Rosie's big day

Rosie's big day started bright and early with dropping Sophie off at Greer's house just before 8 so Griff (Greer's dad) could get her to school. Jessye took the day off to give Rosie moral support. Arriving just after 8 at Peter Mac, Rosie, Jessye, Peter and Wilma settled into the children's waiting room while the team gave their machines a final check. Video games, Shrek 2 and a game of snakes and ladders kept the girls occupied until their call came just before 9.

Then it was down to business. Having the dress rehearsal a couple of weeks ago meant there were no big surprises but Jessye, who was seeing it all in person for the first time, was impressed by how scary it was and how brave Rosie was. Rosie chose Carnie the lion to be her companion for the procedure. Sue, Amber and Chris were the technical team with a couple of Monash University students hovering around the control centre where Chris, Amber and a couple of computers drove the machine.

After several tries and minor adjustments of position using the plastic space helmet to check that measurements matched up with last time, they were happy to proceed and Rosie was securely locked in. The radiation was given in 8 short doses of about 2 minutes each with each beam being delivered from a different direction. The huge machine rotates from being right over her to almost right under her and the bed turns and glides on a part of the floor like a turntable. Every one had to leave the room while the machine was actually on and then one or more of the technicians plus Wilma would come back in while the machine and the bed were adjusted for the next beam. Peter and Jessye kept themselves amused. While the treatment was being delivered Rosie listened to - very loudly to penetrate the two ear-thingies jammed into her ears - the NZSO's recording of Babar the Elephant. Outside the room the loud, dramatic bits were a bit of a novelty for the team.

At the control desk under a glass panel there were two screens showing two different views of Rosie in the room so we could watch her during the treatment.

After four doses had been delivered (she had been still in the frame for about 45 minutes already) Rosie started to get a bit uncomfortable and fidgety with her feet and legs. She took her shoes off at the next break and Sue encouraged her to keep the wriggles for when the machine was off. After five doses she'd really had enough and was starting to get a bit trembly in the lower lip but Wilma and Sue gave her lots of encouragement and Rosie dug deep and held it all together for another 10 or so minutes. By the time she was released from the frame she had regained her composure and quite calmly walked out. Jessye tried on Rosie's souvenir mould.

Then it was back to the waiting room and another game of snakes and ladders while waiting for the nurse to front up with a follow-up appointment - June 29. On the way home Rosie said she had a headache so after dropping Peter off at work, the girls went home and Rosie had Panadol. They had warned that she might have a headache from the tightness of the frame and also later from the swelling caused by the treatment.


Rosie seemed to recover and wanted Yum Char so the girls headed off to Chinatown followed by a small burst of retail therapy (Rosie needed a present for a birthday party coming up soon).

On the way back to the car Rosie's headache returned and seemed worse - Wilma recognised this as a swelling-related one so she called Greg Wheeler (the head paediatric man at Peter Mac who is in charge of Rosie's case) and he prescribed 6ml of Dexamethasone (the steroid Rosie had back in Feb which was still in the fridge and still good). After that and more Panadol Rosie had a sleep on the sofa with Barney and Fred who are sporting cones round their heads at the moment to stop them from licking their stitches, having two days ago suffered the unkindest cut. She slept for a couple of hours and when she woke up the headache had gone. If she needs more tonight she may have another 3 mls before bed.

All three girls had a bubble bath (in the same bath at the same time!) and lounged in PJs awaiting Rosie's request, takeaways from the Scottish restaurant for dinner. Fortified by three hamburgers Rosie voluntarily took to the piano - she's excited about learning the theme from the Simpsons that Ching Ling gave her at her last lesson.

The blog will be updated more regularly for a little while to follow Rosie's progress and next time will feature some of the last two weeks' events as well. Congratulations Rosie for a massive achievement of strength and courage!