground in Paddo. Kirsten was trying to convince Alannah that she could come down the slippery-dip without holding her mother's hands. Needless to say, the child breezed down with flying colours.

6 comments:

diane b said...

How beautiful is the little one and courageous just like her mum and grandma to have to deal with such an awful illness at such a young age.

Winsome said...

Julie, I've just visited Kirsten's blog. This is such a shock. I'm not sure that I can find the right words, but just want to let you know that my thoughts will be with you all as you wait for the results -as no doubt will be the case for the rest of the small (or maybe not so small) community that shares your world.

Kay L. Davies said...

Alannah just gets cuter all the time, Julie. Hard to believe it's possible, but it's true.
I'm so glad Kirsten has started her own blog. It is an excellent way to deal with the horrible not-knowing period between test and result. Going to visit it now.
Luv — K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

freefalling said...

Sucks.
Big time.
Doesn't help when your Mum puts a photo of a close-up of your bum on the interwebs!!
At least it's a nice, little bum.

Hold tight.
Thinking of you.

Ann said...

Yes, it is a shock. I wish her (and you) strength, you've had such a lot to contend with lately.

brattcat said...

I can only echo the other comments, Julie. You, your daughter, your granddaughter, your entire family are in our thoughts. That gap between test and results is absolutely intolerable. I once asked a doctor how he would like to wait up to seven days for the results of what could be a life-threatening diagnosis. He just shrugged. But I've noticed our local hospital has made an effort to shorten that brutal waiting period.