Five Years since THAT Day

28 Jan Five Years since THAT Day

So, here we are. Five years to the day since Felix was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. During the early days, I met many families who assured me that this would all become a distant memory. At the time it seemed nonsensical. How could we forget and move on from something as harrowing and traumatic as this?

I think we have though. It hasn’t been forgotten but it has now become a memory. A memory of a time of pain, anguish and terror but also a time when we found out things about ourselves we never knew, met some wonderful people and found the true meaning of gratitude.

We are grateful. So very grateful. We are so very lucky. My heart is always with those who have lost their child, their beautiful child. My heart is with those whose scars caused by childhood cancer run so deep, both emotionally and physically that life continues to cause heartache and pain. My heart is with those who have been told that their child’s young life will be cut short. They will never grow old.

This time last year, Covid was about to stop us all in our tracks. Strangely, the Covid experience of lockdown and isolation emulated those early months of diagnosis when we were shut off from the world, petrified of infection and unable to plan a future. During 2020 we experienced this again but this time there was no fear of missing out – we were all in it together. Whilst the world has had to stop, take stock and adjust for Covid, children are still being diagnosed with cancer. This is my point I suppose.

We have not had any face-to-face hospital clinics since February 2020. Felix should still be attending clinic every three months with an annual check-up at our main hospital which is the Piam Brown Ward, Southampton Children’s Hospital but these have happened by telephone/video call. Not quite the same but still grateful that we are being looked after.  As far as we can see, Felix is doing great. He is only a fraction away from being 6ft tall now which I do hope he makes! Football is still his passion and when Covid restrictions have allowed, he continues to play for the mighty Poppies and is also now part of the Wimborne Town Development Team. Whilst school is mostly online at the moment, he continues to study hard and work towards his GCSEs but desperately misses school life – something he missed so much of during treatment. We also have the lovely Lucy in our lives still – Felix’s girlfriend who he absolutely adores – they are the best of friends!

Childhood Cancer will always be part of who Felix is and a part of our lives. As time rolls on, that part of us feels like it is losing its force and it is having to take its place amongst an abundance of happier times and experiences.

We will always be grateful to you guys for your love and support – we still feel it now. Thank you for giving and thank you for always being there.

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