Moshe’s Site

Can you believe. One last chemo b’ezrat Hashem and baruch Hashem we’ll be done.

Hashem has blessed us enormously. Thank you.

Moshe has stayed away from school and anyone not in our family this term - to  keep clear of the mumps and swine flu. One special friend even went and got tested to check if he had immunity to mumps. Can you believe he did not have immunity. Shame – they could not play together. Moshe has been quarantined to keep him well. Bh it worked. We wanted Moshe to go off to Camp Simcha – ‘germ free’ so that he would not spread anything onto the other kids with cancer at the camp – many of whom could have a lower immunity than Moshe.

So Moshe is at Camp Simcha right now – he has been there three and a half days. He flew with his Chai Lifeline counselor, Alon Friedman. Moshe and Alon are having the time of their lives. They were met at the airport by the Camp Simcha team who had with them pizzas, chocolates and sweets (sure, drinks too) for all the kids and their counselors who arrived at the airport at that time. Camp sounds awesome… vending machines with drinks and chocolates and sweets on tap. Arcade Games……Chai Lifeline is unbelievable. The chesed is just amazing. Thank you to Chai Life line and Camp Simcha. Please google Camp Simcha and Chai Lifeline and see what they are upto.  We are awestruck!

Moshe b”H returns after 2 weeks of fun. Recovers from the jet lag and then the very last chemo. Please continue to daven for a complete recovery.

Thank you each and everyone for everything. Really Hashem has sent an army to care, daven and to be with us in this difficult time.

Thank you, everyone, and take care.
Ezra, Jackie, Daniel, Benji, Akiva and Levi

B”H Hashem has been good to us. Moshe had his 2nd last chemo. Amazing. Let us pray for good health for everyone, and a refuah shleima for all.

Moshe has been doing home schooling for the last few weeks. We are trying to keep him away from Mumps and all this flu. He is also getting ready for Camp Simcha in New York. Two weeks of the most fun ever with other kids whoa lso have cancer. 100 kids and 100 counsellors. Specialist oncologists to keep a close check on the kids and to give chemo to those who need. Doctors, Chefs who cater to whatever they desire. Camp Simcha is like 2 weeks of Purim. Moshe is going with Alon Friedman, his consellor from South Africa.

When Moshe comes back he will have his LAST chemo. What a ride… B”H all will be well.

Thanks to all of you for your care and support. This has been a huge year. Lfe’s experiences can make us happy or sad, laugh or cry, feel pain or joy. Let us share G-d willing in MANY simchas - to double the simcha -  and when we must share in sad painful times let the pain be halved over and over.

Thanks again for all your sharing and caring. Shabbat shalom!

Love,

Ezra, Jackie and the boys

This is Moshe on Purim day!  Bungie Jumping at the Purim Seudah.  Moshe came dressed as a cowboy… he had been waiting months to do that. What fun. He loved it. We all did! Who does not like Purim… it is a day of fun!

This is the latest Moshe! Wow what happened to his hair…………….they say it can be different after chemo but WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is not even Purim day… just a post Purim day at home. Moshe was a bit exhausted for school on Monday. Mom is just getting him ready to go back tomorrow with zest and vibe.  Go get ‘em Moshe.  School is a blast!!!!!

Moshe was home doing Origami on Monday.  Not a bad activity for his day off. Anyone need lessons - just bring squares of paper to school on Tuesday or call him for a visit and he will show you the ropes. He is a GREAT Origamist!

We love you Moshka! Keep smiling.

Moshe loves your messages.  Keep it up.

Love, the Altschuler crew

Moshe has hair again.  What a blessing.  It feels soft like a baby. It is so precious to feel. Moshe is back at school again, even getting up to mischief.

Moshe’s friends are still treating him like precious cargo, allowing him no discomfort.  Even when he is unsure of school work - they ALL come rushing to help. Such Chesed. These are sensitive kids who are inspired to care.  So beautiful.

This week Moshe is back in hospital for chemo. He went in for no. 3 of his maintenance chemo on Wednesday, just for the day. Then bH 6 more to go. Sometimes they are better than others. Let this one be easy. (Like the 1st).

We thank Hashem and all our friends and caring supporters all over the world for caring, sharing and praying for Moshe and for us.

We think all the time and daven for all those other adults and children with cancer, and all other illnesses that cause pain - to people’s bodies, hearts and souls. It is a hard road and the heartache is not easy. But the bright smiles and joyful experiences are really doubled and even quadrupled. The understanding and care from friends and family towards the sick person and his or her immediate family really helps. Warm words and a positive attitude heal us all.

May we all be blessed with health, peace, happiness and safety on our journey of life.

Lots of love,

Jackie, Ezra and the boys

Remember Me?  Look at this hair!!!!!!! Yes it is Moshe!

Moshe at a siyum for Sefer Breishit back at school with all
his friends… Avi, Jacob, Amitai and Gavriel.
What a brocha! What a simcha!

Hi All,

Sorry for the long delay in posting an update for Moshe.

