Renee D’Offay
IN HER NEW BOOK RELEASED TODAY, GEELONG TEACHER RENEE D’OFFAY SHARES THE CHALLENGES OF SURVIVING A LIFETHREATENING ILLNESS THAT SENT HER INTO A WORLD OF SILENCE OVERNIGHT. AN EXTRACT OF HER NEW BOOK TELLS HER FAMILY’S STORY OF LOVE, LAUGHTER AND GROWING UP IN BREAMLEA.
I was born 13 minutes before my twin sister, Jane, on December 22, 1982. We were a week early and Mum had a reasonably smooth pregnancy, despite growing so big. I was born four-and-a-half pounds, followed by Janey at three pounds, fifteen-and-a-half ounces.
While Mum was pregnant with us, and looking after our 15-month-old brother, Brent, Dad was building our first family home in Breamlea.
So many happy memories were made in this house as well as a few I would like to forget. We do live and learn from these though. These are hectic times for the Kahle family.
During the first months of mine and Janey’s lives, there were a few minor complications. Janey went to hospital with bronchitis when she was just 13 months old, otherwise we settled into our new family home as a family of five.
Mum and Dad had planned to have two children, although, as things happen, they were blessed with three. As kids, Brent and I often joked about Janey being a mistake and an unwanted child, when of course she has been such a positive influence in all our lives, especially mine.
She’s the best sister, daughter, aunty, cousin and friend anyone could ask for. Brent and I would be lost without her presence, her motivation, her kindness, and her selflessness. None of us would change the way things are, especially not me.
A special lady, Maureen, who lived down the road from us at Breamlea, selflessly devoted her time to helping Mum daily whenever she could, nursing us, doing the washing or household chores, or just being present. Mum and Dad are extremely grateful for her generosity. I don’t know anyone else who could share a story like that. What an amazing human being she was, offering her support and kindness of heart.
We were (I now fully appreciate) lucky children in a loving family, immediate and extended. We try to share the same love and care with our own families.
None of us enjoy being in hospital but at some stage in our lives we, or someone close to us, will need special care. My memories are vague about the time I was in Geelong Hospital in 2002 (the time Renee contracted the lifethreating meningococcal meningitis). My only real understanding of that time comes from others and even then I have to take their word for it.
My time in ICU only felt like 24 hours, not days. I’d wake up, everything would be dark, and then I’d fall asleep again. Renee will launch Time to Soar today at the Geelong Library at 10.30am. Copies will be available at the launch (Inspire Press, $25)