Jack's new wheelchair

Here is a post I've been meaning to do for a while so it's a bit long overdue.  Jack has finally got his first wheelchair which almost feels like a real achievement in itself!  This is a rather expensive piece of equipment (to put it lightly!!) which for a manual/push wheelchair seems a lot however it is very necessary.  We managed to get it fully funded which I was really pleased about and the largest portion we were lucky enough to get from the John Maclean Foundation which was also in conjunction with the Robert & Jack Smorgon Family First Foundation.  If you visit John's website, Jack is on there at the moment!!  We had to attend a presentation to receive a great big novelty cheque which was a fun day. 

We're now just waiting on our brand new VW Caddy Maxi to be converted and we'll be set to get around with the wheelchair because right now, it's very heavy and I/we have to lift it in and out of the back of our Subaru. Can't wait for that!!! 

Another great gain for Jack!

Another exciting thing that has happened in our family this year is that Jack has started toilet training.  We have to admit, it's something that Craig and I never imagined might be possible but he's really taken to it!!  The chair he is sitting in (in the photo) is a shower and bath chair that doubles as a commode.  I put off trying for a long time as I was so pessimistic when one day, Jack's physio Matt came over for a home visit.  Jack told Matt with his communication book that he needed to go to the toilet and so Matt put him on the toilet.  Nothing happened that day but it inspired me to try again.  Well, not that we're counting or anything but we're up to 44 poo's and 46 wee's!!!!!  He seems to very happy about it and I think he feels better for it too.  And of course it's another thing for him to be cheeky about, as I always know that he's done something by the giggling I hear coming from the bathroom!!  We're soooooo proud of you Jack!!

Yet another example of how CPEC have supported us in progressing forward with our little champion.

A Busy couple of Months in our family...

 

We have had a busy couple of months in our family now that Jack has recovered from his hip surgery and I have recovered from my latest heart problems - it has been a tiring and crazy time but I think we can say we're pretty much back on the straight and narrow.  As you can see above, Jack is back at CPEC and this is one of his first sessions back where it was all too much so he had to take a snooze...!

And after his big surgery, sleeping was something that was not going well and that was due to the fact that he can no longer sleep on his side (and he's a big fan of that) and that he was continuing to have muscle spasms.  It was decided at his follow up appointment with the surgeon that he should have some more botox injections so here he is (above) with Lucy and Craig in recovery after having them.  I have to say they have made an enormous difference to his comfort level which means more sleep and less grumpy Jack! 

And we've been busy supporting CPEC in their media work and here is Jack with a couple of players from Melbourne (sorry guys, can't remember your names but you were very nice!!). 

CPEC had the opportunity to go and shake tins at the MCG for a match between Melbourne and Sydney.  The Mullan Family decided to step up and help out and here we are collecting outside gate 5.  We had a fun time and were able to watch the match afterwards.  It seems that Jack no longer minds the sirens and the crowd which is exciting as Craig might dare to take him to a North Melbourne match some time next season.

Can you tell Lucy befriended the face painting lady!!

And above is Jack with Michael Osbourne from Hawthorn FC at the Coffee Club morning tea for Cerebral Palsy Awareness week.  Below is my great friend Sam Couper who is a big Hawks fan with me, Michael Osbourne and Steve Gilham.  The guys were really great with the kids and it was wonderful for them to take the time to come and meet us.

Jack having a chat and a cuddle with Michael ...

And lastly we're still loving kinder.  Here's Jack for Sports day at kinder, of course in his North Melbourne jumper and Lucy at a morning tea with her friends. 

CPEC on Channel 10's 'The Circle'

This made me cry today, especially seeing the passion and care that Claire brings to us parents at CPEC.  It truly is a wonderful centre that Craig and I feel incredibly privileged and proud to be a part of.  They've done wonders for our Jack and I don't know where we'd be without them!!  If you wondered what they were all about, well wonder no more - and any donations to them are more than welcome!!!  (see Melbourne Marathon link to the right)

The big hip surgery for Jack

The 3rd May saw us finally come to the day we'd been expecting for a few years now.  Jack had bilateral hip osteotomies where the surgeon cut the top of the femoral head, rotated it to sit in the hip sockets at the right angle, then joined the bone back together with metal brace.  His hips were dislocated prior to this surgery so there was no avoiding it.  Here he is with his Dad, early that morning - as much as I tried to explain to him what was going to happen, I knew he had no comprehension of the surgery which I guess is pretty normal for a 5 year old. 

And here he is, just before they took him in for the surgery - even gave the surgeon a hi 5!

And sleeping like a baby, post surgery the day after.  This is with the help of some serious drugs including a pretty lousy epidural!!

And of course the bad times, there was plenty of this which was extremely frustrating for me as I felt so helpless - not even being able to cuddle him.

