Go JL Go!

Totally stunned! News just in - Jean-Luc has already raised enough for Tara to get a swimming leg! That is just so, SO awesome - it means she'll be able to stand in the shower & walk on the beach with us in the evening. WOW, thank you!

Lizzie and Zack - Tara's replied to your comments with her own comments - just click where yours are...

Dancing in the rain

It's been a nearly normal week. Tara's as cute as custard RACING around on her crutches - or running like a leopard on 3 legs (ie. crawling with one leg in the air - she competes against anybody who's willing to give it a go...and always wins). She's settled into a fab routine of making her bed every morning while hopping around on one foot - try it, it's exhausting (making a bed is tiring enough on two feet!). And last night she had a 'feeling' in her 'body' that she needed to draw a pic for her teacher - so she wrote a lovely message and did a divine pic - and today her teacher wrote her such a beautiful note saying that she's such a 'lucky teacher' to have Tara in her class & how special Tara made her feel - which is a real little gift Tara has - making other people feel special. The girls at school continue to be so lovely - bringing in a bandaged teddy on crutches, notes asking when Tara's "cool operation" will be so they can visit her etc.

Of course we still don't have the date for the op - Rosie at Reception was away today and lacking info yesterday. Ocasionally we get sooooo annoyed - but yikes, we're lucky to have such great medical facilities. Saw 2 such sad articles yesterday - about the number of homeless families in South Africa, and the sharp increase in child rape in Zimbabwe - and you just realise that really our children are blessed, as are we.

So while we wait we're learning heaps more - could now write an exam on endo- and exoskeletal prosthetics (altho' we're embarrassed to admit that we still don't know when it's correct to say 'prosthesis' and when to say 'prosthetic'!). And the month's delay has also given us time to see one last specialist before we go ahead. He's a friend of Philippa's in Melbourne, and renowned for his work with children. So Tone and Tara will fly down in 10 days' time to see him. We're sure he'll say the same as every other specialist has said, and we're very happy with our guy in Brisbane - but we'd kick ourselves if we didn't meet Phil's friend before the op - coz afterwards, it'll just be too late! (Thanks again Jean-Luc for helping make it happen! Pic today of JL during the triathlon last weekend.)

There are little things you learn about amputation that freak you out - like an amputated girl we met told us how she fell in the shower and her tibia pierced thro' her skin. Major pain! Major operation. And it's not just the painful things - but the dependency - two children we've met both mentioned how they have specially appointed aids that help them at school when they're too tired or too sore to move. That's not really the dream we had for Tara. We thought amputation = freedom! So...blah. BUT we are so totally aware that she will gain SO much more by having an amputation, and that having it will mean a LOT more freedom than not having it. But still - argh - she has such cute toes!

Heard a fab line on telly today - that having a child with an affliction is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but rather about learning to dance in the rain. And we have DANCED!!! And are still dancing! (Actually Tara's just hopped in, with her pyjama arms on her legs and is doing just that - dancing!) This one mum on the TV show also said how her biggest fear was that nobody would ever love her afflicted child as much as she did - and I remember us worrying about the same thing when Tara was a baby - but WOW - we couldn't have been more wrong. You guys have filled up our gorgeous little girl with SO much love, she genuinely bubbles! She is so adored by so many people. Just amazing. And she LOVES every message she gets - insists on reading them herself. She's promised to write something this weekend...after she's met her new Scottish penpal/e-pal on Club Penguin. New e-pal is daughter of fab UK author Fiona Gibson, writer of such books as 'The Fishfinger Years' and 'Mummy said the F-word!'.

Fab Prosthetic

Here's a great video of Gill Hicks putting on her prosthetic legs. This is the type of everyday (walking) prosthetic we'll aim to eventually get for Tara. Initially she's gonna be getting a horrible (archaic) one that you put on with a buckle or elastic wrapped around your upper limb. But afterwards we'll try for this - we met a 12-year-old girl who said her life changed for the better once she got one of these. And it's kinda James Bond-ish to take off - you press a secret spot on the leg, and voila - it pops out of the pin. Yikes - they've come a long way since the wooden ones when we were kids! And apparently tin before that! Jamie shared such a poignant story with us this week about his father having had a tin leg, after the Second World War - and how they would use it to play cricket with in the afternoons. After his father passed away, while he was still a child, he says he found it so disappointing to discover that other adult men didn't have that same special leg that he could play with.

