AIDAN'S DIARY - JANUARY 2000

01-Jan-2000

Awoke to the new year and new century at Uncle Vincent and Aunty Judy's hobby farm in Darling Downs (near Armadale). Aidan and Caitlin helped feed one of the horses. Aidan, Aunty Liz, Neil and Dad hit Cottesloe beach (a favourite haunt of Dad's) in the late afternoon for some surf and sand. Aidan was in raptures. He lerves the beach and the Big Ocean. Need to spend more quality time in the salt before summer runs away.

- Dad

02-Jan-2000

The fun never stops. More radio therapy for Aidan.

- Dad

05-Jan-2000

Aidan and Caitlin's Chariot - Chauffeur bike trailer arrived. Mum took Aidan for treatment and then Dad whisked Aidan and Caitlin away later in the day for a cruise around the block. They thought the ride was most choice. Look here for more details.

- Dad

09-Jan-2000

A perfect Sunday. Headed into the city with the little people, Matthew (an old friend of Dad's), bikes and Chariot trailer. Rode a loop around the Swan River starting at Burswood Casino, along the South Perth foreshore, along the Perth foreshore and then back to Burswood. Turned a good many heads with the trailer as there are very few bike trailers around Perth.

- Dad

09-Jan-2000

Start of the last week of radio therapy. Next week is the start of a 6 week break from any treatment. Aidan will also be attending pre-school at Walliston Primary this year and attending where possible.

- Dad

14-Jan-2000

Last day of radio therapy at Sir Charlie Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) for the forseeable future. Olay ! There will be an MRI in a few weeks to check the tumour site.

- Dad

14-Jan-2000

Last batch of chemo therapy (vincristine) for this treatment cycle. Aidan will have 5 - 6 weeks of R&R before getting back on the cart. If you're a Monty Python fan, you'll appreciate the context. This year and early 2001 will be taken up with consecutive cycles of chemo drugs. Aidan returned home from hospital wanting to play with somebody. Most somebodies were unavilable, but we were fortunate enough to find the good company of Jarad (5) and Jessica (2), the nephew and niece of Lincoln, an old friend of Dad's and TaeKwon-Do partner since the beginning, way back in 1988.

- Dad

14-Jan-2000

Headed down to Cottesloe beach with Big James, Big Matthew and Aidan for more sand time. The wind had picked up and were sandblasted on the way to and from the waves. Didn't matter. Aidan had a wonderful time frolicking in the brine. He wasn't so happy about drinking the stuff though. He made quite the sight in his nifty swim suit, green goggles and yellow floaties. The next trip may require Caitlin.

- Dad

20-Jan-2000

Took Aidan and Big James down to the coast for a ride between Swanbourne and Cottesloe beaches with an ensuing refreshing cool-down in the briny blue. Big James bumped into an old acquiantance, Susannah Carr (Perth TV presenter), en-route. Who doesn't James know ? Not sure yet. Aidan forgot his swimsuite in favour of his birthday suit, but retained the familiar green goggles and yellow floaties. This beach thing could almost be habit forming. Almost.

- Dad

21-Jan-2000

Aidan and Caitlin spent the day with Opa.

- Dad

25-Jan-2000

Grandma (aka. Ganma) took Aidan to see Dr. Baker at PMH for his newly aquired wheeze. He has been wheezing a bit over the past few days and it spiked today. I suspected asthma, a family heirloom, but Dr. Baker informs us the radiation caused some swelling at the back of Aidan's throat. Considering that the skin at the back of his head and on his ears looks sunburnt and is peeling, a sort throat comes as no surprise. Aidan has also lost a lot of weight since beginning treatment and is a borderline case for malnutrition. A dietician at the hospital recommended dietary supplements to fatten him up. We'll see how that progresses.

Aidan has taken to sitting in the front passenger seat in his booster chair when the opportunity arises. Thus it was that he rode to PMH in the front seat. On the return leg, Grandma informed Aidan that she was collecting Opa from work, Aidan was displeased with the possibility of being relegated to the back seat and commented that Opa should catch the bus home.

Grandma then informed Aidan that she would sit in the back seat. Aidan retracked his earlier statement and declared that it was OK to collect Opa from work. One must wonder if Copernicus knew of Aidan-centric when he constructed his stellar models.

- Dad

26-Jan-2000

Took Aidan for another lap around the Swan River in the trailer in the company of Big Matthew. It was a glorious day for a ride, but it was also Australia Day when a modest proportion of Perth's populace decorates the Perth and South Perth foreshores in preparation for the annual Australia Day fireworks. We had quite an interesting time wading through people along the bike path, some sober and others quite legless. Despite the crowds it was a great way to spend the afternoon. We fled before too many people made our return passage impassable.

- Dad