Chemo Kid goes to the seaside!

Well, she has started her Intensive Block. She has coped really well so far. She was a little bit sick this morning and is very tired, but her spirits are still quite high. Dave and I are taking her to the seaside today for some fresh sea air!
I was not looking forward to this block, but we are here now and we have to make the best of it as much we can. We know this block is going to be tough for Madelaine and no parent likes to see their child suffering. I wish I could take it away from her but I can't. But what Dave and I can do is stay strong and calm and hold her hand through it all.
So the seaside here we come! Its bitter cold so Madelaine will be be well wrapped up and her little hairless head will be well covered! Its amazing how many hats we have now for her.

The Next Stage - Intensive Block of Treatment

This week Madelaine is to begin a six-week long intensive block of treatment. I am dreading it, to be honest. Madelaine has been full of fun and mischief since she has been at home. She has become more active; she learnt to crawl again and walk along the furniture and has made her first steps on her own. Her communication skills are wonderful and she natters away.
She is full of laughter and can be so cheeky.
After having spoken with Geoff and the Team, we have been advised that this will be a difficult block for her. She will be undergoing lots of chemotherapy during this time as well as courses of steroids.
I hate the fact that she may be unwell again. When she was unwell in the hospital initially we didn't see her smile for weeks and it was heartbreaking. We have become so used to her laughter.
I know, however, that this treatment is part of Madelaine's journey through to becoming healthy again. She may become unwell during this time. Our role as parents is to be there and be strong and love her through it.
So that is what we are doing.
Madelaine is a strong little person and I know she will work through this treatment and come back to us with a naughty smile on her face.

And The World Keeps Turning.....

It was all abit of a blur for us both. We were whisked very quickly from the L.G.I. to St James' via ambulance. When we arrived, we were escorted to Ward 10....the Childrens Cancer Ward. I don't know whether I can describe the sickening feeling I had in my stomach walking through the doors of the ward. Madelaine was examined again and it was confirmed that Madelaine had Leukaemia.
One of the first people we met there was a Staff Nurse called Jayne. She was so supportive and understanding. She is a very bubbly Liverpudlian with a twinkle in her eye and a wicked sense of humour. To us, Jayne was like having a supportive and loving arm wrapped around us. All the staff at ward 10 were super; such compassion and understanding. I think it takes a very special type of person to work on Ward 10 with all the poorly children.
Within the next few days we were bombarded with lots of information. Some of the information stuck, but alot of it disappeared into the ether. Again, the staff were amazing. They were very patient with us. I know I asked the same questions again and again, the answers never seemed to stay in my head. for very long.
Since those first few days Madelaine's health has been up and down. There have been times when Madelaine did not even have the strength to even turn over in her cot. Her appearance has changed; the steroids in her treatment made her face swell so much you could hardly see her eyes. Her hair fell out with the chemo. Her face has settled down now and her hair is beginning to grow back. At the moment she is walking arounnd furniture and crawling liked greased lightening!
Madelaine is on her 2nd portacath. She had an infection in her first one. She was the poorliest I had ever seen her. We were close to losing her. Thank goodness she is here now making lots of mischief like any other 17 month old.
We are so thankful to Dr. Geoff Shenton and his Team at Ward 10 and the Clinic. They are saving Madelaine's life.