Last Saturday afternoon...

In late March this year, I wrote a post about Olga, a former student of mine.

Olga, Year 7

Olga had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early 2012 and despite a number of courses of chemo, the disease was particularly aggressive and not really responsive to treatments. Olga and Terry came back to Queensland to attend a clinic here which offered a different chemo treatment. But it was all too much for her body and the chemo treatment was discontinued. Instead, Olga visited friends, family and places around the Sunshine Coast and consulted with palliative care staff.

My lovely Olga organised a celebration now that she was back in Queensland... A Renewal of Wedding Vows, a Welcome Back to Queensland for the couple...and very sadly...A Wake. The date was set, June 8 and I had warned DH that nothing would stand in the way of us going. At the beginning of that week, Olga suffered a setback and was hospitalised... for a number of days things didn't look too promising that there would be a celebration on the Saturday. Then on Friday, Olga's husband announced that Olga had rallied and that the ceremony would definitely be on!  On Saturday morning, this precious lady had to be hooked up to  a morphine pump, as she was in such pain, but she would be allowed to leave the hospital to attend the ceremony. Hallelujah!

So it was that at 3.30 pm, friends and relatives gathered... the bride was due at 4pm. While we waited, I chatted with 2 former students who used to be shorter than me when I was their Grade 5 teacher, and in the case of Louise, Grade 7 teacher as well!!

Louise and Leanne who have grown  quite a bit taller since I taught them

DH and I sat at a table of young people...except for the lady at the head of the table, these were all school friends of Olga :-)

Olga arrives in a wheelchair and with sheer determination stands up and walks towards Terry on her brother's arm...her other brother is videoing the ceremony.

No need for a caption on the next photo, as Terry greets his bride...

The Celebrant conducts the very moving ceremony...there were many of us reaching for our hankies/tissues...

After the ceremony we all lined up, ready to take our turn in congratulating this special couple...

Olga and Terry with her schoolmates...

Olga came round to all the tables; here she is at 'our' table..

It was a lovely afternoon to be part of. Olga is at present in palliative care and her friends and family continue to send her heaps of love, positive thoughts and prayers. She is so dignified and beautiful and I'm so glad that she 'found' me again via Facebook.
I must also mention that the Management and staff of Kawana Bowls Club were so understanding and accommodating and generally brilliant! 

My former student and friend, Olga...

Last year I wrote about Olga and her battle with ovarian cancer. Since early last year she has endured 3 different courses of chemo treatments and surgery, always maintaining such a positive attitude. Last year I wrote a post about Olga and how I had knitted her a lightweight throw out of soft mohair, which was my way of saying, 'my thoughts and prayers are with you as you travel on this journey'.

When Olga was well enough, she organised a 'photo shoot' to show her with the throw. (near Devonport)

The treatments appeared to work and later in the year, Olga travelled from her home in Tasmania to Queensland to stay with family for a short holiday and to catch up with old friends.  DH and I met her at her brother's house at Maroochydore and took her to lunch. DH had never met her before and he was very impressed with her calm dignity and positiveness as we discussed her illness and her plans for the future. It was a wonderful few hours that we spent with her.

With the beautiful Maroochydore Beach in the background; Olga is wearing her chemo beanie  which had been an essential wardrobe item last winter in Tassie.

I treasure these photos

Olga maintains a Facebook Page to keep friends and family informed of her progress, treatments and thoughts and dreams and I was saddened to read this post last week.. I've used the colour teal for the font. This is the 'colour that has been allocated' to Ovarian cancer.

'This is probably the hardest post I have had to write so far, but I have come this far, and I need to see this through to the end. I saw the oncologist today and the news was bad. This chemo is not working. There is no new cancer, but what was there is growing and I have been taken off the chemo. I have no options left in Tasmania and Victoria. The oncologist has hooked me up with an oncologist in Queensland and they are looking into a clinical trial for me. I need to get up there as soon as possible because they wont look at me if I start to get too sick. We hope to leave Tasmania Easter Monday or as soon as possible after that. The oncologist has no idea how long I have left, but I am still going to fight this, and hope to be around for a long time. I know some of you wont have words for this, and I totally understand. Sometimes I think I have the easy job. I get to say what is happening. I doubt I would know what to say if it was happening to someone else. I bought a bottle of champagne today, and we are going to sit back and drink that tonight, and talk. Will keep you all posted. Have a great night everyone. Take care. Xx'

We don't know yet whether Olga will be accepted into the program here in Queensland, we can but hope. I have a request...please keep Olga in your thoughts and prayers.