Chapter 13
Belle of the Ball.
It’s been three weeks since Greg has been home and today is the day he arrives back. It’s been a long week with Ash in hospital and me with my chemo. I’m finding it hard to type because my nails and finger tips are so sensitive! My nose is so blocked with I don’t know what, my face is starting to blister, and I’m swelling! These are all lovely side effects of the drugs that are making me better. The good news is that the stomach cramps are starting to subside! I am so excited because not only is my Lobster coming home today, but we’re off to the Think Pink Ball tonight and my ex sister in law (Karen) arrives and is coming too! Even though we have kept in contact, I haven’t seen her in about 10years. It will be great to spend the weekend with her… She is so funny. The poor dear is very nervous about flying. She was spinning out a bit last night and in a flap packing and stressing. As seems to be normal her Virgin flight has been delayed (something you would expect from a virgin!) however Greg’s Qantas flight is a little early. Yay!!! Finally everyone one arrives and off we go in Cinderella’s chariot (well actually it’s Astrid the Astra) to our luxurious apartment to get ready for the ball.
Ash, Britt and I had checked in earlier and had made ourselves very comfortable. We all chose our beds and unpacked the goodies. We have the most amazing view of the Brisbane river. It’s just a shame the weather decided not to show our visitor Queensland’s normal splendor. Oh well, time to Pop the champagne corks and drink to an exciting weekend! Before you know it we were all glammed up and ready to take Cinderella (that would be me BTW!) to the ball. Our chariot is waiting down stairs for us… (well not really, we just hailed a Maxi Taxi as we hit the street!) Finally we arrive… I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. I feel so special being accompanied by my Prince Charming, he in his suit and new purple tie, me in my purple satin gown with my hair slightly twisted and secured by five diamante encrusted butterfly clips on one side. For the first time I really don’t feel like my boob is on show or not in place… I don’t have to re-adjust anything… I feel like I am the belle of the ball even though the other guests look just as stunning. The lobby area is beautiful with sparkling pink bling and balloons everywhere, waiters with trays of mouthwatering canapés and drinks, photographers and of course Ladies in their finary and men suitably attired in their suits and ties. The silent auction with ‘bra’s by the stars’ looks interesting. These are bra’s decorated by celebrities and donated to be auctioned off to raise money. One in particular I just love, a beautifully feather decorated number with rather large peacock plumage on one side. This one was decorated by Kay McGrath of channel 7 news fame. There are these cute pink soft plastic rings that when turned on flash multiple colours, just the bling for the occasion I feel… I must have one!!! No, we all must have them! Greg has bought me 2 metallic silver balloons. These have pieces of paper in them and I can’t wait to see what they are for! I’ve been told I can’t bust the balloons until later on though so I promise I’ll be good... It’s going to kill me though ‘coz the prize is jewellery generously donated by Kings Jewellers. We all know how much I like my jewellery now don’t we??? Finally we are allowed into the Grand Ball room. The room looks simply stunning. The tables are decorated with crisp white linen and a pink organsa sash draped across the middle. The table decorations are huge cocktail glasses filled with this clear gel, topped with hot pink gel balls, and each has a pink flashing ice cube at the bottom. The chairs have white covers, and silver sashes with goodie bags on them. We eat, we drink, and we dance until our feet can’t carry on anymore, and although I don’t win the Kings jewellery tonight I am already a winner. I will get to take Kay McGrath and Martin Duncan’s (of freestyle tout fame) decorated bras home. Martin’s bra is decorated in white chocolate buds and is a truly indulgent bra. Brittany on the other won the lucky door prize! A beautiful rose quarts and pearl hand crafted necklace and a photography voucher. She’s also scored herself a $250 voucher for Gowns of Elegance. She may have scored there but in reality it was me that scored. I’ve had the best night ever, and just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, we are to be chauffeured home in a black stretch limo! Yes guys, tonight Cinderella her handsome prince are living happy ever after.
Shake down.
Its been a very long time since we have been out sailing. Friends of ours, Dave and Bec have returned from Vienna after a 2year working stint and their yacht ‘Pandemonium’ is itching to get out of her pen and sail in blue waters again. We all used to go out every other weekend and race ol’ Pandy with varying success. I think our biggest triumph together was the St. Helena Cup. It was utter kaos across the start line with boats of all shapes and sizes fighting for the same stretch of water and the ultimate prize… Frightening would be the best word I could use to describe that day. This time will be a relaxed sail around off Maroochydore, a ‘shake down’ if you like, just to make sure everything is still in working order. A 6am pick up for us, now that was a near killer for me but It’s been 3 years since Pandy has felt the salt water washing over her decks and running past her gunnels, and what a perfect day it is to reintroduce her to the life she (and we) loves. There is a strong wind warning current but what better way to shake the cobwebs free! Mother Nature really is looking after us. The sky is a perfect blue and cloudless, the wind speed is around 20knotts… (for you “land lubbers” that’s PERFECT sailing weather!) We’ve stayed out for a few hours tacking back and forth, adjusting sails, and steering large (as you can only do when speed doesn’t matter). We’re all very rusty but that makes the day even more special. Pandemonium’s performance is excellent as always with only a couple of minor mishaps which as always are the fault of the crew! Having said that, it wouldn’t be sailing without minor mishaps.
Birthday month.
Its now my birthday month! I’ve always figured one day a year is just not enough, so I decided long ago that I want the whole month! This includes drinkies and cake everyday, (well everyday that I want them that is). We have decided to move my actual birthday celebrations to the night before my actual birthday because I have a date with the chair and needle on the real day. I’m sure I won’t feel like celebrating too much after that. Greg is taking me to one of my favourite eating place, Little Tokyo. It’s the best Japanese food outside of Japan I feel. Perhaps a tad Pricey but worth it. After all, How do you put a price on really good fresh food and entertainment? We eat, we drink, we laugh, and have a great night. Actually, the way my head feels we maybe should have stopped a little sooner but who cares, It has been fun.
It’s now my birthday and because chemo is scheduled right in the middle of the day, I’ve decided that a breakfast outing is in order while my taste buds still work! There’s only one hiccup… I don’t want to get out of bed! Brekky just became brunch!.. It’s my day after all! This seems much more civilized! Greg brings me my drugs, coffee, fresh fruit salad, and of course my present… A trip to Sydney to see the stage play “Wicked”. Front Row in September right after my last chemo hit… Who’s a lucky girl then? (Um… That would be ME!!!!) My chemo is going ahead without a hitch this time, no blood transfusions, no extra needles… Obviously my inspirational words to my blood cells have paid off. My kidneys and liver on the other hand have been working overtime, but I knew to expect that because of the whole “morning after the night before” thing and all the Sake and wine we drank at my birthday dinner. One thing I have learnt through all this, blood tests don’t lie, no matter how much I will try to. Dr. Geoff didn’t seem to mind because he understands the importance of living your life, and trying to keep things normal. Greg has been a bit sneaky though... Here I am hooked up to my drugs and he’s made an excuse to go to the car… I didn’t think anything of it because he has a good enough reason… While he’s gone some of the HOCA nurses start to gather around me and I begin to get a little nervous, is something wrong??? Now all of the HOCA staff are in front of me and I know Greg is behind this. In he waltzes with the most decadent chocolate Birthday cake and everyone bursts into song. Happy Birthday to Me!!! Despite having to have my chemo, my birthday has definitely been a memorable one. The day has been made even special by all the phone calls, birthday songs, Facebook messages, visits, cup cakes and presents from my dear friends and family. It makes me realize just how lucky I am to have such wonderful family and friends who make me feel very loved. Thank you all.