A good friend of Marg’s recently commented that: “Ray always likes to exceed expectations” and I have certainly lived up to this reputation this week. Could it only have been 4 weeks ago that things were looking quite desperate? This week my skin colour has almost returned to normal and my appetite has also returned - eating normal sized small meals and even gained 2kgs. On Saturday night our whole family enjoyed a friend’s 18th birthday party – not getting home until 11.30pm. An evening of bush dancing - although my lack of strength precluded me from participating in the dancing, I enjoyed listening to the music. On Sunday, Marg and I went to the Theatre Royal in town to see the Woody Allen film “Midnight in Paris”. Of course, all of this is due to my being well on top of my pain and nausea management, and a bit of good old north of England determination and stubbornness.
Andrew is still with us – which only adds to my overall sense of well being. He has been fantastic keeping our garden in tip top condition and doing all those jobs I am no longer able to do.
Looking forward, more confidently now, to celebrating Christmas with my family at home. My other short term goal is the girls school Awards Night on Tuesday. Both are receiving Honours certificates as well as awards for music.
For obvious reasons we will not be sending out our usual Ollerton Family Christmas newsletter. So our Christmas good wishes are being sent to you all electronically this year.
Again we would all like to thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes during the year. Hopefully the blog site has kept you informed on how I have been progressing with my illness, but also letting you know some of the more joyful and celebratory parts of our family life. Even amongst our saddest moments, we can often celebrate something very special if we look for it. As we celebrate new life in all its fullness this New Year may you find a sense of peace, calm and wonderment in whatever you pursue.
Love and best wishes for a joyous Christmas ~ Ray, Marg, Andrew, Tahnee and Marli Ollerton

My doctor has finally got on top of my pain management and together with the radiation treatment my quality of life has improved dramatically since my last blog.
Eating fairly well - lots of small meals and sleeping reasonably well as most of the medicines are sedating. Spending my days reading, journalling, keeping in touch with family, enjoying my garden and resting. The weather is so beautiful at this time of the year and I'm able to sit outside on the decking and enjoy it!
It has been sensational having my son Andrew here from Perth. The last two evenings it has just been the 5 of us. Andrew has been working hard in my garden and cleaning out our shed - a job I had been planning to get around to for over 10 years.
Working towards small goals i.e. Marli's birthday on the 12th, our 20th wedding anniversary on the 14th and then Christmas.
The Palliative Care Nurses have also organised a wheelchair for me so I will be able to get out now and then. Used it last Saturday night to go down to our local Botanic Gardens with the family.
Thanks sincerely to all of you who read the blog and send prayers, best wishes and positive vibes out to me.