Movie night at Gaumont Opera

Alice in Wonderland!!!!

A real treat for us. We even had salted popcorn(the French love their sweet popcorn)! As you can see the theatre was very empty, the reason being that the movie was in English(VO).
We were the only ones munching popcorn.

Chateau de Versailles

This outing took us 7 hours. It was worth the walks as there was just so much to see and we also had time to just sit next to the lakes and watch everybody around us. When walking to the lakes they have all these hidden entrances, almost like various mazes and you would see allot of statues and gardens. Hidden treasures!!!!!

Vendredi 30 Avril 2010

Another 2 weeks have gone by,we only have 3 weeks to go and then we are back home. Hip! Hip! Hooray!!! These last few days have been difficult and we are really missing everybody back home.

Lize-Mari is doing very well and when we had our meeting with the Dr. on Thursday, he said that he is amazed at how strong Lize-Mari is and how resilient her system has been so far. They are very happy with her progress so far. The Dr. was quite strict this week in explaining what can be done and what not for the next 6 months. He said that she only has one skin, meaning she only has one life and that we must be careful. He explained to us about the history of medicine in France and how serious they are in their profession and taking care of their patients.

On a lighter note we have had 2 brilliant outings in the last 2 weeks. We went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D(it literally felt like the leaves were falling around us), it was amazing and really great entertainment.
We also went to the Chateau de Versailles in Versailles and this was absolutely a breath of fresh air. We went to Marie-Antoinette's 2 castles and the main castle of Napoleon Bonaparte. We had to walk for miles and it was a beautiful summer day. We even got to see some sheep and horses, the first real animals that we have seen since we have been here. Would def. go back there to visit again.

We have made friends with a couple from Romania, Daniella can speak 5 languages of which one is English. Florian her husband is currently receiving treatment and he is a real gentle soul. He is a retired Professor at one of the University's in Romania and Daniella owns a kindergarten. This week has been a treat as we have just been talking, drinking coffee and getting to know each other better. They are both wonderful people and we have really enjoyed our time together so far.

Next week we will be moving and we are looking forward to the new scenery.

A beautiful sunny Sunday along the River Seine

On Sunday we went to San Michelle(near the Notre Dame) They have many little sidestreets filled with coffee shops and restaurants. We had lunch in a restaurant filled with sunflowers(really made us think of home)!!! The atmosphere was very festive and the food good. After lunch we went for a long walk next to the Seine, what a beautiful day. People were sitting along the embankment tanning and just chilling. We then went on a ride on Les Vedettes Du Pont -Neuf. This lasted an hour and it was very interesting to hear about the history of the different buildings and museums.

Mardi 20 Avril 2010(Tuesday 20 April)

We are now counting the weeks. 5 More to go and then we come home. The treatment has been going well and Lize-Mari is still re-acting well to the sessions. We meet with the Prof. every Thursday and so far they are very happy with her progress. We finish the sessions in Orsay on the 5th May and then go to The Institute Gustave Roussy as from the 6th May until the 20th May. We will then re-locate to Villejeuf where they have arranged accommodation for us. Looking forward to it as we will then get to know another town.

Lize-Mari still has double vision and we are arranging for her to see specialists in SA when we are home. I am sure that this will also sort itself out.

We have been treating ourselves at least once a week and go sightseeing. There are so many museums to see. The weather has changed and we are now able to walk around in short sleeves. There are so many colours and the flowers are beautiful. Everything is transforming into the most vivid colours, yellows, pinks, purples and reds. The houses have vines on them and all of a sudden the leaves are coming out and it looks awesome. Almost like allot of the homes in Heidelberg, most of them built out of rocks and stones.

We have been so fortunate. When we came to France we were still worried about the finances and I still said that it does not matter as we will have just the right amount of money(taking a leap in faith) and guess what, we do. The medical aid is giving us more money towards Lize-Mari's treatment. We are so glad because the costs have gone up and the sessions have increased. When we tallied the amounts we were surprised and ecstatic to see that we will just just make it. Is it not wonderful! Miracles do happen. Thank you again to everybody for all your generosity. Without all the assistance we would not have had this opportunity to bring Lize here for her treatment.

The Notre Dame

The Notre Dame was beautiful with all its crosses and sculptures. We were lucky enough to have some photo's with the Hunch Back. Definitely worth the visit.

The Louvre

The Louvre is Majestic, there are so many different things to see, you literally need 2 days to see everything. The paintings, sculptures and royal treasures seen here is unbelievable. We would definitely visit again.

Photo's of The Opera House

The Opera House

07 April 2010

No, we have not been hiding, I have just been very bad on updating the details, but I have had a very good excuse, our Family came to visit. Anton, Danielle and Damian arrived last week Monday and it has been absolutely fantastic to have them here. They have filled up all the quiet spaces and we have just been enjoying each other.

We have behaved like real tourists these last couple of days, we have been to visit The Louvre, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower and the Opera House. We have literally just walked the streets and looked into all the little shops. The kids have been in awe and have had to ride on trains and busses (something that they have never done). It has been awesome, the museums are beautiful and there is so much history here. Today after Lize's treatment we will go to the Arc De Triomphe and tomorrow to end of we will go for a river boat ride on the River Seine. We will all remember these times for always.

Tomorrow night Anton, Danielle and Damian go back home and we are not looking forward to it, we wish we could turn the clock back a few days as the time has really just skipped past us.

