Cure our kids, which is the charity that Seth's school supported with their head shave have given our family two really special days out. Firstly we were invited to a day on a boat out at Pittwater. We could not believe it when we were walked up to a 55 foot luxury yacht with 3 crew members. Seth was told that whatever he wanted to do, we would do it. When we were all loaded on, we sailed around Pittwater. Seth had a ball standing at the bow of the boat enjoying the freedom. He really is so at home on a boat, I think he might have salt water running through those veins. We pulled up into a little bay and anchored in to enjoy a swim. Seth was allowed to invite some friends for this experience and he had a ball running up to the bow of the yacht and jumping in the water with his friends. We had the yacht to ourselves and were given a hamper of food to share. After about an hour or so of swimming and diving and bombing we all reluctantly got out of the water. We couldn't believe it when our skipper pulled out a hot shower off the back deck for us to wash off with. The sails were hoisted and slowly we made our way back. We got to experience the way a yacht leans when the wind catches the sails as we sat at the bow and enjoyed the cooling breeze whizz past. It would have to be the most peaceful, relaxing day of my life. When we returned, we were greeted with cool drinks,a bbq lunch and a laze on the grass by the water. Needless to say, we all slept well that night. (Photos posted at the end).
Our second invite, came just two weeks later, when 20 lucky families were invited to a special extreme sports day. We turned up to a farm on the edge of the Nepean River for a day that was in honour of a little boy who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 5. So many activities were on offer, we weren't sure where to start. Seth wanted to ride on the harley's first, so we lined up and Brett, Taylah and Seth got a tour on a harley. The kids got to sit in a fire engine and blast the siren and knock over a stick with water from the fire hose. There were speedway cars for the kids to sit in, a big red army tank, which we unfortunately ran out of time to get in. We went down by the waters edge and had a ride in a speed boat, rides on jet skis and then we were called for the main event. This was a helicopter ride for everyone. Our family was split into two different helicopters and Seth got to sit up the front and was apparently keeping everyone entertained by singing into his headset. We got to do turns in the sky and hover over the river and basically had a blast. It took a long time to wipe the smile off all of our faces.
When we got back we were whisked down to the marquee for a sit down lunch of steak, seafood and salad. They then drew a raffle for someone to have a ride in the fastest bridge to bridge boat in Australia. We could hardly believe it when they pulled Seth's name out of the hat. His face just beamed. He couldn't eat his lunch fast enough. Once lunch was finished, Seth got suited up for his big ride. They put the boat in the water and did a couple of laps past in the boat and when Seth saw that the only thing in the water was the propeller he started to get a little nervous. Luckily for Brett, he got to cuddle Seth in the boat. They put their helmets on, and Seth was given a bag with some keepsakes in. Off they went on their speedy way in the fastest boat in Australia with everyone on the banks of the Nepean clapping for them. You can't buy experiences like that. They made Seth feel really special that day. The families around us were just so happy to see someone else have that special experience. It blows my mind, how there is so much goodness around. Not alot of people get to feel what it is like to be surrounded by such kindness and goodwill. It is an amazing thing to experience. Out of bad, comes so much good. After the big boat ride, Brett got a turn on his own and the driver went flat out and read the speedo and they got faster and faster. Brett said they got up to 120 miles an hour and still continued to go quicker. It was a day we will never forget.
The kids then had a great time swimming in the river, Taylah had about another 6 jetski rides and I got to enjoy a neck and shoulder massage whilst drinking a flute of champagne and ending with a drumstick icecream and a gift of beauty products.
We were called once more to the marquee to say goodbye, where we were all given gifts. I received a beautiful flower arrangement, Brett a bag of chocolates and goodies, the girls and Seth got a bag full of goodies and teddies and Seth got a board game and a clock as well.
We went home, fat and happy and extremely exhausted.
