The first week after Ethan was diagnosed was crazy. We were at the hospital round the clock. There were lots of tests, scans and meetings with the oncologist, nurses, social workers, charity workers, surgeon etc. There was so much going on. On top of all we had to decide and think about with Ethan we also had the other two children to make arrangements for. It was a long week with not much sleep. However we did have some great moments.

Some good friends of ours decided we should have family photos before Ethan started Chemo. Family photos was the furthest thing from my mind. My friend Asha said that there is a photographer that works with the hospital get photos of children before they lose their hair etc. However by the time it was thought of it was too late to book in before Ethan started treatment. Asha mentioned this to a friend of hers who said she had a friend who was a photographer would do it for us.

So Asha made the arrangements late one afternoon and then called to tell me she had done so and that we should be ready in the garden by 9 am the next morning. I was blown away. A friend of a friends friend said they were happy to come and take photos of my family  and they wouldn’t let me pay them for it! With a days notice. From day one we have been amazed at people’s generosity and love. We are so grateful for the countless people who have served us in some way.

So Louise from ‘Reflections by Louise Photography’ came that morning to photograph us. She had a challenge on her hands. Ethan was fasting that day as it was just hours before his operation to insert his central line. Any 5 year old fasting would be grumpy – add to that the lack of sleep since being in hospital and the on going pain factor. Vienna slept at her cousins the night before and had a late night with an early start. So Vienna and Ethan were pretty grumpy and uncooperative. Blaise was a champion and did a good job of getting the others into it. He got to miss a morning of school so it was a good deal for him!

Louise knew the hospital grounds really well after spending a lot of time there with her twin boys when they were young. She knew what it was like to have a child nil by mouth (the medical jargon for fasting) and she knew how to work with the different ages of our children. We had no clue how they were going to turn out but were thrilled with the results. Now we have these great photos of our family with Ethan before he lost all his hair. We are grateful for our lovely friends for organising and for the help on the day (Aunty Laura, Aunty Paige and Grammy all helped get some smiles out of these kids). Here are some of my favourites.