I love Christmas time! Especially the excitement of the children who are busy decorating their treehouse at Afton with their home and school-made decorations, play acting "Mary and Joseph" stories, looking out everywhere for Christmas trees and lights, singing their version of "Joy to the World"... Mostly, because we are on holiday and we get to spend so much time playing and being together.

It's been 3 weeks since my operation and I am making a slow but steady recovery. Still battling to see properly out of my left eye and my face is still partially paralyzed on the left side but every day is a little closer to "normal". Pete bought me a funky little netbook so I am enjoying updating the blog from the comfort of my bed! Yay - what a man!

Nix (there is not a "normal" word to describe her!) is doing well being her vibrant self. She went for her regular dose of chemo last week where her oncologist told her that the medical aid have stopped the funding for her regular breast chemo (Hercepton) after seeing the results of her last liver CT. She has been taking regular 3 weekly infusions of this chemo since she was diagnosed in August 2009. This is obviously not great news but the Doc is going to try to motivate for Nikki to go on to an alternative chemo to target the cancer at the source in the breast tissue. The alternative will most likely be an oral chemo. She will also continue with the regular infusions of Zometa (for bone strengthening) and the other oral chemo that she has recently started to target the sites in the liver. Initially, the Hercepton worked really well and managed to clear the breast and liver really nicely. But because of the pain in Nikki's joints as a result of her over active immune system, Doctors suggested she try another type of chemotherapy (Mabthera) which is given in 6 monthly doses and shuts down a part of the immune system. This was a trial (there is no other documented case of dual treatment with this drug together with Hercepton - in fact, I am not sure if there is any other documented case of Nikki's condition!) and, although the Mabthera seemed to have worked well to ease the pain in Nikki's joints significantly, the general feeling is that her own over active immune system was actually working really well together with the Hercepton initially to keep the cancer at bay. By shutting down the immune system with the Mabthera, it caused the cancer to spread significantly.

Nikki continues to say that this news doesn't scare her. In fact, the disease doesn't scare her one bit. Her faith is not in the medicine anyway. She refuses to feel sorry for herself (which I think is the most amazing thing as she spends a lot of time alone and in pain and has plenty opportunity). If she feels sore, she o-c-c-a-s-i-o-n-a-l-l-y allows herself a minute or two to cry (because she is human) and then decides to get up and carry on with life. A good cry can sometimes make you feel much better but self pity or worrying about things won't help or change the situation at all. We can choose our attitude in all things and Nikki has chosen to keep a good attitude and to keep her eyes on the Lord- trusting Him in all things. It is just the most amazing lesson to us all.

Thank you once again for your faithful love, friendship, support and prayers over the past year. We once again ask that you would continue to carry us all in your prayers and continue to believe our God for a miracle of complete healing and restoration for our lovely Nix.

Over the festive season remember... Jesus was born to bring "peace on the earth and goodwill to men" and Christmas time is often exactly the opposite - chaos and greed and more... I pray that you may know the incredible blessing of His love and peace at this special time, of the hope that we have in Him, and may you be blessed beyond measure in your families and relationships.