But by day 4, he was finally able to get out of bed and here we are having our first family cuddle.  Short and sweet but lovely nonetheless. 

And here is his most excited visitor. Lucy was so pleased to see him as she really adores her big brother, and I think he was just as pleased to see her.

And one of my least favourite Mother's Days - spent in the hospital but at least it was with my little family! 

And our brave little champion, even managed to find a smile before we left.  It must have been incredibly painful but he is just an amazing kid.  Even asked me on the Saturday with his book, 'when is Jack going back to kinder?'. 

And lastly, here is the finished product.  He has 2 great big dirty scars on either hip which have healed quite nicely but a constant reminder of this time.  We seriously have the best doctors looking after us at the Royal Childrens Hospital and his surgeon, Abhay Khot, did a wonderful job and is a lovely guy.  I couldn't help but hug him for taking such good care of our boy. 

Jack's 5th Birthday..

Unfortunately Jack's 5th birthday was spent in the Angliss Hospital.  We had such a lovely day planned with kinder friends and family all coming on Puffing Billy with us only for Jack to have one of his whopping big seizures that lasted for an hour!  This obviously resulted in a ride by ambulance to the hospital and he slept the day away recovering from it all.  The doctors were even keen for him to spend the night in there but as Craig and I have experienced this too many times before, we know our boy and a good nights sleep in his own bed was all he needed.  He didn't even get to open his presents which was pretty devastating, even though he didn't really seem to understand what had happened.  Anyway, a morning tea at Judy's house the next day with a few presents to open slightly made up for it!!  Here's hoping that never happens again on another birthday (or at all would be even better!!!).

Nan's 70th Birthday

This April brought about Craig's mum's 70th Birthday and we offered to make the cake as we did for her 60th Birthday when Craig and I first got together.  In fact the exact same cake only I'm a little better at baking then I was 10 years ago!  Anyway, it was a team effort and Jack and Lucy were happy to help with licking the bowl!       

And the finished product was a success, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and not a crumb left!!  We had a lovely day to celebrate the birthday of a lovely lady. 

Easter in Yarrawonga

Every Easter, the Mullan family pack up our campervan and head off to Yarrawonga for a camping trip with the best bunch of people going around! It all started when Craig started going up with Simon's family and friends who started the tradition when Sime was just a little tacker. Now our family joins the Newnhams and friends to make it our tradition as well. It is basically 'kid heaven' as the kids all play together all day, every day and the weather is always perfect! This year we ventured off to the local mini golf and fun park where Jack & Lucy had a go at mini golf and Lucy tried her hand at the dodgem cars with her Dad.

It also involves a bit of creative thinking on the bathing front so here's Jack squashed into an esky for a bath!! As did Lucy, in front of the fire .... life is good! And some how, the Easter bunny is always clever enough to find us when we're camping! Here's the gang of kids that get to hang out and play together every day as well take part in the Easter Egg hunt ...Lucy with her find...And a very proud Jack with his! Yet another successful and enjoyable Easter holiday!

Jazmyn turns 18!!

The end of March also saw Jazmyn turn 18, which also makes me feel terribly old!! (especially being at the party, no carving up the dance floor with the best of them anymore!)

Also a good chance to get some photo's of the family - here I am with Robyn, Dad, and Judy.

And 2 cousins who just love each other!! They're the same age apart as Jaz and I are.
We love you Jazzie!!

The amazing hail storm!

I'm very behind in my posts (obviously!) but back in March, we had a horrendous hail storm that was the most amazing storm I've seen ... maybe ever?! These hail stones I collected from out the front door about 3 hours after the storm, and still, look at the size of them?! My poor Outback car got written off from all the damage it suffered and our campervan roof now looks like the surface of a golfball!

Fun at kinder

Jack and Lucy are having a wonderful time at their kinder, Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool here in Belgrave South and have both absolutely loved their time there with no problems at all being away from Mum! Here are some recent photo's from the Easter morning tea which the Mum's were invited to attend, which brought about some good photo opportunities! Here's Jack with his partner in crime and best friend, James. Such a lovely, lovely kid this one and he just adores Jack!
Fun in the playground

Here's Jack with his aide Susan and friends, Ryan and James. They all seem to have a great time together. There's no doubt we've found ourselves at a pretty special kinder with some incredible teachers - these guys are amazing with our boy!!

There's no doubt there's a mutual adoration of each other, Jack is now blowing kisses and of course has to blow Belinda, Coral and Susan kisses when he arrives and goes home and has now adopted the new nick name of Mr Kissy Lips! There's been several times when he's asked me with his book if he's going to kinder which is very very exciting. For such a daunting idea, kinder has been just sensational!

Nothing to put a smile on your face like....

... a new dress and a bit of face paint!!

A bit scary how quick this little girl is growing up actually...