Lize is still going for treatment everyday. We have had a meeting with the Professor and he is very happy with her progress so far. The area that they have to treat is rather large, even though a large portion has been removed, there are still particles floating in the different areas. He wants to infiltrate all the areas as he does not believe in leaving anything to chance. This means that she will have more sessions than anticipated. She is having 27 sessions in Orsay at the Proton Centre and 9 sessions at the Institute Gustave Roussy. Her side affects so far have been minimal and we are ecstatic about this as it makes it easier for her to cope with everything.

Onwards and Upwards

Proton equipment

Definately not the picture I had in my mind of how the equipment would look.

Photo's of the Proton Centre

We were very surprised when we walked into the building to see how beautifully it has been decorated. Very modern and the most beautiful colours. The atmosphere is great and welcoming and the staff very friendly and helpful.

Proton Centre in Orsay-23 March 2010

We spent the afternoon at the South University in Orsay where the proton centre is located. When you look at the buildings, they look like old buildings, but when you step inside it is so colourful and you immediately feel welcome. The staff were friendly and very helpful, almost everybody can speak English so we are definitely going to be able to communicate more effectively.

Today Lize had her masks made for the proton treatment and then had her first simulation. I was fortunate to be able to see how they make the masks, it was really an experience to see this. The masks are very different to the masks that they use for radiation. The material gets heated in a oven and then put over her face, they only clip out a small portion around her nose. They then pull the material and shape it around her neck face and head, after this they use ice packs to cool the material down. In 40 minutes they made 2 masks for 2 different head positions. After this we were taken through for her proton simulation , once again I was allowed to quickly go in to see the equipment and then I had to leave her behind. She survived and she was just happy that she did not have to have needles stuck into her arms or hands. She has not said much more about the treatment(she will take her time to reflect and then tell me how she really feels).I must say the equipment looked quite different to the picture I had in my mind. I will post some pictures so that you can see what it looks like. I did try to get Lize in the picture, but she did not feel like posing for a photo.

Everything went very smooth today and we officially start on the 29th March and then it will be every day until the 5th May 2010.

The last 2 weeks have been quiet as Lize has slept most of the time, we went to the Orsay Mall last week to buy some groceries and it was such a treat to get out and just have a bit of fun. We bought the biggest fried chicken and had an absolute feast. We have not been sightseeing yet but plan to shortly. Lize-Mari is stronger and feeling much better, we have bought her some sunglasses so that she does not feel self conscious when we go out(her right eye still has complete double vision and has moved in towards her nose, it does not move outwards at all). I am sure that this will sort itself out in time, if not we will have surgery done on her eye when we are back in SA.

Thank you for all the e-mails, I really enjoy reading them as it keeps me up to date on what is happening back home and it also makes me feel more in contact with everybody.

Take care

Love, Linda

Update on Lize-Mari Wed. 10 March 2010

Lize-Mari had her fiducial markers inserted into her head on Monday at the Necker Enfantes Hospital. She chose to have it done under local anaesthesia. I think this was quite an experience for her as she told me in detail what they did and what was discussed during this procedure. The Doctors told her that these markers will always stay in her head as they are very expensive, more expensive than platinum. They struggled again to get her veins for the drips and tried 8 times. Her wrists and hands are blue all over.
Later in the evening she went for an MRI scan on her back, we are still waiting for the results(Dr. not at the hospital this week). This was the most traumatic event of the day for her. The drip came out and her blood spurted everywhere and they had to re-do the scan, she was alone as they would not let me in-they can be glad because I would have taken her out and refused that they continue with the MRI. We were only discharged at 20H40 and by this time the feeling on her head started coming back full force and of course she now started experiencing pain. Well it was only 2 degrees outside and I decided to get a taxi as I was not going to let her get in and out of trains in this cold feeling the way that she did. We got home at 21H40, glad that we were home and that the day was finished.

On Tuesday we had an early appointment (09H00) to meet with Pr. Habrand who is managing the proton treatment. We spent 2 hours with him as he explained the positives and the negatives of this procedure. She then had more scans and we were glad to get home at 19H20.

Today is a rest day and we are so glad. Lize has slept through from last night until now ! 15 hours in total, I am glad as this is obviously what she needs-rest. Tomorrow we go back again to The Institute of Gustave Roussy for more scans and for the preparation of her mask that she will need for the proton procedure. She also has to go for audio gram tests and opthamology tests before they will start the next process. They will also do some blood tests to test her hormone levels as they worked very closely to her pituitary gland. She will then get to rest for 2 weeks as the Doctors want her to be strong before they will start the next process. This will give her time to recuperate and to adjust to her circumstances.

If she feels better we can maybe go to TOWN and do some sight seeing. I would love to go to the Opera house and the Louvre museum. As Lize loves art she also wants to visit these places. Will keep you posted over the next few days.

Love

Linda

New Home in Orsay-South of Paris

Our second home. As you can see, we have a magnificent view. Here we can see trees and just open spaces. We also have a balcony which is great because we can open the doors and the sun just lights up everything. Even though there are no shops around and it is very quiet, I definately prefer staying here than in the City Centre of Paris.

Big 40th in Disneyland

Thanks Mom for treating me to Disneyland on my 40th Birthday. This day I will treasure in my heart for always. An experience that will always be remembered!

Hospital Lariboisiere

This is the Hospital where Lize had her main surgery. There is so much character in these old buildings and they have the most beautiful statues. They have the most beautiful chapel and I really enjoyed spending some time here.

It was a bit scary late at night-almost like the hallways were haunted, maybe because it is so big, the corridors just seem go on and on forever.

Wednesday 10 March 2010

The night before Lize's surgery. Of course Cowboy and Cuddles also had to be hospitalised!!!!!