From your big sister Beth

I havent written on maddy's website in ages and well a lot has happened between that time finally maddy is cured and has been for a little while and we are finally getting back on track. Am so proud how well she has done i'm just glad that it is all over now, even though we do have the times when she gets a little ill and goes into the hospital but we know that she will pull through like always. She is getting long hair and we can now play with it even though she doesn't let you touch it she is also a very funny little girl and has a very good personality and when she sings her christmas songs and dances with me and sings the chicken song with me she is hilarious and so cute, I can't wait til she reads this becuase I would like her to know how much i love her and how much am proud of her.
From her big sis Beth :) x

THIS IS IT!!

Yesterday was a very big day for Madelaine.
She had her very last treatment! She had a Lumbar Puncture and some Bone Marrow taken.

After the op, as soon as she opened her eyes she gave me the the biggest , cheesiest smile ever.
It was wonderful.

For 2 years and 3 months, we have not been able to think about the future, or to think about the end of her treatment for fear of what may happen. It has felt like an eternity since her diagnosis.

Thank you to all our friends and family who have supported us and loved us though throughout this time.
Thank you to all the wonderful people at St James' who are amazing. We cannot express exactly how we feel; you have given her back to us.
Specifically to Dr Geoff Shenton who has been with us since Madelaines diagnosis.
Thank you, Geoff. 'Thank you' doesn't quite seem enough....

I am reminded how lucky I am.



Lisa
x

Can you believe it.....!!!!

Can you believe it......Madelaine's treatment ends in 10 days time!!!!!
In the beginning I couldn't even imagine it. Nearly 2 years and 3 months Madelaine has been in treatment. That is two-thirds of her entire life.....
At the moment, Madelaine is a little bit out of sorts as she is on a course of Steroids and they play havoc with her sometimes. However.......this is the last course of steroids she will have!!!!
She is still coming on so so well.

We are all counting down to the the 27th August, 2009....its gonna be a great day.......

So proud of you Madelaine, my darling xxxxx

10 weeks of treatment to go!!!

Madelaine was in hospital yesterday for her Vincristine and a course of steriods.
Her blood count is good and the doctors are pleased with her.
Sometimes the vinc. does have adverse effects apon her. Last night she said she didn't feel very well. We took her temperature and she seemed fine. So she slept in bed with us last night for extra cuddles and comfort. After sleeping all through the night she awoke as bright as a button!
We have noticed that the steroids also have their own effects; Madelaine's mood swings change and are very interchangeable and she also has an appetite of a adult! She eats non-stop on this treatment. Its good to see too.

Here's hoping for a troublefree remaining 10 weeks of treatment for Madelaine.


xx

Madelaine's First Day at Lambs Hill

Madelaine had her 1st day at Lambs Hill Nursery at Fulneck on Friday. She looked smart as a button and she woke up so excited and wanted to get her uniform on straight away.....we thought it best to leave it till she had at least had her breakfast!
We were met by Mrs Hodgson and Madelaine didn't wait a minute to hold her hand to be taken to the class. She had a little explore around the play area and gave me a kiss and told me she loved me and waved......She obviously wanted me out of there! My eyes filled up and I think they were filling up throughout the day! It was a beautiful Summer's day that she really enjoyed with her new friends. The staff are lovely there.
I was on tenterhooks all day and couldn't wait to see her.
She is looking forward to her next visit.

Very Proud Mummy.

Good News

Madelaine's bloodcount was good yesterday and the lumbar puncture went ahead as planned. Her chemotherapy has been increased as a result. She coped really well yesterday. She was abit 'miffed' that she had to be fasted for the anaesthetic and was a little grumpy that she could not have breakfast. She has exactly 12 weeks left of treatment now. Geoff, Madelaine's consultant, is really pleased with Madelaine's progress. Geoff originally diagnosed Madelaine's illness 2 years ago and we, as a family, have maintained a wonderful relationship with him. I trust him implicitly and sometimes find myself hanging on to every word he says. Madelaine loves him to pieces and is really relaxed and cheeky with him. Geoff and his Team have been amazing and they do not just do their jobs, but they actually genuinely really care about the children that come into their care.
They have saved Madelaine's life and I am eternally in their debt.

Madelaine's Progress

Madelaine's treatment has approximately three months left to go. She is doing very well. Her chemotherapy was reduced last month as it was really knocking her bloodcounts and we were concerned about it. She is due in the hospital tomorrow for another Lumbar Puncture and we will get her new bloodcounts. Hopefully we will see a healthier bloodcount! She is enjoying the sunshine and has been having lots of fun in the paddling pool and in her tent in the garden. She is very energetic and is a non-stop natterjack! (no idea where she gets that from....)
Another piece of good news is that she is starting at Lambs Hill Nursery at Fulneck a week on Friday. She will be attending the nursery for a few days before they break up for the Summer. She will start full-time in September.
We are all really excited about it, particularly Madelaine who cannot wait to get to school!
It's another milestone for us all. It is now exactly 2 years since she was first diagnosed with Leukaemia and I remember in the beginning the fear of the unknown; the fear that Madelaine would not be here in two years time.....and yet here she is.
My very wonderful and brave little girl, who I will see in her first school uniform a week on Friday......
I think I will need tissues.......