Back to reality... Seth had a blood test on Monday morning. It was his first since his central line had been taken out. They put the magic numbing cream on his arm to ease the pain, but he was just so scared. He cried and fought and refused to let them take the blood. We tried to convince him that it wouldn't hurt but he was just too upset to listen. Unfortunately, he had to be held down with force by 4 nurses to have his blood taken. It wasn't wanting to come very easily, so she had to jiggle it around a bit, which in the end of course hurt him. It was hard for him, and it was hard for me. He cried all the way home and begged to stay home from school because he felt sick and had bad stomach pains. So, I took him straight home to rest. He has to have a blood test weekly. I can only hope it is not like this every time. His counts were high enough to start chemo, so he is now on chemotherapy tablets 7 days a week for the next year and a half.
Our second invite, came just two weeks later, when 20 lucky families were invited to a special extreme sports day. We turned up to a farm on the edge of the Nepean River for a day that was in honour of a little boy who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 5. So many activities were on offer, we weren't sure where to start. Seth wanted to ride on the harley's first, so we lined up and Brett, Taylah and Seth got a tour on a harley. The kids got to sit in a fire engine and blast the siren and knock over a stick with water from the fire hose. There were speedway cars for the kids to sit in, a big red army tank, which we unfortunately ran out of time to get in. We went down by the waters edge and had a ride in a speed boat, rides on jet skis and then we were called for the main event. This was a helicopter ride for everyone. Our family was split into two different helicopters and Seth got to sit up the front and was apparently keeping everyone entertained by singing into his headset. We got to do turns in the sky and hover over the river and basically had a blast. It took a long time to wipe the smile off all of our faces.
When we got back we were whisked down to the marquee for a sit down lunch of steak, seafood and salad. They then drew a raffle for someone to have a ride in the fastest bridge to bridge boat in Australia. We could hardly believe it when they pulled Seth's name out of the hat. His face just beamed. He couldn't eat his lunch fast enough. Once lunch was finished, Seth got suited up for his big ride. They put the boat in the water and did a couple of laps past in the boat and when Seth saw that the only thing in the water was the propeller he started to get a little nervous. Luckily for Brett, he got to cuddle Seth in the boat. They put their helmets on, and Seth was given a bag with some keepsakes in. Off they went on their speedy way in the fastest boat in Australia with everyone on the banks of the Nepean clapping for them. You can't buy experiences like that. They made Seth feel really special that day. The families around us were just so happy to see someone else have that special experience. It blows my mind, how there is so much goodness around. Not alot of people get to feel what it is like to be surrounded by such kindness and goodwill. It is an amazing thing to experience. Out of bad, comes so much good. After the big boat ride, Brett got a turn on his own and the driver went flat out and read the speedo and they got faster and faster. Brett said they got up to 120 miles an hour and still continued to go quicker. It was a day we will never forget.
The kids then had a great time swimming in the river, Taylah had about another 6 jetski rides and I got to enjoy a neck and shoulder massage whilst drinking a flute of champagne and ending with a drumstick icecream and a gift of beauty products.
We were called once more to the marquee to say goodbye, where we were all given gifts. I received a beautiful flower arrangement, Brett a bag of chocolates and goodies, the girls and Seth got a bag full of goodies and teddies and Seth got a board game and a clock as well.
We went home, fat and happy and extremely exhausted.
Back to reality... Seth had a blood test on Monday morning. It was his first since his central line had been taken out. They put the magic numbing cream on his arm to ease the pain, but he was just so scared. He cried and fought and refused to let them take the blood. We tried to convince him that it wouldn't hurt but he was just too upset to listen. Unfortunately, he had to be held down with force by 4 nurses to have his blood taken. It wasn't wanting to come very easily, so she had to jiggle it around a bit, which in the end of course hurt him. It was hard for him, and it was hard for me. He cried all the way home and begged to stay home from school because he felt sick and had bad stomach pains. So, I took him straight home to rest. He has to have a blood test weekly. I can only hope it is not like this every time. His counts were high enough to start chemo, so he is now on chemotherapy tablets 7 days a week for the next year and a half.
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