So many people have shared their intimate stories with us - it's funny and such a cliche, but it really is true that everyone has a story (ok, maybe not everyone - some are dull, dull, dull; but most people!). And so often - we don't realise what people are going thro' - like yesterday at Alec's school, a beautiful music teacher whose sister is dying, got shouted at for something pathetic by a petty little man who had no idea. Quite a few people (clients or old friends who've never met the kids) have told us the same - that they had no idea about Tara. They say we "never mentioned it" - which is so funny coz we never meant to not mention it; it just never came up & there's SO much more to Tara that one forgets there's something different - we're always 100% happy to talk FOREVER about Tara & Jade & Cassie - there's nothing off limits and ANY question is welcomed.

OK - here's the video:

A First!

So divine - Jean-Luc came first in his age group in the Malaysia Triathlon on Saturday! (It's the race he dedicated to Tara). Wow and Congratulations! It was so exciting watching it on the internet with Louise and Julia (JL's wife and daughter). Julia brought Tara the most stunning cards that her whole class (including the teacher) had each made for Tara - filled with such lovely messages and gorgeous drawings. Thank You Julia's Class! We're going to decorate Tara's room with all the cards when she has her operation so they make her feel good!

For all those who've asked about supporting Jean Luc - his efforts are ongoing - he asks that any kind donations for Tara be sent to him at: JL & L Boulanger, 38 Ferrars Place, South Melbourne, VIC 3205, Australia. Cheques should be made out to Tara Panayis. It's been the kindest thing that Jean Luc has started this - because, as mentioned before, we would never have asked for anything - but for Tara's sake, it would be insane for us to not say thank you for any extra funds she can get. We look at our left legs now and go 'wow, this leg hasn't cost me a cent and it's lasted over 40 years!' while Tara's pretend legs will need replacing every 10 months or so...

A guy in JL's race, who's had an amputation himself, advised that it's best for the prosthetist to be present during the op - so we'll be talking to our specialist about that. Another interesting fact we've learnt is that the reason why amputees tend to suffer so much more during the heat (with swelling etc.) is that since we lose heat through our head and feet, one less foot means one less cooling mechanism! 

It never rains...

Tara's getting callouses on her hands from the crutches, and her knee was bleeding this morning from crawling over something sharp...and just in case that wasn't enough, she's now got tonsillitis! BUT she's as happy as a clam - the fairies visited last night (they always do around full moon) PLUS Julia, their schoolfriend from France, is here for the weekend with her mom - so the girls have been swimming all afternoon. Gorgeous endlessly sunny Queensland day. It's Julia's dad who is dedicating his Malaysia Triathlon to Tara tomorrow (see yesterday's entry).

You know - everyone's been so lovely to us and we're so appreciative - because we're very aware that virtually every one of you is going thro' something of your own that's either a loss or a challenge (or both) - so the fact that you've found the time to care about Tara is mindblowing. Thank you. 

French Friends, Fun & Funds

As mentioned yesterday, the dad of one of Tara's friends from l'Ecole Ponteil (her school in France last year) has made the most generous offer. He is dedicating his Ironman Malaysia triathlon on Saturday to little Tara (wow!), and raising funds for her new 'pretend legs'. He's giving a speech tonight (click here to download) and has also attached a short version of it in French and English if you'd like to pass on the information to anyone else.

Tara left an impression on Jean-Luc in Antibes last year when we were playing besides a freezing cold swimming pool, and a ball fell in. While we were all discussing who should be the one to get in the cold water - Tara just jumped in and did it.

JL's wife - a fab Melbournite - has also tracked down an extremely inspirational athlete, Sarah Reinertsen - who happens to have also had her left leg amputated at seven, and who Tara and the girls watched in awe on Amazing Race as she scaled the Wall of China etc. 

To follow Jean-Luc's race live you can visit: www.ironmanmalaysia.com.my/home.html His race number is 441 (and his name is Jean-Luc Boulanger).

