Trudi's Diary | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

The Christchurch Star continues the diary of Trudi Johnston, 25, who has an incurable brain tumour.

Monday, January 10

Well, a typical weekday of travelling into the hospital for radio and physiotherapy. I am tired after the weekend, but still manage 10min on the treadmill and 6min on the bike. We race home and I unwind in the lazy boy watching a CSI DVD.

I discuss with my aunty in Twizel the dates available for CanTeen's summer camp. It's proving much harder than I thought, with rowing regattas and other events that clash like Relay for Life. This is a team event to raise funds for the Cancer Society ? 20 hours of fun with the challenge of completing a relay style walk/run. My challenge is to complete one lap (round a soccer field at Caroline Bay, Timaru.) walking with my stick, the rest I think I will be viewing from the wheelchair! It is good to set myself goals and this is very appropriate, raising money for cancer research while improving my walking! Both will help me!

Tuesday, January 11

I go along to radiotherapy and then have a great physiotherapy session. I shot some netball hoops, standing by myself without the aid of the stick. I get 9 out of 10 ? nothing but net! This is with one hand as well! I am extremely chuffed with myself; my whole balance is improving which means I am closer to when I can walk independently.

Wednesday, January 12

After radiotherapy I have an appointment with my doctor. Every week we meet to discuss any issues I have. It's a great time to talk about anything that is a worry for me or I'm a bit uneasy about.

Thursday, January 13

After the normal morning session at the hospital mum and I stroll into the BBQ factory to buy a present. I decide to walk in on my stick instead of the wheelchair as I am getting more confident now and improving my walking. We then walk into mum's work. Well it's enough walking today after my 10min treadmill and 6min biking, plus the additional shopping. So we head home, and the lazy boy is calling me to park myself in it. I rest up and then Pip picks me up and we meet Petrina at coffee culture in Merivale. It is great to catch up with the both of them. Friday, January 14

Dad comes along to physiotherapy today to see what I can do on the treadmill and bike. He is impressed! It feels so good to be able to do this kind of activity again. It definitely lifts my spirits. On the way home we stop off at Northlands to pick out a bracelet to hold two special charms given to me, one from Chantelle, my wee surrogate sister, and one from the Brynes, good friends of the family. I find a nice bracelet with a heart as the clasp ? very appropriate!

We arrive home and I head for my 'nana nap to get ready for the night at the flat ahead.

Abi cooks her famous pizza for tea. Ruth comes on round with chocolate and we watch a movie. It is so great to be back at the flat doing what I did before my life got turned upside-down.

Saturday, January 15

I have a great sleep in. It's good to be in my own bed again. This is the first time I have used the shower with the rails in the flat and it works well, which is brilliant as it means I can go to the flat with ease. Ruth and her 5-year-old niece Jessica pick me up and we head to the movies to see Spongebob Squarepants. It is a cracker of a day and the mall is a great place to be with air conditioning! I arrive home to Mum and Dads and Aunty Sheila and Uncle Hughie have arrived from Oamaru for the night. We have a lovely evening in the sun, consuming a BBQ.

Sunday, January 16

I have another much-needed big sleep in. It has been four weeks of radiotherapy and my body is weary. Mum and I head to the supermarket to buy some food for the BBQ tonight. I decide not to take the wheelchair and walk around the supermarket.

It actually makes it easier as mum can push the trolley and all the items are not piled on my lap. My friend Sarah arrives from Invercargill. She is an old mate from Teachers College and we flatted together for two years so it was great to catch up with her again. Then some of my other special mates arrive, Abi, Darryl, Kate, Logan, Ruth... being in this situation you really know your good friends who are going to be by your side, and I count myself exceptionally lucky as I don't just have one or two, I have several. Quality and quantity! It's a bit of a late night, but a good one and I head off to bed full, in high spirits and happy.

# The Scenic Circle Hotels Twin Rivers Classic Cars Parade will be held on January 23, at Centennial Park, Lyttelton St, with gates opening at 10am and the event starting a 2pm. $15 entry per vehicle. CanTeen and CCF will be co-recipients of funds raised from the entry fees.