Moshe completed his last ‘Main’ chemo (where he stays in hospital) on 8 December last year. He then had blood tests 2 weeks later. TG he was told by the doctors that they are very happy with him and he can go on holiday until 7 January when he has to start his Maintenance Chemo and when he is due to have a major scan/MRI of the head/neck region to determine the success of the treatment thus far.

We hurriedly made arrangements to go to Port Elizabeth for 12 days, where Moshe together with the family had a wonderful time. It was the first time in months that he was allowed ro roam free and run and swim to his heart’s delight without the risk of contracting infections.

We returned for the scan and the beginning of his maintenance treatment on 7 January.

The maintenance phase of the chemo treatment is much easier to handle than the previous treatment so Moshe has to go to hospital one day a month for 8 months (only for the day), to have his maintenance chemo intravenously. He is also permitted to go back to school and resume his regular weekly programme
including music lessons and sport.  Moshe’s immunity will still be a bit low for the next year but BH with his fighting spirit he will stay strong.

We received the results of the scan the next day and to our enormous gratitude to Hashem we were informed that the scan has showed tremendous improvement and that the treatment, with G-d’s help, has done exactly what the doctors had intended it to do.

In other words, they are hoping for/expecting a full recovery for Moshe by the time he has finished the next 8 months of maintenance treatment.

Moshe B’H celebrated his 10th birthday at the ice-rink with friends. Last year he was not allowed to the ice rink or most other places for that matter. He had the time of his life.

He generally BH always has the time of his life in most things he does. It is a wonderful blessing. May Moshe grow to be old and grey and to be blessed with children and grandchildren who sparkle so beautifully like he does. May he take this piece of his life together with the his bright sparkle and grow to do great things. Forever. Amen.

As always Moshe is as upbeat as ever and has been a revelation to us in his beautiful ability to go with the flow and inspire all those who come into contact with him.

We thank Hashem for the beautiful news and pray that he will grant our son Moshe Yair ben Bayla Tanya a refuah shleimah (a full and complete recovery).

My we all have a strong, healthy and peaceful year.

We will continue postings as of now Bli Neder and once again thank everyone for their prayers and support of Moshe.

Love
The Altschuler family

Ezra, Jackie, Daniel, Benji, Moshe, Akiva and Levi

Lots of new photos!

Moshe’s energy takes him racing with his brothers… wow!

Moshe just chilling in the sea. Wonderful freedom again.

Building “sand castles” in the sun.

Moshe racing on his ice skates at 10th birthday.

Moshe turns 10!!!!!!!! Mazal Tov.

Moshe back to school.  What a brocha. He is over the moon to be back with all his friends EVERY day.

Moshe enjoying the visit from Margie from Bikkur Cholim who brought him some special gifts. What wonderful chesed surrounds us. Thank you.

Moshe and his cousin Thelma Altschuler. Giving each other chizzuk at the lab. The dreaded blood test. Moshe has a finger prick while Thelma has a needle in her arm. Yak! Such brave soldiers of Hashem.

Moshe in hospital having chemo. Feeling hungry again. New favorite Corner Cafe cheesecake. Yum.

Moshe was over the moon to recieve a laptop and a printer from Reach for a Dream. The King David schoolchildren raised the money to get it for Moshe. What a big smile. Moshe was given 3 wishes from Reach for a Dream. His 1st was a Ronaldo kit - all sweaty.. 2nd was the laptop and 3rd was to record a song in a studio. He got number 2. What a lucky boy.

His friend Kyle - got a Plasma screen TV for his room. His other friend Tumi - got a PSP and a TV.

The kids were treated like Kings by the King David Pupils. We were very impressed. Special thanks.

Reach for a Dream is always inviting the children on outings. Depending on the childrens bloods and whether they are in for chemo influences whether the kids can go.

Moshe was also invited together with Kyle and some of the other boys to hold up the flags at the cricket match last Sunday between SA and Bangladesh. The match was played in Benoni. Moshe held the Bangladesh and Kyle held the South African when the players went onto the field to sing their national anthems. They had a great day.

Bh today we went to the Donald Gordon and Moshe’s bloods were great. He is feeling good. What a brocha. Some of the kids at the hospital today were feeling tired and weak. Moshe is now chilling - listening to tapes and music. Has already done some Maths for today and will continue with his home schooling this afternoon. He is doing this every day now and is loving it.

Thank you for your continued healing, prayers and concern. Phone Moshe any time to ask how he is doing. He misses all his friends school and cannot wait to get back to school next year.

He has 2 more big chemos - next week and then 3 weeks later. Bh by the middle of December he will be over and then he will start maintenance. We look forward to having Moshe back in the swing. What a brocha that he is doing so well.

May all those having a difficult time in whichever areas find peace and health, calm and normalility. Amen.

Have a wonderful week and reach out to others. It makes such a difference.
We can see.

All our love
The Altschulers

Back row: Rachel Carr and Elana Gordon from Hirsch Lyons school (They are the 2 Principals at the school under Rebbetsin Goldfein). They came especially to be part of this exciting occasion for Moshe. On the right in the back row is Bronwyn from Reach for a Dream.
Front row: Ezra, Moshe, Kyle and Gustav (Kyle’s dad)

Moshe and Kyle

Da boys all on chemo drips in the hospital. All playing psp. Gotta have fun when you can. It’s a kids life. What can i say.