It's funny. In the English world, 'the French' have this image of being arrogant - but in real life (well, in the South of France for definite) - you couldn't meet people with more warmth and soul. Apart from JL, there's Christine (the girls' former teacher, who's learnt a lot of very useful English from Desperate Housewives) - she sends us beautiful CDs that she compiles herself, messages of support that could hold up a rugby team, and so much more. Yesterday we received a postcard from her and signed by 'toute la rue' (the neighbours in the street that make up our Antibes family) including Wolfie who helps us with broadband in France (and feeds us champagne), Angie who makes fantastic coffee (!!) and Richard the doctor who still makes house calls in the middle of the night...and smiles! Novels and movies about gorgeous French communities like the one in Chocolat are no exaggeration!

Pics today of Tara doing handstand on Plage Ponteil in Antibes (still with brace) & the girls with Christine's funny and wonderful husband Jac on his birthday last year.

The Date

Um, still no definite date BUT bookings phoned to say they finally have all the necessary papers required to book the operating theatre etc. - now all they need to do is liaise with the various professionals required for the amputation, to find a date and time that suits all. They're aiming for sometime before end March.

Bit of a Bumpy Ride

Whew. Been a mega-week of info load (not overload coz it's all interesting and relevant for us). Meeting children with amputations (whose beautiful families welcomed us into their private space) was a major step closer to the reality of life ahead - where once part of the limb's gone, it's gone forever and you'll never be able to just step into a shower or jump out of bed and stroll down to the beach. But then we suddenly realised (well, Sian and a fantastic prosthetist reminded us) - Tara never has! We lift her in and out of the bath. She crawls into the shower. And she was only able to jump out of bed because she slept with her brace on. As they pointed out, we probably don't realise how many of the things ahead that are now worrying us are things we've already lived with for 8 years without thinking of them as problems (because they haven't been). 

So sure, life's gonna change and what that four-letter word 'hope' held for us - the hope that she'd one day walk on her own two limbs - will change too - to the hope that she has the freedom with prosthetics to do all the things she's never been able to do before - like run and skip and jump on a trampoline, wear two shoes and even wear jeans that we don't have to cut to fit around her bulky brace. And so much more.

So the week began a little heavily - with the visual realisation that Tara's leg will no longer end at her toes, and there was a definite moment (or more!) where we thought we're all gonna miss leggie loo so much we'd rather just keep it and Tara could use crutches forever! But then this amazing prosthetist from Sydney called and calmed us right down. What a beautiful, caring man. He can't make prosthetics for us because he's in NSW - but he still took the time to call us (I had emailed him) and talked us thro' EVERYTHING - like that trying to choose the 'best' prosthetic is like tryna choose the 'best car' - a Ferrari, for instance, isn't great for grocery shopping. He spoke about the importance of three things: comfort, function and form (how it looks) - and said we should relax, realise that the first prosthetics won't be perfect, not expect the 'Holy Grail', and use those initial ones as a benchmark for the improvements Tara needs next time around. He reminded us of everything she'll be gaining 'all things being equal' and gently put us back on track.

Prehab was prehab. The Chronic Pain Doctors (there were two) were less fearsome than their title; the physio was sick and absent this time around but the therapist was in - altho' she didn't amputate the doll (that'll come later)...but she did make a little book for Tara and a poster to take in for show and tell that goes thro' all the stages before and after amputation. And the girls laughed their heads off that Tara's gonna have to 'poo in a pan' during the first week in hospital. We met a gorgeous little girl who's just a year younger than Tara and lives nearby - also left handed and also loves crocs. And she wears a prosthesis on her left leg. The week was made infinitely easier by Shayne and Marco's hospitality in Brisbane, and Fiona cooking gorgeous meals & getting Tone into the Olympic pool nearby (healthy body, healthy mind blah blah blah).

Actually, talking healthy - a French friend of ours who's a triathlete has blown us away with his kindness - he's running in the Ironman Malaysia race this weekend, and is dedicating his race to Tara and raising funds for her prosthetics. It's something we would never, ever have asked for - but which will be such a HUGE help for Tara (especially if she can get the swimming prosthetic which would also allow her to then shower standing up!) that we could never let pride get in the way and say no, and instead can only say THANK YOU. We'll post some more details about it tomorrow.

