Two years ago today we met Dr H.. for the first time. Whilst he’s a very nice bloke indeed, I really wish we hadn’t. That day will be etched in our life story forever. It changed the essence of our hopes and the direction of......
This is a repost of a blog that I wrote in April 2016. It was a tough time. I can’t recall too much about this period apart from feeling extremely vulnerable and pretty scared. This was one of the first posts I wrote. I......
When Felix was diagnosed with Cancer in January 2016 it sent shock waves throughout our family, friends and community. These are the voices that I want to be heard. How did our closest friends feel, what did they think, how did it affect them? How......
I read these facts whilst perusing the CCAM feature on CLIC Sargeant’s Website this morning: Key facts: 63% of parents experienced depression during their child’s treatment 37% of parents experienced panic attacks during their child’s treatment 95% of parents experienced anxiety during their child’s treatment 84%......
For lots of families, September signifies the return to school. As teachers with three children, September has always been about a return to routine and learning but there has been a sense of excitement for the fresh start ahead. For us now, September also marks Childhood......
When Felix was diagnosed in January 2016, I could find very little information about what his future might look like. The doctors said that things would get easier once we hit maintenance but looking at my boy suffering from the side effects of chemotherapy and......
I had Bloggers Block. I’ve wanted to write but just couldn’t. Writing is my therapy and the interaction gained from it does wonder for my state of mind and self-esteem. When I don’t write I miss it terribly. I started to get a bit desperate......
I knew I had to pen a blog to mark the day of diagnosis. I thought about sharing the emotional and physical trauma of the last year; the physical screams caused by pain, the emotional tears of desperation or the withdrawal caused by despair experienced......
On Thursday 1st September 2016, we will be joining others to watch Bournemouth Pier #glowgold to help raise awareness of childhood cancer and this is why: Because my seven-year old son doesn’t know what to say when people ask him how his brother is. Because......
As time is moving on, we are beginning to venture again into unknown territory and spontaneous happenings. Since Felix’s diagnosis we have enjoyed the safety of home and familiar surroundings where people know our back story and explanations are unnecessary. We have gone out of......
A lovely friend commented this on one of my earlier blogs and it really got me thinking. Had I really turned the scary thing that is childhood cancer upside down and if so why? As soon as Felix was diagnosed, it struck me that we......
The weekend came and went without incident. As instructed, further bloods were taken on Saturday morning, Felix took his tablets and his temperature was observed twice a day, with the understanding that if it went above 38 degrees we would bring him straight back to......
We spent the weekend with family and friends in an atmosphere of nervous trepidation. Visitors came, visitors left. It felt a little bit like Christmas. We speculated and anticipated about what was to become. We had no idea. What we did know was that we......
Those first few weeks launched us into an unknown world of professionals, procedures and emotions. The learning curve was huge as we tried to comprehend the enormity of what was happening to us. Amongst it all we wanted to make sure that our wonderful family and friends......
The frantic texting and social media messaging began almost immediately. The beauty of this form of impersonal communication allowed the tears to flow in privacy for us and those receiving the news. The last thing I wanted, for people I loved and respected, was for......
It really was the last thing we were expecting. Our #newnormal was just beginning. We return to hospital for Felix to undergo a series of examinations, discussions about his medical history, further blood tests and an x-ray. Within hours it was explained to us that......
We didn’t see it coming at all. Looking back the signs were there but boy, they were subtle, sneaky in fact. During the run up to Christmas, Felix did seem overly sensitive and at times seemed to lack his usual playfulness and good humour. His......
My 10 year old son has become an internet sensation. He has 5600+ followers on Facebook, is on first name terms with AFC Bournemouth, has a new bestie in his all time football hero and has raised over £2600 for Cancer Research. At the beginning......