More ups and downs….

Well – today has been another rollercoaster ride – all in one day.  Firstly – good news – our home has definitely been refinanced – so we will be able to pay off all the incidental bits and pieces that we owe, WIll can do his course, and we will be able to live more comfortably!

Secondly – Maceknzie had her weekly check-up with  her paediatrician today.  Whilst we were there Dr L phoned her cardiologist (Dr G) to get the low down.  I’m afraid it’s not good.  Dr G (the top cardiologist that we can have) has never seen a case like Mackenzie’s ever!  She has lot of thickening of the heart muscle in both the right and left ventricles.  The closest we can get to naming it (but it’s not what Mackenzie has!) is Hypertrophy Obstructive Cardio Myopathy.  Yes – sounds big.  Is big.  Major heart surgery required.  She will have an MRI first to explore.  Then a catheter procedure to explore some more.  Then open-heart surgery to scrape away the excess muscle. A very tricky operation – since the muscle will be ‘relaxed’ , and it will be difficult to judge the amount of tissue that needs to be removed.  Three-odd days in intensive care, then 10 days or so in hospital. 

You know what – I was feeling okay about it all until just now.  Now that it’s on paper – it seems more reas, and I have big crocodile tears emerging from my eyes.  My poor ;ott;e girl.  She is so strong, robust and ‘huge’ (Dr L’s term!)  We have no idea of a time frame at present – could be ages away – who knows.  What we do know is that she is a strong little thing, and is a fighter.  She can get through this.  To look at her – you would NEVER know that anything is wrong.

Look at those big blue eyes.  Please – all those people that pray – please think of my little Mackenzie.

Onto much happier things.  Look what I am now the proud owner of (well – when the order comes in!).

How happy am I.  A Canon EOS 350D.  we got  THE most amazing deal. Twin lens kit (18-55mm and 75-300mm), a 1GB Card, a tripod / camera bag pack, an RC remote control and 2 year extended warranty for well under $17000.  Very very happy.  I cannot wait to get started.  Unfortunately there are no silver bodies in stock – so I have the black body – all fine!  It’s all on order from Canon – hopefully next week it’ll come in!  thanks to the house refinance – otherwise there would be no digital SLR for me for a long long time!  Now I have to figure out how to use the thing!  Anyone got any photography books for me?!

Nearly forgot – I have a layout of sorts to share!  I LOVE Christy Lyles tagbook tresure’s kit – you MUST check it out.

Crediits – Christy Lyle’s TAGBOOK TREASURES Kit – tag book, staple, paper clip and twill ribbon.  My BIRTHDAY BASH kit – green tag paper and felt flower.  The peg and dirty notepaper are also mine!

We had a big day today – as I’m sure you can tell.  Amongst it all – Madison had a couple of little mates over this morning.  They played so well together.  No whining and groaning at all.  The little boys are twins – Charlie and Ed – and they a pretty cool!  It’s not too bad having 4 children in the house at once!  I took ‘em all to the park, and they had a great old time, until Ed fell off the play equipment – he now has a super-sized bruise on his head.  Poor fellah!

Righto – I think I have rambled on enough for now.  Enjoy your evening.  Oh OH OH – thanks to everyone who wished me Happy Birthday, and left comments regarding the Birthday Bash Kit!  I hope you all enjoy it!  Remember to let me see your layouts!

Hey hey – who is up for a weekly blog challenge?  I hvae a couple of ideas running through my head.  Of course there will be a prize in it for you!