Did someone say cheeks!!!

Well its official, I had my cheeks injected yesterday...which cheeks I hear you ask? In fact I've had both cheeks injected with the same solution, I wonder if that means when I'm up walking if people will know if I'm coming or going!! Cause most of the time in India we never quite sure who's coming or going. Having my face injected is certainly an experience, the nurse put some numbing gel on first but Dr Ashish was doing his rounds and it wore off so Gaye buzzed the nurse to put on more, it actually didn't help much. The face has so many nerves its really sensitive, it really made my toes curl! It felt like wasp stings. But its done now and lets see what changes occur over the next 6 weeks or so. Actually yesterday was full on with 2 in my face, 1 in my arm, each thigh injected and finally 1 large dose in my veins (which the 5 nurses standing around me at the time hate giving to me, I said to one nurse I bet you'll be glad to see me go, she said yes without hesitating!)
Monday I had my last procedure where Dr Ashish did a deep muscle injection, he goes in close to the spine and its amazing how I can feel the solution running along my spine and then into my right hip, then he injected the left side and i could feel the same sensation into my left hip, its like a cold pressure running along your spine and into the area where it settles.
Its hard to believe 5 weeks has come to an end, I fly out early Friday morning. Dad and Gaye have pulled through and feeling better. They are not the only ones here who have been sick, its common, touch wood I haven't been sick!!
I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon on the 26th August, hopefully I can have surgery soon after that and be ready to come back here in November.
Even though I'm looking forward to coming home there is always a sadness to leave the people I've bonded with, my heart has 2 homes. This time around there have been a lot of couples here and its been so lovely to experience there unconditional love for each other. I met a lady from the States who was in a car accident, she was hit by a drunk driver killing her sister and breaking her neck, she had been married 1 month. When the psychologist came to see her he said that she needed to give her husband the choice to leave. Can you imagine losing your sister, breaking your neck and then giving your husband the option to leave! But she did give him this option and he said no, they've been married 9 years. I could tell you more stories of love over coming tragedy or they met after the accident and I realised something, it doesn't matter what relationship you are in, if you have a disability or not...problems don't leave...people do.
The role that the carer plays here is vital to our treatment and not always easy for them. I found a poem by Elizabeth Kubler Ross which is for the patients who come here with hope in there hearts, the carers (my carers past and present) who cheer us on and for those at home who don't realise how important it is for us to hear from you, and for looking after my precious angel Sabine, I couldn't come all this way if I didn't know she was ok (thanks Mum and John...oh I believe I'm coming home to Sabine doing tap dancing lessons, I have floor boards at home and its never going to be the same again, thanks Michelle for buying her the shoes and Jess for taking her to lessons!!) Gaye and Dad are real troopers sticking this out for me, love you both, sorry I tried to kill you!! :-)

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known struggle, known loss and have found there way out of their depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. Elizabeth Kubler Ross 1926 - 2004

Gaye has gone to the markets to pick up some last minute things and Dad is out doing a coffee run.
Thank you again for continuing to support me and I look forward to seeing some of you on Wednesday night at my fundraiser, the plays are brilliant, it will be a great night.