I know this is a bit general, but we are overwhelmed by the generosity and thoughtfulness of just about everyone around us.
Our many thanks to all the people who have come in to our house and cleaned, mown lawns, stacked dishwashers, mopped floors, hung clothes, vacuumed, supplied meals, played with Josh, brought Geoff coffee, and were generally around to support us in such practical ways. Special thanks to our "morning angels", Grandma Christine, Brenda Stines, and Susan Wilson who came to our house at 6am to cook Joshua and Kessia bacon and eggs and pancakes, but more importantly, give them a good dose of attention while Geoff and I slept in.
Geoff and I have nothing but the utmost respect for the wonderful team of
professionals who guided us through our week at SCH. Their compassion was
evident from the start. Their knowledge, understanding, warmth and caring
carried us through the darkest period of our lives to date.
Geoff thought we'd be churned through the medical machine and spat out the other end. Instead, we were met by individuals who, without fail, touched us in some way. Their humanity enabled us to carry ourselves with dignity, and we can look back on that week and feel proud of the way we represented Kessia. As I recall saying to my sister, "It's amazing what you can do when you truly love someone".
Paediatric Neurology
Dr Paddy Grattan-Smith
Dr Helen Young
Dr Kylie Yates
Dr Yu-san Tang
Paddy and Kylie headed Kessia's team and we couldn't have been in better hands. To Dr Paddy, thank you for treating us as intelligent parents. We valued your opinion and candidness, and even the "bad" jokes --- they made Kessia groan when nothing else could get a response :-). To Kylie, thank you for your availability and gentleness. It was lovely to have had you as our main contact.
Kessia's carers in Ward C1 North
Sarah Norris
Hayley Haowe
Margot Morrison
To all the beautiful nurses of C1N --- you're wonderful! Thank you for providing Kessia and ourselves with thoughtful care around the clock. Our heartfelt thanks, too, for lighting up our days when at times that seemed impossible. Special thanks to Sarah and Hayley who made Kessia smile with their own brand of sweetness.Radiology To Dr Bob Smee, we owe a huge thank you for your patience when time was of the essence. And nothing can beat a Dr Bob hug --- their unexpectedness and strength touched us both greatly.
Oncology Dr Richard Cohn
Dr Melissa Gabriel
To Dr Cohn, thank you for your compassion and caring in delivering such bad news to us, and for the continual concern you showed during our week at SCH. Melissa, thank you for treating Kessia normally, and for your straightforwardness with us too. It was appreciated.
Anaesthetics
To Dr Abrahams, thank you for taking the time to explain the options available to us. At least we felt we tried, and you helped give us that opportunity for which we are most grateful.
Social Work Pat Hansen, thank you for taking us on and trying to help us in some very practical ways. Your efforts were appreciated.
Counselling Su Higgins, thank you for your gentle guidance and for driving down from Sydney to continue to counsel us. You are helping us contemplate the unthinkable.
We have several people in Canberra we wish to formally thank for their part in Kessia's story.
Dr Joan Buchanan
Dr Joan Buchanan has been Geoff's family's GP for some 20 years and took me and the kids on as we came along. Dr Buchanan has cared for Kessia since she was born and understands Kessia's need to trust someone before she will allow them to treat her. Joan retired while we were in Vanuatu but has made herself available to us and is helping in whatever way we need.
Dr Mary Langtry
On 10 October I wrote: Our very new and current family doctor, Dr Mary Langtry, has in the space of one week, endeared herself to us. We look forward to Mary filling Joan's big shoes.
Today, 13 November I write: Words cannot express our true gratitude for having Mary as our doctor. We cannot think of anyone who would have been more perfect for us in this role. In fact, Mary took on several roles for us, namely friend, counsellor, support person and general stabilizer when we were at our most anxious. Mary is caring and compassionate. She was natural with both Kessia and Joshua, and gained their trust instantly. We too placed our trust in her, and have coped all the better for having done so.
Geoff and I know we have received lots of little blessings during Kessia's illness. Mary is one of our biggest.
The Canberra Hospital
To Dr Paul Jenkins, who got the ball rolling for us so to speak, and his colleagues at TCH, a huge thank you for recognising the seriousness of Kessia's illness and making arrangements to speed us along the path to discovery.
Campbell Primary SchoolWe'd like to thank the staff and students of Campbell Primary, especially Kessia's friends in Class 2M. Although Kessia was at the school for a relatively short time (about 4 weeks all up) the support from the school community has been wonderful. The Student Representative Council and teachers fund-raised for Kessia, getting students to buy icecreams and donate a gold coin to see a concert performance. They raised over $500! We thank them for their thoughtfulness and energy.
And to Mrs Morris and Class 2M, thank you for the wonderful picture quilt you made for Kessia. It was lovely to read your memories and little stories about Kessia as your classmate. She enjoyed your class and really wanted to come back for a visit when she was sick, but wasn't able to. I'm sure she was wanting to see you all because she loved school so much. Thank you for being such nice friends for Kessia.
Donators to Kessia's fundraiser, 10 November 2002
A fundraiser was coordinated by Joanna and Reg Thornhill, on behalf of the band Exhibit A (Kessia's uncle, Mirko Kesak is the keyboard player). It was held at the Hungarian Australian Club on 10 November 2002 and raised $1,600 for Kessia's fund.
Geoff and I want to acknowledge the effort and kindness shown by all those involved. We are particularly touched by the fact that people we did not know went to such trouble for us. Thank you from our hearts.
We would like to express our many thanks and appreciation to the organisations who helped support this day:
ACT Telephones
Anthony PriceDulux Australia (Adam Hockey)
Exhibit A
First Choice Butchery, Charnwood
Griffin Promotions
Haig Restaurant
Hungarian Australian Club
IGA Supermarket, Charnwood
Image Within
It's Party Time
Just Snaks
Kandi Doz It
Little Smoke
Magnet Mart
Rustic Hairdressers
The Rug
Tiny's Painint Services
Tip Top Bakeries
Video Ezy, Charnwood
Wattyl Paints (John Twohill)
| Updated 15 November 2002 | Site hosted at immir.com. |