Thank you EVERYONE for all your lovely messages!

Quickie

Whew. It's been a non-stop couple of days with rehab, meeting lovely kids with amputations etc. - a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. Will write more tomorrow - but just wanted to quickly update. Of course it's Tuesday and we still haven't been told the date. Maybe tomorrow? Tara's cool - she got a certificate award today for being such a great help during the swim carnival last week. Jadie and Cas got ribbons for doing so well in their races! And Fiona (who's up from Sydney) took them all for milkshakes this afternoon, and read them Madonna's new children's book tonight, The Adventures of Abdi, which the girls told us has a fab message that "everything that happens in life is for the best".

Tears, Cosmesis & Hicksville

Here are a few little pics & text Tara did for her drama class this week - which give a great indication of her self-image: she likes swimming and going on crutches and is good at running! (BTW - she's always drawn herself like this - with both legs wearing shoes - even tho' she's never worn 2 shoes in her life. She's never drawn the brace - not because she didn't like it, but it just doesn't factor as important in her life when she's so busy drawing, swimming, singing and playing!)

We had a lot of tears on Friday night - from beautiful Jadie - who's upset that she's not getting enough opportunities to help Tara at school coz all the other gorgeous kids are helping so much! But after lots of very open talking - all were smiling, hugging each other and happy...and so appreciative to be in such a lovely class of such kind girls.

Some of the school mums have been telling us such sweet stories about what their children are telling them about Tara - how they've learnt the name 'leggie loo'; how they know she loves leggie loo because she plays with her little toes in class all day (a novelty since the brace was removed); and how she says she can't wait for her 'pretend leg' so she can run fast.

Latest news on the op is that it'll be end March - we'll find out for definite (maybe!) on Tuesday. In the meantime, our research continues. A bit scary at times - finding out about infections and things that can happen after amputation - that it's like a marriage, where the wedding really isn't nearly as important as the many, many years of marriage afterwards. Likewise - it seems it's not like it's over and you can 'get on with it' after amputation. Apparently there are things to watch out for - for life - including no long soaks in a warm bath! But we've also found a lot of good news - like that there's a prosthetist in Sydney who supplies Heather's Cosmesis (thanks Filipa for link!) which is a fantastic silicon skin cover, made to match your skin tone, that Heather Mills helped develop - you pull it over your prosthetic so your two legs match. AND it allows you to paint your toenails totally normally! Costs thousands of course (just like all the good prosthetics) - but it's so fab to know Tara's dream of painting her nails can come true! (So yes please Dominique, Angelo and Jo - Tara would love that nail varnish kit in a few months' time!)

We've also made contact with a great company in Hicksville (who knew Hicksville was a real place!) in the US; and have discovered that Queensland's best prosthetist is actually here on the Gold Coast!

We're going up to Brisbane tomorrow to meet a young girl who's had an amputation; and on Monday it's our next pre-hab meeting - with the Chronic Pain Doctor, and the therapist who'll amputate a doll with Tara, Jadie and Cassie. 

Waiting, waiting

Haven't wanted to update coz we still have no news on when Tara's operation will be. Flo (or someone similarly named) at the Bookings desk has been sick...

But the delay has been great for us to do a lot more research eg. pre-hab told us they'll be teaching us how to bandage and re-bandage Tara's 'residual limb' (amputated leg) to prepare it for the prosthesis (with the warning that a lot is hinging on how well we do the job). They mentioned that adults get a special sock instead which is a lot easier and more reliable than constantly bandaging. We've now discovered in our research that in other countries (and maybe other states) children actually get them too. Called 'stretch socks' I think (oops - just looked it up - actually a 'shrinker sock'), and proven in studies to be a lot more effective. So we're onto that now - and will find a way to import some for Tara.

Similarly with prosthetics...so much more advanced stuff out there that we need to hunt down for her that'll let her skate and cycle and paint her toes! I've seen better toes on a Bratz doll than on the prosthesis we saw at pre-hab last week. (Just realised - Bratz dolls are probably preparing a whole generation of kids to be totally comfortable with yanking a prosthetic lower leg on and off, since that's how they work!).

