New Year and updates

I started my new years with a bang this year, we cruised the Caribbean and Mexico for the new years period. I had an absolute blast, my sister and her family from Sydney travelled the whole month with us. It was so lovely to see her beautiful children form memories and relationships that would last a life time.

While on our holiday I was still receiving my second round of treatment, and although I hated the thought I knew that my treatment was not working. I felt more pain than when I started, I was optimistic but when I finished my treatment I knew it had not worked and I felt as if there was no hope. I cried my eyes out to my mum on the Santa Monica Pier. I am super realistic and I am not one to kid myself. I knew going back home to Australia would mean school goes back and the possibility of another round of treatment. Treatment I absolutely hate and love at the same time. I hate it for all the side effects I get from it (and each round is completely different) Round Two of treatment I was in America for a lot of it and the worst side effect was the smells, anything was enough to make me feel as if I would vomit, and for someone who has a phobia of vomit it wasn't very helpful. I felt like a canine unit - and even foods I usually loved the smell could be disgusting! The only reason I could ever love treatment is because it gives you hope, but that hope that can quickly be taken away.

So, at the moment I have started a third round of treatment, and if I was to be completely honest I am not very optimistic. Im realistic, It hasn't worked the first two rounds why would this time be any different? (although, we hope and have our fingers crossed!)

When I had no diagnosis and I would trial and error absolutely anything. I would only ever tell mum if I had a good day, because as I saw it If I said I was feeling better and then would decline again I was giving out a sense of false hope to all those who truely cared and it would also just be more devastating to me when my pain would come back in a excruciating flare up hours later. So, last year when I decided to share my story with Channel 7 News I was feeling well and thought I was back to full health and 'normal'. Well, Since then my health has declined again and I am struggling more than ever. The reason I think I am struggling more is because I felt how good it felt to not be in pain and to participate in everything people my age do. Lots of people are confused as to how I could feel good and then go back to being in pain. Doctors are still unsure, My case is very unusual. The Doctors are usually able to locate where the parasite has been, they can't determine exactly where mine are and if there is multiples. The Doctors usually can give treatment once and that is enough to kill of the Parasite, that hasn't worked for me. Lastly Doctors are confused as I have been feeling and seeing a much larger parasite than ever before.

So for now, I am at school and trying my hardest to get to school on time and to last the day. Some days are successful and some aren't. Once I get home I am absolutely exhausted and can hardly do anything.

What is crazy is this year marks 7 years of becoming unwell.

Carly x