Thank you to Fulneck Junior School!

I am very happy to tell you that the children of Fulneck Junior School have also been very busy raising money for Candlelighters! They have designed a collection of Greetings Cards which have been printed and they have raised a whopping £150!
Its a very worthwhile cause and a cause that we feel very passionate about. This money is going towards irradicating Childhood Cancer and every contribution counts. Many families have been touched by Childhood Cancer and we know through Madelaine's illness how heartbreaking and scary it is.
Well Done to the Fulneck Junior School!

Tobias. Alfie and Theodore

We all know that children are amazing, don't we? Well, three really special and very generous children have just proven that this is true. Tobias and Alfie had a joint Birthday Party and they raised £328 for The Candlelighters Trust by forfeiting their Birthday gifts and asking their friends to make a donation to Candlelighters instead. In addion to this, Tobias' younger brother, Theodore raised £230 at his 2nd Birthday!
Tobias, Alfie and Theodore, it's amazing what you have achieved. The money you have raised will be gratefully recieved and will be spent on going towards finding a cure for Cancer in Children. Well Done!!
I have posted a gorgeous photo of Tobias and Alfie having fun on their Birthday! Gorgeous!!

Another Milestone!

Madelaine was a Flowergirl on Saturday at our friends' wedding. Congratualtions to Mr & Mrs Huddlestone!!
We were a little anxious as we weren't sure if Madelaine would be well enough. As it happens she was super! She was so excited to wear her Princess Dress! She looked like an angel and was as good as gold apart from not wanting to pose for the camera (quite unlike her actually!!! - she must have been tired!)
So yes, it was another milestone for us all, really. I was as proud as punch on Saturday and shed one or two tears (as per!)

She had treatment yesterday and her blood counts are good and Geoff (Madelaine's Consultant) has increased her daily chemotherapy, so he must be happy with her. She is changing everyday and blossoming into a beautiful, funny, inquisitive and happy individual.
Keep it up, Madelaine. We are all very proud of you, darling. xxx

February Update

Madelaine has been doing really well just lately which is just great. We see her developing just like any other toddler. She climbed onto our bed last week wanting to jump up and down on it...so I told her not to as she would fall and hurt herself and then she would cry. She responded by saying, ' I won't cry, Mummy, I'm too happy!' And she was. She is the happiest child, full of fun and mischief, she is very inquisitive, she loves to draw, dance and sing and she is becoming extremely assertive...or should I say....bossy!
She has about 7 months left of treatment now and we are all counting down.
Lets hope she continues through her treatment as she is doing now xx

How much Madelaine has gone through

It seems like it was only yesturday we found out that you had Leukaemia you have been so brave and gone through so much this past year. It's amazing how much stuff they can put in a little body like yours but still you find energy to cheer us all up and make us feel like your still you even though you are still really ill. Am so proud of you and how you have dealt with this even though you are only little you still always take your medicine and do everything you are told to do. I can't wait til you are older and you read this because I would like you to know how you have helped us get through the rough patches just like we have helped you. It's really hard to see you ill sometimes because we are use to seeing you so well and smilie and always laughing but when your ill we know when your ill because your not laughing as much or smiling as much and that is a really hard thing to see. You have brought the family so much closer and we will always be there for you no matter what. You are so cute with your little bed hair and your mucky hands and nails and that really cheeky smile and laugh you know how to cheer people up and make people laugh. But I just want to say I love you so much and keep strong like always.

Love your sister Beth.xxxx

Happy New Year to everyone.

Madelaine had a lovely Christmas but I think she was a little overwhelmed at first by the whole thing. However, after Christmas Madelaine's health was not so good. We have been in and out of the hospital for the past week. Madelaine's temperature has been up and down, and she has been generally unwell. She had a chest x-ray and they found something different on there. They say it possibly maybe bacterial. She is on antibiotics at the moment to give her a hand. Her HB was low so she has had a blood transfusion this morning so I imagine she will be climbing the walls when I get home! Her neutrophils are decreasing after having a huge increase a few days ago, so we are keeping a close eye on her. We have kept her out of nursery for a few weeks to try and control he environment as much as we can. She is growing up before my very eyes. She is still full of fun and mischief and as adorable as ever.

Lets hope 2009 brings us all health and happiness xxxx