Having fun in the meantime. Pic of SuperDad (he really is) taking Tara thro' the water tubes at the Sea World Resort this last weekend. (Thanks King K - and happy birthday!) We were more scared that Tone would get stuck in the tubes than worried Tara would hurt her leg!

Tara's Form Captain Award

Today all parents were invited to St Hilda's to congratulate all the girls who've been chosen to be leaders. The school wanted to honour the girls by presenting them with badges at chappel with parents present.

It was great to hear Tara's name called out and to watch her receive her badge. Biggest grin and so proud of herself as we were. She was a little lady on her crutches today - I wasn't sure if she was going to race on them as she usually does - we tend to close our eyes as she comes flying past us - she just does not know how to hold back.

We witnessed some amazing leaders and hope this inspires all our girls to become leaders too. Jadie and Cassie have you been inspired?

Dadda

Thanks

Thanks so much for all the fab messages of support regarding the possible delay in Tara's op. Particularly loved how Christine says "you were on the starting blocks, and now you realise - it's no longer for a sprint, but for a marathon"! It reminds me of the week before Tara was born - we watched a gardening programme and we thought "fab flowers, but argh - who has the time to wait a couple of weeks for them to start growing". And then Tara came along and there was nothing any doctor in the world could do for her until she was older - we had to wait. They said we were in for 'the long haul'. And even better than that - that there was nothing we could do while we waited. No physio (it's a boney condition), no special diet, nothing. And it's amazing how fantastic a life lesson that's been - human nature makes us want to be in control and feel we're doing something constructive, but as we've learnt (and are still learning!) sometimes you just have to wait. Instead of fighting, you have to succumb and accept and so we will ENJOY the wait; and enjoy the NOW.

The latest news on Tara's date is that her specialist will let us know on Tuesday if he can find a way to schedule her op for sooner. 

And Filipa, Filipa - you're an inspiration to all of us. You have a knack of taking the time to make every kid feel so special - when you, of all the mothers in the world, have an excuse to only have time for your own. I only hope that we can  be as good parents to ours as you are to yours!

Thursday stuff

It's been a great 24 hours. Tara shared her blog with the girls at school - and they sent her such beautiful messages. Thank you 3L!!!! My lovely mother who does SO much for us and with us (including - at the age of 70 - carrying Tara before she got her crutches) asked us - in total sincerity - if there was anything she could do to help, like she's not doing enough! (The pressie in the pic is a Claude Monet print of a painting he did from the chapel on the hill at Cap d'Antibes - one of our favourite places in the entire world, and where we lit candles for Paul last year.) And then we ended off the day with a FAB dinner at the Patons. Thanks A, S and the 'chix'!

Oh Blah

Found out this evening that maybe Tara's op will only be in 2 months time!!! ARGH! Feels like when you start a race and it's 'on your marks, get set...' - and we'd done that bit, braced ourselves, ready to sprint on 'go'...and now, blah,  back to the starting block...will find out more tomorrow.

In the meantime - Jase - your card to Jadie couldn't have been better timed, nor your message Filipa to Cassie - coz it's so important for them (and all children of course) to know and feel they're just as special and loved - which they so are! I remember a conversation with Cam about a brother and sister in similar circumstances where the sister carried resentment for life because she felt the family focus had only been on her brother. So we're very aware that the challenges ahead aren't just physical, but that it's also so important to ensure no child feels like her sibling's keeper, and that each is a star in their own right! So thank you for helping make sure nobody slips into the shadows and feels forgotten.

Some Comments

Please click on 'comments' below to read some of the lovely messages Tara's been getting...There are also some other messages already posted to entries below (just click on 'comments' below those entries). BTW - if you don't like the little window that opens - just click on the title to a blog and the page will show the entry and all comments for easy reading. To return to the main blog - just click on 2008 on the right hand side.

Tips on Blogs & Comments

For all who've asked about comments, here goes:

1. Below each blog entry you'll see 'Posted by Jen/Tone/CJ'; and next to it  'x comments'.

2. Click on 'comments' and a little window will open - where you can READ comments or POST your own. 

3. To post, type your message in the 'Leave your comment' field. (Scroll down if there are already messages.) 

4. Click on 'Nickname' and type your name OR click on 'Anonymous'. 

5. Click on 'publish your comment'. It will appear on the blog within hours.

6. To easily read comments, just click on a blog entry title (eg. Tomorrow, Tomorrow) - and the comments will appear below the entry. Click on 2008 on right hand side to return to main blog. 

