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Backing the Bartletts

  • 3 Weeks PM (Post Microwaving)

      17 October 2020

    Here’s a little bit of an insight to what’s happening with the Bartletts at the moment xx

    It's now been almost 3

    weeks since my final radiation treatment in Christchurch. When they said "you'll feel tired for a few weeks..." I did not anticipate the absolute exhaustion that's happening. I'm able to walk around 200 meters before I need to sit and rest, anything cognitive like writing lists, organising Ruby and everyday domestic stuff is a bit of a challenge and is requiring loads of patience from all three of us.

    I had a telephone appointment with my oncologist this past Tuesday afternoon, I have six more days of steroids to get through and a few more weeks of the grotty painkillers before we start tapering them off. It will be interesting to see what reality feels like once the drug haze has gone, I'm definitely nervous of the pain as I've not really been able to get on top of it.

    My oncologist also explained that we need to wait four months before they can get a new picture, via MRI, of what has been achieved/not achieved. There would be no point scanning now as it's probably not going to give us a clear idea, the old brain needs more time to settle and heal.

    She also reminded me not to compare this to my breast cancer radiation, on the radiation intensity scale it doesn't get worse than brain microwaving which means being patient, not pushing myself and trying to let my body have the time it requires to start healing.

    That's really all the informative we have for now, as we find out about the outcome of treatment and future treatment plans we will let you all know.

    Thank you so much for your continued support and messages of love and hope.

    We truly appreciate each and every one of you.

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  • Half way there

      8 September 2020

    A message from Sarah 💟

    Half Way Home

    Nathan, Ruby and I continue to be so humbled and grateful for your support, kindness and healing thoughts.

    We have reached halfway, 3 weeks to go. Radiation therapy is cumulative so side effects unfortunately do not diminish after treatments, in fact they peak 2 to 3 weeks after daily treatment finishes so the next 6 weeks are going to test our grit that's for sure.

    Last week we learnt that my hair loss will be permanent, in the grand scheme of it all it feels like a reasonable exchange, life has no price tag.

    Covid-19 restrictions are a challenge while staying at Daffodil Lodge with 99% of people I see being medical so reading back through the wonderful messages of support is keeping spirits up.

    Lots of love

    Sarah, Nathan and Ruby

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  • Overwhelming support

      1 August 2020

    I have been talking to Sarah on the daily & have a real sense of relief, appreciation and the upmost love for you all, the support you have all shown them is mind blowing but doesn’t come as a surprise as they are such an amazing wee family! ❤️

    Thank you so much

    Here is a little something from Team Bartlett .....

    On behalf of Sarah, Nathan and Ruby:

    "We are completely humbled and blown away by the generosity shown by you all. To say we are grateful beyond words simply doesn't do justice to the love and support that has been shown to us all but especially to Sarah. There have been many tears reading your messages of support. We couldn't imagine dealing with the challenges of the past few years in any other community.

    Much love Sarah, Nathan and Ruby

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