SYDNEY WEEK 2

Richard arrived on Saturday as planned.We are all getting into the routine of the ward. So many things you assume will be the same as Adelaide, are not. We are getting used to the way the ward is run. Everyone has been helpful, kind and supportive.

Brendan's health has improved over the past week. He no longer needs antibiotics and his white cell and neutrophil counts are rising every day. This means his bone marrow is recovering. The biopsy tomorrow will give us all a clearer picture of what we do next. If all goes well, Brendan's pre-transplant conditioning will begin on Monday.

He is a lot happier within himself and has gotten some of his spark back. He really struggled for the first few days but gradually has come out of his shell. He now talks to people and communicates his needs without being angry all the time.

We have spent the first week getting to know the local area. Brendan (with wheelchair), Richard and myself walked to Coogee Beach and back on Monday. It was lovely to be out in the fresh air by the beach. Sydney beaches really are beautiful. There is a good choice of local restaurants and everything we need is a walk or a short bus trip away.

Brendan has been enjoying decorating his room. He decided that Pokemon characters should be painted on his window .

Brendan painting his window in his room to make it feel less like a fish bowl.

We can now all be contacted by email as we have now gone wireless. Brendan loves the idea of being able to play lots of internet games. He has been playing Dalek games on the Doctor Who website this morning.

Will be in touch soon.

Love Anna, Brendan and Richard.