Moshe and Dad sitting at 11.30pm chilling outside. Who needs sleep? Moshe’s hours are a little wacky?????????? What do you say?

Yes! Moshe is in school clothes. No he does not wear them on home days for home schooling. He has been to school a few times ….and even been sent home due to GERMS which he has to keep away from…the BIG DREADED CHICKEN POX. Ha ha!!

Thanks to all the wonderful people who came to learn with the Rabbi and Rebbetsin Steinhaus in the zechut of Moshe Yair ben Bayla Tanya. What beautiful shiurim - so inspirational - what special people the Rabbi and his Rebbetsin are. What a great team. (This is actually challah baking..
brochas brochas and more brochas….)

Rabbi Steinhaus - Todah Rabah!

Moshe outside playing with his baby brother, Levi - who loves who more?

Look!!! Moshe has bubbly hair. Moshe at home on a giant slippery slide. Baruch Hashem - Moshe is having a blast!!!

Moshe showing off all his welcome home posters. Moshe is riding the waves… with a big smile.

Moshe hiding behind his radiotherapy mask sitting with some of his friends at home. Shai and Tal Aarons (Tal is also having Chemo with Moshe) then little Akiva (the cute monkey) and Yonatan Perez after some soccer card deals. When are the new cards coming to SA??????????

Moshe has to stay away from school and shul at the moment because chicken pox is going around. Even if he has already had it, his immunity is low so it is possible for him to get it again. If he gets chicken pox again it can be very dangerous for him, God Forbid.

So we bought him this T-shirt which he really loves and I suppose is quite true about him.

Love,

Jackie

BARUSH HASHEM Moshe is defying chemo side effects. he is energised and full of spirit. His neshoma has faith and he BELIEVES. He knows he is on a path… Hashem’s path… not sure where he is heading although he takes it with faith, believing that it is all BH FINE AND GOOD and WILL BH be fine.

Chicken pox he wants to keep clear of… and he simply knows how to when it is going around.

He misses school ENORMOUSLY when he cannot go. He has private tutoring by Mom, Leanne (school work), Rivky (piano), Josh (guitar), Gilad (chumash) and many other tutoring offers. Thank you for ALL the care and support.

Moshe is also having as much fun as possible at home. Learning to enjoy reading, listening to story tapes, playing Rummy (card game), computer games and movies (of course).

One of Moshe’s best is ALL HIS FAVOURITE FOODS - Gary’s perfect hot sausages (that not even Mom can imitate), a few varieties of the most delicious chocolate cakes and Loren’s pasta with cheese and tomato sauce. Each taste is SMELLED to assess whether it is worth eating - so that you understand the radiotherapy can change his tastes, and as to the urgent cravings I think it is the chemo.

Moshe is having bloods on Monday and again on Friday, and then a big chemo next week on Monday. BH 3 big chemos after this.

Wishing you all ketiva v’chatima tovah. A year of brocha and hatslacha, health and peace. May we be guarded and guided in the ways of Hashem to grow closer to Hashem’s will.

Wishing complete health to ALL those who need special prayers. Amen.

With love,

Ezra, Jackie, Daniel, Benji, Moshe, Akiva and Levi

Below: Moshe on his way to a guitar lesson

Hi again,

Thank you to all those who have been rallying around Moshe and our family - giving and caring in so many ways.Thank you to everyone for the davening, tehillim, special outings, visits, card swopping visits, afterschool lessons, hats, yarmulkas, games, activities, chocolate brownies, coloured
sprinkle biscuits, sweets, sabras, cakes, delicious dinners, shabbos treats, ….

This week Moshe begins with bloods and Chemo on Monday morning. Then off to radiotherapy at lunch time. The rest of the week he will bh be able to go to school (when he eventually wakes up) and then he leaves school just after midday for radiotherapy.

Moshe you are a shining child. Everyone cares about you. May your light radiate forever more and more. Continue entertaining us with your song and dance routines.

Please continue to daven for Moshe Yair ben Bayla Tanya for a complete recovery so that he will grow up to live a good life. Can we also daven for his friends:

• Malki bat Raisel Nechama (Malki who is 11 years old was diagnosed in London 2 weeks after Moshe with exactly the same tumour in the exactly the same place in her nasal cavity)
• Tal Eitan bat Sarah Rafaella (Tal is 8 years old and is also having Chemo at the Donald Gordon with Moshe)
• Also Devorah Leah bat Michal ( Devorah Leah is a Mommy and also undergoing Chemo).

We wish you all strength.

Continue to do mitzvahs for our children, your children and all Hashem’s children. It is through this doing and giving in all kinds of ways that we can grow. Hashem helps us to grow in all kinds of ways. Just have faith.

May all our children grow up to live good lives - may they grow with Torah and may their children continue to be a credit to all of Israel.

Love,
The Altschuler famly