Bonnie Vale - Royal National Park 19/9/2017

The 19th September is a date that my family and I will always remember.

On this day in 2012, I received the results from a biopsy on a funny little lump that had popped up in my neck 4 weeks earlier.

I had Cancer.

It was Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. More tests showed that I had 5 tumors. 1 in my neck (removed via surgery) 2 in my stomach, 1 in my chest cavity and 1 on my right side chest. Within 2 weeks I had commenced the first of 8 rounds of chemotherapy. My hair fell out 5 weeks later. After my 3rd round of chemotherapy, more scans showed that the tumor on my right side was not responding to treatment whereas the other 3 were.

I was given an ultrasound and a mammogram. I had Breast Cancer as well. 

I would continue with chemotherapy for the Lymphoma and when my body was strong enough inbetween rounds, they would remove the tumor in my breast.  I underwent two operations, 3 weeks apart to remove all the cancerous cells, leaving me with 2/3 of my right breast. When chemotherapy for the Lymphoma was completed, I had 6 weeks of daily radiation for the Breast Cancer.

9 months after my diagnosis, I was in remission.

5 years later, I am still cancer free and we have taken this  beach break to re invent the 19th September with new memories.

Things I learned from my 9 month association with the Big C.

*There is always someone worse off than you.

*Take life one day at a time and thank God for every day he gives you. 

*Choose your battles and don't sweat the small stuff.

*Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit (Desiderata)

*Little (tiny) things mean a lot.

Bonnievale Campground

Polly want a cracker ?

Bonnievale is situated in the Bundeena precint of the Royal National Park, south of Sydney.

Horderns Beach at Bundeena is where Annie (Border Collie) and I spent many hot summer days when she was my"best girl".

So just around the cove from Bundeena is Bonnievale.  There are 75 camp sites on offer and a few very old cabins (1940's).  There is fresh water on tap, flushing toilets, hot showers and timed out power sockets in the amenities block, just in case you want to blow dry or straighten your hair - we all know how it is 💋

The tidal flow comes from the ocean across a huge sandbar which provides both waves and shallow water swimming.  Mind you that old tide doesn't stay in for long so blink and you'll miss it. Although sand flats and mud crabs for company isn't so bad.

Lots of bush walks through the mangroves and if you're a kayaking fan, the Outdoor Adventures company can sort you out.

Kangaroos, Wallabies, Kookaburras, Cockatoos and Deer complete the experience.

Comments

Your upgrade on Annie is brilliant. Bravo!
I understand your pleasure in her because I have an 1974 11' Capricorn down on the Surf Coast that gives me great pleasure. Best wishes.

So grateful you are well and enjoying the gift of every day to the max, Bonnie. I so love your caravan and the quaint little home on the shore. <3 jenni in Florida

Sending prayers your way. What a beautiful place. So happy you are feeling better.