Thanks Christine for beautiful pic of Tara in France last year!

Thank You...

We asked Tara if she was ready to post a message on the blog about her feelings regarding pre-hab and the forthcoming op. Here's what she typed:

"It is lots of fun. I am form captain of my class."

So maybe next time. BUT she has done a drawing this evening to say THANK YOU to everyone for their messages and thoughts, and a special thank you to the very kind friend/s who sent the 'for tara' gift anonymously...thank you, that's so generous, so thoughtful - and much appreciated...

Terrific Teachers!

This is to all my teachers I have had. They have all been very nice! My teacher this year knows all about Tara. She is very very nice! Her name is Mrs Richards. She says that I can talk to her about Tara whenever I want to. My last teacher was also very very nice! I hope I have good teachers for the rest of my school life.

Love Cassie

My friendship with Tara

Tara and I have so much fun together! We play with the littlest pet shop. Tara named her leg Leggie loo! So now that Leggie loo will be cut off the new leg will be cousin loo (Loo loo). I will miss Leggie loo. Tara is in grade three. I wish she was with my grade three teacher! But she has a very nice teacher too! Tara has a twin sister that she is close to. But her twin is always drawing. I know a lot of her friends at school. When Tara has to go to Brisbane on a school day I always come with her! Tara's twin LOVES school so she hardly ever comes! Tara LOVES carrots! She is a rabbit! Tara's favourite colour is pink.

Love Cass

Pre-hab Meeting

Thanks so much for all the GORGEOUS messages! Yesterday was fun - interesting, and a little frustrating because the main therapist was off sick, plus they still don't have a definite date for Tara's op - just that it's 2 or 3 weeks away. Argh!

But the pre-hab people are lovely (met them before) and they went thro' the amputation process in more detail - paying particular attention to the pain - apparently next time we'll get to meet The Chronic Pain Doctor - he's the guy who'll block the nerves to Tara's leg, amongst other things. 

The physio taught Tara a series of daily exercises to do (x 30) to build up her upper leg muscles so that she can keep her leg straight after the op - which is vital because apparently if you bend your knee after the op then you'll never be able to walk properly, if at all.

And we all got to touch and hold a couple of prosthetics for the first time ever - it's funny coz they come in a lot of fancy designs nowadays - like wallpaper - but really, it's a leg not a wall - so Tara made it quite clear that she'd prefer a skin coloured one. That's one of the things we love so much about Tara - she's one of the most creative humans you'll ever meet - but when it comes to her leg she's no pretender. Last year a (very expensive) paediatrician suggested that Tara should make up a story about having been attacked by a crocodile when people asked about her leg - and she just looked at him blankly and then said to us "why?" - so we told her it was quite fine to carry on telling the truth like she always had.

Also found out that Tara needs a different leg for the beach to the one she'll wear ordinarily. And she'll need to swim without any prosthetic.

The kids were in on all the discussions - altho' they did play NOISILY on the floor thro' some of it. So far Tara's handling so well - altho' she did creep into Jadie's bed in the middle of the night last night. She's always been scared to be alone (won't go to the other side of the house on her own) - but the waking up in the middle of the night only started when she was in hospital last month. So we're working with her on that.

Went to a FAB children's Andy Warhol exhibition after pre-hab - heaps of fun acting up a storm for the "15 seconds of fame" movies you can film there; throwing silver balloons in the air (Tara klapping them with her crutches!) & of course doing the cliche Warhol prints (see today's pic).

Drove back in the rain (Tone's promised we can train it next time!) - Brisbane's about an hour from here - and we went for yummy dinner at Gav and Vets' so that we (Gorgeous Tony) didn't have to get home late and cook! THANK YOU!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow

Tomorrow we begin Tara's rehab (or pre-hab as Lizzie calls it since it's the therapy bit before her op). We've been preparing the girls for the pre-hab all weekend - talking about how Tara will be sore after the op, that she'll have a stump and not to expect the new leg to be put on for a few weeks (thanks Christine!) and that it'll take her a while to learn to walk again.

We're all going to rehab together and gonna do as much of this as we can as a family rather than Tara not having her sisters to share in the experience. Cas wishes she could be in the operating theatre - she's fascinated, whereas Jadie couldn't think of anything worse - but she's really excited that she's gonna be able to help by massaging Tara's stump (which is vital after the op to best prepare it for the prosthetic fitting).

The Australian girl, Gill Hicks, who had a double amputation after being caught in the July 7 bomb blasts in London talks in her book "One Unknown" about how healing it was for her to visit her severed legs after she was discharged - so it'll be interesting to see what the therapists in rehab suggest for Tara - right now she's very keen to be able to see her leg afterwards. Of all her body - her Leggie Loo - and particularly where the bend is, is the part of herself she loves so much. Luckily she's healthy enough to love her entire body! But it is so great that there's never been a resentment or negative feeling about this part of herself. She's embraced it and known that this is how God made her and she, and we, would never have wanted her to have been born any other way. One of the greatest inspirations for Tara has been a 'mermaid' girl in South America who appeared on Oprah - this little girl's legs were fused together when she was born - and her dad just spoke with such love about her and how special she was, how God had individually designed her and had a plan for her etc. - and Tara really took that on board about how lucky she was and is, and what a gift she'd been given.

So the real work kinda begins tomorrow - rehab, 2 weeks of Tara taking the medication to diminish the effects of phantom limb pain, the op and rehab after that.

It's been a fantastic weekend getting ready for it - a friend of ours, who's travelling through Africa at the moment, spent Friday night here with his daughter (he's taken just a quick detour to Australia between west and east Africa!) - lovely night, many conversations.

And Saturday night was similar - talking till deep into the night over fab cous cous Tone made - with Jeff and Jen. And then today - Sunday - the girls all had birthday parties and play dates with gorgeous school friends all day - so we'll drive to Brisbane tomorrow, coming from a very happy place...and ready and willing to go to this new exciting place...

Tara's Left Foot

We're so used to seeing Tara wearing her brace  - that it's been fun these last few weeks to see her leg out and about at the pool! 

It's been great for her too - to actually feel the grass with her foot, to tap her toes, or wiggle her foot - because for the past 7 years (since she was 5 days old), her leg has always been protected - and thereby hidden - by the brace. 

Extra news: Tara's been voted Form Captain, along with another girl, in her class!  Go Tara, go, go, go!

Back to School

The girls started school again on Wednesday - after 2 month holiday. Tara and Jade's class is upstairs (typical!) - and the stairs are pretty scary - a series of panels rather than a solid staircase BUT Tara's doing just fine. Jadie and other friends in her class are carrying her bags and she's either using her crutches (which fills you with such pride when you see her getting on with it) or her friend holds the crutches and she goes down on her bum (or 'bottom' as they say in Australia where apparently the word 'bum' is rude!).

The kids are amazing - rallying around to help. So different to the girls' last school. Different values. And the parents are the same.  So kind and thoughtful. Many have offered to help in any way possible while we're in and out of hospital. It's funny coz there's nothing sad about Tara's forthcoming op - it's exciting - but when people are kind - that's when the tears come to your eyes - when you feel the pure goodness in other people's hearts. It's like crying when you watch someone win at the Olympics - it's witnessing somebody being the very best they can possibly be. And Tara's situation definitely brings out the absolute best in so many people. It's a privilege to experience.

Onto Crutches

After almost a month of carrying Tara everywhere - or her hopping on one foot - she's now on crutches. The hospital gave her a quick lesson on going up and down stairs, which goes something like this: 'good goes up to heaven; bad goes down' - which is meant to mean that when she goes up stairs - good leg goes first; and when she goes down stairs - the 'bad' leg goes first. Bit of an awful analogy since Tara's never considered Leggie Loo a 'bad' leg. 

She was also taught the special art of leaning these horrible wooden crutches against your ribs rather than under your arms which can lead to blocked vessels etc. But after two days of her doing it perfectly - her ribs were bruised and aching, and she was getting callouses on her hands. So - YAY - we've traded them in for the more evolved light silver ones (aluminium?) which Gav recommended after his own experiences last year when he snapped his Achille's tendon.